11-Dec-09 2:00 PM ACDT

The Business Side of Law Firms - What Librarians Need to Understand to Succeed in the New Law Firm Reality

The Business Side of Law Firms - What Librarians Need to Understand to Succeed in the New Law Firm Reality

AALL PLL Webinar held Dec 9

Speaker: Barry Strauss, Executive Director, Wiley, Rein LLP

Coordinators: Cathryn Ahearn, Kate Martin, Scott Bailey

Barry Strauss, Executive Director of Wiley, Rein challenged librarians to rise to the stark changes facing us in the new law firm reality of layoffs, shrinking budgets and heightened insecurity. His basic message was clear: earn your seat and influence the management table by proving value and develop an overall understanding of your firm's goals. Often librarians are perceived as excellent researchers and information providers but their profile in the power structure of the firm can be low. This affects our ability to advance projects and communicate with decision makers which in turn diminishes our role. Strauss suggested that accomplishing what is best for the firm and the library is a combined effort involving proactive communication and strategic alignment on the part of the library manager. Blaming other departments or complaining about lack of exposure or receptiveness from management must be a thing of the past. If we don't get an answer, Strauss says we should find different ways to ask. He encouraged his audience to "manage their bosses" by finding ways to demonstrate our departmental contribution to the success of the firm. Reminding us, for example, that a dollar saved in expense can translate to three dollars in revenue. This is a time of opportunity for librarians and we must not shy away from the challenges. Understanding your firm's business and the opportunity that the current challenging conditions may offer the library is a critical path to success.

The full audio of this insightful conversation will be made available on the AALL web site in the upcoming days. Make sure to catch it!

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Source: Scott Bailey