What does a law librarian do?
Law librarian responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real law librarian resumes:
- Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
- Supervise cataloging and processing of all materials.
- Perform library technical services, including cataloging, processing, and acquisitions.
- Review monthly Lexis and Westlaw usage to identify users needing additional training in cost-effective research techniques.
- Open new patron accounts, provide customer support regarding account status and work with Polaris systems.
Law librarian skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Law Librarians are proficient in Library Services, Collection Development, and Reference Services. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Initiative, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Law Librarians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Library Services, 11%
Designed and kept abreast of current procedures, applications, audio video visual programs and references materials pertinent to library services.
- Collection Development, 9%
Orchestrated Collection Development activities, including purchasing, vendor account record maintenance, and library organization.
- Reference Services, 9%
Provided reference services for legal and non-legal information to approximately 50 attorneys and their support staff.
- Research Services, 8%
Manage library's research assistant who provides research services to CWSL faculty members.
- Legal Resources, 6%
Recommended purchases of updated legal resources.
- Legal Reference, 6%
Provided legal reference and document delivery using print and electronic resources.
"library services," "collection development," and "reference services" are among the most common skills that law librarians use at work. You can find even more law librarian responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a law librarian to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what law librarians do because "librarians need to be able to explain ideas and information in ways that patrons understand." Additionally, a law librarian resume shows how law librarians use communication skills: "implemented process improvement and efficiency for policies, procedures, communications and outreach programs. "
Initiative. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling law librarian duties is initiative. The role rewards competence in this skill because "new information, technology, and resources constantly change the details of what librarians do." According to a law librarian resume, here's how law librarians can utilize initiative in their job responsibilities: "created monthly displays cataloged library materials organized 8,000 book collection pursued grant initiatives"
Interpersonal skills. law librarians are also known for interpersonal skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to law librarian responsibilities, because "librarians must be able to work both as part of a team and with the public or with researchers." A law librarian resume example shows how interpersonal skills is used in the workplace: "leveraged superior interpersonal skill to provide reference services to up to 50 clients each day. "
Problem-solving skills. For certain law librarian responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a law librarian rely on this skill, as "librarians conduct and assist with research." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what law librarians do: "checked books in and out, great customer service, problem solved issues with books w/ relabeling and rebinding them. "
Reading skills. Another crucial skill for a law librarian to carry out their responsibilities is "reading skills." A big part of what law librarians relies on this skill, since "librarians must be excellent readers." How this skill relates to law librarian duties can be seen in an example from a law librarian resume snippet: "provided reference, reader's advisory, and circulation services developed adult summer reading program"
Technology skills. Lastly, "technology skills" is an important element of what a law librarian does. Law librarian responsibilities require this skill because "librarians use technology to help patrons research topics." This resume example highlights how law librarian duties rely on this skill: "provided library reference services for locating information and documents utilizing the appropriate technology and resources. "
The three companies that hire the most law librarians are:
- Northern California Power Agency5 law librarians jobs
- St. Mary's University2 law librarians jobs
- Texas Department of Transportation2 law librarians jobs
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Compare different law librarians
Law librarian vs. Cataloger
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a law librarian are more likely to require skills like "library services," "research services," "legal resources," and "legal reference." On the other hand, a job as a cataloger requires skills like "rda," "oclc," "online database," and "lcsh." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Catalogers really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $40,571. Comparatively, law librarians tend to make the most money in the professional industry with an average salary of $66,443.The education levels that catalogers earn slightly differ from law librarians. In particular, catalogers are 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a law librarian. Additionally, they're 8.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Law librarian vs. Circulation supervisor
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that law librarian responsibilities requires skills like "research services," "legal resources," "legal reference," and "juris." But a circulation supervisor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "library materials," "library policies," "student assistants," and "library patrons."
Circulation supervisors earn lower levels of education than law librarians in general. They're 7.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 8.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Law librarian vs. Circulation director
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, law librarians are more likely to have skills like "library services," "collection development," "reference services," and "research services." But a circulation director is more likely to have skills like "audience development," "newspapers," "independent contractors," and "expense budget."
Most circulation directors achieve a lower degree level compared to law librarians. For example, they're 13.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 7.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Law librarian vs. Library supervisor
Types of law librarian
Updated January 8, 2025
