JOB DESCRIPTION
POSITION: Reference & Student Outreach Librarian
REPORTS TO: Associate Librarian for Public Services
STATUS: Full-time, Exempt, Hybrid Work Environment
RANGE: $85,000-$95,000
Founded in 1901, Brooklyn Law School is a distinguished, independent law school located in Brooklyn Heights, New York. The Law School is searching for a Reference and Student Outreach Librarian to support the research and instructional needs of BLS faculty, students, and other library users. The Law School’s size, vibrant employee and student population, and commitment to training the next generation of lawyers and promoting social justice, will offer a candidate the opportunity to develop and diversify practical skills and participate be part of a successful educational institution.
The Reference and Outreach Librarian reports to the Associate Librarian for Public Services, is a member of the reference team, and leads the library’s outreach efforts. As a member of the reference team, this librarian provides reference assistance to library patrons; participates in weekend reference coverage; assists in developing and promoting instructional and user support materials; participates in the faculty liaison program; assists with other information services activities; and works on team-based projects. In addition, the librarian coordinates and manages library outreach to students. This includes working with student groups and other law school departments to promote library services and resources.
Responsibilities include:
Outreach Librarian
- Coordinate & Manage Library Outreach: Organize and oversee events and communication efforts aimed at engaging students by coordinating with student organizations and law school departments.
- Maintain Outreach Calendar: Keep a detailed schedule of all outreach activities to ensure smooth coordination among library staff.
- Stay Informed on Outreach Trends: Continuously update knowledge on the latest developments in outreach services, share insights with reference librarians, and incorporate these into the library's outreach programs.
- Evaluate Student Outreach Efforts: Conduct an annual student survey to evaluate library resources, services, and programs in order to gain a better understanding of student needs and evaluate how effectively the library is meeting them.
- Budget Management: Plan and manage the budget for outreach programs and services.
Reference Librarian
- Reference Services: Provide general reference services both in-person and virtually, including office hours and one-on-one research consultations. Assist patrons with a wide range of inquiries from basic bibliographic questions to complex legal research.
- Research: Perform extensive, in-depth research across legal, non-legal, and bibliographic domains. Utilize a variety of resources and databases to deliver accurate and comprehensive information.
- Liaison Program: Participate in the library’s liaison program, which involves consultations with faculty, law journals, and administrative departments to determine their needs. Design and implement research projects to meet these needs efficiently.
- Instruction & Programming: Participate in formal and informal legal research and library instruction programming including guest lectures, research workshops, and the equivalent of 2 credit hours of formal legal research instruction.
- Instructional Materials: Develop library and research instructional materials, such as course videos, classroom exercises, and research guides.
- Collection Development: Participate in collection development, including source selection and updating research guides.
- Committee Participation: Serve on Library and Law School committees as requested.
- Professional Development: Actively continue ongoing professional development.
Required:
- M.L.S. or equivalent from an ALA accredited library school
- ABA accredited JD or equivalent foreign degree
- Working knowledge of legal materials and research strategies needed by law faculty and students
- Excellent teaching skills
- Demonstrated expertise and aptitude for learning technology related to job duties
- GenAI Literacy
- Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, possession of a sound service philosophy, and demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple projects and deadlines
- Ability to work both independently and as a team member in a fast-paced environment
Preferred:
- Experience teaching or training people to use legal research tools
- Experience working in an academic law library, and using legal research tools including LEXIS, Westlaw, Bloomberg Law, and other online legal resources
Work environment
- The work environment includes indoor areas. Indoors may include small and or enclosed spaces. Exposure to environmental conditions expected.
Remote capabilities
- This position is eligible for a hybrid schedule, requiring a minimum in-office presence of four (4) days per week during the academic year when classes are in session and during exam periods. During the summer and academic breaks, when classes are not in session and exams are not being administered, a minimum of three (3) days per week of in-office presence is required.
Physical demands
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
- Must be able to push and lift up to 20 pounds at times.
Travel
- Some travel may be required.
Benefits:
Brooklyn law school has an excellent benefits package that includes sick, personal and vacation paid time off, a generous retirement plan, dependent tuition scholarship Pre K- undergraduate college and additional summer Friday PTO.
Affirmative Action/EEO statement:
It is the policy of Brooklyn Law School to be impartial in the treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to race, creed, religion, color, natural origin, citizenship status, gender, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, union affiliation, political affiliation, sexual orientation or preferences or any other legal protected status.
Other duties:
Please note this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and its responsibilities. However, duties and expectations may evolve based on the needs of the institution. Brooklyn Law School reserves the right to modify, add, or remove job duties as necessary to support the organization’s mission and operational requirements.
