Becoming A Law Librarian: Education, Skills, And Career Path

Law librarians are skilled information science professionals who advise, analyse, research, and evaluate legal information for attorneys, academics, students and the general public. They work in many different settings, including academic law libraries, state- and county-level public law libraries, court houses, government agencies, private law firms, and more. To become a law librarian, you'll need a master's degree from an American Library Association (ALA)-accredited institution. While some law librarians have a JD (Juris Doctor) or law degree, fewer than 20% of law library positions require both an MLIS and a JD.

Educational requirements

To become a law librarian, you need to have a strong educational background in library science and information science. Most jobs require a master's degree, such as a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) or a Master of Science in Library and Information Science (MSIS), from an American Library Association (ALA)-accredited institution. This degree can typically be obtained in one to two years of full-time study and will cover core competencies in library and information science, as well as law-specific topics. Some schools offer joint Juris Doctor (JD)/MLIS degree programs, which can be completed in at least four years and will provide a strong foundation for a career in law librarianship.

In addition to a master's degree, many law librarians also have a bachelor's degree in a related field. While it is not mandatory, some law librarians also have a law degree (JD or LLB) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). This additional qualification can be beneficial, especially for certain positions and specializations within law librarianship.

To be successful in the field, law librarians must possess a range of skills and competencies. These include an in-depth understanding of the legal system, strong research skills, web design abilities, instructional skills, and data science knowledge. They should also be familiar with legal cross-referencing systems, legal taxonomies, and legal terminology, and online legal databases.

While prior library experience is not always required, it can be advantageous. Many law librarians gain experience through internships or fieldwork opportunities offered by their educational institutions. It is also beneficial to join professional associations, such as the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL), to network and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field.

Career paths

There are many career paths for law librarians, who can work in academic law libraries, state- and county-level public law libraries, court houses, government agencies, private law firms, and other environments. Their patrons can include the general public, law students, attorneys, and judges.

Within the profession, there are several sub-specialties. Law librarians may be government information librarians, legal catalogers, technical services specialists, web design experts, information resources managers, research specialists, competitive intelligence analysts, business development market researchers, or many other job titles and areas of specialization within law librarianship.

Law librarians can also advance in their careers by taking the Senior Law Librarian promotional exam or through job experience to Principal or Chief Law Librarian. Academic law library directors, law firm or corporate library directors, and government law library directors see a substantial increase in salaries.

Job roles and responsibilities

Law librarians are skilled information science professionals with expertise in the legal system. They work in many different settings, including academic law libraries, state- and county-level public law libraries, court houses, government agencies, private law firms, and more. Their patrons can be the general public, law students, attorneys, or even judges.

The role of a law librarian varies depending on the needs of their employer. For example, in academic law libraries, law librarians are the point people for students, faculty, and public patrons using library resources for research. In law firm libraries and government law offices, law librarians are focused on providing legal research specific to the company or department. This includes assisting with special legal projects and analyzing government documents.

Law librarians are responsible for the library's information management, including cataloguing and classifying library collections. They search for and organize information, and consult various sources to locate relevant legal cases, statutes, and treatises. They must also ensure that the information they find is up to date and has not been overturned.

Some law librarians may also manage their library's information systems, website, and social media presence. They may also be responsible for teaching students, colleagues, and others how to use the library's resources and helping them find the information they need.

In addition to these general responsibilities, law librarians may have specialized roles such as government information librarians, legal catalogers, technical services specialists, web design experts, information resources managers, research specialists, competitive intelligence analysts, or business development market researchers.

Salary expectations

Leadership roles in law firms, law schools, and government libraries can command substantially higher salaries. For example, an academic law library director may earn up to $159,000, while a law firm or corporate library director can expect a salary of around $124,000. A government law library director's salary is typically $97,000.

The American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) publishes the AALL Biennial Salary Survey, which provides the most current and detailed information on salaries for law librarians across the United States.

It is worth noting that salary expectations may also be influenced by the level of education and experience of the law librarian. While a master's degree is typically required, having both a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) and a Juris Doctor (JD) or Bachelor of Laws (LLB) can lead to higher-paying positions.

Professional associations

Joining professional associations is a great way to network, conduct informational interviews, intern, and/or volunteer. The American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) is the main professional association for law librarians, and it offers more than 50 special interest groups, such as the Solo Librarians group. AALL also has around 30 local chapters, including:

• NOCALL (Northern California Association of Law Libraries)
• SCALL (Southern California Law Libraries Association)
• PLLIP (Private Law Librarians and Information Professionals)
• SANDALL (San Diego Area Law Libraries)

The Special Libraries Association (SLA) is another professional association with over 50 special interest groups, including the SLA Legal Division.

If you are a minority student interested in pursuing a career in law librarianship, be sure to check out the AALL George A. Strait Minority Scholarship webpage. This scholarship is available to American Indians or Alaska Natives, Asians, Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, and Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders.

Frequently asked questions