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About the Role

The Library Media Specialist (School Librarian) is the subject matter expert at EMNRBS, responsible for leading the school library as a dynamic hub of literacy, learning, research, media, technology, and discovery. This 12-month, full-time instructional position designs, develops, and manages a library program that integrates literacy, information literacy, research, media, and technology across all content areas, supporting students' academic, social, and personal growth. The role requires a deep understanding of literacy development, information and media literacy, culturally responsive educational practices, library program design, digital research tools, and student-centered programming. It also requires strong collaboration and organizational skills, the ability to build relationships with students who may have had limited prior access to books and libraries, and a real-world understanding that school-based literacy leadership is an act of servant leadership that extends beyond the traditional school day. Reporting to EMNRBS' Principal/Executive Director, this role collaborates closely with the Senior Leadership Team, Grade Team Leads, Subject Matter Team Leads, and instructional staff to ensure all students have access to a robust ecosystem supporting academic achievement, literacy growth, inquiry, creativity, and high accountability standards. Grounded in EMNRBS' mission that "A Ball and A Book Can Change the World," the Library Media Specialist will help students develop meaningful relationships with reading and literacy, creating a library environment that serves as a school-wide resource for students, teachers, and families. The role will transform the library into a living learning hub that empowers students as readers, thinkers, storytellers, creators, researchers, and future leaders.

Responsibilities

Build and sustain a school-wide culture of literacy that motivates students to read for academic and personal growth.
Match students with culturally relevant, accessible, high-interest, and identity-affirming books and resources.
Utilize high-interest/low-readability texts, graphic novels, audiobooks, e-books, digital texts, multimedia resources, and interactive experiences to support struggling, reluctant, and emerging readers.
Implement and support reading initiatives such as book clubs, reading challenges, advisory reading, student-led discussions, literacy celebrations, author visits, book talks, and student showcases.
Teach information literacy, media literacy, research skills, news literacy, source evaluation, understanding of bias, ethical use of information, digital citizenship, and responsible creation and consumption of information aligned with New York State standards.
Deliver instruction through direct teaching, push-in support, pull-out support, co-teaching, and advisory support as needed.
Collaborate with faculty to integrate literacy, research, inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, and digital research practices across subject areas and interdisciplinary projects.
Serve as a school-wide instructional and curricular resource, supporting teachers with literacy practices, research tools, databases, information fluency, library resources, interdisciplinary planning, Regents readiness efforts, and innovative course or project design.
Collaborate closely with the Senior Leadership Team, Grade Team Leads, Subject Matter Team Leads, and instructional staff to align library programming with academic priorities, student needs, and school-wide initiatives.
Attend administrative recurring meetings connected to school-wide planning, instructional alignment, student support, programming, and operations.
Support interdisciplinary learning connected to EMNRBS' Ecosystem of Basketball, including sports analytics, sports law, business and entrepreneurship, media and journalism, marketing, health and nutrition, fashion and design, arena branding, podcasting, broadcast media, and authentic college and career research.
Develop, curate, and maintain a diverse, inclusive, engaging, and primarily digital library collection including physical books, e-books, audiobooks, research databases, and digital collections.
Manage library program operations, including cataloging, circulation systems, scheduling, inventory, library space usage, adjacent learning spaces, and integration of platforms such as NOVELny and TeachingBooks.
Use student voice, engagement data, library usage data, reading engagement data, program effectiveness data, and partnership impact data to improve library services, programming, access, and student outcomes.
Create and maintain a welcoming, student-centered, inclusive library environment that supports collaboration, independent learning, exploration, research, creativity, and varied learning styles and needs.
Develop family literacy initiatives and community programming that provide caregivers access to literacy resources, take-home reading opportunities, events, workshops, and school-community learning experiences.
Develop and maintain partnerships with colleges, universities, cultural institutions, public libraries, community organizations, and industry professionals to coordinate guest speakers, literacy events, workshops, career-connected experiences, and authentic learning opportunities.
Manage the library budget and external resources, ensuring appropriate stewardship of materials, partnerships, digital tools, and program investments.
Ensure compliance with copyright expectations, ethical research practices, digital safety requirements, and responsible use of media and technology.
Attend professional development opportunities and lead professional development for faculty related to literacy practices, research tools and databases, information fluency, digital resources, and library programming.
Regularly communicate with students' families and caregivers to build strong relationships around literacy, access, and student growth within the Bronx community.
Collaborate with faculty, students, families, and external partners to build an innovative, exciting, and effective school model that achieves EMNRBS' mission.
Be receptive to vertical and lateral feedback from colleagues, managers, students, and school partners to continuously improve library programming and student-facing supports.
Perform other related duties as assigned, including participation in school events such as Orientation, Back to School Night, parent-teacher and student-teacher conferences, literacy celebrations, community events, and guest speaker programming.

Requirements

Experience or demonstrated commitment to literacy development and equitable educational practices.
Strong preference for experience in urban educational environments.

Skills

Strong collaboration skills
Relationship-building skills
Communication skills
Ability to engage reluctant readers
Ability to foster a school-wide culture of literacy
Knowledge of culturally responsive teaching practices
Knowledge of equitable literacy development
Ability to create an inclusive and welcoming library environment
Strong organizational skills
Library systems management
Schedule management
Collection management
Resource management
Data management
Partnership management
Program management
Ability to meet students at their academic and social level
Proficiency with educational technology
Proficiency with research databases
Proficiency with digital collections
Proficiency with digital media tools
Flexibility
Creativity
Curiosity
Innovation
Community partnership development
Podcasting
Journalism
Media production
Broadcast media
Digital storytelling
Grant writing
Program development
Grit
Initiative
Willingness to build a new program from the ground up

Location

Bronx, NY
10461

Work Type

Full Time
12-month instructional position

Experience Level

Early-career candidates encouraged to apply

Education Level

Master of Library Science (MLS) or related degree
New York State School Library Media Specialist certification required
New York State teaching certification required

Salary/Compensations

$75,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

About the Company

Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball Charter School (EMNRBS)
Mission: "A Ball and A Book Can Change the World"
Focus on integrating basketball with academic and personal development through the Ecosystem of Basketball