Website: Where Will Your Legal Education Take You?: Law Librarian

Law Librarian

Graphic by Alondra Pulido

Law librarians work in a variety of library settings, including in law schools, libraries, courts, or law firms. They’re position at law schools, in particular, is integral to the community. They are responsible for performing crucial functions to library operations, such as processing and cataloging new collections and managing collections, in addition to helping law students, faculty, and the public with legal research. Law librarians may also specialize in a certain area of legal research, whether that be anything from international and comparative law to taxation.

The vast majority of law librarians have degrees in library or information science from an American Library Association (ALA)-accredited university. While these master’s degrees may have different names—MLS, MLIS, or MSIS—they are all appropriate for careers in law librarianship. Additionally, although about one-fifth of law librarian positions require a law degree from an American Bar Association (ABA)-accredited law school, it is not always required that candidates have passed the state bar exam.

The University of Washington’s law librarianship program is ranked No. 1 in the United States. The program is part of the UW Information School’s Master of Library and Information Science. Students in the program have the opportunity to work as paid interns at the University of Washington Gallagher Law Library, where they are trained to help law students, faculty, and the public with legal research. The program takes place over four quarters and is therefore completed within a year of study on full-time attendance. Graduates of the law librarianship program have found success in a variety of legal organizations across the country.