Catching Up With the ALM Law Librarians Survey 2013

So far we’ve been quiet about the ALM Law Librarians Survey 2013, a survey done of AmLaw 200 law firms each year. The survey results were announced earlier this month, and were officially released at the American Association of Law Libraries conference last Tuesday. I attended the release with analysis by Kevin Iredell, VP of ALMLegal Intelligence. This was the 12th year for the survey, and is typically answered by the head librarian in each firm.

From the related The American Lawyer article by Alan Cohen:

By now, it’s a phrase that law firm library directors likely hear in their sleep. “Do more with less” was a mantra through the recession; it guided library strategies and triggered cuts to staff, collections, and physical space. But now it’s become more than just a motto—it’s standard operating procedure in a fledgling, uneven recovery. The American Lawyer‘s 12th annual Law Librarian Survey finds that, financial uptick not- withstanding, the pressure to contain costs continues, clients are even more reluctant to pay for research than they were a year ago, and negotiations with vendors—never exactly a festive occasion—are still often contentious.

Jean O’Grady has some excellent analysis of the data in her blog post from July 5th. She says:

In reviewing the data I am struck by the terrific challenge library chiefs face in the current environment. Law firm profits are reviving, lawyers continue to demand the best and most strategic information resources for their practices and yet library chiefs have succeeded in containing costs. The survey give clues how they achieve this. Librarians are sharp negotiators who assess not only price but the comparative value and usability of the content. They also employ sophisticated tools for analysing the ROI for the resources they invest in. These talents are paying off big time for the firms which employ these experts.

Below are my selected notes from the presentation by Kevin Iredell.

Library management and services

Iredell said the results indicate a “greater sense of optimism” for law librarians. Roles are shifting, and there is a greater responsibility for technology. He said the library is doing the training, teaching, and “holding the knowledge” for the various technologies.

Essentially size of the libraries have held about the same, as have who the libraries report to and whether the Library Director is part of executive management (17%, up from 15% in 2012). There was a significant increase in compensation for Head Librarian/Library Director, from approximately $150,ooo in 2012 to $184,000 in 2013. This may be due to increasing areas of responsibility.

What other departments is the head librarian responsible for?

• 58% of libraries are responsible for Competitive Intelligence (Iredell surmised that even if the library is not responsible for CI, they may be supporting this initiative)
• 43% responsible for Knowledge Management
• 28 % responsible for the intranet
• 11% responsible for conflicts checking/client intake
• 11% responsible for records management
• 11% responsible for court services/docketing
• 8% responsible for CLE

He suggested a key initiative for the library should be tracking time and providing ROI numbers for other work that is not billable, such as knowledge management, market research for RFPs and the like.

75% of libraries are doing more work traditionally done by associates (up significantly from 59% in 2012). He indicated this is valuable work, and this change should be communicated to the firm.

This was the first time they have seen an increase in the library budget over the past few years (an increase of 0.5%).

Spending on electronic information and technology

79% indicated no spending on ebooks. Iredell asked the audience why. Audience members speculated:

• AmLaw 100 firms often have a head office in New York City, and they have ebook access through a local service
• ebooks do not work in the lawyers’ workflow
• pricing
• ebooks do not fit with the firms’ technology

ALM will adjust this question for next year to determine the underlying reasons.

In spending on electronic research, the break-down came as:

• 38% Westlaw
• 27% Lexis
• 6% Bloomberg

23% of firms have moved to a “sole provider” model, and 7% indicated they will be moving to this model.

Iredell noted that in 2011, Westlaw was leading as the sole provider. In 2012, Lexis and Westlaw were neck-and-neck; and now in 2013, Lexis is winning with 54% while West is 46%. He noted that, although Lexis has the marketshare, less is being spent on it. [This implies Lexis has won that increased marketshare with lower pricing.]

Use of integrated library systems broken down:

• EOS – 44%
• Sydney Plus – 16%
• Softlink – 14%
• InMagic – 11%
• SirsiDynix – 4%

Priorities and Challenges

He then discussed comments received from the open-ended questions.

Top priorities for libraries in 2013 include:

• Competitive Intelligence, as well as market research and competition research
• developing research training for lawyers
• eliminate or replace more print products
• expand Knowledge Management – libraries are being asked to expand their roles in this area
• mobile – lawyers are now bringing their own devices to work including iPhones, Androids (such as the Galaxy) and tablets
• reducing budget – renegotiating pricing with vendors, and keeping prices down
• resource monitoring – putting together reliable reports of use to show to vendor as a way to negotiate the pricing

The biggest challenges:

• budget – taking into account staffing, workload, and reduced resources
• keeping up with new technology – such as mobile devices and ebooks

Next year’s survey

They will be “tweaking” the survey and will be putting together an advisory board to accomplish this. They have already been asked to create a section on ROI (return on investment), including internal billing.

They also want to expand the survey beyond the AmLaw 200.

The full survey is available for purchase from ALM Legal Intelligence.