Wilmington Friends School is an independent Preschool through 12th grade Quaker college preparatory day school located in Wilmington, Delaware, enrolling approximately 700 students. Grounded in Quaker values of integrity, community, equality, and stewardship, WFS nurtures the academic, social-emotional, and spiritual growth of every student. Our newly renovated lower school offers an exciting opportunity to capture the momentum of a beautifully updated library space and the hearts of young readers. Strategic plan initiatives that plan to grow learning beyond the classroom and school walls provide a unique opportunity to lend vision and direction to the future of Wilmington Friends.

Position Overview

The Lower School Librarian is a full-time teaching position at the center of our Preschool through 5th grade community. This educator leads a vibrant library program that cultivates a lifelong love of reading, nurtures curiosity, and develops the research and information literacy skills students need to thrive as learners and citizens.

Working closely with an assistant librarian and parent volunteers, this librarian partners deeply with homebase teachers to weave library learning and classroom life together. Technology is an important tool in this work — used purposefully to support research, deepen information literacy, and bring hands-on, creative learning experiences into the library and classroom.

We are seeking a multi-faceted educator who loves books and young readers, brings creativity and enthusiasm to their teaching, and sees the library as a dynamic hub for the whole school community.

Key Responsibilities

Library Program Leadership

• Oversee all aspects of the lower school library, including collection development, circulation systems, physical space, and overall program vision

• Collaborate with an assistant librarian and parent volunteers to create a welcoming, well-organized, and high-functioning library

• Cultivate a culture of reading and literary enthusiasm through read-alouds, book talks, author studies, genre exploration, and independent reading initiatives

• Teach library and research skills to Kindergarten through 5th grade students, with lessons that are engaging, hands-on, and developmentally appropriate

• Curate and maintain a diverse, representative, and current collection that reflects the full range of our school community

• Manage the library budget thoughtfully, including materials acquisition and resource subscriptions

Technology Integration & Information Literacy

Technology in this role serves the library program and classroom learning. Our librarian guides students and teachers in using technology purposefully and critically.

• Teach information literacy skills — evaluating sources, navigating databases, understanding how information is created and shared — in partnership with homebase teachers.

• Guide students in responsible and ethical digital citizenship, including online safety, privacy, and thoughtful use of digital tools

• Collaborate with homebase teachers to integrate technology meaningfully into research and inquiry units, and potentially combine makerspace-style activities with research projects and curriculum; 

• Maintain and supervise use of 3-D printers, virtual reality technology, and other tools within the library and collaborative spaces and units

• Support teachers in discovering and using library-connected technology resources effectively

Collaboration & Community

• Partner closely with homebase teachers to design and co-teach integrated library units that connect to classroom themes and the school curriculum

• Build warm, trusting relationships with students across all grade levels, from preschool through 5th grade

• Plan, organize, and lead library programming, such as author visits and reading initiatives that benefit the school community and promote a love of literature and learning

• Contribute to lower school curriculum conversations and planning

• Support diversity, equity, and inclusion through intentional collection curation, inclusive lesson design, and culturally responsive practice

• Genuine love of children's and young adult literature and a talent for connecting young readers with the right books

• Experience working with elementary-age students in a school or library setting

• Ability to teach information literacy and research skills in ways that are age-appropriate and engaging

• Comfort integrating technology as a tool for learning — particularly in support of research, information literacy, and creative projects

• Understanding of digital citizenship and online safety for elementary students

• Collaborative spirit and the ability to work closely and creatively with classroom teachers

• Strong organizational and communication skills

• Culturally competent, with experience engaging with and learning from people of diverse backgrounds and identities

• Bachelor's degree in Library Science or Library & Information Science or related field

• Master’s degree

• School library or SLMS certification, or willingness to pursue certification

• Experience managing a library collection, budget, and circulation system (e.g., Destiny, Follett)

• Experience designing or facilitating makerspace, project-based, or hands-on creative learning experiences

• Experience in an independent school or Quaker school setting

Candidates with diverse backgrounds, candidates committed to working on diversity, equity and inclusion in education, and members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) are particularly encouraged to apply. If interested, please send a cover letter, resume, and list of three references addressed to Chris Loeffler, Head of Lower School, to Linda Beard (lbeard@wilmingtonfriends.org) by April 17, 2025. We will be conducting initial interviews as materials are received.