Law Librarian

Law Librarian Position Posting

Application Deadline: March 21, 2025
Library
Reference # LIB-2025-26-01

Lakehead University Library, Thunder Bay Campus, invites applications for a Law Librarian. The academic rank of the appointment will be commensurate with the qualifications of the successful candidate. This position will remain open until filled.

About Lakehead Library and Archives

The total library collection includes approximately 600,000 print volumes and access to over 600,000 e-books, more than 60,000 online journals, and rare and special collections such as the Regional Collection and the Archives. The Chancellor Paterson Library is the main library on the Thunder Bay campus and occupies its own building in the centre of campus. There are four additional libraries: one at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, the Learning Commons in Simcoe Hall (Orillia), and the Education Library (one location at the Faculty of Education-Thunder Bay and one at Heritage Place-Orillia). The Law Library collection includes approximately 9,000 print volumes, numerous law journals, and law specific databases. Lakehead University Library is an active member of both provincial and national consortia. We provide many services in collaboration with our Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) partners, such as, Ask a Librarian (chat reference service), Scholars Portal, and Borealis – Lakehead University Dataverse. The library is also part of Collaborative Futures, a shared next-generation library system at 19 OCUL libraries. Our involvement with the Canadian Research Knowledge Network (CRKN) as well as other consortia, allows us to provide significant digital content. Our staff complement of over 30 includes 11 librarians and an archivist.

About the University

Lakehead University Library’s mission is to be an innovative organization that anticipates the requirements of the future while respecting the heritage of the past. By providing exceptional services, collections, and spaces, the libraries shape the creation of knowledge, actively preserve and support culture, and transform learning and research.

Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. Our campuses are located in Thunder Bay on the traditional lands of the Fort William First Nation, Signatory to the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850 and in Orillia on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, and Rama First Nation. Lakehead University acknowledges the history that many nations hold in the areas around our campuses and is committed to a relationship with Métis and Inuit and First Nations peoples. Lakehead has approximately 10,000 students and 2,160 faculty and staff. With an emphasis on collaborative learning and independent critical thinking, and a multidisciplinary teaching approach, Lakehead offers a variety of degree and diploma programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels through its nine faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Science and Environmental Studies, Social Sciences and Humanities, Graduate Studies, and Faculty of Law. For further information, please visit: https://www.lakeheadu.ca.

About the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law

Located on the breathtaking shore of Lake Superior in Thunder Bay, Ontario, the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law is no ordinary law school. Established in 2013 as the first law school to introduce the Integrated Practice Curriculum (IPC), the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law has a proven track record of producing practice-ready graduates. With an incoming class of only 90 students, we provide an intimate and personalized legal education that allows our students to thrive.

Our JD program focuses on the realities of living and working in the North, as reflected in our 3 mandate areas: Aboriginal and Indigenous Law, Natural Resources and Environmental Law, and Sole/Small Town Practice with the IPC. Our advantages are the IPC fuses practice with theory and exempts our law students from the Law Society of Ontario’s (LSO) articling requirement, we provide an opportunity for specialization in Aboriginal and Indigenous Law, land-based learning opportunities through our Indigenous Law and Justice Institute, Mino-waabandan Inaakonigewinan, and small class sizes with professors who have a passion for teaching and who challenge and engage our students.

About the Opportunity
Reporting to the University Librarian and working closely with faculty, students and staff in the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, the Law Librarian is responsible for all library operations and the supervision of staff in the Law Library, as well as participates in long term planning for the library. Responsibilities include the provision of library services and support to the students, faculty and staff involved in the programs offered by the Faculty of Law, delivering information literacy instruction, developing law collections, and the management of the physical space. The Law Librarian directly supervises one COPE full-time staff and a complement of part-time student staff. The position also works closely with the Access Services Management Team, Head of Collections Services, and Liaison Librarians.

Law Librarian Responsibilities

Responsible for the daily operation of the Law Library including scheduling service hours and managing the physical spaces and technology available in the library.
Supervise and direct the work and professional development of the Law Library support staff, including students.
Cultivate partnerships and actively work towards establishing productive
relationships with departmental faculty, instructors, staff, and students to integrate the library’s resources in curricula and research projects.
Develop and deliver library instructional programming and online teaching resources such as LibGuides, instructional videos and other online content to support the research needs of students and faculty.
Provide in-depth reference and research support (in-person and virtually).
Engage in collection development and management of print and electronic resources for the Faculty of Law and other disciplines as necessary.
Participate in Law Faculty Council meetings and provide regular updates on library services.
Actively participate in communities of practice related to law and relevant disciplines and build connections with librarians working in similar positions across Canada and internationally.

General Responsibilities

Participate as a member of the Library’s Liaison Librarian team, supporting students and faculty in assigned academic disciplines.
Contribute to the leadership of the library by participating in Librarians’ Council as well as various library and university committees.
Commit to assessment and evidence-based decision making related to services, collections, technology, and physical spaces.
Contribute to research and scholarly activities, professional services, service to the university, and service to the profession and community.
Promote library services and collections through a variety of communication
channels to connect with undergraduates, graduates, faculty, and researchers.

Qualifications

Required

A graduate degree from an ALA-accredited school of library and information science. A Law degree is an asset.
At least two years of professional experience in a law, academic, or research library environment.
Experience developing instructional materials and conducting information literacy instruction sessions and workshops.
Knowledge and interest in the use of advanced technologies (e.g. artificial intelligence).
The ability to develop and sustain effective and collaborative professional working relationships and partnerships within the library, across the university and beyond.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong analytical, problem solving, and organizational skills.
Flexibility and willingness to take initiative.
Ability to work well both independently and in a team environment.

Preferred

Supervisory experience in a unionized environment.
Experience with Ex Libris Alma and Primo platforms.
Familiarity with collection development processes and practices.
Understanding of the Canadian legal system, statutes, and case law.

Some evening and weekend work may be required.

For further information, please contact Robin Canuel. Detailed information on the library, our services and resources are available at: https://library.lakeheadu.ca

Review of applications will begin on March 21, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. The electronic application (in the form of one PDF document), quoting Reference # LIB-2025-26-01 should include: a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae and a completed Confirmation of Eligibility to Work in Canada.pdf form.

Applicants should submit their electronic application to:
Robin Canuel
University Librarian
Lakehead University Library
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Email: applications.library@lakeheadu.ca

Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and other equity-seeking groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This is in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements.

Lakehead University has an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan 2019-2024 with a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of under-represented groups among applicants, candidates and hires. We encourage candidates to self-identify, if you are from an under-represented group, and prefer candidates with the knowledge, competencies and relationships derived from lived experience. Experience working with Indigenous or racialized communities, and/or members of other equity-deserving groups is a strong asset. A lived experience or
worked experience of any of these issues is preferred.

We appreciate your interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be notified. Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment.
Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at (807) 343.8010 ext. 8334 or
human.resources@lakeheadu.ca to make appropriate arrangements.

This position is subject to budgetary approval.

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