Library Science Teacher, Elementary in Reading

Position Goal: Provides all students with an enriched library environment containing a wide variety and range of materials that will invite intellectual growth, and assists all students in acquiring the skills needed to take full advantage of library resources.

Essential Functions:

• Operates and supervises the library to which assigned.
• Evaluates, selects, and requisitions new library materials.
• Coordinates instructional activities and collaborates with other professional staff both school and non‑school based, as required to maximize learning opportunities.
• Utilises a variety of instructional materials and available multimedia and computer technology to enhance learning.
• Maintains accurate, complete and correct records as required by law, District policy, and administrative regulation.
• Arranges for interlibrary loan of materials of interest or use to teachers.
• Works with teachers in planning those assignments likely to lead to extended use of library resources.
• Promotes appropriate conduct of students using library facilities.
• Helps students to develop habits of independent reference work and to develop skill in the use of reference materials in relation to planned assignments.
• Collaborates with other professionals (teachers, guidance counselors, etc.) to carry out school wide instructional or related activities.
• Participates in service and staff development activities and staff meetings as required or assigned.
• Counsels with and gives reading guidance to students who have special reading problems or unusual intellectual interests.
• Ensures library environment is attractive, healthful, safe, and conducive to learning and that materials are in good condition and accessible to students.
• Prepares and administers the library budget.
• Plans and supervises purposeful assignments for educational assistant(s) and volunteer(s) and, cooperatively with building principal, evaluates their job performance.
• Participates actively in library and other educational professional associations on the local, regional, state, and national level.
• Guides the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals, and in harmony with the goals, establishes clear objectives for all lessons and projects and the like to communicate these objectives to students.
• May serve at two or more schools on a regular basis as an itinerant.
• Performs duties with a team or departmental setting or works independently in the library setting.
• Some positions are assigned to reading or computer technology labs.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or his/her designee.

Qualification Requirements:

• Possession of appropriate degree.
• Pennsylvania Instructional Teaching Certificate.

Language Skills:

• Ability to speak clearly and distinctly.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively with other employees, students and parents.

Mathematical Skills:

• Ability to apply basic arithmetic calculations.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions for practical situations.
• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral or schedule form.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to coordinate activities with related and specialist staff.
• Ability to develop and maintain required records and reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, parents and the community.
• Good knowledge of procedures, practices, materials, and equipment required to provide appropriate learning experiences for students to whom assigned.
• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Must be courteous and able to deal effectively with people.
• Must be cooperative, congenial and service‑oriented.
• Ability to maintain personal self‑control in stressful situations.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and software.
• Ability to travel to more than one work location in the course of the day if assigned to an itinerant position.

Physical Demands:

• Regularly required to walk and talk or hear.
• Frequently required to stand and sit.
• Occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
• Some driving is necessary; light lifting – up to 25 pounds.
• May be required to assist students from school bus into/out of library/classroom in uncomfortably warm, cold, or inclement weather.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.
• Occasionally, yet essential to this position, the individual must meet deadlines with severe time constraints.

Work Environment:

• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet but may be moderate to loud at times.
• The employee is frequently required to interact with the parents, public and staff during and after the normal workday.
• The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and exhibit good human relation skills including courtesy, tact and patience.

Evaluation:

• The employee will be formally supervised and evaluated with regard to his/her duties on a regular basis by the Building Principal.
• The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
• It is the responsibility of the employee to inform the school district administrator designated as immediate supervisor of the position, of any and all reasonable accommodations that will be required.

The Reading School District is an equal opportunity employment, educational and service organization.