Full Job Description
Position Announcement: Law Librarian for Emerging Technology and Digital Initiatives; Lecturer in Law
The Law Library, a unit of the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries serving the Law School and University, offers a broad range of expertise, resources and services that enable the Law School to carry out its program of legal education, and support research and scholarship.
Vanderbilt University and the Vanderbilt Libraries are in an exciting time of transformation. With new leadership at the Chancellor, Provost, and University Librarian levels, we are re-envisioning the future of library services at Vanderbilt. Through radical collaboration we seek to deepen student and faculty engagement with the libraries, equip students for life-long information proficiency, increase faculty research impact, create more opportunities for interdisciplinary experimentation, and optimize access to collections and resources, including marginalized and hidden histories and cultures.
We are seeking a team member to help us educate the next generation of leaders and enable research that solves our most pressing problems. We are looking for an innovative and user-centered problem solver ready to join our collaborative environment and transform library services.
The Alyne Queener Massey Law Library of Vanderbilt Law School seeks a Law Librarian for Emerging Technology and Digital Initiatives. This position will play a key role in the successful launch of Vanderbilt Law School’s new Artificial Intelligence Lab, helping to develop, and implement the lab’s AI initiatives. The Law Librarian for Emerging Technology and Digital Initiatives will work within the law library to assess, plan, and implement digital initiatives and explore emerging technologies and their impact on legal education and the practice of law. The successful candidate will also build relationships with key players in the AI space across disciplines within the libraries, the University, and beyond.
Depending on qualifications or interest this position may also provide legal reference and research services to law library patrons; develop instructional materials and teach legal research in the required first-year Legal Writing and Research Program; teach an upper-division legal research course; develop and teach other instruction-based programs; update and maintain online research support materials; participate in collection development; support institutional initiatives and collaborate with colleagues across units to support the research and learning mission of the University; and promote library programs and resources both internally and externally.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Serve as a member of the Vanderbilt Law AI lab digital projects team.
- Build relationships with others in the AI space both internal and external.
- Engage and learn legal technologies and their implementation in law.
- Develop projects utilizing innovative technology that will assist law faculty and students.
- Create and present instructional sessions in the areas of legal technology and other digital technologies.
- Investigate and assist in the writing of grant proposals.
- Liaise with other library departments to identify or develop projects requiring significant technology requirements.
- Participate in the planning, development, implementation, maintenance, and technical support of the Library’s core digital initiatives.
- Provide reference and research services to Vanderbilt Law School students and faculty as well as the larger Vanderbilt University community
- Develop course materials and teach legal research skills in the first-year Legal Writing and Research Program
- Teach in upper-division legal research courses, seminars, and academic programs as needed
- Create and update online research guides, tutorials, and other web content
- Serve on University Library committees and work with colleagues in other campus libraries and University departments in support of the University’s mission for radical collaboration and interdisciplinary scholarship and learning
- Participate in professional organizations and engage in scholarly activities at the local, regional, national and/or international level
Qualifications
- A J.D., or equivalent, and Master’s in Library Science, or equivalent, is preferred. Applicants with other academic credentials who demonstrate an interest/expertise in the impact of AI/emerging technologies on legal education and the practice of law are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Entry-level, and experienced, law librarians are encouraged to apply.
- Expertise in legal bibliography and legal research methodologies is required.
- Knowledge or interest in emerging technologies and/or legal technologies is required.
- Demonstrated ability to manage both small scale and large scale projects successfully is required
- Outstanding communication skills and a demonstrated ability to effectively teach and present is required.
- Knowledge and/or interest in using emerging technologies to enhance the delivery of information services is required.
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively is required.
- Experience or interest in GenAI and artificial intelligence and the legal field is required.
- Experience or interest in the use of coding and/or technology to resolve problems and develop projects is preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to manage both small scale and large scale projects successfully.
- Understanding of legal education and the legal profession preferred.
- Experience teaching legal research preferred.
- Expertise in legal bibliography and legal research methodologies preferred.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.
Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.
- Working and growing together as a community of communities… we are One Vanderbilt .
- Providing a work environment where every staff and faculty member can be their authentic and best self , while providing the resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
- Encouraging development, collaboration, and partnership both internally and externally while fostering the value that every member of the Vanderbilt community can lead and grow regardless of title or position.
We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.
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Vanderbilt University has made the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University may require employees to comply with any testing or health and safety measures which the University may require.
