Library Director

Faculty / Full-Time

Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

About Shady Hill School: 

Since 1915, Shady Hill, a school of approximately 520 students (PreK – Grade 8) and 90+ faculty, has been a leader in progressive education. Shady Hill is a deeply mission-driven school.  We seek to develop independent, joyful and curious learners who respect their own accomplishments and those of others. We strive to be a community whose values are strong and whose teachers are unafraid to engage students in important questions. The school’s program allows children to explore their worlds and test their powers.  As a school with a historical and contemporary commitment to social justice, we believe that an inclusive and equitable community is an educational and moral imperative that empowers us all. Therefore, we seek to hire teachers who demonstrate a mindset and skill set that prioritizes cultural competence, equity, and justice in their practice with students and in their work with colleagues.

A hallmark of a Shady Hill education is the Central Subject methodology. Students in Grades 3-8 engage in an assigned Central Subject, an in-depth, integrated study of a particular time or people in history. The year-long study, which emphasizes strong content, the use of primary sources, understanding of multiple perspectives, acquisition of essential skills, and self-discovery, forms the core of our curriculum. Gradeheads (classroom teachers) are responsible for developing content and implementing instruction in social studies/history, language arts, and mathematics, working closely with the performing arts and visual arts faculty to integrate these disciplines. 

Shady Hill School is also a teacher training institution. Its long-standing Teacher Training Center, which brings ~8 apprentice teachers to campus each year, prepares talented people for careers in education and allows each faculty member the opportunity to be a mentor and meaningful contributor to the teaching field.  Because of the school’s commitment to teacher training, the school seeks teachers with certification or a demonstrated interest in working towards certification when hired by Shady Hill School.

About the position: 

Shady Hill School seeks an experienced, learner-centered, justice-oriented Library Director beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. This is a full time, 10 month position. The Library Director is responsible for the overall management and maintenance of the library program, as well as the supervision of library staff and parent volunteers. 

The Shady Hill Library is an essential resource for our students, faculty and apprentice teachers. Librarians provide weekly instruction, as well as reference, readers’ advisory and curricular support for the entire school community. Our fully automated facilities include a collection of over 30,000 books as well as multiple digital resources. 

Specific Responsibilities: 

  • Manage the Library team (1.5 FTE plus parent volunteers) 
  • With the Library team, teach preK – 8th grade students
  • Build collaborative relationships with faculty, staff and apprentices to assist with curriculum development, especially around literature and research
  • Oversee general collection and cataloging activities to manage and curate Library materials
  • Readers’ advisory for entire community 
  • Monitor the social and emotional wellbeing, and academic achievement of students
  • Engage in professional development to enhance inclusive teaching and leadership practices. The school offers extensive professional development opportunities, including yearly trips to the People of Color Conference for BIPOC employees

In addition, the Library Director will share in responsibilities associated with the position or with membership on the faculty such as supervision of student activities, participating in special events and outreach programs, as well as lunch and recess supervision and other duties. Faculty members are also expected to attend opening and closing meetings (August/September and June) and other faculty meetings as scheduled and to serve on committees of the faculty. 

Qualifications: 

  • Masters in Library Science required
  • Previous library experience required, preferably in an elementary or middle school setting
  • Familiarity with integrated learning through a thematic approach
  • Effective, timely and professional communication skills
  • Creates an inclusive environment and effectively employs multicultural, anti-bias, antiracist teaching strategies that reflect cultural competence
  • Uses multicultural materials and resources
  • A demonstrated interest in furthering professional development

How to apply: Please send a pdf including a cover letter and resume to apply@shs.org. Please be sure to include “Library Director” in the subject line of the email. 

Shady Hill offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance plans, a school-matched retirement plan and paid time off. Employees must be authorized to work in the United States. Shady Hill is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. For a description of the school, refer to: www.shs.org.

COVID19 Protocols: All Shady Hill employees are required to provide proof of vaccination and to observe campus COVID protocols. All health and safety protocols are subject to change based on state, local and CDC guidelines and at the discretion of the Health and Safety Team.

Shady Hill School

Cambridge, MA
Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School
Day
All Gender