Head Law Librarian - Bristol Law Library

Title: Head Law Librarian - Bristol Law Library

Pay Grade: Grade 19

Starting Pay:$94,222.68

Departmental Mission Statement:

The Court Services and Law Libraries Department is responsible for providing key court services to support the administration of justice and advance access to justice in the Trial Court. These services include the Court Service Centers, the Trial Court Law Libraries, and the Judicial Response System.

MISSION STATEMENT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS TRIAL COURT LAW LIBRARIES:

The Trial Court Law Library System provides timely, efficient access to current and historical law-related information in an impartial and respectful manner to anyone in need of legal information.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:

http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/

Notes:This position is designated as a union position and iscovered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement with O.P.E.I.U., Local 6.

This requisition will remain open until filled; however, first consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Position Summary: Working in the Trial Court Law Libraries, part of the Court Services and Law Libraries Department, the Head Law Librarian administers all activities of a public law library within the Trial Court; is responsible for the fiscal planning and management of a library budget; performs professional library duties such as acquisition, cataloging and reference; performs the duties of a division manager (managerial duties) with emphasis on financial management and personnel supervision; ensures that the legal information needs of the library users are met, including the judiciary, court staff, members of the bar, self-represented litigants and the public; supervises supervises Circuit Law Librarians and Law Library Assistant(s), participates in system-wide activities such as long range planning, group purchasing and vendor negotiation, electronic library services, and special projects; acts as the Court Consolidated Law Book Program’s liaison to assigned courts; and performs related work as required.

Supervision Received:Work is performed under the direction of the Senior Manager of Law Libraries, and is evaluated for professional soundness and conformity to policy.

Duties:

• Responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the library;
• Develops, recommends and implements policies and procedures necessary to operate the library;
• Provides reference and information services to those seeking legal information by responding to questions in person, by telephone or through e-reference; locating and retrieving materials; legal research; uses comprehensive knowledge of legal bibliography and general and legal reference sources;
• Participates in the selection, design and delivery of electronic reference services;
• Utilizes full knowledge of electronic databases and interlibrary sources, both legal and non-legal, to assist library users in retrieving needed information;
• Selects and de-selects library collection materials in all available formats through monitoring library user research needs and maintaining current awareness of resources available from legal publishers and others that meet those research needs;
• Contributes to the development and maintenance of content on the Trial Court Law Libraries= website;
• Adapts professional principles of cataloging, classification and indexing to the various components of the library's collection utilizing a national database;
• Manages and oversees local cataloging, classification and maintenance of the integrated library system;
• Prepares annual budget request for the library and has fiscal responsibility for library expenditures, including signature approval of fiscal documents and oversight of budgetary spreadsheet;
• Plans and makes accommodations for budget fluctuations;
• Negotiates with vendors to secure discounts and ensure the efficient use of funds;
• Interviews, selects and recommends personnel for staff positions;
• Trains and supervises staff in all aspects of library operation;
• Arranges the physical library, paying attention to ADA guidelines, so that library users can access materials quickly and safely and receive prompt personal assistance from staff;
• Provides for the security, protection and preservation of information resources in both paper and electronic formats;
• Makes annual visits to assigned courts to respond to questions and information requests as the Court Consolidation Law Book program's liaison;
• Responsible for the library's computer network(s);
• Maintains proficiency in the current state of professional library theory and legal research and practice by attending and participating in meetings, conferences, seminars and training sessions in professional library management and legal reference skills;
• Participates with other librarians and staff on system-wide projects, such as grants, collection development and program planning;
• Provides workshops and seminars to promote the use and maintenance of library materials, services and databases;
• Develops and implements promotional ideas to bring library resources and services to the attention of current and potential library users;
• Keeps the Senior Manager of Law Libraries informed about recommendations on the renovation of a current library or the construction of a new library;
• Implements directives of the Office of Court Management; and
• Performs related duties as required.

Job Competencies:All applicants must be able, through the interview process, to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following areas:

Ethics and Values Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the Trial Court.

Mission Understands, upholds, and communicates the Trial Court missions.

Applied Knowledge Understands research, information services operations, specialized tools, applications, and

software, with some understanding of the various court departments and divisions.

Problem Solving Ability to successfully address data issues, draw conclusions, and make recommendations.

Customer Service Conducts oneself in a courteous and professional manner towards both Trial Court employees and the public.

Performance Measurement Understands the value and importance of performance measures as a basis for both individual and departmental assessments.

Commitment to Diversity Promotes an environment of diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons of varied economic and cultural backgrounds.

Collaboration Works with others cooperatively, demonstrating a willingness to be a team player, and contributing to a work environment that focuses on shared departmental goals.

Continuous Learning Demonstrates a commitment to continuously improving himself or herself through professional development

Minimum Requirements:

These are the minimum requirements necessary to apply for a position of Head Law Librarian:

Master's Degree in Library Science from an accredited library school and a minimum of three years full time experience in a professional capacity in a law library;

or Juris Doctor degree and four years in a Trial Court Law Library position;

or an equivalent combination of completed graduate level education and professional experience;

• Knowledge of theory, principles and practices of library science and law library administration, including current methods and procedures in such areas as acquisition, cataloging and reference;
• Knowledge of legal bibliography and terminology and the use of complex legal resources and indexes;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to deal effectively and respectfully with people;
• Knowledge of the Massachusetts court system;
• Knowledge of libraries, interlibrary cooperation, government and private organizations and the types of resources and services available to librarians and library users;
• Knowledge of space planning, including the physical layout of and the technical and operational requirements for equipment and furniture used in libraries;
• Ability to analyze and solve complex problems relating to library practices and procedures;
• Ability to gather, analyze and report information;
• Ability to use an integrated library system, other online systems and the ability to learn and implement new technologies as they emerge;
• Ability to use computer applications such as MS Office spreadsheets, text editing and publisher programs;
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written form;
• Ability to supervise subordinate personnel;
• Ability to train library staff on the integrated library systems and fiscal procedures in accordance with MMARS accounting system and to train library and court staff in the use of electronic databases;
• Ability to reason clearly and make sound judgments;
• Ability to work well independently and with groups;
• Ability to reach with hands and arms, bend, crouch, lift materials weighing up to 30 pounds, and climb stairs;
• Ability to travel within the Commonwealth and to work at other Trial Court Law Libraries when necessary.

Closing Date/Time: 2025-02-03

• 

• Massachusetts Trial Court

• 781-400-4083

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