Career Center
Ithaca, New York
Westfield, Massachusetts
Berkeley, California
Berkeley, California
Auburn, Alabama
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Los Angeles, California
Asheville, North Carolina
Posted: 09-May-23
Location: Chicago, IL
Salary: Open
Internal Number: 125047
The D'Angelo Law Library at the University of Chicago seeks a knowledgeable, collaborative, innovative, and service-oriented professional as Collection Strategy and Research Librarian. The Collection Strategy and Research Librarian will develop, diversify and advance D'Angelo's law collections to support the prolific and evolving University of Chicago Law School and University communities. D'Angelo's collections are among the world's finest for law research and enable comprehensive access to legal scholarship and interdisciplinary resources. Reporting to the Director of the D'Angelo Law Library, the Collection Strategy and Research Librarian selects materials and provides an overall vision and direction for the D'Angelo's collections in United States law and law-related disciplines. To build and enhance D'Angelo's collections, the Collection Strategy and Research Librarian develops and maintains knowledge of scholarly resources in law and related disciplines, engages with law faculty on their scholarly interests and resource needs, utilizes selection and assessment tools and techniques, and collaborates with librarian subject specialists. As part of an inclusive, and supportive community, the Collection Strategy and Research Librarian works with the Director, Associate Directors and the Foreign and International Law Librarian to create collection development plans and strategies, determine priorities for collection spending, and articulate policies on collection maintenance and retention. The Collection Strategy and Research Librarian is a member of D'Angelo's reference team and provides outstanding services to the Law School and University communities through in-person and virtual reference assistance, research consultations, resources and guides, and presentations and instruction sessions. As the selector for U.S. and law-related collections, the Collection Strategy and Research Librarian provides research expertise to faculty and students and oversees D'Angelo's law library fellow program supporting faculty scholarship. The Collection Strategy and Research Librarian also serves on D'Angelo and Library-wide committees and groups and participates in law library and legal education professional and scholarly organizations. As part of the University of Chicago Library system, the D'Angelo Law Library works cooperatively with other campus libraries, consortial, and institutional partners to ensure rapid access to print and digital collections and expansive research services.
Responsibilities:
Provides stewardship, vision and direction for the development of D'Angelo's U.S. law and law-related collections. Serves as the primary subject specialist for U.S. law and law-related fields relevant to law school scholarship and teaching. Selects publications in U.S. and law-related disciplines (e.g., economics, finance, feminism, criminology) appropriate for research at the D'Angelo Law Library. Oversees the growth of these D'Angelo collections in print and digital format through selection, purchase, and donation. Expends materials funds and ensures appropriate spending on endowed and other Library collection accounts.
Works collaboratively with D'Angelo colleagues and subject specialists in law and other disciplines to develop the D'Angelo and University Library collections. Considers and fosters cooperative collection development and resource sharing arrangements with D'Angelo, University Library, and law library colleagues at other institutions.
Conducts ongoing assessments of D'Angelo's U.S. law collection development practices and ensures they meet the research needs of the Law School and University communities and appropriately balance print and electronic formats. Makes retention and cancelation decisions. Writes an annual report summarizing growth and directions for the collection.
Engages in the development of D'Angelo's rare book collection, selecting areas of focus that support law research, teaching, and create collections of unique historical interest. Supports building collections in the Law School's historical archives, including faculty papers, by advising on and selecting content.
Shares information and promotes D'Angelo's U.S. law and law-related collections including new acquisitions. Contributes to articles, publications and reports, the DLL News blog, and D'Angelo newsletters.
Authors and updates appropriate sections of the D'Angelo Collection Development Policy.
Serves as a reference librarian and participates in D'Angelo's User Services department services by staffing regular reference shifts, responding to virtual and in-person requests, and conducting research consultations.
Provides instruction in legal research formally in classes and informally via guides and web pages. Develops and maintains research guides in U.S. law and law-related disciplines.
Coordinates D'Angelo's Law Library Fellows program and oversees and supports the work of the law school student fellows in their research projects for faculty.
Serves on D'Angelo and Library-wide committees and task forces. Participates in local, regional, and national professional and scholarly organizations.
Attends conferences, workshops, and classes, and engages in other professional development activities to maintain and expand knowledge of technologies and developments in law school education, law libraries, and legal publishing.
Works on special projects.
Required:
A graduate library degree from an ALA accredited library school.
A JD from an ABA accredited law school.
Substantial knowledge of print and online materials and resources used in legal scholarship and law school education. Familiarity with legal information vendors and publishers.
Experience using digital legal research tools, techniques and strategies, including the subscription services Westlaw, Lexis, Bloomberg Law, and other law databases.
Previous experience working in an academic law library.
Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
Ability to establish and maintain productive and collaborative relationships with colleagues and work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
Ability to positively contribute to a diverse, inclusive and supportive work environment.
Strong public service philosophy and a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
Preferred:
Experience developing library collections. Familiarity with collection analysis tools and metrics.
Experience providing reference and research support.
Knowledge of one or more foreign languages.
Knowledge of research tools and strategies in another field in the social sciences or humanities.
Demonstrated teaching ability.
Organizational and project management skills.
Experience directing the work of others.
To Apply: Submit cover letter, curriculum vitae, and reference contact information online through the University of Chicago's Academic Recruiting website: Ihttps://apply.interfolio.com/115698. Review of applications will begin after June 7, 2023. Screening of applications will continue until the position is filled or the search is closed.
Salary and Benefits: Appointment salary based on qualifications and experience. Benefits include retirement plan, insurance, and paid time off.
Questions: Library Human Resources, libraryhr@uchicago.edu.
All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.
We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University's Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity.
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.
