Circuit Law Librarian - Southeast (Plymouth Law Library)

Title: Circuit Law Librarian - Southeast (Plymouth Law Library)

Pay Grade: Grade 17

Starting Pay: $79,771.83

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:

Notes: The Circuit Law Librarian – Southeast will be based out of the Plymouth Law Library and will cover and support the law library services in Barnstable, Bristol, Norfolk and Plymouth Counties, and will require travel.

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

Position Summary: Working within the Trial Court Law Libraries, the Circuit Law Librarian – Southeast performs professional library duties over a defined geographic area in the following areas: legal research and reference, cataloging, interlibrary loan, bibliographic services and acquisitions. Assists Head Law Librarians in library operation; and may perform specific functions for the Trial Court Law Library system such invoice processing, collection development and maintaining a federal depository collection; performs related work as required.

Supervision Received: Work is performed primarily under the direction of the Director of Court Services and Law Libraries and Manager of Law Libraries, or their designee, and is evaluated for professional soundness and conformity to policy.

Duties: • Provides reference and information services to the clientele by responding to questions either in person or by telephone, locating and retrieving materials and assisting in legal research, by developing a comprehensive knowledge of legal bibliography and general reference sources.
• Utilizes full knowledge of electronic databases and interlibrary sources, both legal and non-legal, to assist clientele in retrieving information needed.
• Instructs library users in the use of library materials and equipment.
• Adapts professional principles of cataloging, classification and indexing to the various components of the library's collection.
• Manages and maintains automated cataloging and classification through a national database.
• Works with other librarians on system-wide projects.
• Performs necessary tasks for assuring security, proper protection, care and presentation of library' materials, and presentation of library' materials.
• In the absence of the Head Law Librarian, maintains the day-to-day library operations; 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 and Trial Court Law Libraries as demonstrated in the American Association of Law Libraries.
Mission: Understands, upholds, and communicates the missions of the Trial Court and the Trial Court Law Libraries.
Applied Knowledge: Demonstrates the core competencies and specialized competencies in the areas of library management; reference, research and client services; information technology; collection development, cataloging and teaching as outlined in the AALL Competencies of Law Librarianship.
Customer Service: Conducts oneself in a courteous and professional manner towards both Trial Court employees and the public whether in person, on the telephone or in an electronic environment.
Commitment to Diversity: Promotes an environment of diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds.
Continuous Learning: Demonstrates a commitment to continuously improving himself or herself through professional development and actively pursues continuing education.

Minimum Requirements: Minimum Requirements: These are the minimum requirements necessary to apply for a position of Circuit Law Librarian:
• Master’s Degree in Library Science or Law Degree from an accredited library school and 1 full year of full-time experience in a professional capacity in a law library; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered for meeting the minimum qualifications.
• Preferred Qualifications: MLS, MLIS, or JD and some library and legal research experience;
• Knowledge of theory, principles and practices of library science and law library administration, including current methods and procedures in such areas as collection development, cataloging and legal research and reference;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to deal effectively and respectfully with people;
• Ability to work with judges, attorneys, court personnel;
• 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 reach with hands and arms, bend, crouch, lift materials weighing up to 30 pounds, and climb stairs; and
• Ability to travel within the Commonwealth and work at other Trial Court Law Library locations when necessary.