Former Graduate Assistants with Anne Klinefelter and Lolly Gasaway (AALL 2007)

Graduate Assistantship

The Graduate Assistantship at the Kathrine R. Everett Law Library is an exciting learning opportunity for a student with a law degree and currently enrolled in a graduate degree program of the UNC-CH School of Information and Library Science (SILS), or a student in the JD/MSLS or JD/MSIS dual-degree program at (SILS). The program is designed to prepare the Graduate Assistant (GA) for the profession by getting practical hands-on training in an academic law library. The student is able to put theory into practice and discover the aspects of law librarianship they find most interesting - whether it is helping people with questions at the reference desk, cataloging and acquiring materials for the collection, or maintaining the computer system and web pages for the library.

The GA position requires 20 hours of work per week during the academic year. The time is divided between the Public Services, Computer Services and Technical Services departments. This rotation allows the GA to gain experience in all of the various work environments within the law library. Some of the Public Services responsibilities include assisting students and faculty at the Reference Desk, conducting classes on Internet searching, and preparing research guides on topics such as Tax Research, Federal Legislative Research, and Treaties. In the Computer Services Department, the GA assists the Systems Librarian with software installation, maintenance of workstations, and web work. In Technical Services, the GA assists with serials and cataloging projects. In addition, the GA participates in library meetings, online discussions, and attends professional meetings as practicable. All of this while receiving a generous stipend.

There are 252 master's degree students, 50 doctoral students, 43 undergraduate majors in SILS. There are 22 full-time teaching faculty members and about 25 adjunct and visiting faculty members associated with SILS each academic year. The two-year program prepares students for careers in library administration, acquisitions, and collection management, as well as network administration and database creation and management. SILS offers master's degrees in information science and library science as well as a doctor of philosophy in information and library science. A dual-degree program consisting of a J.D./M.S.L.S or J.D./M.S.I.S. is also available.

The Law Library's Graduate Assistantship has been in place since 1996. Past participants include:

2007-2008	Todd M. Venie, Current GA
2006-2007	Aperna Sherman, Reference and Electronic Resources Librarian, Texas Tech University School of Law Library
2005-2006	Lisa Boxill, Cyma Rubin Libraries Fellow, NCSU Special Collections Research Center
2004-2005	Matt Braun, Reference Librarian, Jacob Burns Law Library at George Washington University
2003-2004	Julie Kimbrough,Reference/Faculty Services Librarian, Kathrine R. Everett Law Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2002-2003	Ed Beltz, Associate Director for Law Library and Computing, Texas Tech University
2001-2002	Donna Nixon, Assistant Director for Public Services , Kathrine R. Everett Law Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2000-2001	Ann Hemmens, Assistant Librarian for Reference Services, Marian Gould Gallagher Law Library at the University of Washington School of Law
1997 - 1999	Steven Melamut, Information Technology Services Librarian, Kathrine R. Everett Law Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Comments by past graduate assistants include:>

Julie: "As graduate assistant at UNC Law Library, I gained valuable practical experience that helped me make a smooth transition to my job at the Law Library of Congress. The program gave me the opportunity to work closely with knowledgeable professional librarians in many different areas of library operations. My supervisors proved to be excellent mentors; they encouraged me to pursue independent projects and participate in professional development activities."

Ann: "I would say it was a wonderful opportunity for me as a library student to gain exposure to the real world work of law librarians (particularly reference work) and to get to know several professional librarians and develop mentoring relationships that helped me make the transition from school into a professional position. And these relationships will exist throughout my career. The position also served as a laboratory for the practical application of the theories we were learning in library school - it provided a needed balance of theory and practice."

Matt: "Overall, the GA is presented with a most unique experience to work within three distinct, yet related, operational units in the law library. Truly, the GA is considered an invaluable component of the library's daily existence, and such a role provides the GA with opportunities not afforded a graduate library science student at most other universities."

Law Librarianship is sometimes referred to as an "alternative" legal career. It is a rewarding career because of the stimulating environment, intellectual challenges and the rapidly changing technological environment.

The position's job description is available for examination.

How To Apply:

Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and names and contact information for three references to:

Scott Childs, Deputy Director
Kathrine R. Everett Law Library
University of North Carolina
CB # 3385, 160 Ridge Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27599


Applications are normally reviewed in January for appointments from July of the same calendar year through June of the following year. The Law Library accepts applications at any time, and appointment periods may shift depending on the needs of the library.

Questions should be directed to Scott Childs, (919)962-1605.