Meeting the Information Needs of Constitutionalist Patrons

Abstract

This paper attempts to illustrate the challenges that a reference law librarian might face when facing the information needs of Constitutionalist patrons.Constitutionalist patrons here are defined as members of a diverse community of groups that challenge the validity of the mainstream legal system in a variety of ways.The paper provides background on the different types of patrons who fit the generic category of Constitutionalist, explains the theories that these patrons use to view the legal system, and discusses sources and materials that are of interest to them.The intention of the paper is to provide the reference librarian with the necessary background information to understand the perspective from which the patrons approach the law library.     

I Am the Cheesehead

Abstract

A law librarian describes her humorous route to law librarianship and a reference position at the University of Wisconsin.     

Perspectives: Changes in Reference Assistance and Collection Development in the Digital Age*

ABSTRACT

Law librarians are well aware that it is difficult to maintain print and electronic collections in today's law library. The author of this article compares his personal experience in reference assistance and collection development with findings from the literature and from responses to an open-ended questionnaire. The author looks for trends and differences in reference assistance and collection development among academic, firm, and government law libraries.     

How to Avoid the Unauthorized Practice of Law at the Reference Desk

Summary

A librarian's duty to avoid the unauthorized practice of law limits what reference services can be provided. Traditional approaches to reference services are being influenced by new initiatives in delivering legal services and information. Pro se patrons and the reference librarians who serve them benefit from the web-based resources, authorized non-lawyer assistance programs, and other innovative programs now available. Identifying new resources and using them effectively should enable a librarian to provide excellent reference service while avoiding the unauthorized practice of law.     

The Pro Se Patron

Abstract

The author contends, based on articles published in recent years discounting the legal obligation of law librarians to pro se patrons, that law librarians have a paramount ethical obligation not to cause harm, and thus to avoid the practice of law from the reference desk. As a result, the attorney patron and the pro se patron cannot be afforded the same level of legal reference service. The attorney is the conversant intermediary between the legal materials (and the librarian) and the client, whereas the pro se patron is the client with a layman's dearth of basic legal knowledge.     

Reference Services in Law Firm Environments

SUMMARY

Law firm libraries have undergone drastic changes in recent years. This chapter chronicles the evolution in the size of the law firm library and its collection, the changing expectations of law firm library users, and the inventive ways that law firm librarians are fulfilling the needs of the law firm library users with technology and other means. This chapter also explores how law firm libraries can improve service and overall efficiency through limited outsourcing of reference services.     

Special Collections in View: Marketing and Outreach as Reference Services

Abstract

This article discusses the marketing and promotion of special collections in academic law libraries as complementary to, and a part of, effective reference services based in those collections. The two activities can share similar goals and be mutually reinforcing: good marketing can lead to better reference service and an increase in patrons using special collections; and better, more engaged reference service can lead to long-term interest and support for special collections among a library’s stakeholders.     

Bridging an Intercultural Communication Gap at the Reference Desk

Abstract

Librarians need to be aware of cultural differences in how Asian students communicate and how they use libraries. Strategies and tips are provided to assist reference librarians to have successful interactions with the growing population of Asian LL.M students at American law schools.     

All in a Day's Work

Summary

Although reference librarians today have much in common with yesterday's counterparts, their days are much more hectic. Technological advances, changes in law and society, demands from a diverse group of library users, and an increased workload make time and stress management important issues to explore. This article examines reference librarianship in the academic environment, discusses how reference librarianship has changed, and offers suggestions on coping with the stresses those changes have caused.     

The Way We Were and What We “B”

Abstract

This article describes the changes over the past 20 years in the job of reference librarian. Using typical reference questions and quotes from leading law librarians in the early '80s, the author compares current practice and explains the differences in the time, place, and manner of legal reference. Although answering questions may be done today more quickly and efficiently than 20 years ago, the increase in demand and expectations make the job more challenging than ever.     

User Fees in Academic Law Libraries

Summary

Fees for services in 58 academic law libraries are reviewed using results from a national questionnaire and interviews with law library staff. Five fee-based services were investigated: printing, document delivery, reference services, unaftiliatcd borrowing, and library access. The primary factors intluencing tees include: the reason for the fee, the type of services, geographic location, and whether the law school is private or public. Additional factors include the receptiveness of the student body to the fees and the impact the fee may have on fund-raising. Libraries should consider reevaluating fee policies based on the data presented.     

Library LAWLINE: Collaborative Virtual Reference in a Special Library Consortium

SUMMARY

This article details the planning, design, and implementation of a collaborative virtual reference project undertaken by a group of law libraries. Service design, scheduling, and software selection are addressed. Outcomes and changes to the service after its first year are outlined, and recommendations are made to those considering implementing similar services.     

Copyright and Electronic Library Resources

ABSTRACT

As electronic resources represent a larger percentage of libraries' purchases and services, copyright law, licensing, and other information laws are changing some traditional library functions. This article reviews the law of electronic resources through an outline of affected library services, including acquisitions and collection development; gifts, exchanges, and sales; archiving and preservation; circulation; interli-brary loan and document delivery; reserve; and research, reference, and instructional services. Legal issues considered include copyright, licensing, and database protection.     

Innovations in Providing Access to Research and Knowledge: Directions for Systems Improvement in the Law Library

ABSTRACT

In this article, the authors explore the future of legal reference services, continuing the discussion raised in their previous article, at 26 LRSQ 57 (No. 1/2, 2007). Again considering examples of popular and effective services from the non-library (commercial) world, they examine underlying trends and suggest points for improvement in library systems. They concentrate their focus on the academic law library, and on the changing role of the reference librarian.     

A Collaborative Web

Abstract

The content of a law library's website is often developed as part of reference services. Overall design, development, and management of the website, however, may be better addressed independent of content. Overall website management may reside in different areas in different libraries. This article shares experiences at the University at Buffalo Law Library, where the placement of website management within technical services has allowed for increased collaboration across all departments.     

An Approach to Managing Vocabulary for Databases on the Web

ABSTRACT

This paper proposes an approach for managing vocabulary for reference databases on the Web. The approach is directed at domain specific databases in which much of the referenced material remains in non-digital form. A combination of interactive and manual processes are outlined along with a proposed implementation approach. For this limited class of databases, it is suggested that the approach can significantly improve vocabulary management with relatively low costs in manual effort.     

A Down Under Reference Experience

Summary

In the summer of 1999, the author, a library science student pursuing his master's degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, travelled to Australia to do a field experience at the University of Sydney Law Library. This article talks about his experience, discussing, among other issues, his experiences behind the reference desk and difficulties in learning how to research Australian law.     

Golden Rule Reference

Abstract

Reference service in all types of libraries could be improved if librarians actively adopted the mindset of the Golden Rule. The Rule is expressed in some form in many world religions and instructs us to treat others how we would like to be treated. This approach has applicability not only in face-to-face reference transactions, but also in virtual reference. The empathetic reference librarian should be alert to both verbal and non-verbal clues that can indicate how a patron would like to be treated.     

Managing Reference Services in the Electronic Age

Summary

Managing reference services is challenged by the influx of electronic resources in libraries. Traditional approaches to reference management lack a conceptual framework of effectiveness and emphasize mostly internal processes, downplaying the turbulent environments libraries face. The competing values approach to effectiveness is presented as a broad-based integration of four existing models of organizational effectiveness, encompassing the contradictory values of an internal and an external focus, a control and a flexibility orientation, and means and ends. Implications of the approach for reference management are discussed, and the movement toward diversified team structures examined as a possible solution to the problems of managing reference in the electronic age. The focus is on academic libraries but may apply to other types of libraries as well.