Berkshire School seeks to hire a Library Director beginning in the 2024-25 academic year. Berkshire’s Library Director, through leadership, vision, and work ethic, will mold Geier Library into a modern, 21st century space at the heart of Berkshire’s academic and intellectual culture.
Salary is competitive and includes year-round housing plus utilities, and meals when school is in session. Health and retirement benefits, including TIAA-CREF, are part of the compensation package. Funding exists to support advanced degree work, as well as participation in professional conferences, workshops, summer study, and travel.
Berkshire School strives to create a global community for students and adults that reflects the world around us and the backgrounds, experiences, identities, genders, perspectives, races, religions and talents that each member brings to our school. We believe that a diverse and inclusive community supports and respects all cultures, ethnicities, languages, philosophies, political views and sexual orientations that exist within and beyond our school.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Sets the vision for the Geier Library and oversees the daily operations of the library including cataloging, circulation, interlibrary loan, and creating physical, and digital displays
- Prepares and manages the library budget and trains and supervises library staff
- Engages in the work of collection development with an intercultural lens that reflects the diverse experiences, backgrounds, and identities of the community
- Collaborates with classroom teachers to engage students in the research process by teaching how to locate and use printed and digital resources, how to evaluate research materials, and how to manage citations using research management tools like NoodleTools
- Works closely with faculty, students, and staff to create an academic and welcoming atmosphere in the library
- Works in partnership with department chairs and faculty to develop, coordinate, and support departmental and faculty curricula
- Works closely with the IT department to support information resources for faculty, staff and students
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Self-motivated, customer service oriented, flexible, and adaptable
- Knowledge of platforms such as EDS or other discovery systems, LibGuides, Sora, Noodletools, LMS systems, and a variety of research databases
- Extensive familiarity and knowledge of the methods, policies, practices, principles, and procedures of secondary school library work, preferably in an independent, preparatory, 9-12 grade school setting.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Considerable knowledge of how an integrated library automation system works; knowledge of how local and wide area networks work; and knowledge of emerging technologies in library environments and digital/information literacy
- Demonstrated success collaborating with faculty in all disciplines to enable/enhance student learning
Requirements:
- Master’s degree in Library Science or in Library and Information Science from an ALA (American Library Association) accredited institution
- Minimum five years of professional library experience or equivalent, with a preference of at least three years in a supervisory capacity
Our faculty members intentionally choose Berkshire because they recognize we are fully committed to expanding opportunities for our students and furthering their education both inside and outside of the classroom. They are passionate about aligning their work to reflect new understandings of how students learn best and to preparing them for a world driven by exponential change. More than 80% of Berkshire faculty members live in campus housing. Beyond teaching, most faculty members serve as an advisor, coach a sport, help with clubs and activities, and often take on other supervisory roles, which means students interact with faculty multiple times each day in a variety of contexts.
Additional benefits for faculty include year-round housing with utilities, including internet, and meals when school is in session. Funding also exists to support advanced degree work, as well as participation in professional conferences, workshops, summer studies and travel.
- Competitive Compensation
- Medical/Dental/Vision Health Insurance (Choice of PPO or HSA plans)
- Retirement Plan through TIAA (5% match first 3-years, 10% after)
- Student Loan Repayment Assistance
- Support for Graduate Degree Studies (Faculty)
- Professional Development Funding (Includes conferences, workshops, travel, etc.)
- Full Day Student Tuition Remission at Berkshire for all admissible legal dependents
- Reduced tuition at local independent schools (Indian Mountain School, Berkshire Country Day School)
- Reduced tuition and priority enrollment at Undermountain Daycare (on-campus)
- Kellogg Travel Grant (Annually awarded grants to support leisure travel)
- Strom Grant (Funding available for faculty to travel, study in Asia)
- Campus Housing
- Access to Dining Hall
- Use of athletic facilities and equipment (includes indoor exercise facilities and outdoor track)
Please send employment inquiries to the following unless otherwise noted:
FACULTY POSITIONS
Jean Woodward Maher
Associate Head of School
Berkshire School
245 North Undermountain Road
Sheffield, MA 01257
Email: jmaher@berkshireschool.org
Fax: 413-229-1010
STAFF POSITIONS
Cheryl Geerhold
Director of Human Resources
Berkshire School
245 N. Undermountain Road
Sheffield, MA 01257
Email: cgeerhold@berkshireschool.org
Phone: 413-229-1201