Firms downsize their law libraries with proliferation of electronic research
via LISNews, with this quote:
“Everything is done electronically now, as far as legal research.”
I would say about 85% of my research for our clients is electronic…
3 Responses to “Firms downsize their law libraries with proliferation of electronic research”
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While that may be true, did it not irk you somewhat that they seem to think of libraries just as places where hard copy research is done, never mind other services by the library or expertise provided by the library staff?
Was it my imagination, or did they not include any quotes from actual librarians? Hmmm…
Definitely true for my firm’s law library. We have been significantly downsized for the new space we will occupy this fall. However, many of the attorneys continue to lament the loss of the books. I hear at least once a week from someone that if we still had the books they could have gotten their answer quicker. Also, there is a misconception that electronic subscriptions are less expensive–not true–and therefore law library’s may see cuts in their budgets. Mine has for the first time this year! So while downsizing space is being pushed to save money so are library budgets being cut to save money!! A bit of a catch 22!!
The author of this article actually called on me to provide some quotes/comments and I specifically mentioned that electronic resources are outrageously expensive for us. He assumed that they were saving us money as compared to print. I tried to set him straight on that, but that didn’t come out in the article at all. Plus, I also tried to get across to him that the PERCEPTION is that everything is available electronically. He didn’t really convey that concept either.