Becoming a Librarian

January 5, 2005 7:19 PM

Calling the MeFi Librarian Posse... I want to join! Questions about getting an MLS and job inside.

After doing some serious "what do I want to do with my life" questioning, I've decided that becoming a law librarian would be right up my alley. The basic question is, what's the best way to go about doing this?


A little background to start - I got my JD a couple of years ago, and while I like the law, I don't want to practice it. Since graduating, I've been working for one of the major legal database companies (take a guess) offering research assistance for customers. I like what I do, but I think a law librarian position could be more challenging and rewarding. I'm seriously considering pursuing an MLS part time, likely via distance-ed. Relating to the MLS - is it worth trying to get into a highly ranked program? What's are some of the things library school admissions are looking for? If its going to be a year or so before I apply, what sort of things can I do in the meantime to educate myself and/or beef up my application? Lastly, does anyone know what the job market is like for law librarians? Thanks!

posted by dicaxpuella to Work & Money (14 answers total)

I don't think that it would be too hard to get into a highly ranked program. I got into UIUC, Michigan, and Indiana after applying a year after I finished college. I didn't have much of a background in libraries, but I did intern in my college library one summer. I think that having a JD and already working for a big database company would look really good to an admissions officer.

I think that the main thing to keep in mind will be the cost. I went to UIUC because it was the most affordable for me. Several library schools have established distance ed programs but I think that many distance ed programs do charge you out of state tuition though, so that might be something.

I did take one distance ed class even though I was an on campus student, so let me know if you have any questions!
posted by gnat at 7:58 PM on January 5, 2005

Wow, I am loving the chance to talk up law librarianship again. First, the job market right now is fantastic, I see job postings for positions in DC and Boston very often (I don't really pay attention to other cities).

In all honesty, I don't think there is any reason to knock yourself out trying to get into a highly ranked school. My experience is that just having the degree is important. I would recommend that wherever you look, make sure there's one class focused on legal research. Even with your JD and West/Lexis experience, it would be a good refresher.

Given that library schools seem to be begging for new recruits, I think just showing an interest in the profession and a willingness to learn is probably enough. If you got into law school, I can guarantee that you'll get into library school.

I can't tell you enough how much I love being a law librarian, and I'm very new to both librarianship in general and law libraries specifically. I had no previous experience or interest in law before jumping into this, but I envision myself in this line of work for a very long time. I'd be happy to chat more if you feel like shooting me an email sometime.
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 8:06 PM on January 5, 2005

My only caveat is that I am unsure how well distance ed degrees look on a resume. Quality of the education and ability of the graduate notwithstanding, I get the feel that the trend is still to look down on them.

Also, if you're wanting a taste of the different fields in library science, taking at least a class or two in person is a great way to expand your horizons.

Your mileage may vary, though, I'm on the academic librarian track (ie, wait for person to die for job opening) so my views could be outdated.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:13 PM on January 5, 2005

I think if you go to a distance ed program from a fairly established school, you would be ok.

I have heard some not so great things about Emporia State (but this was just random rumors, I'm not trying to diss anyone who went there). I think a distance ed program at one of the well established larger state schools wouldn't make someone look unmarketable.

I've worked people who had distance ed degrees in academic libraries, I wasn't aware of any stigma.
posted by gnat at 8:28 PM on January 5, 2005

er... what does a "law librarian" do? Make sure the books are in order, or perform actual research?
posted by five fresh fish at 8:44 PM on January 5, 2005

Ideally, you should go somewhere that has or has connections with a library in which you would want to work. My husband and I wanted to work in Rare Books and Manuscripts, so we both went to Texas, not out of any abiding love of the Lone Star State but because we wanted to work at the Humanities Special Collections there. The classes and most of the professors were a complete joke, but the contacts we made and experience we got through our internships was invaluable (at least until I decided that I did not have the genetic makeup for librarianship and went back to teaching). But I don't think anyone cares really where you get your MLS, just that you have one from an accredited school. As for getting into a good school, I know that UT has a decent reputation, but it took in a huge class each year and it certainly had its share of mouth breathers taking up desks there.

As much as I detested library school, I envied those lucky souls who had the background and disposition to work in the UT law library. That place was freaking loaded with luxury.
posted by bibliowench at 9:26 PM on January 5, 2005

What a law librarian does depends on the kind of library and the kind of librarian. Some of us work for firms, some work for vendors like West, some work for government institutions like courts, and some of us work in academia.

