This study presents data from a survey of more than 50 law libraries in the United States and Canada. The study presents overall and per lawyer employed spending on content/materials, books, print reporters, online services and other legal information vehicles. It covers the trends in use of floor space, overall budgets and staffing, including hiring plans and the breakdown in total staff between librarians and other employees.
The study also presents highly specific data on cost recovery by libraries though charge backs to patrons. Librarians sampled also describe the measures that that they have taken to reduce costs, and to better negotiate with suppliers. Other areas covered include: use of internet tools and resources, the library role in records management, market research and case research, among other areas.
Data is presented in the aggregate and also broken out by size and type of library. Data is presented separately for private company law libraries, law firm libraries, courthouse libraries and government law libraries.
September 2010