Head Librarian

The Putney School is seeking a full-time Head Librarian to lead and reimagine our school library program beginning in the 2026–27 School Year. The Head Librarian reports to the Director of Technology & Library Services and is an academic-year position with some work over the summer. This is a creative, forward-looking role for an educator who sees the library as a dynamic hub for inquiry, reading, research, digital fluency, and interdisciplinary learning. The Head Librarian ensures that students and faculty are effective, ethical, and imaginative users of information and ideas. The librarian provides leadership in information literacy, research design, collection development, and emerging literacies (such as artificial intelligence), while fostering a culture of reading for pleasure, curiosity, and critical thinking. This role partners closely with faculty to design learning experiences and strategically evolves the library as both a physical and intellectual commons.

About The Putney School: Putney is a progressive, co-educational boarding school of 200 hardworking and curious students located in Putney, Vermont. Hands-on learning is embedded in the school’s culture: a working dairy farm, expansive arts offerings, a robust work program, miles of wooded trails, and large solar arrays serve our curriculum. 

Putney is committed to cultivating and sustaining an educational community that values difference. Our commitment to social justice work is embedded in our stated Fundamental Beliefs. The ideal candidate will be eager to participate in anti-racist work and use an inclusive, social justice lens in their work with all students and adults on campus. Building a just and inclusive community is a shared responsibility, and Putney supports all its employees in developing this critical skill set.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with faculty to design and co-teach research, information literacy, and inquiry-based learning experiences.
• Provide instruction in research skills, database use, source evaluation, and ethical use of information.
• Curate and manage a diverse, inclusive, and curriculum-aligned collection in multiple formats.
• Provide leadership around emerging literacies (digital media and AI) in partnership with academic and technology colleagues.
• Oversee circulation, cataloging, inventory, and library systems; manage special and endowed collections.
• Supervise and coordinate the activities of evening library staff.
• Administer the library budget and engage in long-term program planning.
• Participate in broader school life, including student advising, participating in committees, or other community responsibilities.

Benefits

• Salary range of $44,500 to $82,430, depending on experience.
• Health, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, Disability, and optional group insurance plans, HSA/FSA options, paid time off, and 403(b) retirement plan contributions.
• Annual professional development opportunities.

• Master’s degree in Library Science with a focus on School Library and Media Centers.
• Proven experience in library management; previous experience in a school library preferred.
• Excellent organizational and administrative abilities.
• Knowledge of library management systems and digital resources.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to develop innovative programs and community partnerships.
• The ideal candidate will be inquisitive, energetic, flexible, collegial, engaged by Putney’s mission and creative ethos, and committed to working with adolescents in all aspects of Putney’s program.