Library Faculty - Reference Librarian

The University of Denver Sturm College of Law is a national leader in experiential legal education, a recognized innovator in legal pedagogy, and home to multiple nationally recognized programs, including a Top 20 program in legal writing and an innovative Certificate in Legal Research (CLR) program.

Housed in a state-of-the-art, LEED Gold building on the campus of the University of Denver, the Westminster Law Library supports cutting-edge faculty research, trains students in legal research skills across multiple subject matter areas, and familiarizes students with an array of technologies relevant to modern-day legal practice.

Position Summary

The Sturm College of Law seeks to hire one or more talented and dedicated faculty reference librarians to begin work during the fall semester of the 2024-25 academic year.

Occupying a faculty position within the Professorial Series in University Libraries, and reporting to the Associate Director of the Westminster Law Library, reference librarians provide high-quality reference, research, and instructional services to faculty and students at the Sturm College of Law, as well as to the larger university community.

Reference librarians also participate actively and meaningfully in the learning enterprise of the law school, including by providing instruction within the innovative and highly popular Certificate in Legal Research (CLR) program and creating additional learning tools, such as research guides and online tutorials.

This position is subject to the University of Denvers Policies and Procedures Relating to Faculty Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure .

Essential Functions

• Provide high-quality reference, research, and instructional services to the Sturm College of Law and University of Denver communities.
• Teach in the law librarys Certificate in Legal Research (CLR) program, which currently supports three different legal research certificates (basic, specialized, and international) that students may elect to undertake.
• Provide high-quality service to Law Library patrons at a combined circulation and reference desk.
• Support faculty members engaged in scholarly research, encompassing both legal and interdisciplinary methodologies.
• Teach a law school course (preferably in the area of advanced or specialized legal research) and provide occasional guest lectures (as well as one-on-one instruction) upon request.
• Create and maintain learning tools, including research guides and online tutorials.
• Maintain statistics on the use of research and instructional services to assess their effectiveness and assist in data-driven decision making.
• Participate on the Law Librarys collection development team as a subject matter expert and engage in regular evaluation of collection priorities.
• Stay abreast of new developments in library reference, research, and instructional services, including innovative ways to improve relevant workflows by leveraging new technologies.
• Participate in relevant marketing and outreach activities, including programming relating to the Westminster Law Library offered during the law schools orientation period.
• Serve on relevant committees within the law school and University Libraries system.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• A strong customer service orientation.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, including strong presentation skills in both one-on-one and group settings.
• Legal research proficiency, including knowledge of key legal research sources and how best to use them in a variety of formats, or the demonstrated potential for rapid growth into such skills.
• A strong commitment to innovation, including comfort with technology and proficiency with a variety of library-related technologies, such as next-generation library systems, legal research platforms, and other relevant technologies.
• Strong analytical / problem solving skills and the ability to exercise independent judgment.
• The ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• The ability to establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships both inside and outside the law library.
• Knowledge of professional librarianship concepts, principles, and practices and a commitment to staying abreast of new developments.
• Flexibility, resilience, and the ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
• Excellent time management, organizational, and project management skills.
• A demonstrated ability to work flexibly with faculty, students, staff, and a diverse research community.
• A commitment to an inclusive learning environment.
• The ability to work evenings and / or weekends, as necessary.

Required Qualifications

• MLS (or equivalent) from an ALA-accredited institution (or currently enrolled).
• JD (or equivalent) from an ABA-accredited law school.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working in research and reference services in a law library.
• Teaching experience that evidences success in the classroom.

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions occur often in library work.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.
• Reference librarian positions are currently eligible for one day per week of remote work pursuant to the Sturm College of Law Remote Work Plan.

Physical Activities

• Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
• Ability to sit or stand in front of a classroom for an extended period of time.
• Occasionally required to move about the office / campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

Work Schedule

The Westminster Law Librarys public services team typically works Monday - Friday on one of three general schedules (8 : 30 am - 5 : 00 pm, 9 : 00 am - 5 : 30pm, or 9 : 30am - 6 : 00 pm), which include one hour for lunch.

However, law library faculty schedules may vary from term to term based on courses taught / instructional needs, service commitments, and other law library demands.

The Sturm College of Law is on a semester system, and its academic calendars are posted on the Registrar's website .

The ability to work evenings and / or weekends, as necessary.

Reference librarian positions are currently eligible for one day per week of remote work pursuant to the Sturm College of Law Remote Work Plan.

Application Deadline

For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4 : 00 p.m. (MST) August 19, 2024.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number :

The salary grade for the position is UC.

Salary Range :

The salary range for this position is $70,000 - $75,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting.

The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidates sex or any other protected status.

Benefits :

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass.

The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver .

Please include the following documents with your application :

1. Resume

2. Cover Letter

3. List of 3 Professional References

• The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972;
• the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964;
• the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; Equal Pay Act; Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act;

the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers' Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and / or retaliation.

For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non Discrimination Statement .

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.