Downsizing print collections in law firm libraries: What are the implications for access to legal information for their clients in New Zealand?

Abstract

Research problem: There is a current trend for law firm libraries to reduce their print collections, particularly during office refurbishments. This research explores if recent downsizing of print collections in large law firm libraries in New Zealand has had any impact on access to legal information for their clients.

Methodology: Six law librarians working in large law firms in Auckland were interviewed in a qualitative phenomenology research study.

Results: Well-resourced law firm libraries are able to maintain a similar level of access to legal information after a downsizing of their print collections. There are external factors affecting access that are beyond the firm’s control but these concerns are minimised by their law librarians’ professional knowledge and skills to locate less common legal resources. Their library clients have embraced alternatives to print collections of legal information but their awareness of the range of sources available and legal research skills, both basic and complex, may be insufficient. Print material and the traditional research skills using print legal material will still be required by law firm library clients for the foreseeable future.

Implications: There are concerns that some legal material may be lost unless there is a coordinated effort by institutions to preserve less common items. Specialist legal information sources are constantly evolving and law library clients need targeted end user training to master the specialist information seeking skills needed in an electronic legal environment.

Future research: Interview or survey lawyers in large law firms to discover their attitudes to finding and using non-print legal resources. Explore how law firm libraries are adapting to changing library spaces and meeting the information needs of flexible offsite legal staff.