Associate Director for Law Library Services

Chapman University Careers•Irvine, CA

About The Position

Reporting to the Law Library Director, the Associate Director for Law Library Services provides strategic leadership for public services, assessment activities, and instructional programs. The Associate Director supervises and coordinates the functions of the public services department, teaches legal research, advances innovative library services and technologies, and participates in library administration. The Associate Director plays a prominent role in outreach and promotion of library services to the law school community, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, collaboration, and professional development. This position supervises librarians and staff, mentors emerging library professionals, and manages complex projects in accordance with the goals of the law school and law library.

Requirements

JD from an ABA accredited institution.
MLS / MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution or an equivalent relevant advanced degree in information science, library science, knowledge management, education, or a related field.
Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in an academic law library or comparable legal information environment.
Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory and management experience, including responsibility for personnel development, performance management, project leadership, and operational oversight.
Demonstrated knowledge of legal research methodologies, legal information resources, and emerging research technologies across print and digital environments.
Demonstrated experience developing and delivering legal research instruction, instructional materials, and learning assessments for diverse audiences.
Experience supervising or collaborating on library technology, systems, digital services, or technology-enabled service initiatives.
Knowledge of assessment practices, data analysis, and evidence-based decision-making in libraries, higher education, or related organizations.
Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change, strategic initiatives, and complex projects from planning through implementation and evaluation.
Proven ability to exercise sound judgment, make informed decisions, and independently manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
Strong leadership, mentoring, coaching, and team development skills, with a commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture.
Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with faculty, students, administrators, staff, vendors, and external stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to communicate complex information effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to develop practical recommendations and implement innovative solutions.
Ability to maintain confidentiality as necessary and to demonstrate professionalism, tact, diplomacy, and excellent judgment in a variety of situations.
Experience using library technologies, integrated library systems, legal research platforms, learning management systems, productivity tools, and other enterprise applications.
Ability to learn, interpret, and apply university policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to service excellence, continuous improvement, innovation, and user-centered library services.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise professionalism, discretion, diplomacy, and ethical judgment in all aspects of work.

Responsibilities

Oversee, supervise, and coordinate functions of the public services department, including reference, research, instruction, circulation and user experience services.
Develop, assess, and enhance the effectiveness, quality, and impact of law library programs and services, including public service points.
Supervise, train, mentor, and evaluate public services librarians and staff, supporting growth and leadership development.
Coordinate promotion of library programs, resources, and services to the law school community.
Lead the implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of library technologies, digital services, and user-centered solutions.
Analyze service trends, usage data, and user feedback to inform decision-making and improve service delivery.
Foster a culture of innovation by identifying, evaluating, and implementing emerging technologies and best practices that enhance teaching, research, and access to information.
Supervise and provide in-depth research services for faculty and high level reference assistance to library users.
Oversee, mentor, and support research projects undertaken by research librarians.
Conduct detailed, thorough research for faculty requiring substantive legal analysis.
Prepare written analysis and documentation to support faculty research, teaching, and scholarship.
Create and maintain research guides, bibliographic tools, and digital learning resources in a variety of formats.
Evaluate and promote emerging legal research platforms, technologies, and methodologies that enhance research effectiveness.
Assist the Law Library Director with administration, strategic initiatives, and organizational assessment.
Evaluate, develop, and implement library policies, procedures, and services to optimize effectiveness, efficiency, and access to library resources.
Participate in strategic planning for the growth, development innovation, and long-term sustainability of the library.
Establish and support assessment initiatives that measure library services, programs, technologies, and user outcomes.
Enhance library relationships with the law school, University, alumni, professional organizations, and external partners.
Lead and manage strategic projects and organizational change initiatives as assigned.
In the absence of the Law Library Director, assume responsibility for library operations.
Provide research instruction and educational leadership for the law school community in collaboration with other law librarians.
Teach legal research in a variety of settings, including the first year curriculum, Advanced Legal Research courses, and in specialized workshops.
Teach specialized research to groups and individuals.
Collaborate with librarians and faculty to develop innovative instructional content, learning materials, and assessment tools.
Integrate technology, instructional design principles, and emerging research tools into teaching and learning activities.
Assess student learning outcomes and instructional effectiveness to continuously improve legal research education.
Participate in collection development and resource management activities.
Collaborate with librarians in collection analysis, assessment, and evaluation to select materials that support the curriculum and faculty research interests within budget parameters.
Assist with collection development, resource review, and collection management projects.
Evaluate usage patterns, emerging formats, and technological developments to inform collection and resource decisions.
Support innovation in resource discovery, access, and delivery to enhance the user experience.