Director of the Law Library of Louisiana
Louisiana Supreme Court, New Orleans, Louisiana
The Louisiana Supreme Court seeks applications and nominations for the
position of Director of the Law Library of Louisiana to be filled by August
15, 2007.
Description of Institution and Library
Founded in 1855, the state law library is a department of the Louisiana
Supreme Court, located in the heart of New Orleans's French Quarter. The
library's staff, comprising six professional librarians, three library
associates, and four part-time graduate students, is an integral part of a
courthouse community of nearly 200 employees serving the Supreme Court,
Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal, and the State Judicial
Administrator's Office. To fulfill the research needs of the state's
judiciary, bar and public, the library maintains a comprehensive print and
micrographic collection in excess of 200,000 volumes as well as online access
to major electronic resources. Possessing a rich collection of rare and
historically significant volumes, the library actively promotes Louisiana and
American legal history through its publications, exhibits, and educational
programs. It provides research and creative support to the Louisiana Supreme
Court Museum also located in the courthouse.
Position Duties
The director provides leadership and manages all operational aspects of the
state law library. This includes planning, directing, monitoring, and
evaluating the activities of eight full-time employees and several part-time
student assistants; managing the financial resources of the library,
including preparation of the annual budget; selecting information resources
and equipment needed by the judiciary, bar and public patrons; overseeing
expansion and growth of library services to increase access to legal
information for constituencies throughout the state; organizing public
relations and fund-raising activities to promote the library and enhance its
visibility/standing in the community; and supporting the mission of the
Louisiana Supreme Court Museum by overseeing the creation of exhibits and
programs. The director is also responsible for recruitment, selection,
training, and professional development of new staff members, as well as the
formulation and implementation of policies and procedures governing both
employees and patrons. The Law Library Director works under the general
direction of the Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court, and
performance is evaluated through conferences, review of documents/reports
prepared and feedback from individuals served.
Qualifications Requirements
A masters degree in Library/Information Science from an ALA-accredited
institution plus eight years of progressively responsible professional
experience in the fields of librarianship and/or law, five of which must be
in a law library or the legal division of an academic, public or special
research library. A Juris Doctor is desirable and will substitute for two of
the required years of law library experience.
The following skills and fields of knowledge are expected of candidates for
this position:
Thorough knowledge of professional principles, practices, and procedures in
the field of law librarianship.
Thorough knowledge of legal information resources in all formats, legal
information providers, and legal research techniques.
Knowledge of library administration, budget and financial management, and
information technology.
Ability to lead and motivate a team to provide the highest quality of service
and to seek new challenges.
Ability to speak and write effectively both to carry out administrative
duties and to promote the library's educational mission to the wider legal
community and general public.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with
justices, judges, administrators, departments, and courts within Louisiana's
Judicial Branch and with outside institutions including law school, academic,
public and special libraries, state agencies, archives, museums, and
professional associations.
Significant management/supervisory experience in a law library
Knowledge of and interest in United States and Louisiana history in order to
assist researchers and to oversee the creation of printed educational
materials, exhibits, and programs.
A record of active participation in and contribution to professional law
library associations and educational activities.
Salary and benefits
Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits
including membership in Louisiana State Employees Retirement System, choice
of medical insurance plans, paid dental insurance, paid memberships in
professional associations, professional development opportunities, and paid
parking.
Application Procedures
Please send cover letter, resume and current salary or salary requirements to
hr@lajao.org <mailto:hr@lajao.org> or fax these materials to 225-382-3187.
Applications received after April 30, 2007 will not be considered. Please
request accommodations if needed to participate in the selection process.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Anna L. Paxton
Deputy Judicial Administrator
Human Resources
Supreme Court of Louisiana
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