Friends' Central School Overview

Friends' Central School is an independent, coeducational Quaker day school founded in 1845 and serving approximately 819 students in Nursery through grade 12. Located in the Philadelphia suburbs, the School has two campuses. The Middle & Upper Schools are located just outside of West Philadelphia in Wynnewood, and the Lower School is on our Old Gulph Road campus in the heart of Wynnewood.

The exceptional faculty at Friends' Central offers a curriculum that cultivates the intellectual, spiritual, and ethical growth of our students. Our pedagogy is grounded in continuing revelation, reflection, integrity, and a willingness to accept responsibility. From Nursery to grade 12, our students participate in a process designed to foster creative, critical, and flexible thinking, along with compassion. As they transform from playful children to skilled, self-possessed teenagers, they are always intellectually curious and engaged thinkers. Friends' Central prepares graduates to succeed in college and in life.

Director of Blackburn Library & Information Resources

Friends' Central seeks an experienced and innovative educator to oversee all aspects of the School's library and information literacy programs for students in grades 6-12. This is a 10-month position (August-June) with a start date during the summer of 2023 for a smooth transition and to ensure the library is ready for school opening in late August. The Director will have a dual report to the Middle and Upper School principals and will work closely with the Associate Head, principals, and faculty to steward the library and its programs and resources. In addition to the responsibilities outlined below, Friends' Central seeks a person with a particular interest in and track record of creating a dynamic library space and program with an eye for what's next with libraries in independent schools.

Responsibilities:

Information Literacy & Instruction

• Ensure the library's academic and technical resources advance the School's educational program

• Collaborate and work directly with faculty members to introduce and support research projects with students

• Upon request, deliver classroom presentations that have a particular focus on resource selection, use of databases, information literacy, and other tools

• Provide bibliographic and reference services for faculty and students

• Collaborate with academic departments on specific needs and growth opportunities

• Provide instruction for students in using library resources, media literacy, and digital citizenship

• Empower students to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, and skillful researchers

• Promote the ethical use of information and equitable access to information

Promoting the Library & Library Program

• Develop a parent volunteer program to provide supervision and additional support in the library

• Collaborate with the Head of School, Associate Head of School, and Middle and Upper School principals to develop a vision for the future of the library

• Foster an environment of creativity, innovation, and a love of reading and learning through special events, programs, and displays

• Maintain a welcoming and current library that is conducive to reading, studying, research and collaboration

• Act as an advocate of the library by sharing expertise at faculty meetings, serving on academic committees, and taking an active role in strategic initiatives that connect to the library

• Partner with local bookstores and organizations in an effort to bring authors and speakers to campus

• Network with librarians, maintain active memberships in professional associations, and promote the School in the wider community

• Collaborate with Middle and Upper School library-related clubs and activities

Collection Maintenance & Development

• Maintain the library collection (i.e. catalog, shelve, and process books) and the digital resources (subscriptions, NoodleTools, Overdrive/Sora)

• Research and evaluate new and emerging information technologies and library resources

• Develop, acquire and maintain a collection of resources appropriate to the curriculum, the students, the instructional strategies of the schools faculty, and the School's mission

• Annually collect and analyze data to measure library usage, collections, and student engagement

• Prepare and manage the library budget to ensure diverse and relevant resources in a variety of formats

• Coordinate with the Technology department to evaluate and purchase technical equipment and online resources

• Ensure the School has a culturally inclusive and individually responsive library collection of print and digital material

• Establish procedures and strategies for the library program and related activities to maximize the efficiency and impact of the library program

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Library Science or in Library and Information Science from an ALA (American Library Association) accredited institution or equivalent experience

• 3-5 years of professional library experience or equivalent, with a preference for those with experience in a secondary school library

• Extensive knowledge of literature and best practices in research

• Experience using and maintaining research databases and library management software

• An appreciation and respect for middle and high school-aged students as learners and people

• Commitment and knowledge to work with, teach, and lead groups of diverse individuals

• Organized and detail-oriented in order to effectively and efficiently manage multiple tasks and demands on attention

• Able to work effectively with multiple constituencies: colleagues, students, and parents/caregivers

• Demonstrated success collaborating with faculty and supporting student learning

To apply, please visit the Employment Opportunities page of our website for our online application. The application will ask for a resume, cover letter and three professional references. All applications should be completed by February 27, 2023.

Currently, Friends' Central requires COVID-19 vaccines for all faculty, staff, and students. There will be limited exemptions for medical or religious reasons.

Friends' Central School seeks candidates with a commitment to fostering an inclusive learning community who will address issues of diversity, as well as enhance the Philosophy of Inclusivity and Awareness articulated in our Diversity Statement.

About Friends' Central School

Friends’ Central School is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory, Quaker day school, founded in 1845, serving 800 students in Nursery through grade 12. Located on two campuses in Wynnewood, Pa., Friends’ Central blends a rigorous curriculum with enduring Quaker principles of kindness, compassion, and generosity of spirit to create a solid foundation for a future of opportunity and success. Students at Friends’ Central School are taught to think critically and creatively, and they learn the value of good character and strong work ethic to develop into active and engaged citizens. Friends’ Central seeks candidates who will enhance the philosophy of inclusivity and awareness articulated in our Diversity Statement.

Connections working at Friends' Central School