Upper and Middle School Innovation Librarian

Title:  Upper and Middle School Innovation Librarian 

Department/Location: IDEA Center, St. Louis Campus 

Position Type: Full-Time, 39-week 

Summary 

Principia is looking for a visionary and forward-thinking Upper and Middle School Innovation Librarian to foster an inclusive, dynamic, and technology-driven learning environment. In this role, you will align the library program with the school’s core value of Lead with Love—helping students recognize their limitless potential, overcome obstacles, value God, themselves, and others, and strive for excellence in all aspects of learning and personal growth. You will curate a diverse collection of literature that reflects and engages the student body, integrate emerging technologies, and collaborate with faculty to support academic achievement. Your commitment to belonging and equity, passion for innovation, and ability to create a welcoming and adaptable library space will be key to your success. Reporting to the Upper School Principal, you will play a critical role in inspiring students to explore, inquire, and develop a lifelong love of reading and learning. You’ll collaborate with faculty, students, and the broader school community to create a welcoming, adaptable library space that reflects varied perspectives. 

Who We Are  

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends.  

At Principia School, our core value is LOVE. Love and its attributes underpin our foundational beliefs as well as our educational approach. We focus on developing the whole child—intellectually, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, preparing students for the next steps in life. We foster a challenging yet supportive environment where character unfolds naturally, and talent is cultivated through boundless opportunities. Character education plays an essential role in every aspect of the student experience, and classroom work is augmented by character trips, leadership development, and real-world, hands-on, project-based learning. 

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued. 

Primary Responsibilities  

• Curate a diverse collection of print and digital resources that support curriculum, student interests and faculty needs, ensuring a continually refreshed and relevant collection.
• Manage circulation, cataloging, and maintenance of the library collection to ensure resources are organized and accessible.
• Maintain and oversee the library’s databases, subscriptions, and partnerships to ensure access to high quality and relevant sources for students and faculty. Provide guidance and training to faculty and students on effective research methods and resource utilization.
• Manage the library budget, including reconciliation of Visa charges, to ensure responsible financial management and resource allocation.
• Design and implement innovative library programs that promote literacy, research skills, and technology integration.
• Support students in developing information literacy and critical thinking skills.
• Foster a culture of inquiry and lifelong learning by providing students with access to a variety of learning experiences.
• Collaborate with faculty to support instructional goals through research projects, digital resources, and emerging technologies.
• Plan and lead professional development sessions for faculty on integrating library resources and technology into their curriculum.
• Engage with students through book clubs, reading challenges, author visits, and other enrichment activities.
• Serve as a “book whisperer” to help students discover literature that excites and inspires them.
• Supervise and mentor student workers, providing training in library skills to support the Upper School library’s daily operations.
• Manage and maintain the library’s flexible learning spaces, ensuring an inviting and adaptable environment.
• Support the Middle School with their students and literature needs, including ordering current, engaging, and relevant books for their classroom libraries.
• Offer support to the Lower School library by collaborating on book selections, sharing literacy resources, and encouraging a love of reading among younger students.
• Ensure compliance with copyright laws and stay up-to-date with evolving copyright regulations and best practices.
• Oversee library operations, including budgeting, acquisitions, and inventory management.
• Maintain the library as an inclusive, welcoming, and student-centered space that aligns with the school’s core value of “Lead with Love”.

Core Competencies 

• Customer Service: Responds promptly and professionally to customer needs
• Communication: Communicates well (written and verbal), delivers compelling presentations, has strong listening skills, passion and drive, and both intellectual and emotional intelligence
• Leadership: Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions of others; inspires respect and trust; accepts feedback from others; provides vision and inspiration to peers and direct reports; gives appropriate recognition to others; mobilizes others to fulfill the vision; promotes a positive work environment.
• Cost Consciousness: Works within approved budget; conserves organizational resources
• Ethical: Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity; upholds organizational values.
• Innovative: Presents a problem-solving mindset that helps our team come up with creative solutions to challenging issues, with a mentality of self-improvement and organizational excellence; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas
• Quality: Demonstrates attention to detail, accuracy, and thoroughness
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively and professionally with individuals at all levels and build strong relationships

Minimum Qualifications  

• Student of Christian Science preferred
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements
• Master’s degree in Library Science, Information Science, Education, or a related field
• Experience in a school library or educational setting, with a focus on innovation and technology integration.
• Strong knowledge of information literacy, research methodologies, and emerging educational technologies.
• Passion for fostering a love of reading and lifelong learning among students, with a strong understanding of current and relevant literature and educational trends.
• Experience in designing and managing makerspaces or creative learning environments.
• Familiarity with learning management systems, digital media, and educational apps.
• Ability to adapt to changing technologies and student needs.
• Knowledge of diverse literature and culturally responsive teaching practices.

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia.  

Compensation and Benefits 

We offer a competitive salary range for this position: $49,143 - $58,356 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. 

In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes: 

• Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded).
• Relocation: Principia provides a relocation imbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles
• Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more.

Equal Opportunity

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status.  

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.