Experiential Learning Services Librarian

The Experiential Learning Services Librarian provides reference services and instruction for the Law School’s clinical and experiential learning programs, and coordinates the design, and delivery of the D’Angelo Law Library’s research services and learning sessions in support of those programs. The role includes developing methods and processes to enhance the outreach and marketing of services to clinical faculty and students while conducting assessment to develop new services and programs to support student learning effectively, including course-integrated research sessions and librarian-taught legal research courses. The Experiential Learning Services Librarian also supports the Law School clinics’ mission of community engagement by assuming the lead role in coordinating research support for the clinical faculty. The Experiential Learning Services Librarian serves as a member of the D’Angelo Law Library reference team and provides in-person and virtual research assistance during scheduled shifts (including weekends on rotation); creates web-based and print research guides, and other reference tools, including audio/video aysnchronous instructions; serves on Library-wide committees and task forces; and participates in local, regional, and national professional and scholarly organizations. The Experiential Learning Services Librarian works as part of the D’Angelo Law Library User Services department to provide outstanding services to the Law School and University communities.

The D'Angelo Law Library contributes to the academic and scholarly success of the University of Chicago and Law School communities by providing rich collections and resources, maintaining a premier scholarly environment, and delivering superior library services. D'Angelo's collections are among the world's finest for law research and enable comprehensive access to legal scholarship and interdisciplinary resources. D'Angelo occupies five floors in the central tower of the Law School's Laird Bell Quadrangle and is a valued partner in the Law School's community of scholarship, teaching, and learning. The D'Angelo Law Library is part of the University of Chicago Library system, working cooperatively with other campus libraries to ensure rapid access to print and digital collections, research and study spaces, and expansive services. D'Angelo team members foster and maintain a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive workplace culture to provide the highest level of service to the prolific and evolving University of Chicago Law School and University communities.

Responsibilities

Experiential Learning Support

• Assumes the lead role in providing, planning, and assessing D’Angelo Law Library’s outreach and reference activities for the Law School’s clinical and experiential learning programs, which includes coordinating with the Law School Dean of Students Office and Office of Office Career Services for outreach to student organizations.
• In collaboration with the Instruction and Outreach Librarian coordinates and plans for legal research training to prepare students for the practice of law in librarian-taught courses and other programs and other D’Angelo Law Library instruction and learning opportunities;
• Participates in D’Angelo’s instruction program for the Law School student community, including the first-year legal research and writing program, orientation activities, giving tours, various course-integrated research sessions, and other venues, with a possibility of teaching advanced legal research or other research courses;
• Keeps abreast of current trends in instructional design and educational technology in education and research, and technology and other skills in the practice of law, and successfully applies new technologies to instruction, outreach, and reference services in collaboration with the D’Angelo Law Library reference librarians and the Associate Director for User Services.

Reference and Research Services

• Provide research support to faculty, students, and staff of the Law School clinical program, encompassing both programmatic and scholarly support; meet proactively with clinic faculty to ascertain research and reference support needs, including scholarly, project, and client-oriented activities.
• Participates in a rotating reference desk schedule, including some evening and weekend reference service;
• Participates in the D’Angelo Law Library’s virtual reference service and responds to inquiries;
• Conducts individual research appointments with students;
• Completes faculty research requests.

Outreach

• Provides coordination for the clinic and experiential learning-specific research guides on the DLL LibGuides site; creates web-based and print research guides, handouts, tutorials, and other research tools; and creates content for and helps maintain the Library’s web pages.
• Contributes to the DLL News site and social media presences in collaboration with the Instruction and Outreach Librarian, the Associate Director for User Services, and other D’Angelo Law Library reference librarians.

Collection Development

• Participates in collection development, emphasizing law school course support and overall support of the Law School experiential learning program

Other Functions

• Serves on D’Angelo Law Library and Library-wide committees and task forces;
• Participates in local, regional, and national professional and scholarly organizations;
• Attends conferences, workshops, and classes to maintain knowledge of changing technologies and developments in law school education, law libraries, and legal publishing;
• Works on special projects; and
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required: 

• A JD from an ABA accredited law school (degree must be completed by start date of employment);
• Demonstrated experience with legal research materials, techniques and strategies;
• Experience using Westlaw, Lexis, Bloomberg Law, and other law subscription services and Internet resources;
• Demonstrated teaching ability;
• Knowledge of HTML and web-authoring tools; experience with creating and maintaining web pages;
• Experience using internet-based communication tools such as blogs, RSS feeds, and social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter;
• Experience using library computer applications and desktop Windows software;
• Knowledge of current and developing information technologies and their applications to reference and instruction activities;
• Ability to establish and maintain a good working relationship with colleagues and work effectively in a team-oriented environment

Preferred:

• A graduate library degree from an ALA accredited library school
• Previous experience working in an academic law library and/ or practicing law;
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills;
• Strong public service philosophy and a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
• Organizational and project management skills;
• Knowledge and experience in digital scholarship tools and techniques, such as empirical research methods;
• Familiarity with graphic design tools and creating and editing audio and visual educational material, such as tutorials;
• Previous experience with Canvas or other course management software;
• Knowledge of digital standards and formats, including CSS, Javascript, and XML; and
• Knowledge of one or more foreign languages.

To Apply: Submit cover letter, curriculum vitae, and reference contact information online through the University of Chicago’s Academic Recruiting website: http://apply.interfolio.com/121293. Review of applications will begin after March 15, 2023. Screening of applications will continue until the position is filled or the search is closed.

Salary and Benefits: Appointment salary based on qualifications and experience. Benefits include retirement plan, insurance, and paid time off.

Questions: Library Human Resources, libraryhr@uchicago.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at

https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.

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