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Law librarians are responsible for managing and organizing legal research materials, such as case law, statutes, and regulatory information. They may work in a variety of settings, including law firms, courts, government agencies, and academic institutions. Some specific duties of law librarians may include:
- Providing reference assistance to patrons: Law librarians may be called upon to help patrons locate and access legal materials, such as case law or statutes.
- Managing and organizing a collection of legal materials: Law librarians are responsible for maintaining and organizing a collection of legal resources, which may include print and electronic materials.
- Conducting legal research: Law librarians may be asked to conduct research on a specific legal issue or to assist patrons with their own legal research.
- Providing training and instruction: Law librarians may be called upon to provide instruction on how to use legal research resources and tools, such as electronic databases or citation software.
- Assisting with the development of legal information policies and procedures: Law librarians may be involved in developing policies and procedures related to the acquisition, organization, and access to legal information.
- Staying current with legal research resources and technologies: Law librarians should be familiar with the latest legal research resources and technologies and be able to assist patrons in using them.
If you are interested in becoming a law librarian, it can be a great profession or those with the right skills. To become a law librarian in the United States, you will generally need to meet the following requirements:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree: While there is no specific undergraduate major required for law librarianship, a degree in a related field such as history, political science, or criminal justice may be helpful.
- Obtain a master’s degree in library science: Most law librarians hold a Master of Library Science (MLS) degree, which typically takes one to two years to complete. Some programs offer a specialization in law librarianship.
- Gain experience: Many law librarians have previous experience working in a library or law firm, which can be helpful in preparing for a career as a law librarian. Some library science programs offer internships or field placements as part of their curriculum, which can provide valuable practical experience.
- Obtain certification: While certification is not required to work as a law librarian, it can be beneficial in terms of career advancement and job prospects. The American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) offers a Certified Law Librarian (CLL) credential, which requires a combination of education, experience, and passing an exam.
- Stay current: Law librarians should stay up-to-date with developments in the field and new legal research resources and technologies. Continuing education opportunities, such as conferences and workshops, can help law librarians maintain their skills and knowledge.
Law librarians generally need to have strong research and analytical skills, as well as a good understanding of legal terminology and concepts. They should be able to use a variety of legal research resources, including print and electronic databases, to find and analyze legal information. In addition to research skills, law librarians should have excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage and maintain a large collection of legal materials. They should also be comfortable using technology, such as computer databases and legal research software. Good communication skills are also important for law librarians, as they may be called upon to provide reference assistance to library patrons and to work with colleagues and staff.
If you have an interest in the law and enjoy conducting research and helping others find information, law librarianship might be a good fit for you. It’s also important to consider whether you are comfortable working in a library setting and are able to adapt to new technologies as they emerge.
Law Librarian Career Paths
Law librarians may work in a variety of settings, including law firms, courts, government agencies, and academic institutions. They may also work in private libraries or consulting firms. Within these settings, law librarians may have the opportunity to advance to leadership roles, such as department head or director of a law library. Some law librarians may also choose to specialize in a particular area of the law, such as intellectual property or tax law.
Law librarians may also choose to pursue additional education, such as a juris doctor (JD) degree, to further their careers. With a JD, law librarians may be able to practice law or teach law at the postsecondary level.
It’s important for law librarians to stay current with developments in the field and new legal research resources and technologies. Continuing education opportunities, such as conferences and workshops, can help law librarians maintain their skills and knowledge and advance their careers.
Where do law librarians usually work?
Law librarians may work in a variety of settings, including:
- Law firms: Law librarians may work in a law firm to manage and organize the firm’s legal research materials and provide reference assistance to attorneys and other staff.
- Courts: Law librarians may work in a court setting, such as a state or federal court, to manage the court’s legal research collection and provide reference assistance to judges, clerks, and other court staff.
- Government agencies: Law librarians may work in a government agency, such as a state attorney general’s office, to manage the agency’s legal research collection and provide reference assistance to attorneys and other staff.
- Academic institutions: Law librarians may work in a college or university law library to manage the library’s legal research collection and provide reference assistance to faculty, students, and other staff.
- Private libraries: Some law librarians may work in a private library, such as a corporate or nonprofit library, to manage the library’s legal research collection and provide reference assistance to staff.
- Consulting firms: Law librarians may work for a consulting firm to conduct legal research on behalf of clients.
Law librarians may work full-time or part-time, and may be employed on a permanent or temporary basis. Some law librarians may also be self-employed and work on a freelance basis.