Category Archives for "Librarians"

Feit Presenting at ARK Conference on “What is the Modern Law Library?” February 22nd, NYC

By Michael Feit | Feit Consulting , Librarians , Modern Law Library , Resources

Feit Consulting is presenting on “What is the Modern Library?” at the Ark Group’s 12^th annual Law Firm Library, Research & Information Services conference, February 22, 2018.

Our program offers clear insights into the steps firms need to take for maximum efficiency and delivery of legal information resources and the role of the Modern Library. Feit Consulting’s Michael Feit, President & Founder and Monice Kaczorowski, Vice-President of Library Strategy and Innovation will lead the program by sharing their research on library modernization and how this is defined. We share key take-aways from our white paper, Beyond Virtualization: Transforming the Law Library.

An expert panel will discuss the “Big Picture” of Librarians as disruptors, how to change the stereotypical image of the librarian, how to run the Library as a business and the importance of interdepartmental support and technology. Panelists include:

What does it mean to be a Modern Law Library?

By Michael Feit | Feit Consulting , Librarians , Modern Law Library , Resources

The Modern Library is a business within a business, utilizing metrics and analytics to forecast, predict and analyze data as changes occur. More than providing content, the Modern Law Library encompasses a proactive approach and mindset, developing new processes and collaborations to support the business of law. An important component to realizing a Modern Library is open-mindedness by both Administrators and the Library team.

To fully embrace the Modern Library approach, consider the following questions in your role with the Library (whether as a Librarian or an Administrator):

• What can I do differently to offer value to my organization and make them see me and my library in a new way?
• How can I change my habits to actually facilitate change?
• How can I move out of my mindset of but we have always done it that way?
• How can I change the way I work with various departments, my Administrator, my Librarian to support the business of law in an improved, more efficient way?

While law firms have always depended on library and information professionals to support the research needs of their lawyers, the Modern Law Library is undergoing a paradigm shift. Success now depends on the library taking a more active role in the organization, to help support the day-to-day business of law. One such way is providing interdepartmental support.

A few examples of this include:

• Embracing new roles in Conflicts Support for new business intake.
• Partnering with Marketing to provide competitive intelligence to support the RFP process.
• Partnering with IT to identify and beta-test software.
• Driving Knowledge Management.

Becoming a Modern Law Library is not done overnight, or in a week or month. It is complex and includes many little steps in order for a Law Library to modernize. In sum, the Modern Law Library is a trendsetter, evaluating and embracing new techniques, ideas and technology to help support business processes.

Feit Consulting offers Modern Library Audits, examining and recommending changes to save the firm/organization money, improve efficiencies, and maximize utilization of resources. Contact Feit Consulting today to set up a free consultation on modernizing your Law Library today.

Modern Library Audit: Are you optimizing your current resources?

By Michael Feit | Benchmarking , Best Practices , Feit Consulting , Librarians , Resources

A Modern Library Audit is a measure of the utilization of personnel, internal processes, technology, legal information contracts and the overall support for the business of law.

Having an outside, objective analysis will save the firm/organization time and money. It is an investment in supporting the business of law. In this two-month audit, Feit Consulting will examine each of component of your library and provide clear recommendations specific to your firm/organization with the goal of saving money, improving efficiencies, and maximizing the utilization of resources.

Some of the unique topics that Feit Consulting will cover include;

• What best practices need updating ?
• Have you benchmarked your contracts lately ?
• Are your integrated library resources optimized ?

Having a 3rd party can add an objective view to your library

Click here to set up an initial, complimentary consultation. https://www.feitconsulting.com/get-started/

3 Things every Administrator Needs to be Doing in January

By Michael Feit | Librarians , Resources

Start the year off right with proper planning and strategy development. Success, in large part, is determined by the correct allocation of resources. This includes having enough time to collect needed information, ensuring staff understand the priorities with enough time to execute. Here are three things a Legal Information Administrator or Librarian can do to start the year off right.

