FAQs
What is the main purpose of the Law Librarian for Research Services position at MacMillan Law Library?
The main purpose of the position is to provide high-quality legal and non-legal research assistance to law library users, including students, faculty, members of the local bar, and the general public. This involves providing classroom instruction, scholarship support, and interacting with a variety of patron groups.
What are the additional responsibilities associated with the Law Librarian for Research Services role?
Additional responsibilities include staffing the Reference Desk, designing and teaching Advanced Legal Research courses, assisting various student groups, supporting faculty scholarship, creating online research guides, serving on library committees, engaging in professional development, and performing other related duties.
What qualifications are required for the Law Librarian for Research Services position?
Required qualifications include having a JD from an ABA-accredited law school (or equivalent) and an MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution, or a BA in Law with an MA in LIS from an Accelerated Masters Program. Candidates with experience conducting legal and non-legal research, strong communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively are also essential.
Are there preferred qualifications for the Law Librarian for Research Services position?
Yes, preferred qualifications include experience providing library reference or customer service, demonstrated success in teaching or public speaking, support for business legal research, a willingness to champion the use of emerging AI tools in legal research, participation in professional law librarianship activities, and knowledge of foreign languages.
Will the position require evening or weekend hours?
Yes, the position may occasionally require a few evening and weekend hours for staffing the MacMillan Law Library’s Reference Desk and assisting users.
In what ways will the Law Librarian for Research Services support law faculty?
The Law Librarian will support faculty through participation in the Library’s Faculty Services Program by providing scholarship support and some classroom assistance for clinics and seminar courses.
What type of classroom instruction will the Law Librarian be involved in?
The Law Librarian will design and teach one to two upper-level, topic-specific Advanced Legal Research courses as part of the library's teaching rotation, which includes up to five one-credit courses per semester.
How does the role involve engagement with student groups?
The Law Librarian will work with a variety of student groups, including faculty research assistants, journal students, international students, and law school graduate students, to assist them with their library and legal research needs.
What types of professional development activities might the Law Librarian engage in?
The Law Librarian will engage in professional development activities, scholarship, and service, which may include participating in workshops, conferences, and other events relevant to law librarianship.
Is knowledge of foreign languages necessary for the position?
While not required, knowledge of foreign languages is considered a preferred qualification and may be beneficial in providing services to a diverse user base.