Librarian, New Hampshire State Law Library

Librarian, New Hampshire Supreme Court, Position #24-140

**INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLY**

Step 1: Complete the PDF application on the Website https://www.courts.state.nh.us/forms/nhjb-2099-dfps.pdf

Step 2: E-mail application to: [email protected] OR fax application to: (603) 513-5454 OR mail application to: Administrative Office of the Courts Human Resources Department One Granite Place, Suite N400 Concord, NH 03301

Your application may not be considered without a position number listed at the top.

JOB DESCRIPTION

GENERAL SUMMARY

Full-time, highly professional position in the John W. King New Hampshire Law Library. The Librarian of the New Hampshire Law Library administers all activities of a public law library. The Librarian serves as the public face of the organization and collaborates with library and legal professionals in New Hampshire and elsewhere; is responsible for the fiscal planning and management of the library budget; performs managerial duties with emphasis on fiscal management and personnel supervision; creates programs and policies to meet the legal information needs of library patrons; supervises library staff, interns and volunteers; participates in activities across the NH Judicial Branch such as long range planning, group purchasing and vendor negotiation; educates other professionals across the state about print and electronic legal resources, both in-person and virtually; engages in outreach and marketing efforts to improve awareness of and access to legal resources in New Hampshire; and performs related work as required. The position is subject to sufficient and continued funding by the Legislature.

Work is performed under the general direction of the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Employees in this position are subject to transfer or reassignment at the discretion of the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

This is a highly responsible administrative position, directing professional level law library service on a statewide basis to all branches of state and local government, the state bar, other libraries, and the general public. Work involves responsibility for establishing objectives and policies for the New Hampshire Law Library, developing programs for their implementation, and through support staff, directing the program activities.

John W. King New Hampshire Law Library Description

The John W. King New Hampshire Law Library is the only public law library in the State of New Hampshire. Located in the New Hampshire Supreme Court building in Concord, N.H., the library contains a collection of approximately 125,000 print volumes, state-of-the-art legal research databases, archival legal manuscripts and court files. The library is a selective federal depository library and a New Hampshire state depository library. The Law Library has been an active participant in Access to Justice in New Hampshire, creating a network of public libraries with legal information resources and public librarians trained in legal reference. The Law Library has also created and maintained the “NH Law About” website, a collection of public legal research guides.

Library Mission Statement

The New Hampshire Law Library advances the administration of justice by providing legal information and related services to the judicial, legislative, and executive branches of government, the legal communities of New Hampshire, and the people of the State.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this position. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the library.
• Makes regular visits to courthouses around the state to assess the research needs of judges and court staff.
• Makes regular visits to public library partners to provide legal reference training and assess information needs.
• Engages in outreach to partner organizations within the state, such as the NH Bar Association, 603 Legal Aid, and others.
• Prepares the library’s budget request and has fiscal responsibility for library expenditures, including signature approval of fiscal documents and oversight of budgetary spreadsheets.
• Negotiates with vendors for physical materials and electronic resources.
• Interviews, selects and recommends personnel for staff positions.
• Oversees the training of all library personnel, including staff, volunteers, and interns.
• Supervises personnel in all aspects of library operation and conducts annual performance reviews of all paid staff.
• Develops, recommends and implements policies and procedures.
• Oversees the delivery of reference and information services to patrons.
• Oversees the selection, design and delivery of electronic reference services.
• Oversees collection development duties, including selection and deselection of library materials in all available formats.
• Oversees the development and maintenance of content on the New Hampshire Law Library website.
• Oversees the library’s cataloging, classification, indexing, and maintenance of the ILS.
• Oversees the arrangement of the physical library, paying heed to ADA guidelines.
• Provides for the security, protection and preservation of information resources in tangible and electronic formats.
• Stays abreast of current trends in librarianship and legal services by attending and participating in meetings, conferences, seminars and trainings both in-person and virtually.
• Participates with other librarians and staff on system-wide projects such as grants, collection development and program planning.
• Provides workshops and seminars to promote the use and maintenance of library materials, services and databases, both in-person and virtually.
• Promotes library resources and services to expand prospective patron awareness of access to library services.
• Keeps the New Hampshire Supreme Court, or their designee, informed about news and developments within the library, and/or with library partners.
• Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Masters in Library Science (MLS or MLIS) from an accredited library school. A Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school is preferred but not mandatory.
• Three (3) years full-time administrative experience working in a public, academic, or law library of comparable scope to the New Hampshire Law Library.
• Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.

Licenses or Certifications

• Valid driver’s license.

OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Successful completion of a background check, including criminal records check and motor vehicle records check.
• Attention to detail, and comprehension of complex legal, operational, situational, and related information.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

• Knowledge of theory, principles and practices of library science and law library administration, including current methods and procedures in such areas as acquisition, cataloging and reference.
• Knowledge of legal bibliography and terminology and the use of complex legal resources and indexes.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage compassionately and respectfully with a diverse group of colleagues, legal professionals, and the public.
• Knowledge of libraries, interlibrary cooperation, government and private organizations and the types of resources and services available to librarians and library users.
• Knowledge of space planning, including the physical layout of and the technical and operational requirements for equipment and furniture used in libraries.
• Ability to analyze and solve complex problems relating to library practices and procedures.
• Ability to gather, analyze and report information.
• Ability to use an ILS, other online systems and the ability to learn and implement new technologies as they emerge.
• Proficiency with computer applications including but not limited to MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, and others.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written form.
• Prior supervisory experience of full-time staff members and facility with conducting annual staff reviews.
• Confidence in training staff, legal professionals, and the general public in the use of electronic resources and databases.
• Ability to reason clearly and make sound judgments.
• Ability to work well independently and with groups.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals including judges, staff, litigants, attorneys, and the public.
• Ability to reach with hands and arms, bend, crouch, lift materials weighing up to 30 pounds, and climb stairs.
• Ability to travel within the State of New Hampshire for various meetings and to conduct trainings and site assessments at other Judicial Branch locations when necessary.

Additional Job Competencies: All applicants must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following areas:

• Ethics and Values: Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the New Hampshire Judicial Branch.
• Mission: Understands, upholds, and communicates the library’s mission.
• Applied Knowledge: Understands research, information services operations, specialized tools, applications, and software, with some understanding of the various court departments and divisions.
• Problem Solving: Ability to successfully address data issues, draw conclusions, and make recommendations.
• Customer Service: Conducts oneself in a courteous and professional manner towards both NH Judicial Branch employees and the public.
• Collaboration: Works with others cooperatively and contributes to a work environment that focuses on the advancement of shared goals.
• Continuous Learning: Demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement through professional development.

The NH Judicial Branch is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $97,286.80 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Commute:

• Concord, NH (Required)

Work Location: In person