The Valparaiso University School of Law Library invites applications for the newly-created position of Faculty Services and Outreach Librarian.
Valparaiso University School of Law is located in northwest Indiana and is part of a residential community with excellent public schools and other resources. It is approximately ten miles from Lake Michigan and the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore as well as one hour from downtown Chicago. The library serves a law school community of 40 full-time faculty and approximately 600 students. Providing a high level of legal research classroom instruction is a top priority for the six professional law librarians, as is support for faculty research and writing. The law library is administratively independent but the law school is an integral part of Valparaiso University, a Lutheran-affiliated institution founded in 1859 and known for its outstanding liberal arts education and professional programs.
Responsibilities:
- Coordinate library services to the law faculty including: Train faculty research assistants in the efficient use of legal information resources; Develop and coordinate an electronic program for receiving, distributing and tracking faculty reference questions; Participate in the Library Faculty Liaison Program by providing liaison services to an assigned group of faculty members.
- Coordinate and present continuing legal education programming and develop other outreach activities.
- Participate in teaching first year and advanced legal research courses; develop additional advanced legal research courses in subject areas.
- Work collaboratively with other librarians to provide reference services to faculty, students, and staff of the law school, the university community, and the general public. Some evening and weekend work is required.
- Coordinate efficient access to electronic materials, including ongoing training for faculty and students in the use of electronic databases. Develop an enhanced web presence for the law library.
- Create and organize legal research training opportunities for members of student competition organizations such as moot court and mock trial.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Experience: Required: ABA-accredited JD and MLS, MLIS, MIS, or equivalent degree from an ALA-accredited program. At least three years professional law library experience. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; strong service orientation; ability to work effectively both as part of a team and independently.Preferred: Experience teaching legal research.
Salary and Benefits: Salary and rank will be commensurate with qualifications. Benefits package included. Assistance with relocation costs will be provided. The Faculty Services and Outreach Librarian will report to the Associate Dean for Law Library Services and, as a member of the law library faculty, will be eligible for tenure under university guidelines for library faculty.
Available: Position is available January 1, 2010. Starting date is negotiable.
Application: Valparaiso University is an equal opportunity employer. The School of Law actively seeks candidates who are members of minority groups and others whose background and experience will add to the diversity of our academic community.
A complete application will include a letter expressing interest and stating the candidate’s qualifications for the position, a résumé, and names of three references, with full contact information. Applications received by November 2nd will be assured of consideration. Please submit application electronically to:
Law Library Search Committee
Attn: Professor Beverly Burmeister
Valparaiso University School of Law Library
656 S. Greenwich St. Valparaiso, IN 46383
219-465-7878
beverly.burmeister@valpo.edu
