Kara Sears
If you're considering a career as a law librarian, you'll need to be prepared for a lot of hard work and dedication. Law librarians are specialists in their field, requiring a deep understanding of the legal system and strong research skills. While a law degree is not always necessary, it can be advantageous and may open up more career opportunities.
To become a law librarian, you'll need to obtain a master's degree, typically a Master of Library Science (MLS) or Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS). This degree will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills in library science and information management. It's important to choose an accredited program to ensure your eligibility for law librarian positions.
In addition to your degree, gaining practical experience through internships, volunteering, or part-time work in a law library or other library setting is highly recommended. This will provide you with valuable insights into the day-to-day operations of a law library and help you develop the skills needed to manage legal resources and assist legal professionals.
Law librarians must possess strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills, as well as the ability to maintain a calm demeanor in high-pressure situations. They play a crucial role in law firms, academic institutions, corporations, and government offices, providing specialized research and information services to attorneys, students, and the public.
If you're interested in pursuing a career as a law librarian, be sure to research the specific requirements and opportunities in your desired location, as job markets can vary.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Education | A master's degree in library science or library and information science is required for most positions. Some positions may also require a law degree (JD) in addition to the master's degree. |
| Skills | Law librarians need strong research skills, computer skills, analytical skills, organisational skills, and communication skills. They should also be able to maintain a calm demeanor in high-pressure situations and have a customer-service-oriented personality. |
| Experience | Experience in a law library or other library is recommended. This can be gained through internships, volunteering, or part-time employment. |
| Salary | Law librarians typically earn higher salaries than non-specialized librarians, with an average income of around $71,000. Salaries can vary depending on the specific role and the organisation. |
| Job Market | The job market for law librarians can be competitive, and jobs may be difficult to find outside of major metropolitan areas. However, the demand for library and media information professionals is projected to grow by 9% by 2030. |
What You'll Learn
Educational requirements
To become a law librarian, you will need to go to college and graduate school. While in high school, classes in civics, government, history, English, and computer science will give you a useful introduction to law and help you prepare for learning the skills you will need as a librarian.
A liberal arts college education will give you a well-rounded educational background. Consider taking some computer classes, as computers are used frequently in the modern library. You should also consider taking classes that strengthen your writing and communication skills, and any classes that have a strong focus on research methodology.
The vast majority of law librarians have a master's degree—generally a Master of Library Science (MLS or M.L.S.) or Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS or M.L.I.S.). Most positions in this field require one of these master's degrees from an American Library Association (ALA)-accredited institution. A typical library study graduate program will include courses in reference and research work, cataloguing, computers, library organisation, collection management, and administration. A program with a focus on information science will include courses in the computer sciences, mathematics, and systems analysis.
According to the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL), program material geared for those specifically interested in a career as a law librarian should include courses focusing on the legal system, its branches and procedures, the legal profession and related terminology, literature of the law (such as print and electronic resources), and ethical considerations when dealing with the law.
Several schools offer a joint Juris Doctor (JD)/MLS degree, where a student can earn a law degree and a library degree simultaneously. However, fewer than 20% of law librarian positions being filled require both degrees. Most positions require an MLS or its equivalent. Some, mostly law school libraries, also state a preference, or even a requirement, for a law degree.
The University of Washington offers a one-year, ALA-accredited law librarianship MLIS to qualified candidates who've already earned their JD. The course of study for this intensive degree program consists of three academic quarters followed by a three-week fieldwork study at a law library or legal information organisation.
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Career paths and salaries
The majority of law librarians have a graduate degree in library and information science. Most jobs require a master's degree from an American Library Association (ALA)-accredited institution. The names of the degrees vary: MLS, MLIS, MSIS, but all reflect an appropriate entry-level educational requirement for careers in the law librarianship profession.
About one-third of law librarians also have a law degree (JD or LLB) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). However, fewer than 20% of law librarian positions require both degrees. Most positions only require an MLS or its equivalent. Some, mostly law school libraries, also state a preference or requirement for a law degree. Directors of law school libraries, for example, typically have faculty status and so must have law degrees.
