Instructional Services Librarian – Law Library
Twin Cities, MN, USA | Private Research Institution
Industry: Education
Position Type: Full-Time
Functions: Regulatory Affairs
Experience: 3-5 years
Required Qualifications
• J.D. from an A.B.A. accredited law school
• M.L.S. from an A.L.A. accredited graduate school
• Minimum of three years reference experience in a research-oriented academic law library
• Minimum of two years experience teaching legal research in a law school curriculum
• Evidence of exceptional research competency, including ability to analyze research requests effectively, conduct expert legal and interdisciplinary research, synthesize research results, and deliver a high quality, comprehensive final product
• Evidence of strong teaching and presentation skills
• Evidence of strong written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated strong service philosophy
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, and to work independently as well as collaboratively
• Evidence of ability to contribute actively to the law library profession through ongoing scholarly productivity and participation in professional activities
Desired Qualifications
• Experience developing and teaching practice-oriented legal research curriculum
• Experience in law practice and/or in a judicial clerkship
• Experience designing, creating, and implementing curriculum using instructional technologies
About the Job
The Instructional Services Librarian reports to the Reference Administration & Web Services Librarian. Professional librarians are hired under the Private Research Institution Academic Professional and Administrative (P&A) employee classification system which may lead to promotion and continuous appointment based on successful fulfillment of library duties, published scholarship, and professional participation.
Responsibilities
Primary areas of responsibility include leading the Law Library’s research instruction program in consultation with the Reference Administration & Web Services Librarian, and providing reference and research assistance as a member of the Library’s reference team. The range of research instruction currently provided includes: Practice-Ready Legal Research, a two-credit course, offered in the fall and spring semesters; legal research instruction provided as part of the first-year Legal Research & Writing course; research presentations in upper-level courses with significant writing requirements; and subject-specific research presentations.
In consultation with the Reference Administration & Web Services Librarian, the Instructional Services Librarian is responsible for all aspects of teaching the Practice-Ready Legal Research course. The Instructional Services Librarian collaborates with the Law School’s Director of Legal Writing and leads the Library reference staff in providing basic legal research instruction for the first-year Legal Research & Writing program. The Instructional Services Librarian develops and coordinates other formal and informal research instruction initiatives in collaboration with the reference staff.
The Instructional Services Librarian is a member of the Law Library’s reference team, providing general reference and research assistance to all Library patrons and participating in a rotating reference schedule that includes evenings and some Saturdays. Reference duties include: conducting in-depth research and developing specialized research expertise as needed in support of the scholarship and teaching of the Law School faculty; facilitating research conducted by students including their work on journals, moot courts, clinics, and in seminar courses; preparing and updating Library research guides; and other responsibilities as assigned.
The Instructional Services Librarian represents the Law Library on campus, regional, and national levels, engages in research and scholarship relevant to law librarianship, legal education, or substantive legal subjects, and participates in professional service activities.
How To Apply
Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter, resume, transcripts showing completion of both required degrees, a diversity statement (one page maximum), and contact information for a minimum of four professional references.
IMPORTANT note regarding submission of application materials: Once you have submitted the online application, you must go to the “My Activities” section in order to attach your transcripts, statement of diversity and list of four professional references.
Please note the following with regard to the diversity statement: It is an expectation of the Private Research Institution that people hired into academic positions can demonstrate multicultural competence and a commitment to diversity. The diversity statement should be a summary of actual accomplishments (rather than a philosophical statement). An example might be noting specific actions and success you have had in recruiting for a more diverse staff, retention efforts, committee or task force involvement, etc.
Online posting and application information