Law Library Assistant - Hampden Law Library

Title: Law Library Assistant - Hampden Law Library

Pay Grade: Grade 13

Starting Pay: $ 54,593.18

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: 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: Major duties are performed under the direction of the Head Law Librarian and include processing incoming library materials, preparing fiscal documents, providing general and legal information, and implementing circulation and interlibrary loan policies.  The Law Library Assistant assists the Head Law Librarian in system-wide activities such as long range planning, electronic library services, and special projects, and may be assigned by the Law Library Department to perform Law Library Assistant duties in other libraries as needed.  In the absence of the Head Law Librarian and other law library staff, maintains the day-to- day operation of the law library.  

ORGANIZATIONAL LEVELS:   Employees are hired at the entry level position titles and are eligible for reclassification to the higher level position titles within this series consistent with the specifications for the higher level positions.  The position title reverts to the entry level when there is a vacancy.   

Law Library Assistant I - This is the entry level position title within the series.  Employees are expected to perform the full range of entry level duties and to train for the higher level (Law Library Assistant II)

Law Library Assistant II - This is the second level position title within this series.  Employees at this second level are expected to perform more advanced duties which require more knowledge of policies and procedures and the exercise of more independent judgment.

Major Duties: Law Library Assistant I Duties:  

• Processes incoming library materials for supplementation, maintains circulation records including the database of borrowers, and processes overdue notices using an integrated library system;  
• Files loose-leaf services, advance sheets, periodicals, and supplements; removes appropriate material and arranges disposition according to library policy; shelves materials;  
• Processes invoices, communicates with vendors about account problems, and maintains accounting records including budgetary spreadsheet  
• 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;
• performing simple bibliographic searches; and filling interlibrary loan requests;   
• Participates in basic e-reference services;  
• Maintains and operates library equipment including computer networks, microform machines, copiers, scanners and fax machines;  
• Prepares current and historical material for binding;  
• In the absence of the Head Law Librarian or a Law Librarian, maintains the day-to-day operation of the law library;  
• Performs related duties as required.  

Law Library Assistant II Duties:  

• Performs advanced legal reference duties including participating in document delivery and filling common e-reference requests;  
• Trains staff in aspects of library operations;   Performs routine cataloging functions;  
• Makes recommendations to the Head Law Librarian on the development of the library, collection, and operational procedures;   
• Develops and maintains databases and troubleshoots the computer network and Internet access;
• updates and installs new software on computers;  
• Works with other librarians and staff on system-wide projects and committees;   
• Maintains the ability to perform Law Library Assistant I duties in at least one other Trial Court Law Library; 
• Performs related duties as required.  

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:   Reports to and receives work assignments and supervision from the Head Law Librarian.  In the absence of a Head Law Librarian, the Law Library Assistant may receive direction from another Head Law Librarian, Circuit Law Librarian or Manager of Law Libraries in keeping with the library local policies and procedures.

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 Ethical Principals. (http://www.aallnet.org/main-menu/Leadership-Governance/policies/PublicPolicies/policy-ethics.html)

Mission: Understands, upholds, and communicates the missions of the Trial Court, Court Service Centers and Law Libraries Department.

Applied Knowledge: Demonstrates core competencies in the areas of reference and client services, information technology, cataloging and fiscal.  

Problem Solving: Accurately assesses workplace problems in the Trial Court, the Trial Court Law Libraries and a specific law library and recommends and facilitates appropriate solutions.  

Customer Service: Conducts oneself in a courteous and professional manner towards both Court employees and the public whether in person, on the telephone or in an electronic environment.    

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

Commitment to Diversity: Promotes an environment of diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds. Conducts oneself in a courteous and professional manner towards everyone using the services of the Trial Court Law Libraries.  

Continuous Learning Demonstrates a commitment to continuously improving himself or herself through professional development and actively pursues continuing education.

Minimum Requirements: These are the minimum requirements necessary to apply for a position of Law Library Assistant:  

Law Library Assistant I Requirements:   Bachelor degree AND one (1) year of full-time experience as a paid paralegal OR one (1) year of full-time paid clerical experience in a law library OR An equivalent combination of education and experience.  

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to deal effectively and respectfully with people;  
• Knowledge of procedures, interlibrary cooperation, and the types of resources and services available to librarians and library users;  
• Ability to use computer applications, such as MS Office spreadsheets, text editing and publisher programs;  
• Ability to perform Trial Court fiscal procedures in accordance with MMARS accounting System;  
• Ability to understand and implement all policies and procedures of the Trial Court Law Libraries;  
• Ability to gather, analyze and report information;  
• Ability to reach with hands and arms, bend, crouch, lift materials weighing up to 30 pounds and climb stairs;  
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form;  
• Ability to travel to multiple library locations.  

Law Library Assistant II Requirements:   A minimum of three years of experience as a Law Library Assistant I;  

• Demonstrated ability to perform advanced legal reference;  
• Comprehensive knowledge of library policies and procedures;  
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Trial Court including its organizational structure and administrative policies;  
• Comprehensive knowledge of software applications and reference techniques including e-reference;  
• Demonstrated ability to work on system wide projects;  
• Demonstrated ability to work in more than one Trial Court Law Library.