Research Librarian, Westminster Law Library

The University of Denver Sturm College of Law is a national leader in experiential legal education a recognized innovator in legal pedagogy and the home of multiple nationally ranked programs including a Top 10 program in legal research and writing. Housed in a state-of-the-art LEED Gold building on the campus of the University of Denver the Westminster Law Library supports cutting-edge faculty research trains students in legal research skills across multiple subject matter areas and familiarizes students with a range of technologies relevant to modern-day legal practice.

Position Summary

Occupying faculty positions within the Professorial Series in University Libraries and reporting to the Associate Director of the Westminster Law Library research librarians provide high-quality research reference and instructional services to faculty and students at the Sturm College of Law as well as to the larger university community. Research librarians participate meaningfully and actively in the learning enterprise of the law school including teaching in the innovative and popular Certificate in Legal Research (CLR) program teaching for-credit courses and creating asynchronous learning tools such as research guides and online tutorials.

For applicants who hold both JD and MLIS degrees this position is contemplated as a full-time faculty appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor in the University Libraries series. Faculty positions in the University Libraries faculty series with the rank of Assistant Professor are eligible for long-term contracts and are subject to the University of Denvers Policies and Procedures Relating to Faculty Appointment Promotion and Tenure.

For applicants who hold a JD degree alone but are (1) currently enrolled in an MLIS degree program or (2) commit to enrolling in the MLIS program at the University of Denver beginning with the first quarter in which they qualify for a University-provided tuition waiver this position is contemplated as a full-time faculty appointment at the rank of Instructor in the University Libraries series. Instructors have renewable one-year appointments for a maximum of five years of service and are subject to the University of Denvers Policies and Procedures Relating to Faculty Appointment Promotion and Tenure. To be promoted in rank from Instructor to Assistant Professor a faculty member shall meet the qualifications for the rank of Assistant Professor. Once a faculty member in this role completes their MLIS degree they will be promoted in rank from Instructor to Assistant Professor in the University Libraries series if they meet the remaining qualifications for the rank of Assistant Professor.

Essential Functions

• Provide high-quality research reference and instructional services to the Sturm College of Law community including regular development evaluation and refinement of relevant workflows.
• Actively participate in the preparation and teaching of the Law Librarys Certificate in Legal Research (CLR) program an optional legal research training program reflected on student transcripts.
• Teach an upper-division law school course preferably in an area of advanced or specialized legal research.
• Support faculty research through a range of research-related efforts encompassing both legal and interdisciplinary methodologies.
• Provide high-quality service at a combined circulation and reference desk.
• Create and maintain asynchronous learning tools including research guides online tutorials and other asynchronous modules contributing to the Law Librarys instructional efforts.
• Maintain statistics on the use of the Law Librarys research and instructional services to assess their effectiveness and assist in data-driven decision making.
• Participate on the Law Librarys collection development team which aids in selection cancellation and retention decisions as well as regular evaluation of collection priorities.
• Stay abreast of new developments in library reference research and instructional services including innovative ways to improve relevant workflows by leveraging new technologies.
• Engage in regular marketing and outreach with an eye toward possible partnerships within the larger University and the local legal community including through maintenance of the Law Librarys web pages and orientation-related programming for incoming students.
• Serve on University- and unit-level committees.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• A strong customer service orientation including a demonstrated ability to work flexibly with faculty students staff and a diverse research community.
• Effective oral and written communication skills including strong presentation skills in both one-on-one and group settings.
• Legal research proficiency including knowledge of key legal research sources and how best to use them in a variety of formats or the demonstrated potential for rapid growth into such skills.
• A strong commitment to innovation including comfort with technology and proficiency with a variety of library-related technologies such as next-generation library systems legal research platforms and other relevant technologies.
• Strong analytical/problem solving skills and the ability to exercise independent judgment.
• The ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• The ability to establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships both inside and outside the law library.
• Knowledge of professional librarianship concepts principles and practices and a commitment to staying abreast of new developments.
• Flexibility resilience and the ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
• Excellent time management organizational and project management skills.
• Attention to detail timeliness and dependability.
• A commitment to an inclusive learning environment.
• The ability to work evenings and/or weekends as necessary.

Required Qualifications

For appointment as an Assistant Professor in the University Libraries faculty series:

• JD (or equivalent) from an ABA-accredited law school; and
• MLIS (or equivalent) from an ALA-accredited institution.

For appointment as an Instructor in the University Libraries faculty series:

• JD (or equivalent) from an ABA-accredited law school; and
• Current enrollment in an MLIS degree program; or
• Commitment to enrolling in the MLIS program at the University of Denver beginning with the first quarter in which the individual qualifies for a University-provided tuition waiver.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working in research and reference services in a law library.
• Teaching experience with demonstrated success in the classroom.

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions occur often in library work
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

• Ability to sit in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Ability to sit or stand in front of a classroom for an extended period of time
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20lbs.

Work Schedule

The Westminster Law Librarys research/reference services team typically works Monday - Friday on one of three general schedules (8:30 am - 5:00 pm 9:00am - 5:30 pm or 9:30am - 6:00 pm) which include one hour for lunch. However law library faculty schedules may vary from term to term based on courses taught/instructional needs service commitments and other law library demands. The Sturm College of Law is on a semester system.

Ability to work evenings and/or weekends as necessary.

Research Librarians are currently eligible for one day per week of remote work pursuant to the Sturm College of Law Remote Work Plan.

Application Deadline
For consideration please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) June 27 2025.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is UC.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $70000-$80000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate departmental budget availability internal salary equity considerations and available market information but not based on a candidates sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits including medical dental retirement paid time off tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. A list of three professional references

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family or parental status pregnancy or related conditions national origin disability or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color national origin ancestry age religion creed disability sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family and parental status pregnancy genetic information military enlistment or veteran status and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal state or local law regulation or ordinance in any of the Universitys educational programs and activities and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers Rights (POWR) Act; and any other federal state and local laws regulations or ordinances that prohibit discrimination harassment and/or retaliation. For more information please see the University of Denvers NonDiscriminationStatement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.