This role is the library’s subject-matter expert in Foreign, International, and Comparative Law (FICL). The primary focus is providing high-level research support to specialized law school programs—such as Human Rights and Human Trafficking academies—while managing the library’s international law collections. It is a "scholar-librarian" role that balances complex, global research inquiries with faculty-facing instructional support.
Essential FunctionsSTU Libraries uses an all-around service model in which all librarians are expected to serve all students. Therefore, in addition to the specific duties listed below, this librarian will respond to all research and reference requests regardless of position and provide service to the entire STU community.
Foreign, International, and Comparative Law Librarian and Reference Duties
- Prepare instructional material and training sessions and participate in legal research instructional programs as requested or needed by law school faculty or student organizations.
- Keep statistics on faculty requests, reference, special projects, and other assignments.
- Provide direct support to the law school faculty and students for research, materials, and training requests, particularly those related to foreign and international law materials.
- Provide direct support to the Law School programs focused on foreign and international law, including the Human Rights LL.M./J.S.D. program, the Human Trafficking Academy, and other similarly situated programs.
- Provides general reference, directional, and research guidance service for foreign, comparative, or international law inquiries using both print and online resources.
- Provides complex reference & in-depth research searches for foreign, comparative, or international law inquiries using both print and online resources.
- Works within the Collection Development Policy guidelines to establish and maintain the foreign, comparative, and international law collection. Coordinates with the Director and Associate Director for Administration and Research Services when planning for changes and additions to the international law and foreign law collections.
- Reviews and evaluates advertisements, website information, and other sources for new titles and editions and makes recommendations on new purchases, replacements, updates, and removals from the collection.
- Participate in general Reference & Research services as part of regular workflow, including regular shifts at the reference desk.
- Generates subject-specific materials, such as research guides, as assigned.
Other duties
- Represent the Law Library in local, regional, and national meetings as requested.
- Serve on University and/or Law School Committees and participate in University and Law School events as requested.
- Keep informed of new trends in access services and the law profession.
- Recommend materials and services to Library Administration based upon current trends in use amongst faculty and students.
Competencies
- Working knowledge of Foreign and International Law materials.
- Strong and effective communication skills, both oral and written.
- Strong supervisory skills with the ability to manage and develop staff.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with students and faculty from a wide diversity of backgrounds and educational experiences.
- Organizational, planning, and administrative skills, including the ability to work
effectively on broad as well as detailed projects.
- Ability to work in a network environment, including working with an integrated library system.
- Knowledge and ability to work with legal databases and common law school and educational technologies, and the ability to design library instructional tools.
- Strong technical skills, interest in technology, and the ability to troubleshoot simple technology problems, failures, or deficiencies- expertise with law school technologies such as TWEN, Lexis Classroom, Canvas, is essential.
- Ability to understand library system technology that can be used to improve services, instruction efforts, and workflows.
- Strong service orientation and effective problem-solving skills.
- Be flexible with work assignments and work hours.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position does not have direct supervisory responsibility for any other position. This position may occasionally supervise non-professional staff, including work-study students, engaged by the Law Library public services department. This position may supervise student research assistants.
Work Environment/Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; push library carts full of books; climb on stands to shelf books. The employee must occasionally lift or move library materials and supplies, up to 30 pounds.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6
p.m. This position occasionally requires schedule changes with weekend/evening hours.
Travel
Travel is primarily for Professional Development. The employee will be asked to represent the Law Library in local, regional, and national meetings as requested by the Library Director.
QualificationsM.L.S. from an A.L.A. accredited library school program is required.
J.D. from an accredited ABA institution is required.
Previous academic law library experience is strongly preferred. Two or more years of experience in law libraries is preferred.
Additional Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Skills Required
- M.L.S. from an A.L.A. accredited library school program
- J.D. from an accredited ABA institution
- Working knowledge of foreign and international law materials
- Experience with law school technologies and legal databases
- Expertise with TWEN, Lexis Classroom, and Canvas
- Ability to work with an integrated library system and in a network environment
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Strong supervisory and interpersonal skills
- Organizational, planning, and administrative skills
- Strong technical skills and ability to troubleshoot technology issues
- Previous academic law library experience
- Two or more years of experience in law libraries
- Ability to occasionally lift or move items up to 30 pounds
What We Do
St. Thomas University is a private, nonprofit Catholic institution based in Miami Gardens, Florida. It is committed to fostering academic and professional success for its students, preparing them to become ethical leaders in a global community. The university offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs and has been recognized for its focus on social mobility and student access.
