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Springfield, Massachusetts

Full-time
Closing at: June 12, 2023 at 23:55 EDT

Title: Law Library Assistant
Pay Grade: Grade 13
Starting Pay: $ 54,593.18

Departmental Mission Statement: The Court Services and Law Libraries Department is responsible for providing key court services to
support the administration of justice and advance access to justice in the Trial Court. These services include the Court Service Centers, the Trial
Court Law Libraries, and the Judicial Response System.

MISSION STATEMENT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS TRIAL COURT LAW LIBRARIES:
The Trial Court Law Library System provides timely, efficient access to current and historical law-related information in an impartial and
respectful manner to anyone in need of legal information.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:
This circuit position requires travel and entails working in multiple locations, including the Lowell, Essex, and Middlesex Law Libraries,
and will be based in the Lawrence Law Library.
This position is designated as a union position and is covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement with O.P.E.I.U., Local 6.

Position Summary: Major duties are performed under the direction of the Head Law Librarian and include processing incoming library materials, preparing fiscal documents, providing general and legal information, and implementing circulation and interlibrary loan policies.  The Law Library Assistant assists the Head Law Librarian in system-wide activities such as long range planning, electronic library services, and special projects, and may be assigned by the Law Library Department to perform Law Library Assistant duties in other libraries as needed.  In the absence of the Head Law Librarian and other law library staff, maintains the day-to- day operation of the law library.  

Major Duties: Law Library Assistant Duties:  

• Processes incoming library materials for supplementation, maintains circulation records including the database of borrowers, and processes overdue notices using an integrated library system;  
• Files loose-leaf services, advance sheets, periodicals, and supplements; removes appropriate material and arranges disposition according to library policy; shelves materials;  
• Processes invoices, communicates with vendors about account problems, and maintains accounting records including budgetary spreadsheet  
• Provides reference and information services to those seeking legal information by responding to questions in person, by telephone or through e-reference; locating and retrieving materials;
• performing simple bibliographic searches; and filling interlibrary loan requests;   
• Participates in basic e-reference services;  
• Maintains and operates library equipment including computer networks, microform machines, copiers, scanners and fax machines;  
• Prepares current and historical material for binding;  
• In the absence of the Head Law Librarian or a Law Librarian, maintains the day-to-day operation of the law library;  
• Performs related duties as required.  

Minimum Requirements: These are the minimum requirements necessary to apply for a position of Law Library Assistant:  

Law Library Assistant I Requirements:   Bachelor degree AND one (1) year of full-time experience as a paid paralegal OR one (1) year of full-time paid clerical experience in a law library OR An equivalent combination of education and experience.  

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to deal effectively and respectfully with people;  
• Knowledge of procedures, interlibrary cooperation, and the types of resources and services available to librarians and library users;  
• Ability to use computer applications, such as MS Office spreadsheets, text editing and publisher programs;  
• Ability to perform Trial Court fiscal procedures in accordance with MMARS accounting System;  
• Ability to understand and implement all policies and procedures of the Trial Court Law Libraries;  
• Ability to gather, analyze and report information;  
• Ability to reach with hands and arms, bend, crouch, lift materials weighing up to 30 pounds and climb stairs;  
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form;  
• Ability to travel to multiple library locations.  

Interested persons should visit https://trialcourtjobs.mass.gov/jobs/law-library-assistant-hampden-law-library-springfield-massachusetts-united-states to file an application.

Lawrence, Massachusetts,

Full-time
Closing at: May 31 2023 at 23:55 EDT

Title: Circuit Law Librarian – Northeast
Pay Grade: Grade 17
Starting Pay: $73,753.54

Departmental Mission Statement: The Court Services and Law Libraries Department is responsible for providing key court services to
support the administration of justice and advance access to justice in the Trial Court. These services include the Court Service Centers, the Trial
Court Law Libraries, and the Judicial Response System.

