Back in December 2009, I joined Arnold & Porter as an information professional. Working at a law firm that values and celebrates the contributions made by their support staff, has meant that this role has transformed into a very rewarding career. Reflecting on the last 10 years, the one word I would use to sum up law librarianship is expertise. As information professionals, we research and review areas and concepts that are unfamiliar but we are adept at not only pinpointing the key points and issues but conveying them with clarity, certainty and confidence. As well as providing this invaluable support, we guide, inform and advise. Over the past decade, BIALL has remained central to the law librarian community, helping us to navigate the ever changing landscape of the legal sector.
I studied law and already had 15 years of experience working in different legal support capacities. As an information professional newbie, BIALL enabled me to ‘fill in the gaps’ quickly. The BIALL JiscList has saved the day countless times and the BIALL ‘How do I?’ Wiki remains one of my key ‘go to’ resources (if you have not reviewed the Crown Court page, log on immediately!). With the Legal Foundations Course now available online and the launch of the BIALL Legal Information Literacy Statement in 2012, BIALL provides a wealth of knowledge and expertise to assist its members to improve on research skills and to aid professional development.
Should the BIALL Law Firm Library Survey be repeated, it will likely reveal a shift in the key issues that were identified in the first survey (conducted in 2015/2016). Over the past decade, we have seen law firms in particular adopting one extreme (outsourcing the library department) to the other (embedded librarian roles taking preference over maintaining a central library department). As law firms look to rebrand information teams and change job titles, BIALL - with the support of its members - continues as the ‘British and Irish Association of Law Librarians’ and has adopted a clear vision - BIALL “leads the way in legal information”.
The 2015 Skills Framework provides a guiding hand with a detailed overview of the skills and experience which are deemed necessary whilst recognising that every role is different, each with its own challenges. BIALL echoes the values of its members, helping them meet the increasing demands on their time. Always seeking their insight, BIALL looks to assist members with the new or broadening scope of their information profession roles. A recent example is the BIALL Knowledge Management Group which for some may be a new responsibility and for others a growing area of focus.
The secret of BIALL's lasting success - and its driving force - lies firmly with its members who volunteer with such generosity, enthusiasm and passion for law librarianship.
I attended my first BIALL Conference in Newcastle and have fond memories of the animated social evenings (bowl food was a lively discussion topic!). It was a jovial atmosphere and I met many of the BIALL members and suppliers with whom I am still in regular contact today. I was encouraged by the collaboration and sharing of ideas and was invited to volunteer with the BIALL Committee that is now known as the Supplier Liaison Group. Working together, this collaborative effort between suppliers and BIALL continues to assist BIALL members with individual issues as well as leading to changes that benefit the BIALL community as a whole.
As we move forward, I believe engagement is the key, however large or small. If like me, a BIALL Committee piques your interest, do not hesitate to get involved. BIALL is made up of enthusiastic volunteers and there will always be room for another likeminded information professional! From completing the annual public, private and academic sector salary surveys to delivering seminars at the Annual Conference, your efforts all contribute to the success of BIALL and by extension benefit us all. As important as devoting your time, is sharing your expertise. Request access to edit the How Do I? Wiki or reply to a JiscList request for assistance. With a social media presence on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, you can take your pick and be part of the conversation in an instant!
BIALL is more relevant now than it has ever been and together with input and assistance from its members, BIALL can reinforce and renew the law librarianship profession for decades to come.
