Library and Digital Media Manager

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

Located within the Office of Teaching and Learning (T&L), the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Digital Learning (CIDL) oversees the district's comprehensive Pre-K through 12th-grade curriculum and digital ecosystem, Skyline. Skyline includes a wide range of functionality to help support all of the content and instructional needs of every educator and student at Chicago Public Schools (CPS).

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Digital Learning & Libraries, the Library and Digital Media Manager is responsible for supporting all librarians and libraries across the district. The person in this role will provide professional learning for district librarians, engage internal and external stakeholders to staff school libraries, and select and procure print and digital curricular and supplemental learning materials. The Library and Digital Media Manager is responsible for cultivating many essential district partnerships including those with universities, vendor partners, library organizations and the Chicago Public Library, alongside strong partnerships with other CPS departments and offices. The person in this role will lead the distribution of curricular learning materials and securing of high-quality licensed content to support the district’s comprehensive PK-12 digital curriculum, Skyline. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Library and Digital Media Manager will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

Develop and promote coherent instructional guidance and learning materials as a priority for school librarians, specifically including the identification, integration and promotion of high-quality media literacy learning materials in Skyline, CPS’ Comprehensive PK-12 curriculum

Recruit for and administer two librarian cohort programs with university partners to upskill existing educators to earn Library Information Specialist endorsements

Manage procurement, vendor relationships, grant funds and donations

Manage licensing, partnerships and permissions work for Skyline

Develop and deliver professional learning to district librarians and educators across CPS related to best practices in library instruction, library digital resources, district instructional priorities and related topics

Manage all library digital resources including the integrated library system (library management system), subscription databases, ebooks, and shared catalogs from citywide and statewide partners

Manage print materials distribution and logistics supporting curricular and library initiatives

Administer programs, systems and policies to establish CPS libraries and librarians as key levers in the district's instructional and curricular initiatives

Lead strategic partnerships like, but not limited to, The 81 Club partnership with the Chicago Public Library to provide universal access to library resources to all students and staff

Other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Library and Digital Media Manager must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Master’s degree in Library and Information Science or similar preferred

Valid teaching certificate/Professional Educator’s License (PEL) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) with Library Information Specialist endorsement strongly preferred

Experience Required:

Minimum of five (5) years experience teaching in the classroom, in a school librarian role, or as a public children’s or teen librarian

School library leadership or library leadership experience is preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of educational standards, including Common Core State Standards and the American Association of School Librarians Standards

Extensive successful experience in designing professional learning for large and small groups

Knowledge of how technology can be most effectively integrated in a classroom environment

Evidence of superior collection development expertise and knowledge of children’s and young adult literature

Exceptional written, verbal, organizational, and technology skills

Ability to review and interpret highly technical information, translate technical materials for non-technical audiences and/or speak persuasively to implement desired action

Proven leadership, direction, and team building experiences

Demonstrated expertise in creating websites, videos, and instructional materials

Expertise in managing an active professional learning network related to library and technology instruction

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Strong skills in using Google Workspace for Education

Proven ability to collaborate with colleagues and work as a member of a team

Ability to communicate effectively with persons of varied educational and cultural backgrounds

Benefits:

Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice

CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:

Medical Plan Options

Pharmacy

Dental

Vision

Behavioral Health & EAP

Employee Wellness Program

Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow

We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:

Basic Life Insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

Pension Plans

Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Spot Pet Insurance

Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life

CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:

Paid Leave

Sick Leave

Vacation Days

Parental Leaves

Short-Term Disability

Religious Holidays

Leaves

Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook <span style="font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-de