1. Calendar out important vendor contract dates. Contract expirations are important. Go a step further. Plan out far in advance of contract expiration when planning for contract negotiations will take place. Allow time for evaluating the value of resources such as number of users and how much these users utilize a certain resource.
2. Revisit your Legal Information Strategy. Reviewing your strategy ensures your goal setting for 2018 is in line with the firm/organization’s anticipated changes and goals.
3. Determine which big initiative the Library will take on this year. Will it be a Collection Audit? Modern Library Audit? New ERM tool? No matter how small or large, allocate a few hours for each staff member to collect data and details that will eventually feed into the business case or announcement to the firm.

What We Learned at AALL: Transforming Knowledge Into Power

By Michael Feit | Librarians , Modern Law Library

The American Association of Law Libraries’ (AALL) conference this past year reminded us of our abilities, and more so the importance of transitioning from guardian of books to ‘linchpin librarians’.

Instead of guardians of books, it is time for librarians to become information brokers. Whether embedded in a practice group to support an attorney team or partnering with client development to support business development and increase revenue streams, take on the the linchpin mindset. High-level collaboration and interdepartmental support will break down librarian stereotypes as we work on building relationships within our organizations. Step outside your comfort zone.

In short, librarians need to showcase the true value they possess and can offer their organizations. The question now is, “How will you transform the knowledge and empowerment gained at AALL into action steps at your firm or organization?”

We revisited our checklist post AALL. Here are ways you can begin transforming knowledge into action:

• Brainstorm what new step(s) you can take to build high-level collaboration and interdepartmental support at your firm or organization.
• Determine the best avenues to grow your visibility within your organization.
• Ask yourself, “How can I change my habits? What can I do differently that offers value to my organization?”
• Plan a lunch or phone call with colleagues inside and outside your organization to brainstorm what cutting-edge solutions you can bring to your organization or firm.
• Reach out to your new networking contacts. Choose one each week with whom to connect.
• Develop a Conference Recap to show management the value of attending; highlight program sessions and vendor products that support current and potential organization/firm initiatives.
• Include conference benefits in the library’s annual report to Management.

At the core, librarians utilize knowledge and resources to answer questions and solve problems; and have a multitude of skills to offer value to their organizations – beyond performing legal research.

The Modern Library: The First Step is to Embrace Change 

By Michael Feit | Librarians , Modern Law Library

It is no secret that the legal sector is in flux. As clients demand better value for the dollars they spend, firms are taking a hard look at how they do business; analyzing their organizational structure, and evaluating the way services are delivered with an eye towards process improvement.

What does that mean for the Modern Library?

The first step in modernizing a law library begins with YOU – the Librarian, Administrator or Attorney   – anyone who has a role in managing legal information resources plays a part in deciding whether your firm or organization’s law library can modernize.

For librarians, it is essential to move away from the mindset of, “But we have always done it that way!”.  Ask yourself, “What can I do differently to offer value to my organization and make them see me and the library in a new way?”. Think about embracing change in a way to work smarter not harder. You need to be flexible in your approach and meet change head on. Think about your own habits and what you can change to facilitate change.

It can be stressful and overwhelming when asked to do more with resources that may already be stretched. Think outside the box. How can you do things differently to take on something that could add more value to the firm/organization. Change is not comfortable and we have no assurance that we will be recognized or rewarded.

The alternative to resisting change or inaction could result in your library being downsized or outsourced. How can you be proactive to addressing the threat of downsizing and outsourcing? Embrace change by being open to the new roles you can play. Consider what new value you can offer. How can you do your job differently?

For Administrators and Attorneys, they must move away from the “stereotypical view” of the librarian and be open to new roles librarians can fill to support the business of law.  A law library cannot modernize unless everyone is committed to advancement. Does the librarian have a seat at the table in making decisions on contracted content, print resources, budgeting, and collaborating with other departments such as marketing and IT? Ask yourself, what can you as an Administrator or Attorney do to promote the expansive role the Law Library and Librarian Team can play.