Law Library Assistant, Barnstable District Court, Barnstable, MA

The mission of the Support Services Department is to provide support for the administration of justice and public access to court services through the operation of the Judicial Response System, the Trial Court Law Libraries, the Record Management operation, the Office of Court Interpreters Services, and the Office of Transcription Services.

Major duties are performed under the direction of the Head Law Librarian and include processing incoming library materials, preparing fiscal documents, providing reference service, and implementing circulation and interlibrary loan policies.  The Law Library Assistant assists the Head Law Librarian in system-wide activities such as long range planning, electronic library services, and special projects, and may be assigned by the Law Library Department to perform Law Library Assistant duties in other libraries as needed.  In the absence of the Head Law Librarian and other law library staff, maintains the day-to- day operation of the law library.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEVELS:

Employees are hired at the entry level position titles and are eligible for reclassification to the higher level position titles within this series consistent with the specifications for the higher level positions.  The position title reverts to the entry level when there is a vacancy. 

Law Library Assistant I B This is the entry level position title within the series.  Employees are expected to perform the full range of entry level duties and to train for the higher level (Law Library Assistant II)

Law Library Assistant II – This is the second level position title within this series.  Employees at this second level are expected to perform more advanced duties which require more knowledge of policies and procedures and the exercise of more independent judgment.

Law Library Assistant I Duties: 

• Processes incoming library materials for supplementation, maintains circulation records including the database of borrowers, and processes overdue notices using an integrated library system;
• Files loose-leaf services, advance sheets, periodicals, and supplements; removes appropriate material and arranges disposition according to library policy; shelves materials;
• Processes invoices, communicates with vendors about account problems, and maintains accounting records including budgetary spreadsheet
• Provides reference and information services to those seeking legal information by responding to questions in person, by telephone or through e-reference; locating and retrieving materials; performing simple bibliographic searches; and filling interlibrary loan requests;
• Participates in basic e-reference services;
• Maintains and operates library equipment including computer networks, microform machines, copiers, scanners and fax machines;
• Prepares current and historical material for binding;
• In the absence of the Head Law Librarian or a Law Librarian, maintains the day-to-day operation of the law library;
• Performs related duties as required.

Law Library Assistant II Duties:

• Performs advanced legal reference duties including participating in document delivery and filling common e-reference requests;
• Trains staff in aspects of library operations;
• Performs routine cataloging functions;
• Makes recommendations to the Head Law Librarian on the development of the library, collection and operational procedures;
• Develops and maintains databases and troubleshoots the computer network and Internet access; updates and installs new software on computers;
• Works with other librarians and staff on system-wide projects and committees;
• Maintains the ability to perform Law Library Assistant I duties in at least one other Trial Court Law Library;
• Performs related duties as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Reports to and receives work assignments and supervision from the Head Law Librarian.  In the absence of a Head Law Librarian, the Law Library Assistant may receive direction from a Law Librarian in keeping with the library=s local policies and procedures.

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