Student Engagement Research & Instruction Librarian

American Association of Law Libraries; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Connecticut School of Law seeks a Student Engagement Research & Instruction Librarian to support student success with research, instruction, and outreach. The role includes reference service for day and evening students, program development, and liaison activities with student groups.

Responsibilities include hiring/supervising student staff, marketing library services, contributing to collection development, and participating in professional development.

Qualifications

• ALA‑accredited MLS/MLIS degree required.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to make effective presentations to individuals and/or groups.
• Ability to work collegially with diverse groups.
• Evidence of participation in professional development.
• Ability to work evenings and/or weekend hours.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver programs, services, and events that promote student success and research consultations.
• Coordinate marketing of library services and create web content and displays.
• Hire, train, and supervise student employees at the Information Desk.
• Serve as a liaison to student groups and student-edited publications.
• Assess student needs and collect feedback via surveys and focus groups.
• Provide research and instructional support for day and evening division students; support faculty research.
• Contribute to faculty research with in-depth legal research and bibliographies.
• Provide reference assistance in person and virtually, including evenings/weekends.
• Develop instructional materials and research guides; create tutorials.
• Participate in collection development, retention, and deselection.
• Attend meetings, committees, and campus events; engage in professional development.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Presentation skills

Teamwork

Professional development

Education

MLIS/MLS (ALA-accredited)

Tools

Westlaw

Lexis

Bloomberg Law

Library technology

Job description

Reporting to the Associate Director of Research, Instruction, and Scholarship, or her/his designee, the Student Engagement Research & Instruction Librarian is responsible for implementing library services directly aimed at supporting student success and providing general and in-depth research, reference, and instructional services in all areas of the law to the students, faculty and staff of the University of Connecticut School of Law and the University of Connecticut. The ideal candidate will demonstrate creativity, strategic thinking, and adaptability, embracing change and helping to shape the future of library services through innovative approaches and continuous improvement.

Duties and responsibilities include:

• Develop and deliver programs, services, and events that promote and support student success, including but not limited to individual or group research consultations, training, outreach events, and library orientation.
• Coordinate strategic marketing of library services, resources, and spaces including managing the Law Library's blog, creating web content, displays, digital signage, and other promotional materials.
• Hire, train, and supervise student employees who staff the library Information Desk.
• Serve as a liaison to student groups and student-edited publications.
• Assess student research needs and satisfaction with library services and solicit and evaluate recommendations for improvements through surveys, focus groups, and other assessment methods.
• Provide research and instructional support for day and evening division students, including course-integrated presentations, formal and informal legal information instruction, and similar activities.
• Contribute to faculty research service by conducting in-depth legal and interdisciplinary research, and preparing and creating bibliographies, literature reviews, memoranda, and other research deliverables.
• Provide reference assistance in person and virtually, including regular participation in evening and weekend rotations.
• Develop instructional materials, including research guides and tutorials, using a range of formats and delivery methods.
• Select material for inclusion in the library collection and actively participate in collection development, assessment, retention, and deselection.
• Participate in regular meetings, committees, and campus events, as appropriate.
• Participate in professional development opportunities.

Minimum qualifications

1. A graduate degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA accredited program.
2. Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
3. Demonstrated strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
4. Ability to make effective presentations to individuals and/or groups.
5. Ability to work collegially with diverse groups.
6. Evidence of participation in professional development.
7. Ability to work evenings and/or weekend hours.

Additional Minimum Qualifications for Librarian 2 appointment:

1. Minimum of three years of related professional experience in a library.
2. Demonstrated ability to set priorities and juggle multiple tasks.
3. Demonstrated ability to introduce and establish change.

Preferred qualifications

1. JD from an ABA accredited program.
2. One (1) to three (3) years or more of related experience.
3. Experience providing instruction in formal and informal settings.
4. Previous experience in a law library.
5. Reference desk experience in an academic library.
6. Experience with legal research platforms, such as Westlaw, Lexis, and Bloomberg Law.
7. Experience with library and instructional technology.
8. Demonstrated ability to work successfully in a team-based environment.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time position located at the Law School. The job classification as a Librarian 1 (P4) or Librarian 2 (P5) and salary will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s training and work experience.

The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

The successful candidate must be willing and able to work evenings and/or weekend hours.

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on October 30, 2026.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disabilities, veteran’s status, status as a victim of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and/or trafficking in persons as defined by Connecticut law, prior conviction of a crime, workplace hazards to the reproductive systems, or gender identity or expression.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO employer including for Disability and Veteran status.