Research & Reference Librarian

Salary/Position Classification

• $64,800 - $67,400 annual, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• This position will work onsite the Grand Forks, ND campus.

Purpose of Position

The primary purpose of the Research and Reference Librarian position is to support law student education, support faculty research and instruction, develop and participate in legal research instruction, and provide library reference services. The Research and Reference Librarian also provides reference services to the bench and bar. This position reports directly to the Assistant Dean for the Law Library and works collaboratively with the Head of Technical Services and other members of the library staff.

Duties & Responsibilities

• The Research and Reference Librarian is responsible for providing research, reference, instructional, and other support for full-time and adjunct law faculty.
  • Provides programming on library resources relevant to law faculty generally as well as to meet regularly with faculty to determine their individual needs.
  • Research services may include conducting research for faculty, training and supervising student research assistants, obtaining source materials, compiling bibliographies, providing “alerts” relevant to faculty research, assisting faculty with submitting manuscripts, preparing user guides to library resources, etc.
  • Instructional services may include providing legal research instruction for faculty members’ courses, proactively researching and assisting faculty in implementing instructional technologies, providing “alerts” relevant to faculty teaching, obtaining teaching materials, assisting with course web pages, etc.
  • The Research and Reference Librarian is responsible for facilitating the addition of faculty scholarship to the University’s institutional depository and coordinating the Faculty Scholarship Series and the bi-yearly Survey of Faculty & Staff Accomplishments.
  • Additional services may include providing library tours for faculty and creating and maintaining marketing materials such as a faculty guide and newsletter. 
• Working in conjunction with the Assistant Dean, the Research and Reference Librarian is responsible for developing services to support the research, reference, instructional, and other needs of law students.
  • Provides programming on library resources relevant to law students generally as well as to assist in meeting individual student instructional needs.
  • Regular programming would include presentations on the wide variety of electronic resources and databases available to law students, such as Westlaw, LexisNexis, Bloomberg Law, etc.
  • When appropriate, programming is to be supplemented by the creation of pamphlets, handouts, web guides, and online tutorials.
  • Provides support to student organizations and publications, such as providing research assistance and promoting and publishing items on the law school website and the UND Dakota Digital Commons.
  • The position also assists in hiring, training, and supervising law students hired as reference assistants.
• The Research and Reference Librarian is responsible for planning and teaching first year, advanced, or specialized legal research for-credit courses as needed.
  • The Research and Reference Librarian fulfills a vital need in the law school curriculum by planning and teaching research classes.
  • The Research and Reference Librarian may be required to teach Advanced Legal Research or another research class as needed.
  • Additional duties include coordinating with the Assistant Dean and the Lawyering Skills faculty in the collaborative development and teaching of the first-year legal component. 
• The Research and Reference Librarian provides reference and other research services for law students, administrators, the bench and bar, and other library users.
  • The Research and Reference Librarian, in collaboration with the Assistant Dean and Head of Technical Services, provides reference and other research services for students, administrators, the bench and bar, and other library users.
• The Research and Reference Librarian keeps current on job-related research and trends.
  • The Research and Reference Librarian participates in professional development activities and organizations relevant to the position and is encouraged as time away from the position and the budget allow. 

Required Competencies

• This position requires strong written and oral communication skills; knowledge of major legal research resources, including both print and electronic resources; a solid understanding of how legal materials are created, organized, and used; and the ability to effectively instruct others in the use of those materials.
• This position also requires the ability to prioritize between varied tasks; meet deadlines; and proactively engage in efforts to improve law library services.

Minimum Requirements

• JD degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library and information science or a related degree from an ALA-accredited institution.
• 2 years' experience working in an academic law library.
• Experience teaching a course or providing other forms of formal research instruction.