Research is often important, but the kind and extent depend on the environment -- academics may help professors and students research scholarly topics related to the law, while firm librarians may perform business research to find background on clients and potential adversaries.

Teaching/training tends to be a big part of being a law librarian too. This may include training new associates to use Lexis and Westlaw, or teaching law students how to use the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations).

Within libraries you will often find specialties. Catalog librarians are vital for ensuring patrons can properly locate materials. Reference librarians assist students, professors, and other library patrons with research. Acquisitions librarians help determine what materials a library should order. Electronic resources librarians manage the library's databases and library website. That kind of thing.

As for getting into library school, since my undergrad and JD came from pretty good schools, I didn't worry so much about my library school. I applied to the school closest to my home and I didn't seem to have any problem getting in. One thing that may have helped was I was able to take a class before applying. That allowed me to get a good feel for the school, and vice versa.

The academic law librarian market seems pretty good right now. However, you may need to be a little flexible about where you live. I was able to find a really good job in my hometown, but it doesn't always work out that way. Good luck—being a law librarian is way better than practicing!
posted by debgpi at 9:34 PM on January 5, 2005

I have this gigantic email I sent to Hildago (and others) that I can send on to you with all my (somewhat useful) advice about library school. Drop me a line if you're interested.

FWIW, Pitt (where I went and which was ranked very highly as a library school, many moons ago) recently started a distance program. I do not vouch for the quality of that program, but Pitt as a whole was pretty good and is highly respected.

It may be different for law libraries, but I've found that people in "competitive" library environments (like DC) do pay attention to where you went to library school, if for no other reason than the aforementioned "connections."

I have more I would say, but I have to head off for the ref desk now!
posted by arco at 6:58 AM on January 6, 2005

Unlike some if not most academic and public librarians that I know, law librarians seem to really love their jobs. Part of this may have to do with the fact that law libraries are often smallish, the pay is not bad, and the librarians get to work with smart people all day long. I have very little to add to what everyone else has said except to say check out the American Association of Law Libraries and you can click around a bit and see what issues are of interest to the profession. If you're near one of their conferences, you can get a day pass and just go to a few events and get a feel for the things that law librarians think are important.

Also, this may just be my experience, but unlike a lot of graduate work [especially your JD] library school is not known for being exceptionally difficult, so you might even be able to keep your current job and take night classes and work up to getting a library degree. I think it's more important to live someplace you like as opposed to someplace with a really good school unless you really want to work in a top library [as arco says]. bibliowench's advice about trying to position yourself near someplace you would like to work is right on. You get a lot of library work even while you're in a library school and it's not that unusual for the library at the school with the library school to hire at least some students right out of school, so keep that in mind.
posted by jessamyn at 7:39 AM on January 6, 2005

I'd suggest finding a school you can attend in person. Apart from that, I don't know about law librarianship, but in public libraries, where you went to school doesn't matter much... people who spent half as much money at Wayne State do just as well as people who spent the big bucks going to University of Michigan. And I've heard some negative things about U of M recently, particularly if you want a "library" degree more than an "information" degree, which it looks like you do.
posted by dagnyscott at 9:10 AM on January 6, 2005

to add onto this question, what is a ballpark salary range for a law librarian (both entry-level and experienced?)
posted by j at 1:01 PM on January 6, 2005

One pretty major thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is make sure the school you go to has decent teachers helming the law librarianship classes. If in the whole program there is only one law-related class, this will not benefit you. I would also suggest that you make sure the teacher or teachers who handle law have recent experience working in the real world instead of just being academics. You might try to sit in on one or several of their classes and talk to other students to find out more.

Does anyone know if there are any law-librarian discussion boards or email lists out there? A Google search led me to a reference to LAW-LIB, but I don't know how good it is.
posted by matildaben at 2:07 PM on January 6, 2005

Lastly, does anyone know what the job market is like for law librarians?

The job market in New York is great for law librarians - there are always openings. The library placement agencies have a minimum of two listings a month for elite firms and many listings for other firms. With JD & MLS you would be set in NY.

matildaben - llrx.com links to LAW-LIB so I would say subscribe. Also try SLA-LAW.
posted by mlis at 8:03 PM on January 6, 2005

matildaben- Law-lib is the essential list (and has saved my ass a few times when I've had not a clue how to find something). AALL chapters have local lists that are also very helpful (in boston there's a list for Law Librarians of New England, and a list for Association of Boston Law Librarians, although those are mostly used for ILL).
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 4:26 AM on January 7, 2005