School Librarian (Long Term Substitute) (SY26-27)

Boston Public Schools; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Boston Public Schools is seeking a highly qualified School Librarian to create a supportive environment for diverse learners in Boston. The role focuses on promoting critical thinking skills, equitable access to resources, and collaboration with staff to enhance curriculum. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree and a valid Massachusetts School Librarian License.

Join us in fostering a love of reading and learning among students, and enriching the library's collections and programs.

Qualifications

• Hold a Bachelor's degree.
• Hold a valid Massachusetts School Librarian/Library License (All Levels).
• Ability to meet all state and federal guidelines to be fully licensed and Highly Qualified.

Responsibilities

• Support students and staff to be critical thinkers and effective users of information.
• Create a caring and thoughtful environment with access to library collections.
• Communicate library resources and programs to school staff and families.

Skills

Child development knowledge

Information literacy skills

Cultural proficiency

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Massachusetts School Librarian/Library License (All Levels)

Job description

Job Overview

Boston Public Schools seeks a School Librarian who is experienced, highly qualified, and knowledgeable to join our community of learners and leaders. This role offers an environment that supports creativity, innovation, and the respect for the skills and abilities of librarians. Successful candidates must commit to the vision of Equitable Literacy, justice‑based, and anti‑bias educational practice, and maintain an educational philosophy that embraces community vision for a rigorous academic program, culturally responsive practice, and the belief that all children can learn at high levels.

Reports to: Principal/Head of Schools.

Responsibilities

• Support students and staff to be critical thinkers and effective users, evaluators, and creators of information.
• Create a caring and thoughtful environment with equitable access to the library’s physical and digital collections.
• Collaborate and co‑teach with colleagues to support curriculum through information literacy skills and utilizing diverse, complex, and culturally responsive texts.
• Oversee the physical and digital collection, including performing equity audits, maintenance, collection selection and development, and organization of the library.
• Provide resources to the school community that support curriculum, current events, and school and community culture.
• Communicate library resources and programs to school staff and families.
• Instill and support a love of reading and stories in students.

Core Competencies

• Accountability for Student Achievement
  • Sets ambitious learning goals for all students, uses instructional and clinical practices that reflect high expectations for students and student work, and engages all students in learning.
  • Consistently defines high expectations for student learning goals and behavior.
  • Assesses student learning regularly using a variety of assessments to measure growth and understanding.
  • Effectively analyzes data from assessments, draws conclusions, and shares them appropriately.
• Communicating Professional Knowledge
  • Exhibits strong knowledge of child development and how students learn and behave, and designs effective and rigorous plans for support with measurable outcomes.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of students’ developmental levels by providing differentiated learning experiences and support that enable all students to progress toward intended outcomes.
• Equitable & Effective Instruction
  • Builds a productive learning environment where every student participates and is valued as part of the class community.
  • Uses instructional and clinical practices that challenge, motivate, and engage all students and facilitate active participation.
  • Consistently adapts instruction, services, plans, and assessments to make curriculum and supports accessible to all students.
• Cultural Proficiency
  • Actively creates and maintains an environment in which students’ diverse backgrounds, identities, strengths, and challenges are respected.
• Parent/Family Engagement
  • Engages with families and builds collaborative, respectful relationships in service of student learning.
  • Consistently provides parents with clear expectations for student learning behavior and/or wellness and shares strategies to promote learning and development at school and home.
• Professional Reflection & Collaboration
  • Regularly reflects on practice, seeks and responds to feedback, and demonstrates self‑awareness and commitment to continuous learning and development.
  • Consistently collaborates with colleagues through shared planning and/or informal conversation to analyze student performance and development and to plan appropriate interventions.
  • Regularly provides advice and expertise to general education teachers and the school community to support the creation of effective academic, behavioral, and social/emotional learning experiences for students.

Qualifications – Required

• Education: Hold a Bachelor’s degree.
• Hold a valid Massachusetts School Librarian/Library License (All Levels).
• Meet all state and federal guidelines to be fully licensed and Highly Qualified.
• Ability to meet the Standards of Effective Teaching established by Boston Public Schools.
• Current authorization to work in the United States – candidates must have such authorization by their first day of employment.

Qualifications – Preferred

• BPS values linguistic diversity and believes that candidates who speak another language bring added value to the classroom, school, and district culture and diversity. BPS is particularly interested in candidates who are fluent in one of BPS’ official languages: Spanish, Creole (Cape Verdean), Creole (Haitian), Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, or Somali.

The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record, physical or mental disability, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related conditions, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics, natural or protective hairstyle, military status, immigration status, English language proficiency, or any other factor prohibited by law in its programs and activities. BPS does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias‑based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to work or learn. If you require an accommodation pursuant to the ADA for the application process, please contact the Accommodations Unit at [e-mail].