How to Apply
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 in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Who We Are
Michigan Law, one of the oldest law schools in the nation, was founded in 1859 and enjoys a reputation for academic excellence. Michigan is consistently ranked among the top law schools in the nation, and enjoys international renown for its academic rigor, stunning physical surroundings, the faculty's preeminent scholarship, and an academic community noted for collegiality and warmth. Supported by remarkable facilities, preeminent faculty-scholars, and unparalleled architecture and physical environment, Michigan Law has more than 22,000 alumni, over 1,000 J.D. candidates, and 107 full-time faculty members, including 55 tenured and tenure-track, 27 clinical and legal practice, and 57 part-time faculty members. For the graduating class of 2024, 98 percent were employed. Contributing to the close-knit law-school community, law students have a choice of 9 student-edited journals and more than 70 student organizations in which to participate.
Job Summary
The Assistant Director for Research 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.
Responsibilities*
The Assistant Director for Research Services:
Manages and supervises the Research Services Unit including:
supervising full-time staff and librarians;
recommending staffing levels (librarian, paraprofessional, and student) 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 and subunits;
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. This includes coordinating and supervising the management of the Information Desk.
Faculty and Empirical Research Services.
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, including newsletters, orientation events, and exam events.
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 as well as in legal publishing.
Teach Advanced Legal Research or ensure 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 and promote the role of the law library within the law school.
Work at the Information Desk, participating in the evening and weekend rotation.
Participate in the full range of duties expected of all reference librarians, including research consultations and teaching research instruction sessions.
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. Research shows that women, non-binary people, and people of color are less likely to apply for a position if they don't meet every skill listed. At the University of Michigan Law Library, we believe our collective differences enable us to make better decisions and drive innovation.
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. Learn more about the work modes.
Underfill Statement
This position may be filled at the Librarian classification or underfilled at the Senior Associate Librarian classification, depending upon qualifications and experience. This position is exempt from the LEO-GLAM bargaining unit.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.