Job Details

Job Title: Assistant Law Librarian

The Clark County Law Library has an opening for a part time (15 hours/week) Assistant Law Librarian. Assists in the operation of the law library and assists the public, attorneys, and judges in use of the library. Maintains and updates materials, controls lending of materials, keeps ready reference collection and form kits updated, and helps maintain the website. The incumbent will work 7.5 hours per day 2 days per week for a total of 15 hours per week. The scheduled days are open to negotiation. The ability to work extra days as needed to cover time off for the law librarian is a plus. The position is eligible for paid time off on a prorated basis. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis; earlier applicants may have priority. Position is open until filled. Start date for this position is January 2026. Salary listed is being updated to $36.51/hr to $44.49/hr.

Qualifications: Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. Applicants must demonstrate knowledge about legal procedures, terminology, and research methodology. Knowledge of library procedures and reference is a plus. Must be able to pass a background check. At least three years of professional experience in a legal setting or as a reference librarian in a law library, with additional time preferred. Experience with either Lexis or Westlaw is preferred. Must have a genuine desire to work part-time. Flexibility with scheduling is a plus. A law degree is preferred. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Law degree and practice as an attorney
• Experience in professional law library work
• Increasingly responsible experience in the legal field such as working as a paralegal or court clerk along with demonstrated knowledge of legal terminology and procedures

Knowledge of: legal terminology, procedures, and both print and online research; principles and practices of record keeping and documentation; legal terminology and procedures to allow an understanding of what patrons are asking for when patrons themselves do not know; principles and practices of general library administration and reference techniques.

Ability to: work well with a varied patron base consisting of judges, attorneys, students, and pro se patrons, some of whom may be angry or have difficulty communicating their needs; communicate clearly to patrons; be able to understand what patrons are asking for and provide information that is likely to assist them including the ability to ask patrons questions to determine the legal procedure involved in a situation; prioritize and multitask to accomplish assigned work with high level of accuracy; be self-motivated; communicate clearly and collaborate regularly with law librarian; manage long-term projects; understand the meaning of legal advice and avoid providing it; type at a speed of at least 45 wpm; effectively use both print and online legal resources; sit and stand for long periods; climb stools and ladders; very occasionally lift boxes up to 40 pounds.

Selection Process: Application Review (Pass/Fail) An online application, resume and cover letter are required. Attaching a resume does not substitute for a completed application; incomplete applications will not pass the application review. Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

Resume and Cover Letter (Pass/Fail) To be considered, please provide both resume and cover letter. Resume and cover letter are REQUIRED. Include as an attachment a cover letter stating why you are interested in this position and addressing your knowledge and abilities relating to the qualifications and attributes outlined in the job announcement.

Please make sure your cover letter addresses the following topics:

1. Why you are seeking this job

2. What is your background/experience that would prepare you to help patrons find legal information?

Oral Interview The interview will be job related and may include, but not be limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement.

Employment References will be conducted for the final candidates and may include verification of education.

Examples of Duties:

• Advise the public, attorneys, judges, and employees in use of the law library; provide information on availability, location and use of legal materials and library equipment. Orient new attorneys to the library. Provide excellent customer service while avoiding giving legal advice and within the confines of library rules. Conduct reference interview with patrons to learn what materials patrons need to use.
• Work with law librarian to make collection decisions including recommending new purchases and weeding CLEs and other materials.
• Perform quasi-cataloging duties. (formal cataloging skill preferred but is not necessary)
• Work with law librarian to improve library visibility by networking with other agencies, preparing fliers and brochures, and placing notices in the bar newsletter. Prepare internal reference and search tools to help patrons find materials. Provide information about library resources to other county departments as needed.
• Assist in maintaining the law library website. Update material as needed, ensure functionality, and comply with county website policies.
• Customize form kits prepared by King County Law Library for use in Clark County. Develop and maintain other form kits.
• Monitor legislative changes and court decisions ensure current information, to assist with acquisition decisions, to provide accurate legal research/reference information to patrons, and to anticipate impacts on the library or its funding.
• Work with the district and superior court clerks' offices, judicial officers, court facilitators, the sheriff's office, and other departments to ensure that form kits, information in checklists, ready reference materials, and website information is current and accurate.
• Monitor and control circulation of library materials; send overdue notices and take other appropriate action to retrieve library materials; share and receive material through interlibrary loan.
• Process mail, including checking in materials, property stamping, and updating looseleaf materials and pocket parts. Maintain list of library holdings and keep online catalog current.
• Shelve all materials, which can occasionally include significant collection shifts. Weed material to keep collection useful and to make space. Carry out decisions of the law librarian regarding disposal of materials.
• Maintain forms binders and "goody box" ready-reference collection.
• Use office software such as Word, Excel, and Outlook on a daily basis. Use both free and fee-based legal and general internet sources. Use calendaring system to follow up on tasks, Workday for HR, and Drupal for website. Must be comfortable in a Windows environment and willing to learn new software as needed.
• Multitask and tolerate numerous interruptions while still maintaining a high level of attention to detail and accuracy. Prioritize tasks. Work alone the majority of the time, demonstrating good judgment and initiative.
• Cash handling to sell products and services, making change for copy machines, processing credit card transactions, and writing receipts with high accuracy.
• Perform related duties as assigned.