Student Success and Reference Librarian

University of Wisconsin Law School; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 64,800 - 79,200; Full time

Job summary

The University of Wisconsin Law Library invites applications for a Student Success and Reference Librarian to provide high‑level reference, research, and instructional services to the UW Law School community. The role includes outreach to students and other stakeholders, with some weekend/evening hours and potential remote work.

Located in Madison, WI, the position supports a diverse student body and collaborates with librarians to enhance learning, access, and engagement across the campus.

Responsibilities

• Provides comprehensive reference and instructional support to UW Law School students and faculty.
• Collaborates on outreach programs and liaison work with academic disciplinary units.
• Develops and curates library instruction and research services for diverse patrons.
• Oversees day-to-day operations of library services and supports
• Supports and mentors student workers as needed.
• Develops, acquires, and curates library collections.

Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category: Academic Staff

Employment Type: Regular

Job Profile: Lib II-Res, Learn & User Supp

Job Summary

The University of Wisconsin Law Library seeks an energetic and intellectually curious professional to join our team as the Student Success and Reference Librarian. This newly restructured position is responsible for instructional outreach and coordinating services to our diverse student body. The position is a unique opportunity for self‑starters with a passion for working with students. Individuals skilled in outreach to different types of stakeholders, such as administrators and student organizations, are well‑suited for this position. We are looking for an individual with initiative and excitement for creating partnerships in the law school and on campus, positioning the Law Library to best ascertain and meet the needs of our students.

In addition, the Student Success and Reference Librarian will join a team of reference librarians dedicated to providing high‑quality reference, research, instructional, and outreach services to the UW Law School community and beyond. This position works regularly scheduled hours at the reference desk, which may include occasional weekend or evening hours, and may have an option for some remote work.

All Law Library staff members work closely together to create a learning and working environment that supports diversity, equity, and belonging for all students, staff, faculty, and public patrons.

Target start date for this position is on or around January 1, 2027, but start date is flexible depending on the successful candidate's availability.

Located in the city of Madison on an isthmus between two scenic lakes, providing ample opportunity for sailing, kayaking, and water sports in summer and hiking, ice skating, and snow sports in winter, the law building is just a short walk from Lake Mendota, the Wisconsin State Capitol, and the pedestrian‑only State Street with its shops, restaurants, and bistros. Madison is frequently ranked as one of the nation's most livable cities with its many parks, green spaces, and miles of dedicated walking and biking trails. It is affordable, vibrant, and welcoming to newcomers.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Provides specialized services utilizing a high level of expertise on a broad range of disciplines or in a designated discipline area
• Develops or coordinates specialized projects or programs
• Oversees day‑to‑day functions of one or more library operations or services
• Serves on committees to advance librarianship at the campus, local, and/or state and national levels
• Serves as a liaison to academic disciplines and/or other campus units providing information on collections, instructional and research support, and library services
• Initiates and solicits input to modify policies, procedures, and assessment tools to improve workflows and/or user experiences
• Serves as a resource to other librarians and staff outside of their unit on a regular basis
• May direct the day‑to‑day activities of student workers
• Develops, curates, and manages collections
• Cultivates and maintains productive relationships with donors, collectors, vendors, and professional colleagues
• Obtains materials, resolves issues, and answers questions that are complex and highly specialized in nature
• Designs, develops, delivers, and assesses instruction in a variety of formats to faculty, staff, students, and other patrons

Department: University of Wisconsin Law School, Law Library

Compensation: Full‑time salary rate minimum: $72,000 ANNUAL (12 months), but starting salary will be dependent upon qualifications, skills, and experience of successful candidate

Required Qualifications

• Experience working in an academic or law library
• Familiarity with legal research tools and resources
• Experience delivering instruction to groups and individuals through courses, guest lectures, or similar settings
• Ability to develop and/or improve library instruction programs and services
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities and to meet deadlines in a complex work environment
• Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences
• Strong problem‑solving, critical thinking, and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Commitment to user‑centered service

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience independently designing or developing an instructional program or course
• Experience creating or updating research guides, bibliographies, or other instructional materials using LibGuides or similar tools
• Experience working with student organizations or student groups
• Experience tracking and reporting instructional or other statistics
• Supervisory or mentoring experience
• Familiarity with AI and emerging technology trends as they affect legal practice and student learning
• Experience managing organizational social media accounts
• Commitment to professional growth and contribution to the field through education, writing, and presenting

Education

• ALA‑accredited Master's degree in library and information science or significant progress toward degree – required
• JD or significant progress toward degree – required

How to Apply

Applicants must submit cover letter and resume through the Jobs at UW website: www.jobs.wisc.edu by the full consideration date of August 17, 2026. In your cover letter, please explain how your education, skills, and professional experience meet each of the required qualifications and address any preferred qualifications for which you have relevant experience.

Contact Information

Justin Boehm, HR Manager
Email: [e-mail]

Institutional Statement on Diversity

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW‑Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin‑Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin‑Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy‑related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre‑employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on‑campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW‑Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.