Law Library Director

Mitchell Hamline School of Law seeks to hire a full-time Law Library Director who would also be a tenured member of the faculty. The Director is responsible for overall library administration. The Director is a member of the institution's management team and reports directly to the Administration.

Responsibilities include managing library operations, hiring and managing personnel, controlling budget and cost, developing collections, utilizing advancements in information services and technology, and ensuring compliance with all relevant accreditation standards. The Director also provides instructional services, supports faculty development, and helps elevate the institution's research profile.

Mitchell Hamline School of Law is a large, independent law school with more than 1100 students. It is located in the historic district of St. Paul, Minnesota and positioned conveniently between the downtowns of both Minneapolis and St. Paul. Its library is named after alum and former Chief Justice Warren Burger. The Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis are renowned for their vibrant arts scene, extensive parks and trails, and a community that consistently ranks as one of the most bike-friendly in the nation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership and Management

• Lead, manage, and mentor a team of library staff, including professional librarians, paraprofessionals, and support staff.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that encourages professional development and growth.
• Promote a culture of customer service excellence and respond to user needs promptly and efficiently.

Strategic Planning and Development

• Develop and implement a long-term strategic plan for the law library that aligns with the institution's strategic plan.
• Identify trends in legal education, research, and technology to adapt and enhance library services and resources.
• Continuously evaluate library programs and services to ensure they meet the evolving needs of law students, faculty, and researchers.

Resource Management and Collection Development

• Oversee the selection, acquisition, and maintenance of legal resources, including print, digital, and multimedia materials, while managing budgetary constraints.
• Ensure access to current, comprehensive, and relevant legal databases, journals, and publications.
• Serve as administrator of the library's electronic resources management system, monitor its effectiveness, coordinate and evaluate data on electronic resource usage, and implement improvements as identified.

Instruction and Research Support

• Collaborate with the law faculty, including the legal writing and skills faculty, to develop and deliver library instruction sessions or courses on legal research techniques and tools.
• Provide guidance and support to faculty members at all levels to enhance their research capabilities.
• Provide one-on-one reference and research support to students, faculty, and staff.
• Facilitate research projects and community engagement initiatives for faculty.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of print and electronic legal materials.
• Competency in use of computerized databases, search engines, technological assets.
• Teaching ability.
• Management skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Experience with institutional accreditation processes.
• Active participation in professional organizations related to law libraries and legal research.
• Proven ability to mentor and support faculty research development.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders with a demonstrated ability to maintain effective and respectful working relationships.

Minimum Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited institution.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in library services, with a minimum of 3 years in a leadership role within an academic or law library.
• Strong knowledge of legal research methods, resources, and technologies.
• Proven leadership and management experience with the ability to develop and implement strategic plans.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and resources effectively.
• Familiarity with library management systems, digital resource management, and emerging technologies.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in fostering collaboration and community building.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Library Science (MLS or MLIS) from an accredited institution.
• Significant experience as an author of legal research and/or library science scholarship.
• Significant experience as a faculty member with a strong record of relevant teaching, research, and service.
• Preferred lateral candidate with tenure.

Salary Range

The anticipated salary range for this position is $120,000 - $140,000 annually.

Benefits

• Tuition remission for employees and dependents upon eligibility.
• Health and dental insurance.
• Life/AD&D insurance (covered by employer).
• Optional life Insurance.
• Disability benefits (covered by employer).
• 403(b) retirement plan (with additional employer match).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Competitive compensation package.
• A respectful workplace.

For best consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume by the end of day May 12, 2025. Priority will be given to candidates who apply by this date.

Mitchell Hamline School of Law does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.

Notice of Nondiscrimination re: Title IX Sex Discrimination

Mitchell Hamline School of Law prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions about sex discrimination or harassment to the Title IX Coordinator. The notice of nondiscrimination and information about reporting concerns is located on our website (https://mitchellhamline.edu/students/title-ix/).