MISSION STATEMENT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS TRIAL COURT LAW LIBRARIES:
The Trial Court Law Library System provides timely, efficient access to current and historical law-related information in an impartial and
respectful manner to anyone in need of legal information.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:
This circuit position requires travel and entails working in multiple locations, including the Lowell, Essex, and Middlesex Law Libraries,
and will be based in the Lawrence Law Library.
This position is designated as a union position and is covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement with O.P.E.I.U., Local 6.

Position Summary: Working within the Trial Court Law Libraries, the Circuit Law Librarian – Northeast performs professional library duties
over a defined geographic area in the following areas: legal research and reference, cataloging, interlibrary loan, bibliographic services and
acquisitions. Assists Head Law Librarians in library operation; and may perform specific functions for the Trial Court Law Library system such
invoice processing, collection development and maintaining a federal depository collection; performs related work as required.
Supervision Received: Work is performed primarily under the direction of the Director of Court Services and Law Libraries and Manager of
Law Libraries, or their designee, and is evaluated for professional soundness and conformity to policy.

Duties: • Provides reference and information services to the clientele by responding to questions either in person or by telephone, locating and
retrieving materials and assisting in legal research, by developing a comprehensive knowledge of legal bibliography and general reference
sources.
• Utilizes full knowledge of electronic databases and interlibrary sources, both legal and non-legal, to assist clientele in retrieving information
needed.
• Instructs library users in the use of library materials and equipment.
• Adapts professional principles of cataloging, classification and indexing to the various components of the library’s collection.
• Manages and maintains automated cataloging and classification through a national database.
• Works with other librarians on system-wide projects.
• Performs necessary tasks for assuring security, proper protection, care and presentation of library’ materials, and presentation of library’
materials.
• In the absence of the Head Law Librarian, maintains the day-to-day library operations; and
• Performs related duties as required.

Job Competencies: All applicants must be able, through the interview process, to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following
areas:
Ethics and Values: Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the Trial Court and Trial Court Law Libraries as demonstrated in
the American Association of Law Libraries.
Mission: Understands, upholds, and communicates the missions of the Trial Court and the Trial Court Law Libraries.
Applied Knowledge: Demonstrates the core competencies and specialized competencies in the areas of library management; reference, research
and client services; information technology; collection development, cataloging and teaching as outlined in the AALL Competencies of Law Librarianship.
Customer Service: Conducts oneself in a courteous and professional manner towards both Trial Court employees and the public whether in
person, on the telephone or in an electronic environment.
Commitment to Diversity: Promotes an environment of diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons
of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds.
Continuous Learning: Demonstrates a commitment to continuously improving himself or herself through professional development and
actively pursues continuing education.

Minimum Requirements: These are the minimum requirements necessary to apply for a position of Circuit Law
Librarian:
• Master’s Degree in Library Science or Law Degree from an accredited library school and 1 full year of full-time experience in a professional
capacity in a law library; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered for meeting the minimum qualifications.
• Preferred Qualifications: MLS, MLIS, or JD and some library and legal research experience;
• Knowledge of theory, principles and practices of library science and law library administration, including current methods and procedures in
such areas as collection development, cataloging and legal research and reference;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to deal effectively and respectfully with people;
• Ability to work with judges, attorneys, court personnel;
• Ability to use computer applications such as MS Office spreadsheets, text editing and publisher programs;
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written form;
• Ability to reach with hands and arms, bend, crouch, lift materials weighing up to 30 pounds, and climb stairs; and
• Ability to travel within the Commonwealth and work at other Trial Court Law Library locations when necessary.
https://trialcourtjobs.mass.gov/jobs/circuit-law-librarian-northeast-lawrence-massachusetts-united-states

The LLNE Nominations Committee is pleased to announce the slate of candidates for the upcoming election at our next annual meeting. All candidates have been approached and are willing to serve. The slate is as follows:

Vice-President/President Elect: 

