Assistant Director for Research and User Services - Law Library Job at Universit

Assistant Director for Research and User Services - Law Library

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Who We Are

Founded in 1859, Michigan Law School is one of the world's leading institutions of legal education and enjoys a reputation for academic excellence characterized by a powerful commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Michigan is consistently ranked among the top law schools in the nation, and enjoys international renown for its intellectual rigor, stunning physical surroundings, preeminent faculty scholarship, and a community noted for collegiality and warmth.

Responsibilities*

The Assistant Director for Research & User Services manages many of the Library's interactions with the public, including the reference and faculty research services. The librarian is a member of the Law Library Management Team and participates in library management, strategic planning, and library-wide staffing, workflow, and problem-solving.

The Assistant Director for Research & User Services:

• Manages and supervises the Research & User Services Unit including:
  • Supervising full-time staff and librarians;
  • Recommending staffing levels and work schedules; hiring, training, evaluating and supervising those who work in the Unit;
  • Directing and coordinating the work of the Unit;
  • Setting Unit policies and procedures and coordinating work with other units;
  • Keeping abreast of and utilizing current technologies and trends that anticipate, meet or exceed the research needs of the Law Library's primary users;
  • Incorporating traditional library technology and librarianship skills and advancing the use of emerging technologies.
• Establishes unit and inter-unit policies and procedures, ensures unit effectiveness, resolves unit and inter-unit problems and answers questions from other units relating to the specialized functions of the Unit.
• Ensure the successful performance of the following specialized functions:
  • Reference and information services, including coordinating and supervising the management of the Reference/Information Desk and the Reading Room Desk.
  • Faculty Research Service.
  • Research instruction and orientation sessions for new and visiting faculty, student journals, and others.
  • Research consultations for students, researchers, faculty, and other library users.
  • Overseeing, assigning, and supervising work on creating research guides, online tutorials, and other content for the Law Library's website.
  • Coordinating student and faculty outreach and public relations initiatives related to services.
  • Coordinating Law Library support for Clinics and the Academic & Writing Support Program.
  • Monitor and keep up with new initiatives and technologies related to the provision of reference, research, and related services.
• Oversee the Law Library's legal technology and AI instruction efforts, the use of the Tech Lab, and the legal technology budget.
• Teach Advanced Legal Research or ensure the successful teaching by one or more reference librarians.
• Serve on or chair library committees and participate in other activities that advance the Library's mission.
• Participate in collection development for all areas of the collection.
• Collaborate with and serve as the primary contact for Law Communications regarding student outreach and library marketing materials.
• Monitor and manage Law Library's outreach, legal technology, and faculty research service budgets.
• Work at the reference desk, participating in the evening and weekend rotation.
• Participate in the full range of duties expected of all reference librarians.
• Create the librarian reference desk schedule and ensure ongoing reference desk training for librarians.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

• J.D. from ABA accredited law school.
• Master's degree from an A.L.A. accredited school of information or library science.
• At least 5 years of experience working as a reference or faculty services librarian in an academic law library.
• Experience supervising librarians and professional staff.
• Proven ability to work effectively with other decision-makers.
• Substantial knowledge of and proficiency with a wide range of legal and non-legal information sources and research methods.
• A thorough knowledge of legal systems.
• Teaching experience.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends at the reference desk on a rotating basis.

Desired Qualifications*

• Licensed to practice law in one or more U.S. states (active or inactive).
• Ability to work with foreign language materials.

We know that not all strong candidates will have every skill we list. We still want to hear from you.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment.

Underfill Statement

This position may be filled at the Librarian classification or underfilled at the Senior Associate Librarian classification, depending upon qualifications and experience.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.