Falk School Librarian, K-8

School Librarian (K-8)

Falk School - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Falk Laboratory School, a co-educational K-8 laboratory school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh, seeks a full-time, experienced, and dynamic school librarian for the 2026-2027 academic year, beginning in August 2026.

About the Library

The Falk Library exists to:

• Nurture a love of reading and an appreciation of literature and stories.
• Help students develop the skills to find, evaluate, and apply information effectively, empowering them to function as informed individuals and engaged members of society.

Our vision is for the library to be a vibrant, inclusive space where learners of all ages feel welcomed and inspired to explore their curiosity. The library nurtures creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, empathy, and social responsibility, and serves as a central space for collaboration, community building, and meaningful inquiry.

Responsibilities

The librarian will collaborate with faculty, staff, and peer librarians to advance the library's mission, including:

• Designing and implementing inquiry-based, student-centered learning experiences and assessments.
• Creating an environment conducive to active learning, resource-based instruction, and collaboration.
• Promoting curricula that develop the full range of literacy skills necessary for lifelong learners.
• Collaborating with educators to support students' learning needs.
• Evaluating and integrating technologies to enhance teaching, learning, and access to resources.
• Aligning the library program with state and national best practices.
• Advocating for the library program and the principles of the library profession.
• Supervising and mentoring library staff, including undergraduate and graduate students, and coordinating parent volunteers.
• Curating the library collection, including vetting, selecting, ordering, and processing new materials and resources (print and electronic)

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Library and Information Science, or progress toward one, preferred.
• Pennsylvania state school librarian certification is a plus.
• Experience working with K-8 students is strongly preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with demonstrated leadership and management experience.
• Commitment to progressive, student-centered, and inclusive education practices.
• Experience in or willingness to learn media technologies, such as DSLR cameras, iMovie, Garage Band, online databases, and research tools.

Application Requirements

For full consideration, applicants should submit:

1. Letter of application

2. Resume/CV

3. Educational philosophy (including use of technology with children)

4. Three letters of recommendation

5. Official transcripts

6. Pennsylvania teaching/librarian certification or equivalent

Salary & Benefits

The minimum base salary is $50,000; credit will be given for years of relevant experience. Falk Laboratory School, a department in the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh, offers excellent benefits. Questions can be sent to Molly Hicks, Director of Administrative Operations, at meh479@pitt.edu.

Application Timeline & Contact

Applications will be reviewed beginning in April and will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. Offer of employment is contingent on the Candidate satisfactorily obtaining and passing the following before commencement of appointment: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check, and FBI Criminal Record Check. Candidates must also submit proof of a negative TB test before their first day of work. As Act 168 of 2014 requires, the Candidate must satisfy the requirements on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education Sexual Misconduct/Abuse Disclosure Release Form.

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran

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