An examination of the value that librarians bring to the legal services environment in Ireland and the United Kingdom
Authors
Hanratty, Niamh
Issue Date
2015
Degree
MSc Information and Library Management
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
This research is an exploration of how law librarians are perceived. Both law librarians and legal professionals in Ireland and the United Kingdom were surveyed in relation to their perceptions of law librarians. The survey was by way of semi-structured questionnaires and the questions focussed on the value that these two groups believed law librarians add to their organisations. Overall the findings are that legal professionals do value the work of law librarians, but do not understand the specialised nature of their work and skills and do not consider them to be professionals. Law librarians value their own contribution to their organisations, but are aware that legal professionals have misconceptions about their role.