Kara Sears
To become a law librarian, you'll need a strong foundation in library science and information management, as well as a solid understanding of the legal system. While requirements vary, most law librarian positions require a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) or equivalent. Some positions, particularly in academia, also require a law degree (JD or LLB) from an accredited law school. However, fewer than 20% of law librarian roles require both degrees. A good understanding of legal research methods, databases, and technology is essential, and many law librarians start their careers as reference librarians to develop these skills.
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What You'll Learn
- Educational requirements: Earn an MLS or MLIS in Law Librarianship
- Subject specialization: Gain knowledge of the legal system, legal terminology, and legal documents
- Skills: Develop legal research skills and an understanding of technology
- Work settings: Explore opportunities in academic law libraries, law firms, government agencies, etc
- Job market and salary: Understand the demand for law librarians and the associated compensation
Educational requirements: Earn an MLS or MLIS in Law Librarianship
To become a law librarian, you need to have a strong educational background in library science and law. A Master of Library Science (MLS) or a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) is typically required for law librarian positions. These degrees provide essential knowledge and skills in areas such as reference and research services, library management, collection management, and information organisation. Obtaining an MLS or MLIS from an American Library Association (ALA)-accredited institution ensures that your degree meets the standards recognised by employers in the field.
Pursuing a degree specialising in law librarianship or a joint JD/MLS program can further enhance your qualifications. A JD, or law degree, is not always necessary but can be advantageous, as it provides a comprehensive understanding of the legal system, legal terminology, and legal documents. Holding both an MLIS and a JD can open up additional professional opportunities in law librarianship, particularly in academic and leadership roles.
In addition to formal education, gaining practical experience through internships, fieldwork, or volunteer work in a law library setting is beneficial. This allows you to apply your knowledge, develop specific law library competencies, and build a network in the field. Familiarity with online legal databases such as Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Bloomberg Law is also important for law librarians, as they are commonly used resources in legal research.
Developing strong research skills is crucial for law librarians, as they are expected to be highly skilled in legal research and able to teach and guide others in their research endeavours. This includes staying current with legal research methods and tools, ensuring that you can provide valuable assistance to law students, attorneys, academics, and the general public who utilise the law library's resources.
Lastly, soft skills such as strong organisational abilities, analytical thinking, tact, calm demeanour under pressure, teamwork, and a customer-service orientation are essential traits for law librarians. These skills enable effective management of the day-to-day operations of a law library and foster positive interactions with patrons and colleagues.
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Subject specialization: Gain knowledge of the legal system, legal terminology, and legal documents
To become a law librarian, you must gain a deep understanding of the legal system, legal terminology, and legal documents. This includes knowledge of the various branches of government and the legal documents they issue. You should also be familiar with the legal profession and its unique terminology, including legal abbreviations and citation systems.
Law librarians must be adept at legal research and possess superior analytical skills. They should be able to advise, analyze, research, and evaluate legal information for a diverse range of patrons, including attorneys, academics, students, and the general public. Thus, a strong foundation in legal research methods and tools is essential. Familiarity with online databases such as Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Bloomberg Law is advantageous.
Additionally, it is beneficial to understand the structure of the legal system, not only at the federal level but also at the state and municipal levels, along with the associated documents and legal requirements. This comprehensive understanding ensures that law librarians can effectively navigate and retrieve relevant information from legal sources.
While a law degree (JD) is not mandatory for all law librarian positions, it is a preferred qualification for certain roles, especially reference positions. Obtaining a JD can enhance your subject specialization and open up additional career opportunities in the field of law librarianship.
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Skills: Develop legal research skills and an understanding of technology
To become a law librarian, you must develop advanced legal research skills and a strong understanding of technology.
Legal Research Skills
Law librarians are legal information professionals who must be highly skilled in legal research. They are often required to teach others, including law students and attorneys, how to conduct legal research. Therefore, it is essential to be knowledgeable about current legal research methods and tools. This includes understanding the legal system, legal terminology, legal citation systems, and the various types of legal documents.
Understanding of Technology
A good foundation in technology is crucial for law librarianship. Law librarians must be familiar with online databases commonly used in the legal field, such as Westlaw and LexisNexis. They should also be proficient in using electronic and online resources, including web design and online cataloging and classification systems. Additionally, law librarians often act as guides and interpreters of technology for legal researchers, so they must stay abreast of technological advancements and emerging trends, such as the increasing role of artificial intelligence in legal research and education.
