Opening: Research and Instructional Services Librarian, Washington and Lee

The Washington and Lee University School of Law Library invites applications for an energetic, innovative professional to serve as its Research and Instructional Services Librarian. Located near the Shenandoah Valley, the Washington and Lee University School of Law serves 34 faculty and 400 law students, and is consistently ranked among the top 25 schools in the nation. The Law Library, a member of the Consortium of Southeastern Law Libraries, is central to the law school's curricular and research programs. The Law Library, together with the University Library, is moving aggressively to deliver electronically the wealth of legal and general information resources that it makes available to students, faculty, and staff. Further information about the library and the school is available at http://law.wlu.edu.

The position of Research and Instructional Services Librarian offers opportunities for a dynamic, service-oriented librarian to provide leadership in shaping and facilitating access to an increasingly digital collection. Building a framework for increased support of faculty scholarship will be a key responsibility.  The librarian will also take the lead in planning the expansion of the depth and the breadth of the library's collection through acquisitions or through licensing electronic resources to meet the increasing need to support teaching and scholarship.

Faculty discussions are currently focused on ways to improve the first year research and writing program and to enhance the third year experience.  Innovating reference services to support these endeavors will be a priority. The Research and Instructional Services Librarian will, in a collegial environment, provide front line reference, serve as faculty liaison, and, through formal and informal instruction, assist Law Library users with legal and multidisciplinary research. Reference services will require some evening and weekend hours. He/she will have the opportunity to creatively develop web pages and other electronic forms of organization and communication such as RSS feeds, blogs, open URL servers, and other e-resource applications.

The ideal candidate will have:

• excellent interpersonal skills and strong public service orientation;
• an enthusiasm for learning and teaching skills;
• demonstrated knowledge of Web development and database driven Web sites;
• excellent written and oral communication skills; and
• strong analytical, creative, team-building, and problem-solving abilities.

Education and Experience: Required qualifications are an ALA-accredited MLS or equivalent and a JD degree.  Five years of professional experience in an academic law library is preferred; however, candidates with alternate experience will be considered.  The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.

Available September 1, 2006. Review of applications will begin on July 1, 2006. Preliminary interviews will be conducted at the AALL annual meeting. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Please send a letter of interest, resume, names and contact information for three professional references to:

Sarah K. Wiant
Director of the Law Library and Professor of Law
Law Library
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA 24450

Washington and Lee University is an equal opportunity employer. Minority and female candidates are encouraged to apply.