Law librarians work in a variety of settings including law firms, law schools, courts, and other government organizations, as well as the legal departments of businesses and associations.
Law librarians perform tasks such as researching, analyzing, and evaluating the quality, accuracy, and validity of sources; teaching and training; writing; managing; and procuring and classifying library materials.
Law librarianship offers many niches and specializations that can enhance job satisfaction. Examples include foreign and international law, government documents, patents, taxation, computer-related services, library administration, and special collections such as archives and antiquarian books.
The AALL Biennial Salary Survey & Organizational Characteristics provides comprehensive salary information for legal information professionals who work in law school, law firm/corporate, and government law libraries.
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Job market
The job market for law librarians can be tough and competitive. It is recommended to be based in a major metropolitan area to find work, and networking is important. However, there are jobs throughout the country in various settings, including academic law libraries, law firm libraries, government law libraries, court law libraries, university libraries, and legal technology companies.
The University of Washington's Law Librarianship program has a strong record of placing graduates, with near 100% placement within three months of graduation for recent years. Most law librarian jobs are posted on the AALL (American Association of Law Libraries) website.
Law librarians typically command higher salaries than non-specialized librarians. Their average income is around $71,000. Salaries vary depending on the specific role and the setting. For example, reference and research librarians in corporate and law firms earn around $85,000, while academic law librarians earn around $75,000, and government law librarians earn about $67,000.
Leadership roles within law librarianship also come with higher salaries. Academic law library directors can expect $159,000, law firm or corporate library directors earn about $124,000, and government law library directors make around $97,000.
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Work experience
The University of Washington's Law Librarianship program, for example, includes an internship component, where students gain experience working in a law library while completing their
In addition to internships, volunteering or part-time employment at a law library or other library is also beneficial. This type of work experience allows aspiring law librarians to understand how libraries operate and gain practical skills in research, organisation, and information retrieval.
For those with a law degree (JD) or a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), it is essential to gain admission to the bar of the state in which you intend to practice. This typically involves graduating from an approved law school and passing a written examination.
While networking and location play a role in securing a law librarian position, relevant work experience and a strong academic background are crucial for success in this field.
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Skills and personality traits
To become a law librarian, you will need a broad knowledge of the law, as well as strong research skills. You should also be familiar with online databases such as Westlaw, Lexis, Bloomberg Law, and LexisNexis. As a law librarian, you will need to be able to help others conduct research, so teaching skills are important. You will also need strong computer skills, as well as effective written and verbal communication skills to present research information to lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals.
Law librarians also need to be highly organised, with an analytical mind, to manage the day-to-day operations of a law library. Other important traits include being a team player, having a customer-service-oriented personality, the ability to multitask, and a willingness to continue learning throughout your career. Being able to manage difficult personalities and tight deadlines is also important, as is having a calm demeanor in high-pressure circumstances.
In addition to the above, many law librarians have also worked as reference librarians, where they sharpened their research, curating, and organisational skills. Others have participated in internships at law firms or in government law libraries.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need to go to college and graduate school. Most law librarian positions require a master's degree in library science or library and information science. Some positions also require a law degree.
You should have strong research, writing, communication, and organizational skills, as well as knowledge of the legal system and legal research methods. Computer skills are also important, as modern law librarians use technology to access information and manage the library's information systems.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the library and media information field will grow by 9% by 2030. There are law librarian jobs available in academic, corporate, and government libraries, as well as in law firms. However, the job market is competitive, and networking is important.
The average income for law librarians is around $71,000. Salaries vary depending on the specific role and the type of library, with reference and research librarians in corporate law firms earning the highest average salary of $85,000.
Law librarianship offers a specialized career path within the library and information science field. It allows you to combine your interest in law with information management skills. Law librarians are invaluable resources in the legal field, providing expertise and assistance to attorneys, academics, students, and the general public.
