Law Librarianship in the Twenty-First Century

by Roy Balleste, Sonia Luna-Lamas, Lisa Smith-Butler

Overview

The role of providing public access to the law is a critical one for librarians. It has been over ten years since the last law librarianship textbook was published. Since that time, much has changed in the profession, and with the emergence of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, law librarians must master legal materials and a thorough understanding of the latest technologies in order to best serve the public.

Law Librarianship in the 21st Century, a text for library and information science courses on law librarianship, introduces students to the rapidly evolving world of law librarianship. With no prior knowledge of the law required, students using this book will find practical answers to such questions as: What is law librarianship? How do you become a law librarian? How does law librarianship interrelate with the legal world? Individual chapters provide a concise treatment of such specialized topics as the history of law librarianship, international law, and government documents. Standard topics are dealt with as they apply to the law library, including collection development, public services, technical processing, administration, technology, and consortia. The textbook also includes an explanation of the common acronyms and special terminology needed to work in a law library.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810858817
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	12/28/2006
Edition description:	Older Edition
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.35(w) x 9.38(h) x 0.82(d)

About the Author

Roy Balleste is the Law Library Director and Assistant Professor of Law at the Charles N. and Hilda H. M. Mason Law Library at the University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law, in Washington, DC. Sonia Luna-Lamas is the Associate Law Librarian and Head of Technical Services at St. Thomas University Law Library. Lisa Smith-Butler is the Assistant Dean & Director and Assistant Professor of Law at the Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center, Law Library & Technology Center.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Foreword Part 2 Preface Part 3 Acknowledgments Part 4 Introduction Part 5 1 A Brief History of Law Librarianship Part 6 2 Working at the Law Library: A Practical Guide Part 7 3 Administration Part 8 4 Public Services Part 9 5 Collection Development, Licensing, and Acquisitions Part 10 6 Technical Services Part 11 7 Foreign, Comparative, and International Law Librarianship Part 12 8 Technology Trends in Law Libraries Part 13 9 The Evolution of Government Documents Part 14 10 The World of Library Consortia: Collaboration and Resource Sharing in the Twenty-First Century Part 15 Index Part 16 About the Contributors

Editorial Reviews

The book is full of advice, case studies and tips which make the text eminently readable. It is a worthy addition to the literature of law librarianship and legal information.

Collection Building - 2008

This is a timely publication explaining the state of the art and discussing issues with which this discipline is confronted. It is a reasonable textbook aimed at courses in law librarianship which provides practical answers to questions challenging the profession. The book is full of advice, case studies and tips which make the text eminently readable. It is a worthy addition to the literature of law librarianship and legal information.

Collection Building - M. P. Satija

This title is likely to be most useful to individuals who are new to, or unfamiliar with, law librarianship, especially library students, librarians considering a change of career track, and researchers hoping to compare law library trends with those of other library types. Law librarians mired deeply in their own specialties also may find these generalized summations of their colleagues' work insightful.

Reference and User Services Quarterly - Chris G. Hudson

The book is full of advice, case studies and tips which make the text eminently readable. It is a worthy addition to the literature of law librarianship and legal information.

Collection Building

This text is a welcome addition to the field.

Feliciter

This title is likely to be most useful to individuals who are new to, or unfamiliar with, law librarianship, especially library students, librarians considering a change of career track, and researchers hoping to compare law library trends with those of other library types. Law librarians mired deeply in their own specialties also may find these generalized summations of their colleagues' work insightful.--Chris G. Hudson, V. 47, Issue 2 "Reference and User Services Quarterly "

This book, although largely aimed at the novice to law librarianship, would also be beneficial to managers of law libraries seeking to understand both the practice of law librarianship and the emerging trends in this field.--Colin Fong "Australian Library Journal "

This text is a welcome addition to the field.--Feliciter

From the Publisher

This is a timely publication explaining the state of the art and discussing issues with which this discipline is confronted. It is a reasonable textbook aimed at courses in law librarianship which provides practical answers to questions challenging the profession. The book is full of advice, case studies and tips which make the text eminently readable. It is a worthy addition to the literature of law librarianship and legal information.

Collection Building - M.P. Satija

This title is likely to be most useful to individuals who are new to, or unfamiliar with, law librarianship, especially library students, librarians considering a change of career track, and researchers hoping to compare law library trends with those of other library types. Law librarians mired deeply in their own specialties also may find these generalized summations of their colleagues' work insightful.
— Chris G. Hudson, V. 47, Issue 2

Reference and User Services Quarterly

This compilation comprises chapters by many of the leading figures in the law library profession. It is a wonderful collection full of insights that would be both useful for the seasoned librarian and of critical importance for the novice or someone considering entering the field. The writings, dealing with the many aspects of this special niche of librarianship, range from the philosophical to the very practical, and all are well-written and entertaining.

Scott B. Pagel

In an age where nothing is certain; and, in which the legal profession itself is experiencing unprecedented upheaval and change, this volume combines the wisdom of historical perspective, the boldness of sophisticated peer advice, and the richness of nuanced and diverse voices of law librarianship's most accomplished and respected luminaries. The second edition of Law Librarianship in the Twenty-first Century is very highly and enthusiastically recommended.

Filippa Marullo Anzalone