Legal Reference Librarian

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Public Services Division, Global Legal Research Directorate, Law Library. The position description number for this position is 442650.

The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. The incumbent of this position will work a flextime work schedule.

The incumbent of this position will be required to work on Saturdays. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.

Ability to apply knowledge of the principles, concepts, and techniques of library science to the organization and dissemination of legal information.

** Ability to communicate legal and legislative information and analysis in writing. ** Ability to communicate effectively in a library or information center environment.

** Ability to utilize information technology and online legal resources. ** Ability to provide training and mentorship. Ability to interact collaboratively with a diverse group of people.

Ability to plan and implement library programs. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. Major Duties:

The Legal Reference Librarian, working under the supervision of the Law Library Reading Room Head, within the Law Library's Public Services Division, provides legal and legislative reference and research support services; performs collection development duties; provides tours, briefings, classes, and orientations; and participates in projects and programs which fulfills the mission of the Public Services Division.

Responds to legal and legislative reference and research inquiries from Members of Congress, congressional committees, the White House, federal courts, government agencies, libraries, the bar, educational institutions, and the general public.

Staffs the Law Library Reading Room reference desk and/or established reference service points to provide legal reference service to readers in the reading room or patrons contacting the Law Library's reference staff.

Staffs the reference desk and/or established reference service points outside regular operating hours to provide legal reference service to Members of Congress and legislative staff to serve the needs of Congress.

The legal reference librarian also staffs the reference desk at least one Saturday per two-week pay period, or two Saturdays per month.

Assists legal researchers by analyzing questions and requirements; suggesting search strategies; and evaluating resources from the general, special and/or reference collections regardless of format.

Identifies and locates primary and secondary sources of United States, foreign, and international law and legislation utilizing specialized finding aids, resources, and tools.

Prepares written responses to legal and legislative inquiries, written legal and legislative research guides and pathfinders, and written products describing research methodologies.

Recommends referral of questions outside the organization's scope of expertise to the Global Legal Research Directorate, other areas of the Library of Congress, and other agencies, libraries, and/or organizations.

Monitors legislative developments and new publications relating to general fields of law and/or law librarianship to provide current information.

Plans and completes projects as assigned by the Law Library Reading Room Head or Public Services Division Chief.

Depending on language and script capabilities, may be asked to answer foreign, comparative, and international law inquiries.

Surveys and evaluates Reading Room collections to identify gaps and currency issues.

Identifies collection processing issues relating to assigned areas / subjects / jurisdictions of the Reading Room collections and works with senior staff to develop resolutions.

Develops understanding of current and public policy issues in assigned areas / subjects / jurisdictions in order to develop collections that anticipate researcher inquiries and demands.

Reviews a variety of foreign and domestic sources for information about available materials.

Reviews acquisitions lists for new titles and other materials in various formats for the Reading Room's collection.

Recommends the addition and/or removal of titles from assigned portions of the Law Library reference collections.

Orients users and explains procedures and regulations governing use and handling of collections.

Regularly reviews collections for condition assessment and reports issues with the condition of materials to senior division staff or other appropriate Law Library staff.

Ensures patron compliance with the security and the appropriate handling of the collections.

Contributes to digital collection development and management projects, such as web archiving and/or compiling and organizing websites based on current public policy issues.

Prepares and conducts tours of the Law Library and the Library of Congress.

Explains information to groups and individuals with varying levels of understanding or knowledge of the operations, services, mission, and/or programs of the Library of Congress and the Law Library, as well as law, and legal and legislative research methodology.

Attends and assists with briefings, orientations, and classes provided by senior division staff, and facilitates webinars as an attendee monitor.

Develops professional contacts within and outside the organization to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships in order to provide or exchange information and professional knowledge.

Professional contacts include library patrons, supervisors, library staff, other national libraries, library and information networks, information centers, experts in government agencies, educational institutions, associations, the private sector, and/or research groups.

Participates in on-going and special division programs and projects. These projects may include representing the division both within and outside the Law Library and the Library.

Performs other duties as assigned. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement