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Law Library Assistant, Massachusetts Trial Court, Greenfield, MA & Northampton, MA

Posted January 19, 2023

Position Summary

Major duties are performed under the direction of the Head Law Librarian and include processing incoming library materials, preparing fiscal documents, providing general and legal information, 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.  

Type

Full-time

Starting Pay

$ 54,593.18

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: 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.

Duties

Law Library Assistant I

  • 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 Circuit Law Librarian, maintains the day-to-day operation of the law library;  
  • Performs related duties as required.  

Law Library Assistant II

  • 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. 

Minimum Requirements

These are the minimum requirements necessary to apply for a position of Law Library Assistant:  

Law Library Assistant I Requirements: Bachelor degree AND one (1) year of full-time experience as a paid paralegal OR one (1) year of full-time paid clerical experience in a law library OR An equivalent combination of education and experience.  

  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to deal effectively and respectfully with people;  
  • Knowledge of procedures, interlibrary cooperation, and the types of resources and services available to librarians and library users;  
  • Ability to use computer applications, such as MS Office spreadsheets, text editing and publisher programs;  
  • Ability to perform Trial Court fiscal procedures in accordance with MMARS accounting System;  
  • Ability to understand and implement all policies and procedures of the Trial Court Law Libraries;  
  • Ability to gather, analyze and report information;  
  • Ability to reach with hands and arms, bend, crouch, lift materials weighing up to 30 pounds and climb stairs;  
  • Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form;  
  • Ability to travel to multiple library locations.  

Law Library Assistant II Requirements:   A minimum of three years of experience as a Law Library Assistant I;  

  • Demonstrated ability to perform advanced legal reference;  
  • Comprehensive knowledge of library policies and procedures;  
  • Comprehensive knowledge of the Trial Court including its organizational structure and administrative policies;  
  • Comprehensive knowledge of software applications and reference techniques including e-reference;
  • Demonstrated ability to work on system wide projects;  
  • Demonstrated ability to work in more than one Trial Court Law Library.

To Apply

For more information and to apply, please visit: https://trialcourtjobs.mass.gov/jobs/law-library-asst-gr-13-14-northampton-massachusetts-united-states

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