This photo of one corner of the FutureLawyer's office library was taken this morning. I walked out there to look for a client's corporate book, and was struck by the fact that I couldn't remember the last time I opened one of the old leather covered books. I acquired the oldest part of the set from a retiring lawyer many years ago; I can remember making payments on them for years. I also have not so fond memories of hours spent in the library inserting paper pocket parts into secondary source books. Now, this room is used for closings, and depositions, and conferences with larger groups of clients; but, it really isn't a library anymore. I wax nostalgic for the look of books strewn all over the room, and the smell of musty old volumes. Now, I never leave the computer screen. What have we wrought? I invite my readers to contribute photos of their libraries, if they still have them. Some of you are too young to remember books, right?
The "Library" as a noun (place) died a slow death over a few decades. The "Library" as a verb (service) is thriving. In fact many surveys show that if you still have a Noun Library, you are most likely paying a much hire price for access to information than if you have a Verb Library (where you have people looking out for your best interests and negotiating on your behalf, as well as making sure that you have the right information at the right price, at the right time.)
So, if you think of the library as a place, you're behind the curve and wasting your time and money.
Posted by: Greg Lambert | August 18, 2011 at 09:47 AM
Hi Rick:
Our old, paper library made its way to the landfill about four years ago. I was nostalgic, but also relieved to see it go. I love not having that huge expense anymore. Our digital library saves us 50% to 75% per month compared to the cost of the paper products. We were also able to subdivide the physical space into a new lawyer office, and a smaller conference room.
The books were pretty though...
Posted by: John Harding | August 18, 2011 at 10:45 AM
Change is propelling librarians forward in a world where they must adapt to new ways of thinking about the information over which they are stewards. This changing world means new opportunities for librarians, as librarians redefine themselves as KM managers who create value for the firm by effectively managing the information for which they are professionally responsible.
Read: http://west.thomson.com/signup/newsletters/law-librarians/mar-apr-2009/article3.aspx
Posted by: Steve Lastres | August 18, 2011 at 11:02 AM
While books are disappearing faster than a pile of corndogs at the Minnesota State Fair, the need for librarians and trained information management professionals increases exponentially. New lawyers who grew up with computers and whose first research instinct is "Google/get 10 million hits/read three/pick one and go," present a Training Opportunity, because that research technique does not necessarily lead to a nuanced research result.
Posted by: Susan Gainen | August 19, 2011 at 12:58 AM
Join us for "You are the Profession: Creating a Positive Professional Image"
http://aallnet.org/Home-page-contents/Events/You-are-the-Profession-Creating-a-Positive-Professional.html
We will discuss how librarians association with books affects our image. If we want to be thought of in the "verb" sense of librarian, we might want to think twice about having our photograph taken in front of book stacks.
Posted by: Mary Matuszak | August 19, 2011 at 10:32 AM
You and I are on opposite ends of the spectrum on almost everything, but here we agree. I'm in the middle of dumping my last bookshelves and books in favor of a learning center and more tech.
I'm going to miss the musty smell.
Posted by: Victor Medina | August 21, 2011 at 10:28 PM