Author: Michelle Pearse

The Lillian Goldman Law Library at Yale Law School has an opening for an Experienced Research and Instructional Services Librarian. Details are available at Reference & Instruction Librarian – Yale University – Job Details and below. Please feel free to contact Jordan Jefferson at jordan.a.jefferson@yale.edu with any questions.

Position Focus:

Reporting to the Associate Director for Research and Instructional Services, the Research and Instructional Services Librarian at the Lillian Goldman Law Library is responsible for providing significant research, reference, and instructional service in a dynamic and challenging environment. This position provides an unparalleled working experience amongst a diverse community of scholars and access to a world-class collection of print and digital materials. A successful candidate will be creative, thoughtful, agile, culturally competent, and display emotional intelligence.

The librarian in this position will provide superior research and reference services to students, faculty, staff, and the Yale community in a variety of venues. In addition, this position participates in formal instruction in for-credit legal research courses as well as informal instruction in the first year and clinical programs, guest lectures, and other workshops. This position works collaboratively in a team setting with all members of the Law Library.

The librarian in this position may develop print and electronic research guides, video tutorials, and other technology-based tools to educate and assist patrons in conducting legal research and using library resources. This position also participates in developing the Library’s online presence via the web site and other electronic means. There may be opportunities to participate in collection development, engage in scholarship, create exhibits, and develop other law library activities according to abilities, aptitude, and desire. Strong emphasis on teamwork, individual growth, and professional development.

All professional librarians will participate in library planning committees, working groups, and task forces within the Law Library and the University Library. There are also opportunities for professional growth and involvement including engaging in campus, regional, and national professional organizations and collaborative activities. A successful candidate will be expected to be professionally active and represent the Library and the University in the academic, scholarly, and professional community.

This position will be assigned a rank of Librarian 2 to 5 based on a combination of professional experience and accomplishments. Librarian ranking information can be found at bit.ly/YULRanksPromotions .

Essential Duties

1. Provides research service to students, faculty, clinics, centers, staff, and members of the Yale community through consultations, formal and informal instruction, and in-person and virtual reference services.
2. Teaches in formalized legal research program as well as in a variety of classroom and electronic settings.
3. Engages in outreach to support research, instructional offerings, and information resources of the Law Library.
4. Creates and maintains research support tools and online guides. Collaborates with librarians, GIS specialists, archivists, and other providers of information resources to provide superior research and instructional services.
5. Works closely with collections, acquisitions, and cataloging librarians, and staff on selecting, acquiring, and receiving resources in all formats (print, databases, datasets, images, a/v, etc.) and preparing them for availability to users.
6. Participates in departmental research support and collections program planning.
7. Participates in library planning committees, working groups, and task forces within the Law and University Libraries. Engages in campus, regional, and national professional organizations and collaborative activities.
8. Seeks opportunities for professional growth and involvement. Expected to be professionally active and represent the Library and University in the academic, scholarly, and professional community.
9.  Monitors developments and best practices to help ensure the excellence of the Law Library’s research and instructional offerings.
10. May be required to assist with disaster recovery efforts.
11. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program for library and information science and a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school (or foreign equivalent).

Required Skill/Ability 1:

A minimum of 2 years of professional experience. Demonstrated ability providing research and reference support in complex areas of legal research.

Required Skill/Ability 2:

Demonstrated ability teaching within a formal classroom setting, litigating in court, or presenting in another learning environment. Demonstrated ability with current legal information technologies, publishing formats, databases, and legal research sources and techniques.

Required Skill/Ability 3:

Demonstrated ability to function in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment that emphasizes customer service and delivery of exemplary research and instructional services. Strong public services orientation.

Required Skill/Ability 4:

Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Emotionally intelligent with positive attitude. Demonstrated ability to work collegially and collaboratively across units. Demonstrated ability to think independently, consult appropriately, and solve problems.

Required Skill/Ability 5:

Demonstrated record of designing projects and bringing them to conclusion in a timely fashion. Ability to coordinate, lead and direct such projects. Self-motivated, superior attention to detail, excellent organizational skills. Strong analytical ability, creative, and agile.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:

1. At least three years’ experience providing research and instructional services in an academic, public, or private law library.
2. Demonstrated knowledge and experience researching in a specialized area or topic.
3. Demonstrated knowledge and experience with web development tools, web based tools, or other technologies beyond traditional online research databases.

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. Please visit www.yale.edu/hronline/careers/screening/faqs.html for additional information on the background check requirements and process.

Posting Disclaimer

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.

Affirmative Action Statement:

Yale University considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of, an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin; nor does Yale discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from sex discrimination in educational programs and activities at institutions that receive federal financial assistance. Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, at TitleIX@yale.edu, or to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 8th Floor, Five Post Office Square, Boston MA 02109-3921. Telephone: 617.289.0111, Fax: 617.289.0150, TDD: 800.877.8339, or Email: ocr.boston@ed.gov.

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus