Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is hiring: Legal Reference Libraria

Legal Reference Librarian, BiblioTemps (New England Law) (Boston)

BiblioTemps is an employment service of the Massachusetts Library System that provides experienced library workers for temporary placements in public, academic, and special libraries throughout Massachusetts.

Title: Legal Reference Librarian

Location: New England Law (Boston, MA)

Position Type: Temporary

Start date: January 6, 2025

End date: February 28, 2025

Schedule: 35 hours per week; Monday – Friday 9AM – 5PM

Pay Rate: $24.00 per hour

CORI: Required

Description:

New England Law | Boston, originally founded in 1908 as Portia Law School, is located in the heart of downtown Boston. New England Law has a rich history and dynamic present. When working with New England Law, you will be a part of a welcoming community devoted to exceptional academics as well as real world experience.

The Law Library’s mission is to support the curriculum and scholarship of the New England Law community. This position will provide extensive reference and research services in assisting faculty and the student body.

New England Law is seeking a candidate with strong legal research skills who possesses experience working with faculty, students, and/or legal professionals in a service-oriented environment. Strong communication abilities are essential, as is enthusiasm for working with a collaborative and innovative team of professionals.

Responsibilities include:

1. Respond to in-library, phone, email and live-chat reference questions using print or electronic resources as appropriate.
2. Provide individualized instruction to users of varying skill levels in the legal research process and in effective use of electronic databases and print resources.
3. Perform complex, longer-term research projects for faculty and administration (these may require monitoring databases through alerts).
4. Assist student law review editors and associates in their work cite-checking articles, selecting topics for notes and case comments, and developing those topics through in-depth research.
5. Participate in research training of first year law students as requested by the Director of the Legal Research and Writing Program through in-person teaching, creation of legal research exercises, and/or production of asynchronous video instruction.
6. Assist in designing and maintaining the research webpages on the Law Library website, using LibGuides.
7. Teach legal research to law students through presentations to upper-level electives by faculty invitation.
8. Maintain a current awareness of library trends through professional development and demonstrate a willingness to embrace new ideas and technologies.
9. Other duties as needed (e.g. collection weeding or evaluation projects).

Qualifications

Requirements:

1. Professional demeanor and outstanding customer service skills required.
2. High-level skill in using and teaching legal research materials and databases, including all major legal research platforms (Westlaw, Lexis, Bloomberg).
3. JD and MLS preferred; relevant law library experience may substitute for one degree.
4. Demonstrated initiative and ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
5. Ability to prioritize and maintain deadlines.
6. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

Massachusetts Library System (MLS) is an equal opportunity employer.

MLS is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, age, marital status, sex, physical or mental challenge, creed, religion, political affiliation, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation. Members of underrepresented groups, and those committed to working in a diverse cultural environment are encouraged to apply.

Contact with questions – bibliotemps@masslibsystem.org