Maureen Quinlan
Reference & Gov. Doc. Law Librarian
Garbrecht Law Library
University of Maine School of Law
246 Deering Avenue
Portland, ME 04102
(207) 780-4835
maureen.quinlan@maine.edu

Treasurer:

Rachel Weiss
Research Librarian
Nixon Peabody LLP
53 State St.
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 345-6141
rweiss@nixonpeabody.com

Education Director:

Nicholas Mignanelli
Head of Library Programming and Lecturer in Legal Research
Lillian Goldman Law Library
Yale Law School
127 Wall St.
New Haven, CT 06511
(203) 432-8153
nicholas.mignanelli@yale.edu 

LLNE Nominations Committee:

Barbara Schneider, Chairperson
Mindy Kent
George Taoultsides

Location, location, location

The Moakley Law Library is a gem in the heart of Boston. If you ever find yourself strolling down the Boston Common near the Park Street T stop, look up! You’ll see Sargent Hall – a curved building, right beside the Orpheum Theatre. The Moakley Law Library is right at the tippity-top, on the sixth and seventh floors. The views are breathtaking – especially at sunset. From most windows that face Tremont Street, you can marvel at the sparkling gold dome of the State House building, that’s just a 2-minute walk from the law school. In the distance, you can see the Charles River, the Prudential & John Hancock buildings, and the iconic Citgo sign. History buffs adore our location – the law school is directly across from the Granary Burying Ground, where Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, John Hancock, James Otis, five victims of the Boston Massacre, including Crispus Attucks, Mother Goose and Benjamin Franklin’s parents lay at rest. From the imposing white tower church bell to the changing of the seasons, Suffolk’s views are one of a kind, especially at sunset.

The People

Speaking of one of a kind, let’s talk about the Moakley Law Library’s staff. They are a collaborative team of experts in their respective areas who inspire, encourage and support each other daily to provide the highest level of support to the law school community. In addition to the director of the law library & associate professor of legal research, and the assistant director for public services, there are four legal research librarians and seven other law library admin and staff members. Some of the legal research librarians wrote an AALL Spectrum article together, highlighting the innovative trainings they offer to law students that are about to begin first year summer internships.

Student Outreach & Resources

Mindful of diverse studying habits, we devised a plan to arrange the law library space into a welcoming environment for all. Students can decide if they want quiet studying, collaborative interactions, or even low tone videoconferencing. There are also many large and small study rooms for students who want a more private environment for studying and collaborating. Both day and evening students are at the core of our services. The librarians launched a quarterly law student e-newsletter to promote library services, legal research instruction, new resources, a funtivity, and more. To foster community year-round, the law library designed outreach activities such as a kindness mural, where students write positive or encouraging messages to fellow classmates; a succulents garden, where the plants were named after past justices; and a find-the hidden-object game with a law theme.

Building Community

The law library is always looking for ways to support the law school community and bring people together. We recently transformed a seldom used elevator lobby on the 7th floor and are excited to launch our very first gallery exhibit to celebrate Suffolk Law history and pride. The exhibit includes two interactive elements and lots of really cool archival photos of Suffolk Law from its inception at the beginning of the 1900s – thru the 1980s.

Faculty Services

The Suffolk Law faculty are prolific scholars. The Moakley Law Library designed a faculty library liaison program to assign a legal research librarian to each full-time faculty member to help ensure that they get the customized support they need for all their scholarly and teaching endeavors. The law library also helps ensure faculty success by working with the Vice Dean of the law school to play a leading role in managing the paid Faculty Research Assistant program, which allows law students the opportunity to work alongside law faculty on significant research projects and writing.

Embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion is a cornerstone of Suffolk Law, which advocates for acceptance and systemic change. This informs its curricular design, making Suffolk Law a national leader in key areas from legal writing to legal technology.

Librarians in the Classroom

Librarians play a significant role in the classroom – teaching two week-long legal research modules every fall, as part of the first-year legal research and writing curriculum, offering 2-credit advanced legal research classes every spring and fall, and visiting upper-level classes to provide trainings and support to students who are working on legal research papers. The law library also offers workshops and trainings – like the Bluebook refresher training that we offer every spring for first-year students who are about to participate in the law review write-on competition.

