The challenge a number of law
firm library managers face when drawing up strategy is when the firms themselves (the partnership or the staff management company) do not have overall strategies including things like a stated vision or objectives.
Not exact matches
Previously she worked as the
manager of
library services for a national law
firm, worked for provincial and federal governments, and a law society
library.
This was seen as overly aggressive by
library managers since we are largely meant to be the main point of contact for online research services in the
firms.
Furthermore, knowledge
managers and
libraries should welcome this development as a way to better integrate information with the core work of
firms and achieve greater value for the investment
firms make in their resources.
Sarah Sutherland is the
manager of
library services in Vancouver for a national law
firm.
My groups have titles like Canadian Association of Law
Libraries, Knowledge Management for Legal Professionals, Law
Firm Research
Managers, Law
Firm Knowledge Management (a subgroup of Legal IT Netowrk), and so on.
Two broad themes emerged (albeit slightly unrelated): (i) their concern over the job market for future law librarians / knowledge
managers, and (ii) my continued proselytizing for an integrated approach to information in law
firms by merging
library functions with KM and continued «convergence» with
library and KM and other administrative functions in law
firms, including training, marketing and... [more]
That was one message that came through loud and clear recently in «Succeed in the New Law
Firm Library Reality — Learn the Business Side of the
Firm», a webinar hosted by the American Association of Law
Libraries (AALL) and the informal group of law
library managers of the Law Librarians» Society of Washington, D.C. (LLSDC)-LRB-...)
While it is true these are both very busy departments with many demands made on them, I would suggest talking with the
firm's
library director or
manager before outsourcing this function.
Sarah Sutherland is the
manager of
library services at a national law
firm.
She has provided customer service, legal research assistance, and training on behalf of a global corporation, served as a marketing and
library manager for a medium - sized law
firm, taught legal writing in an ABA - accredited paralegal education program, and served as the business executive for a fast - growing, medium - market law
firm.
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