Cornell University Library invites applications for Cornell Law Library’s newly defined position of Collection Strategies Law Librarian.

The Collection Strategies Law Librarian will develop and implement a strategic, data-informed, and innovative approach to advancing a sustainable, high-quality, and inclusive law library collection that supports legal education and scholarship in a top tier law school and research university library amid a complex legal information environment. The Law Library collection prioritizes the preparation of graduates for roles in U.S. and global legal practice and academic pursuits, and faculty conducting research with legal, interdisciplinary, and empirical resources. Our collection includes Anglo-American, foreign, comparative, and international legal resources, selected U.S. government depository materials, and Indigenous legal materials in print and electronic form.

Strategic Collection Development Responsibilities

The Collection Strategies Law Librarian will build and implement strategic collection assessment practices, including regular evaluation of all collections, cost trends, usage data, competitor resources, and collaborative or consortial opportunities. In alignment with the general vision of the Edward Cornell Law Librarian and collection analysis outcomes, the Librarian will create, regularly refine, and implement updated Law Library collection policies that are both guiding and responsive tools to facilitate data-driven acquisition, discontinuation, and weeding decisions. The Collection Strategies Law Librarian will monitor collection budget funds, advise the Edward Cornell Law Librarian on large expenditures and discontinuations, and be responsible for ongoing regular spending decisions consistent with Library policies. The Collection Strategies Law Librarian will keep current about collection development-related technological innovations, including AI and other algorithmic enhancements to law library collection development practices, evaluating and advising on suitability for implementation at Cornell Law Library. 

Strategic Collaboration Responsibilities

The Collection Strategies Law Librarian will develop and implement strategies for regular instruction to colleagues about collection management best practices and engagement with collections, to ensure both a well-developed, well-used collection and institutional and team knowledge-building. The Librarian will work with Law Library colleagues to maximize use of law collections and to keep informed about the evolving scholarly interests and curricular developments in the Law School. The Collection Strategies Law Librarian will work closely with collection development colleagues at Cornell University Library and peer and partner schools to enhance collection-related collaboration and sustainability. The Collection Strategies Law Librarian will contribute to regional or national association and consortium law library projects and initiatives and will advise the Edward Cornell Law Librarian on these collaborations and collective preservation and access initiatives. 

Research and Instructional Responsibilities

Although reference, research, and Law School course instruction are not primary responsibilities of the position, the Collection Strategies Law Librarian will receive a courtesy appointment with the Cornell Law School and may be called upon to contribute to research services, instructional programs, and credit course teaching, in alignment with Law Library priorities. Instruction relating to legal research with foreign, comparative, and international law resources will be particularly welcome.

Required Qualifications and Competencies

The position requires a broad set of competencies. We know that no single law librarian can have expertise in everything. At Cornell University Library and in the Law Library we work together across teams, and across campus, to solve problems, learn new skills, and support each other’s work.

• MLIS or equivalent or comparable graduate degree
• JD from an ABA-accredited school, or foreign equivalent; or demonstrated relevant competencies equivalent to those expected to be gained from this credential
• Demonstrated collection development competencies equivalent to those expected to be acquired from five or more years of professional experience in an academic, law school, or law firm library with increasing responsibility, including knowledge about approval plans, e-resource management and licensing, budgeting, and data-based collection analysis
• Demonstrated evidence of leadership experience or potential, including ability to manage projects, effect change, explore innovations, and support development of colleagues
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and model an environment of inclusion, creativity, and openness to other perspectives
• Demonstrated commitment to collaboration, organizational knowledge-sharing, and communication with the ability to effectively present information and ideas orally and in writing

Additionally, we would prefer:

• Experience with law library licenses and FOLIO, Voyager, or other library services platform for collection and acquisition-related purposes and managing budgets
• Experience with collaboration with campus library partners in collection-related matters
• Familiarity with foreign, comparative, and international law resources in English or a vernacular
• Experience working with students and researchers from diverse international, cultural, and religious backgrounds

We value and invite qualified candidates who can further advance our community’s diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences, and who will share a willingness to join our efforts to cultivate an environment of diversity, inclusion and belonging. Cornell Law Library is committed to stretching ourselves and one another to build inclusion into the way we do our work, and in our services and resources.

