Library & Media Specialist (2025-2026 SY)

FRAMINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Walsh Middle School

TITLE:

Library & Media Specialist - Anticipated Opening

2025-2026 School Year

POSITION SUMMARY:

To ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information technology; to guide and support the use of all of the districts technology resources both in and out of the classroom; to empower students to be critical thinkers enthusiastic readers skillful researchers effective users of technology ethical users of information and responsible digital citizens; to instill a love of learning in all students and ensure equitable access to information resources; to collaborate with classroom teachers to design and implement units of instruction assess student learning; to align the Library Media Center (LMC) with the mission goals and objectives of the school and district in order to deliver Framingham Public Schools high expectations for achievement equal access to high levels of instruction the achievement of academic proficiency for all students and the closing of theopportunity gap among subgroups within the schools.

OUR MISSION:

Framingham Public Schools is committed to excellence for all students. Our mission statement guides our work: Through a comprehensive education we aim to create and empower free-thinking responsible citizens who can participate equally in our rich and diverse community. FPS and the community stand united in our core values: Providing a safe inclusive culturally responsive teaching and learning environment; Engaging antiracist and responsible civic advocates; Respecting diversity of thought learners cultures and community; Fostering learning and healthy growth of all students and staff; Ensuring every school will be an active participatory equitable community.

Diversity among teachers undoubtedly advances the academic achievement of students. Compliance obligations establish a baseline which we seek to exceed. As a district Framingham Public Schools is committed to achieving developing and maintaining a workforce reflective of the rich racial linguistic and cultural diversity of our students. Framingham Public Schools aims to teach our children and ourselves to be culturally proficient and inclusive in order to live learn and work together in a vibrant and diverse world.

Indeed Framingham Public Schools is committed to inspiring our school community to be accepting and willing to learn from individuals with differing backgrounds. Our goal is to reflect the diverse community we serve and create a great place to work for everyone by embracing the individual skills perspectives and experiences our people bring to the workplace and harnessing these for high performance and improved service delivery. We want our employees to feel included valued and respected and have access to equal opportunity which supports full participation at work. Framingham Public Schools seeks to retain the diverse talent in our workforce and support our people to maintain a long and productive working career.

Framingham Public Schools is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from persons with disabilities and who identify as members of historically underrepresented groups.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Current and valid DESE K-12 Library license. Have completed a teacher preparation program/educational degree and hold a masters degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association or from a masters level program in library and information science. Demonstrated ability to work successfully with staff and students. Please note that licensure requirements are subjected to change at the discretion of DESE.

Framingham Public Schools seeks candidates whose background teaching or service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity inclusion and belonging in all aspects of education. Also we are interested in candidates who will bring to their professional practice the perspective that comes from a non-traditional educational background or an understanding of the experiences of those underrepresented in the educational field.

SKILLS AND ABILITY:

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in the educational field; to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form; to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups including staff parents and the general public; to read analyze and interpret professional periodicals and journals technical procedures and governmental regulations; to write reports and correspondence as needed; to use reasoning ability to evaluate information and determine/recommend an appropriate course of action; to define problems collect data establish facts and draw valid conclusions; to use professional literature evidence-based research and continuing education content to make practice decisions; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students parents staff and the community; to work independently prioritize tasks and manage several projects simultaneously; to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements state and federal laws and Framingham Public Schools policies (as long as the policies do not conflict with the Framingham Teachers Association (Unit A) Contract); to work with students and families of diverse backgrounds with diverse needs in an equitable and inclusive manner that bears witness to cultural proficiency and competency; to maintain appropriate confidential records; to react professionally and objectively to unpredictable situations (e.g. environmental changes behavior/aggression seizure activity etc.); to operate and/or acquire skills to operate a computer and related software including but not limited to Google; and ability/willingness to plan coordinate conduct and participate in ongoing professional and staff and reliable attendance is required.

Experience evaluating student skills and writing reports to interpret/summarize findings. Strong collaborative teaching coaching and leadership skills to support student programming and work in a team setting. Strong problem-solving skills to support student success. Strong data-collection skills to help to inform decisions for students. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Strong organizational skills to balance the demands of a multi-tasking position. A proactive and solution-focused approach to meeting student needs. Knowledge of specialized content areas as well as any related laws and procedures.

