What are the responsibilities and job description for the Reference and Instruction Librarian position at University of Notre Dame?
The Kresge Law Library at Notre Dame Law School seeks an accomplished, service-oriented law librarian to join its Research and Teaching team as a Reference and Instruction Librarian. Candidates with fewer than six years of post-degree law library experience will be considered at the Assistant Librarian rank, while candidates with six or more years of law library experience will be considered at the Associate Librarian rank. This is a full-time faculty appointment with a presumptively renewable contract, designed for a mid-career professional who is passionate about legal research instruction, faculty research support, and building meaningful partnerships in a collaborative, mission-driven academic environment. The ideal candidate will welcome new challenges and pursue projects reflecting their interests and complementary to the Law School’s institutional needs.
Notre Dame Law School is a preeminent law school at the heart of a world-renowned Catholic university committed to educating lawyers and sustaining a community of scholars who understand law as a vocation, a way to serve God and humanity. Our Catholic mission also moves us to be open and welcoming to people of all viewpoints and religious traditions. This mission extends beyond our campus through global programs and international engagement that prepare students to study, practice, and lead in an increasingly interconnected world.
Duties
Salary will be nationally competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The University offers a generous benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; 20 vacation days and approximately 14 paid holidays; retirement options; tuition benefits for dependents; and access to University events. The Law Library pays for individual membership in the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) and provides support for relevant conferences and workshops. The Law Library will also pay for relocation expenses and annual license/registration fees for one state bar.
South Bend and Environs
The University of Notre Dame is situated in a welcoming metropolitan area of over 300,000, offering an exceptional quality of life with affordable housing, a low cost of living, and convenient air travel. South Bend has been recognized as one of the most beautiful and affordable places to live in the U.S. Downtown Chicago is less than two hours away by car, train, or bus, and the Indiana Dunes National Park and Lake Michigan's sandy beaches are just 45 minutes away.
Qualifications
To apply, upload your cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references to Interfolio at the link provided. Applications received by September 14, 2026, will receive full consideration. The position will remain open, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis thereafter until the position is filled.
If you have questions, contact Susan Azyndar, Senior Associate Director: sazyndar@nd.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.
Background Check
This appointment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Applicants will be asked to identify all felony convictions and/or pending felony charges. Felony convictions do not automatically bar an individual from employment. Each case will be examined separately to determine the appropriateness of employment in the particular position. Failure to be forthcoming or dishonesty with respect to felony disclosures can result in the disqualification of a candidate. The full procedure can be viewed at https://facultyhandbook.nd.edu/?id=link-73597.
Notre Dame Law School is a preeminent law school at the heart of a world-renowned Catholic university committed to educating lawyers and sustaining a community of scholars who understand law as a vocation, a way to serve God and humanity. Our Catholic mission also moves us to be open and welcoming to people of all viewpoints and religious traditions. This mission extends beyond our campus through global programs and international engagement that prepare students to study, practice, and lead in an increasingly interconnected world.
Duties
- Partner with designated liaison faculty to support their teaching and scholarship.
- Provide expert reference services to students, the University community, and the public.
- Teach legal research as a core part of the first-year curriculum in partnership with legal writing faculty.
- Develop and teach at least one advanced or specialized legal research course aligned with your professional interests and the Law School’s institutional needs.
- Work closely with Law Library colleagues and the University of Notre Dame’s Hesburgh Libraries to strengthen resource access and deliver high-quality patron services across the University.
- Participate in faculty meetings and contribute to the service needs of the Law School and the University through meaningful engagement in institutional committees and initiatives.
- Actively participate in professional organizations and advance the law library profession through scholarship, presentations, leadership, or similar contributions.
- Other duties as assigned.
Salary will be nationally competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The University offers a generous benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; 20 vacation days and approximately 14 paid holidays; retirement options; tuition benefits for dependents; and access to University events. The Law Library pays for individual membership in the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) and provides support for relevant conferences and workshops. The Law Library will also pay for relocation expenses and annual license/registration fees for one state bar.
South Bend and Environs
The University of Notre Dame is situated in a welcoming metropolitan area of over 300,000, offering an exceptional quality of life with affordable housing, a low cost of living, and convenient air travel. South Bend has been recognized as one of the most beautiful and affordable places to live in the U.S. Downtown Chicago is less than two hours away by car, train, or bus, and the Indiana Dunes National Park and Lake Michigan's sandy beaches are just 45 minutes away.
Qualifications
- J.D. from an ABA-accredited institution (or equivalent degree) and an MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution (or equivalent degree).
- A minimum of three years of post-degree experience in an academic law library setting. Candidates with three to five years of experience will be considered at the Assistant Librarian rank; those with six or more years will be considered at the Associate Librarian rank.
- Demonstrated expertise in legal research sources and methods, and emerging trends in legal research instruction.
- Demonstrated experience with new and evolving technologies, including artificial intelligence and AI-assisted legal research platforms, and their impacts on legal research, law libraries, and the practice of law.
- Demonstrated classroom teaching experience, including the ability to teach legal research courses.
- Strong service orientation and effective communication skills to meet the needs of faculty, staff, and students.
- Openness, initiative, and creativity to develop new courses, propose new projects, contribute to new workflows, and lead initiatives that advance the Law Library's services, outreach, and impact. Preferred areas of interest include FCIL, scholarly communication, historical research and rare books, or clinic support.
To apply, upload your cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references to Interfolio at the link provided. Applications received by September 14, 2026, will receive full consideration. The position will remain open, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis thereafter until the position is filled.
If you have questions, contact Susan Azyndar, Senior Associate Director: sazyndar@nd.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.
Background Check
This appointment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Applicants will be asked to identify all felony convictions and/or pending felony charges. Felony convictions do not automatically bar an individual from employment. Each case will be examined separately to determine the appropriateness of employment in the particular position. Failure to be forthcoming or dishonesty with respect to felony disclosures can result in the disqualification of a candidate. The full procedure can be viewed at https://facultyhandbook.nd.edu/?id=link-73597.