Courses to Develop Skills and Understanding
To develop these skills and understanding, aspiring law librarians can consider taking courses such as "Information Technology Tools and Applications," which focuses on technology and Web 2.0 skills. Another valuable course is "Instructional Strategies for Legal Information," which teaches effective instruction techniques for teaching legal research in different modalities (online, in-person, synchronous, and asynchronous).
Professional Associations
Joining professional associations, such as the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) and the Special Libraries Association (SLA), can also help law librarians stay informed about technological advancements and industry developments. The AALL, in particular, promotes the profession and ensures that law librarians remain at the forefront of technology and industry advancements.
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Work settings: Explore opportunities in academic law libraries, law firms, government agencies, etc
Law librarians work in a variety of settings, including academic law libraries, law firms, government agencies, courts, and the legal departments of businesses and associations.
Academic law libraries are typically found in law schools. These libraries serve as resources for law students, providing them with access to legal information and materials needed for their studies. Law librarians in this setting may be involved in teaching and training law students, as well as managing and curating the library's collection of legal resources. Academic law libraries also often offer specialized services, such as access to rare books, archives, and historical legal documents.
Law firms employ law librarians to support their legal teams. In this setting, law librarians play a crucial role in legal research and analysis. They are responsible for staying up-to-date with legal information, ensuring the accuracy and validity of sources, and making relevant information accessible to the firm's lawyers. Law firm librarians may also be involved in managing the firm's knowledge base and internal libraries.
Government agencies, including courts, also rely on law librarians to manage their legal information systems. Law librarians in government settings are responsible for maintaining and organizing legal resources, ensuring compliance with legal requirements, and providing access to important legal documents. They may also be involved in creating and maintaining databases and knowledge management systems specific to the agency's needs.
Each of these work settings offers unique opportunities for law librarians to specialize and enhance their job satisfaction. For example, a law librarian working in an academic library may focus on foreign law, while a librarian in a government agency might specialize in patents or taxation.
When exploring these various work settings, it is important to consider the qualifications and skills required. While an MLS (Master of Library and Information Science) is often the minimum requirement for law librarian positions, a law degree (JD) can also be beneficial and open up additional career paths. Familiarity with online databases, legal research methods, and technology are also essential for success in this field.
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Job market and salary: Understand the demand for law librarians and the associated compensation
Job Market and Salary
The job market for law librarians depends on the area and type of library where you work. There are jobs in academic law libraries, law firm libraries, government law libraries, court law libraries, university libraries, and legal technology companies. Most academic law library jobs have some teaching component. The job market for law librarians in the Seattle area, for example, is very competitive.
Law librarians are generally paid less than faculty members. The average librarian salary was $84,740, while the average faculty member salary was $159,995. The average law librarian salary, including the library director, was $102,316, while the average faculty member salary, including the law school deans, was $166,115.
The salary for a basic "Law Librarian" is $62,261 - $90,251. The range for a "Senior Law Librarian" is $77,054 - $110,003, and for a "Principal Law Librarian," it is $95,606 - $134,045. However, these salaries can vary depending on the cost of living in a particular state or region. For example, in New York State, government law librarians can easily make six figures after a few years on the job.
To qualify for a law librarian position, you will need a Master's degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) or a similar field. A Juris Doctorate (JD) degree is also beneficial and may be required for some positions, especially in university law libraries.
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Frequently asked questions
Most law librarian positions require a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS or MLS) or an MLIS in Law Librarianship. Less than a quarter of law library jobs require both an MLIS and a JD (law degree). However, some positions, especially reference positions, list a JD as a desired but not required qualification.
Law librarians need to be highly skilled in legal research and must know more than law students or attorneys. They should also be familiar with online databases, such as Westlaw and LexisNexis. Other important skills include strong organisational skills, an analytical mind, tactfulness, and the ability to maintain a calm demeanor in high-pressure circumstances.
Law librarians advise, analyse, research, and evaluate legal information for attorneys, academics, students, and the general public. They answer a variety of questions and teach others to do legal research. They work in various settings, including academic law libraries, law firm libraries, government law libraries, court law libraries, and university libraries.