If you’d like to learn more about the innovative things we’re doing at Suffolk, please don’t hesitate to reach out – we’d love to chat, tell you more, and learn about all the great things your law library is doing too – and we’d be happy to schedule a tour of the law library with you.

Good afternoon LLNE! We want to congratulate Boston College Law Library and Western New England School of Law Library for winning the Excellence in Community Engagement Award from AALL! See the information below:

EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AWARD 

Boston College Law Library

Newton Centre, Massachusetts

Social Media: A Method to Increase Engagement for Library Services

AND

Western New England University School of Law Library

Springfield, Massachusetts

Introduction to Law Collaboration with Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School

Way to represent LLNE!

Hello All!

 There is one week left to register for the LLNE/ABLL Spring Meeting on April 14^th! Registration is 70$ will close next Monday, on April 10^th. To register visit the Meeting’s LibGuide available here. You can access meeting information, speaker bios, service project information, and session information on the LibGuide as well.

The LLNE Service Committee is raising funds for future bar takers as our latest service project. Please join the LLNE Service Committee to support our future bar takers by donating to one or more of the funds they’ve chosen. You can access information about the three funds by visiting the Service Project tab on the meeting LibGuide.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Our Spring Meeting (co-hosted with ABLL) will be happening on April 14, 2023 at MCLE’s Conference Center in Boston and the last day to reserve a room in the LLNE block is fast approaching!

LLNE has reserved a block of rooms at the Omni Parker House, 60 School Street Boston, for the evening of April 13^th at a rate of $249. Visit the Lodging and Travel page to book your room by March 13th.

Detailed information about the program and registration can be found on the Conference page.

We are looking forward to seeing you!

Greetings LLNE Members!

With the Legal Research Instruction Program (LRIP) approaching we would like to encourage all LLNE members to apply for the Continuing Education Scholarship which will cover the registration cost. The application deadline for the LRIP scholarship is March 10, 2023.

We also encourage you to apply for any (or all) of the scholarships listed below. LLNE Scholarships are available to attend or access the annual AALL or biannual LLNE meetings; for participation in continuing education/training opportunities; and for those seeking a degree in librarianship. Descriptions of our scholarship opportunities are listed below and on the LLNE website.  

Basic Scholarship information:

• Meeting Scholarship: Help with registration fees or travel expenses, for LLNE members who wish to attend the Spring LLNE Meeting being hosted by New England Law School on April 14 at MCLE, or the AALL meeting being held this July in Boston, MA.
• Academic Scholarship: LLNE members who are enrolled in an accredited degree program in Library Science or in an ABA-accredited law school are eligible for one of our academic scholarships.
• Continuing Education Scholarship: LLNE  members who wish to access continuing education and training opportunities beyond the programming offered at our biannual LLNE meetings and the annual AALL meetings may apply for one of our continuing education scholarships.

The application criteria and the application form can be found here, (LLNE scholarship guidelines and application process), and the application deadline for the LRIP’s program is March 10th, 2023. 

Please contact Dawn Smith at dawn.smith@yale.edu if you need more information.

Again, we encourage you to apply!

Posted on behalf of the Scholarship Committee

LLNE is proud to announce that you can now register for the 2023 LRIP by visiting this link!

URL: https://form.jotform.com/223526990701154

The program is entirely online and is every Wednesday at 6PM from March 15 through April 19th.

LRIP will cover:

• A general overview of the US Legal System
• An introduction to legal research methods, including secondary sources
• The role of case law, the courts, and case finding tools such as digests
• The organization of statutes and conducting a legislative history
• Finding regulations
• Understanding administrative law
• Finding transactional law documents
• Finding information about businesses and people
• Putting everything together with legal research strategy.

The course fee is $150, and registration closes on Friday, March 10th.