Upper Grades Librarian and Director of Academic Research

Upper Grades Librarian and Director of Academic Research

Tower Hill School seeks a qualified candidate to serve as Upper Grades Librarian and Director of Academic Research starting in August 2025. The ideal candidate for this position is committed to providing and developing quality library services, resources, and programming to the students in Grades 7 - 12, as well as supporting the faculty in the development and execution of the research elements of their curricula. The Librarian will report to the Head of Upper School and reside primarily in THE Hub, our beautifully and newly renovated library space that lends itself to both quiet work and collaboration and plays an important role in the academic and cultural life of Tower Hill. The individual in this position will have the opportunity to lead and define space that is envisioned as a joyful academic, research, and reading heart of the school.

Main Responsibilities:

• Foster an environment that promotes the joy of reading and learning and that is conducive to reading, studying, researching, and collaborating for both students and faculty
• Support all students to be enthusiastic readers, critical thinkers, skillful researchers, curators, and ethical users of information in a variety of formats

• Generate programming with academic departments to keep reading for pleasure alive for students as they journey through their demanding academic and co-curricular programs
• Collaborate with faculty and administration to design curriculum and programming that leans into Tower Hills strategic commitment to center original scholarship and finely tuned research skills in the academic program
  • In the first year, audit the research curricula that exist in the school and develop a point of view and plan for incremental progress
• Curate the collection by ensuring that materials are relevant and authentic to the student and faculty needs
  • Maintain collections, database subscriptions, circulation platform, and cataloging to ensure that the Library Resource Page, OPAC, Sora, and other technology platforms are accessible and effective portals to library resources
• Teach library sciences and research skills lessons to Middle and Upper School students by pushing into existing classes and/or in discrete sections as the curriculum develops

• Supervise students working in THE Hub during certain times of the school day, balancing the treatment of the space as a center for conversation and exchange with its use as a place where focused study can occur
• Coordinate all reservations, displays, and activities of THE Hub to maximize student and faculty use of the resources
• Meet regularly with the Department Chairs, Division Heads, and the Teaching and Learning Center to discuss ways to improve school-wide support
• Read widely

• Keep abreast of trends in library services and technology by reading professional journals, attending conferences, and maintaining connections with other librarians through membership in professional organizations
• Collaborate with the Dean of Faculty, Division Heads, and academic leadership throughout the school in providing research support for curricular audits or schoolwide academic initiatives by providing relevant scholarship and analysis to those leaders

The ideal candidate for this role will have the following qualifications:

• At least three years experience as a professional librarian, with upper grades or collegiate experience or significant experience in the field of academic research
• Experience and knowledge working with integrated library systems and educational technologies
• Demonstrated knowledge of current best practices for teaching information literacy and collaborating with faculty to develop and lead inquiry-based research projects
• Advanced search and research skills using proprietary databases, with experience in bibliographic instruction
• Passion and commitment for books, educational technology, and research
• Sensitivity to the developmental stages and well-being of children
• Commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of students
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal
• Commitment to broad participation in school life

• Experience in and commitment to the ongoing development and maintenance of an inclusive campus community
• A masters degree in Library Science (MLS or MLIS) from an ALA-accredited program is preferred, but consideration will be given to applicants with broad exposure to and experience in libraries with sufficient research credentials

Tower Hill School is a coeducational private school for age 3 through Grade 12, dedicated to living our motto Multa Bene Facta Many Things Done Well. With a beautiful 44-acre campus located in northwest Wilmington, Tower Hill has the reputation as the top school in the state and one of the top schools in the Philadelphia region. Our unparalleled resources include excellent faculty, state-of the-art facilities and individualized learning support.

Tower Hill School prepares students from diverse backgrounds for full and creative engagement with a dynamic world. Each student is provided with an educational experience that emphasizes the development of an inquisitive, discerning and critical mind; the value of being creative and aesthetically sensitive; the appreciation of physical well being; the ability to collaborate and to function as part of a team; and the growth of character.