Ability to plan and implement lessons based on district and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned; and to use instructional technology appropriately and work with students to facilitate their use of instructional technology.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar related or a logical assignment to the position. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

TEACHER:

• Collaborates with classroom teachers as a partner in the instructional process
• Collaborates to design teach and assess learning experiences that incorporate inquiry learning information literacies in their formats critical thinking and self-assessment
• Provides and plans professional development
• Promotes a love of reading and lifelong learning
• Promotes instructional technology to improve learning
• Teaches students to build on prior knowledge to construct new knowledge
• Teaches search techniques including online search engine database and catalog searching

LEADER:

• Serves on decision-making teams school improvement and accreditation activities; presenting at meetings
• Benchmarks the Library Media Center (LMC) program to school state and national standards
• Assists in the research development and evaluation of new methods and digital tools that advance the Library and Technology programs
• Guides coaches and facilitates teachers and administrators in acquiring digital literacy skills
• Stays current in professional practices educational research; maintains active professional memberships
• Advocates for the LMC through an effective public relations program
• Collects and analyzes data to improve instruction; demonstrates correlations between the LMC and student achievement
• Administers the LMC budget to support program goals
• Participates in the recruiting hiring training and supervising of library/tech staff and volunteers

LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER DIRECTOR:

• Fosters a creative flexible environment so that the Library Media Center is an essential part of the learning community
• Evaluates promotes and uses existing and emerging technologies to support teaching and learning
• Develops and maintains print digital and technological resources appropriate to the curriculum the learners and instructional strategies of the school community
• Creates and maintains classification systems cataloging practices methods of subject access to library holdings electronic storage of bibliographic/media metadata
• Cooperates and networks with other libraries/agencies
• Evaluates library collection develops collection policies and procedures and analyzes resources in the context of the school culture with attention to the developmental and multicultural needs of students
• Establishes procedures for selection acquisition circulation and sharing of resources in all formats
• Promotes the ethical use of information: copyright fair use and licensing of intellectual property
• Considers social and psychological needs and attitudes of children and adolescents that affect their needs for library materials and services

OTHER

• Other duties and responsibilities as reasonably assigned

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be required to move about and may be required to traverse occasionally throughout the school building;
• Must often remain in a stationary position for considerable periods of time;
• Is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and sit stoop kneel crouch or crawl;
• Is expected to lift at least 20 lbs (i.e. books school supplies etc.);
• Must frequently use hands to finger handle or feel; and use hand strength to grasp tools;
• Must be able to assist students who have physical difficulties;
• Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery (i.e. a calculator copy machine and computer printer);
• Must be able to input information into a computer and as well as read material from a computer monitor as well as handwritten or printed matter with or without visual aids;
• Must be able to communicate effectively with students parents and other staff members in person via email and on the telephone;
• In the classroom must be able to see and hear on a continuous basis in order to ensure the safety of students as well as speak frequently to provide instruction;
• Must be able to assist students who have physical difficulties;
• May be required to move quickly across even or uneven surfaces;
• Working in a normal school environment with an acceptable level of noise;
• Must interact with students parents and other staff members;
• Must be able to kneel sit stand crawl push and pull to assist and teach children throughout the day;
• Is directly responsible for the safety well-being and work output of students;
• Must be able to interact with students parents and other staff members and occasionally must meet multiple demands from several people;
• While the majority of the workday is spent inside must spend time outdoors for recess fire drills and special activities;
• May be exposed to bodily fluids disease or pathogens;
• May receive unintentional injuries from aggressive students; and
• May be required some degree of physical interaction with students who have difficulty controlling physical behavior.

REPORTS TO:

Building Principal. The performance of this job will be evaluated as per the Framingham Teachers Association (Unit A).

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None.

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA) CLASSIFICATION:

This position is classified as Exempt (Professional).

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Covered under the Framingham Teachers Association (Unit A) Contract. Please note that the District reserves the right to transfer all personnel among buildings on an as needed basis to serve the best interests of all students as long as this does not conflict with the Framingham Teachers Association (Unit A) Contract.

HELPFUL LINKS:

Framingham Teachers Association Contract

Click here for more information about our amazing benefits!

Framingham Public Schools provides equal employment. opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin age disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements Framingham Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the District has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training. Framingham Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race color religion gender sexual orientation gender identity or expression national origin age genetic information disability ancestry marital status or veteran status.

The Framingham Public Schools prohibit sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. The notice of nondiscrimination is located at the Framingham Public Schools School Committee website.

Rev. 2024