This position is located in Ithaca, New York. The selected candidate will be expected to work on the Ithaca campus with potential to enter into a flexible work arrangement consistent with university policies.

Background: The Cornell Law Library works as one cohesive unit within the Cornell University Library system and with deep integrations in Cornell Law School. We are an innovative law library focused on using our expertise to advance legal education, research, and scholarship in alignment with the mission of Cornell Law School, to advance the academic mission and values of Cornell University Library, and to expand the perspectives that inform academic law librarianship and legal education. We inform and further our priorities with reference to qualitative and quantitative data, consultation, planning, and teamwork. The Cornell Law Library embraces diversity and inclusion and welcomes candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports and reflects our communities of law students, faculty and staff of all identities, backgrounds, and perspectives. We believe in the power of representation and encourage individuals from underrepresented and historically excluded identities to apply.

Cornell Law School is among the nation's most inclusive top law schools and has been since its founding. Diversity at Cornell Law School is not a new concept, nor did it happen by chance. It’s part of what makes us who we are. Cornell Law’s diversity story is still being written. We believe the richest learning environment is one in which people from all backgrounds are encouraged to share their perspectives.

Environment: The Ithaca campus sits on 2,300 acres in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. Ithaca, located roughly halfway between Manhattan and Toronto, offers a wealth of cultural activities while maintaining an eclectic college-town feel. Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of rolling hills, breathtaking gorges, hiking trails, and lakes offering countless outdoor activities. The city has been named one of the top 100 places to live, a top 10 recreation city, a best green place to live, and one of the “foodiest” towns in America.

Diversity and Inclusion: As a university founded to be a place where “…any person can find instruction in any study,” diversity and inclusion are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all.  Cornell Core values

Our Vision: Empowering Cornell’s research and learning community with deep expertise, innovative services, and outstanding collections strengthened by strategic partnerships.

Our Mission: Cornell University Library promotes a culture of broad inquiry and supports the University’s mission to discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge and creative expression. It engages with the ongoing transformations of society to deliver world-class physical and digital content and services critical to research, education, and outreach, now and in the future. The Library acts globally, supporting Cornell’s land grant mission in New York State and beyond, and builds partnerships within and outside the university. It invests in its staff, collections, and physical and virtual libraries. And, it serves as a neutral and trusted party supporting information access and scholarly communication.

Benefits: Our comprehensive benefits package includes 22 vacation days, 13 paid holidays, health insurance, life insurance, university retirement contributions, childcare and adoption assistance, and child tuition reimbursement. Funding is available to support professional development and research. More information regarding Cornell’s generous endowed employee benefits can be found here.

We expect to fill this position at the academic rank of Associate Librarian or Librarian; librarians at Cornell University hold faculty appointments in the Research, Teaching, and Extension faculty. Salary will be competitive depending on qualifications and experience.

Relocation assistance may be provided.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

How to Apply:  All candidates must apply online via the Cornell Careers site: See job requisition ID WDR-00045740. For full consideration, please include the following with your application:

1. A cover letter that addresses your interest and why you are a good candidate for this position.
2. A Curriculum Vitae.
3. A statement supporting diverse communities. To continue to meet our educational, research and service goals and to meet our commitment to our founding principle, we hire and invest in faculty members who share our historical commitment to pursing knowledge for …any person…in any study. We ask applicants for all faculty positions to share their experiences and/or approaches (past, current or future). Applicants can submit a stand-alone statement or embed the information in other parts of their application materials. Guidelines for candidates are here.

We will review applications on a rolling basis and we strongly encourage early submission. Although we prefer to receive your application as one, multi-page pdf document, we will accept multiple documents in other formats.

Cornell University is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' (the Cayuga Nation). The Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' are members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign Nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. The Confederacy precedes the establishment of Cornell University, New York state, and the United States of America. We acknowledge the painful history of Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ’ dispossession, and honor the ongoing connection of Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ’ people, past and present, to these lands and waters. Learn more about its land acknowledgment.