Law Library Director

Louisiana State University

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center seeks an innovative and experienced leader to serve as its next Director of the Law Library. The Director will advance the mission of the Law Center by ensuring that the library dynamically supports the instructional, scholarly, and research needs of the faculty and students. Reporting directly to the Dean, the Director holds responsibility for all facets of library management and operations, including budgeting, financial oversight, purchasing, hiring, supervision, personnel management, provision of library services and research instruction, collection development and maintenance, and physical plant operations. This role demands a team-oriented leader who can champion strategic planning and implementation while fostering a cooperative environment. The Director ensures that the collection and resources adequately support teaching, learning, research, and service while maintaining institutional compliance with ABA and AALS accreditation standards. The Law Library collection consists of over 1.1 million volume and volume equivalents (including over 400,000 in print), featuring a premier collection in foreign and comparative law. Supported by an annual budget of approximately $1.8 million, the library is currently undergoing an extensive multi-million dollar renovation project and employs a dedicated team of 6 librarians and 1 professional staff member. The Law Library coordinates and instructs Law Center’s legal research curriculum, delivered via traditional and hybrid methods. The Director is a member of the full-time faculty and expected to teach courses in the legal research and writing curriculum, with the possibility of teaching additional doctrinal courses. Applicants must possess a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and a master’s degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited institution and demonstrate superior academic credentials, a commitment to outstanding teaching, and strong administrative, communication, and interpersonal leadership skills. We welcome applications from candidates seeking either a tenure-track or professional practice-track position; tenure-track candidates must demonstrate a record of or strong potential for sustained scholarly achievement. Beyond the Law Center, the library serves the broader university, the bar, and the public as a Federal and State depository. While independent, the Law Library routinely collaborates and partners with the main LSU campus library on joint initiatives. The Director will also champion cooperative resource sharing and technology procurement through the statewide LOUIS consortium, reinforcing a highly team-oriented approach to library services.

Requirements

J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school (foreign equivalents considered on a case-by-case basis)
Master’s degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited institution
Superior academic credentials
A commitment to outstanding teaching
Strong administrative, communication, and leadership skills
For tenure-track candidates: a record of or strong potential for sustained scholarly achievement
Valid U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and maintain that valid work authorization throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in financial management
Experience in hiring
Leadership experience
Experience in library administration
Experience in researching
Experience in strategic planning

Responsibilities

Serves as the chief administrator of the Law Library, providing comprehensive oversight of all aspects of library management and operations. Core responsibilities include budgeting, financial management, procurement, personnel administration—including recruitment and supervision—collection development and maintenance, delivery of reference and research services, legal research instruction, management of physical facilities, and active participation in strategic planning and implementation. The administrator ensures that the Law Library's collections and resources effectively support the instructional, research, and service missions of the Law Center community. This role also encompasses ensuring ongoing compliance with accreditation standards and membership requirements set by the ABA and AALS within designated areas of responsibility.
Provides supervision for all faculty and staff within the Law Library, overseeing daily activities and library operations. Collaborates with law faculty, staff, and the Dean to foster a collaborative and inclusive workplace aligned with the mission of the LSU Law Center.
Oversees a range of advanced and specialized legal research courses, providing instruction within the legal research program alongside other dual-degreed library faculty. Maintains ongoing professional and scholarly engagement through the development of library and information science scholarship and active participation in conferences and other academic or peer settings.
Works collaboratively with the Dean and other members of the Law Center and LSU community to help determine the overall course and direction of the Law Center.
Perform additional responsibilities as required by the Dean of the Law Center as necessary.