Upper School Librarian

SCALE:  Professional Scale
CONTRACT:  Professional Staff Contract
DIVISION: Upper School 

Job Description 

Under the supervision of the Director of Academics and in collaboration with the eResources Librarian, the Upper School Librarian provides leadership that responds to current needs and uses data to identify trends and guide decisions aligned with the schoolwide learning outcomes (SWLOs). Together, the Upper School and eResources librarians oversee the strategic planning, operations, and administration of cataloging, collection development, electronic resources, systems, and special collections. The Upper School Librarian develops procedures for these areas and is responsible for recruiting, training, supervising, and evaluating support staff. 

Responsibilities Leadership and Administration 

• Oversee daily operations, physical space, and staff of the Joanna Nichols Memorial Upper School Library (USL). 
• Use circulation data, stakeholder feedback, and other evidence to evaluate and improve library programs, resources, and services to align with the school's mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities. 
• Plan for the ongoing development of collections, resources, and programming in response to the evolving needs of students and faculty. 
• Maintain awareness of current trends and best practices in library and information services. 
• Manage the USL budget and implement changes as needed. 
• Collaborate with the K-12 library team to ensure resource and program alignment. 
• Demonstrate ongoing growth and effectiveness in program leadership in alignment with the Educational Specialist Performance Standards. 

Collection Management and Access 

• Lead collection development, acquisitions, cataloging, processing, and preservation of both print and digital materials.
• Collaborate with the eResources Librarian on the selection, implementation, and management of the Library Services Platform (LSP).
• Oversee space planning, inventory, and weeding to maintain a relevant, balanced, and accessible collection. 
• Serve as the primary liaison to vendors and content providers for print and digital collections. 
• Coordinate department workflows to ensure consistent, high-quality cataloging and processing. 
• Evaluate and enhance the quality and efficiency of library services and systems. 

Library Instruction and Information Literacy 

• Serves as the primary liaison for library events and research-related class collaborations. 
• Partner with faculty to integrate information literacy, research, and ethical information use into the curriculum in alignment with the SWLOs and information literacy standards. 
• Provide instruction through embedded lessons, library guides, video tutorials, and other formats to support students and faculty. 
• Deliver reference and research support through classes, individual consultations, and online communication. 
• Promote the library's resources and programs within the school community. 
• Engage in ongoing professional development and contribute to professional library organizations. 

Other Duties 

• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned.  

Required Qualifications 

• Master's degree in Library Science or equivalent from an ALA-accredited program. 
• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in a secondary school or academic library. 
• Experience supervising staff and fostering a collaborative, team-oriented environment. 
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to use data and technology to inform library practices. 
• Experience in cataloging, acquisitions, collection development, and library systems.
• Knowledge of library operations, policies, and procedures. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience developing and managing budgets. 
• Experience leading strategic planning and program assessment. 
• Evidence of strong service orientation and the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and students. 
• Deep knowledge of metadata standards, acquisitions, and processing best practices. 
• Professional engagement with library and related organizations. 

To Apply

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references through the online link below. Please note that direct applications via email or other channels will not be considered.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as Taipei American School reserves the right to close the selection process at any time. 

---