Articles Posted in Library Organization and Planning

by

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed numerous industries, and legal research is no exception. Emerging AI-powered tools have introduced new efficiencies in case law analysis, contract review, compliance monitoring, and legal document automation. Among these innovations, DeepSeek, an open-source large language model (LLM), has garnered attention for its potential to revolutionize legal research support systems.

DeepSeek offers advanced reasoning capabilities, text summarization, and document analysis functions that could significantly enhance legal workflows. Its open-source nature and adaptability set it apart from proprietary legal research platforms such as Westlaw Edge, LexisNexis, and Casetext’s CoCounsel. However, its viability as a legal research tool must be assessed not only in terms of its technological capabilities but also through the lens of accuracy, security, regulatory compliance, and ethical considerations.

Continue reading

by

Introduction:

Law libraries are undergoing a transformation fueled by artificial intelligence (AI). While AI isn’t replacing law librarians, it has become a powerful tool that is changing how legal research is conducted and how libraries serve their patrons​

Modern law librarians leverage AI in various domains – from advanced legal research platforms to automated document handling and chat-based reference assistance – all with the goal of improving efficiency and service quality. By offloading routine or labor-intensive tasks to AI, librarians can focus on higher-level work such as complex research consultations, teaching, and strategic planning​. The following overview highlights key AI applications in legal research tools, document automation, and chatbots, explaining how each contributes to enhanced library services.

Continue reading

by

FROM: Jenny S. Silbiger, AALL Vice President.

“I am so grateful to all of our members who make AALL an informed, educated, and wholehearted organization. I know we are not alone in the work that we do, as access to legal information impacts all aspects of the legal profession, and I am heartened to know that we are just one organization of many who are working diligently to make a positive difference in the world.”

STATEMENT:

Continue reading

by

Introduction

Materials consulted in preparing this posting were curated from various sources including the recently introduced Deep Research by OpenAI.

With Elon Musk at the helm of the Department of Government Efficiency,   various agencies within the U.S. government may experience restructuring aimed at streamlining operations, reducing costs, and integrating advanced technologies. One area likely to be affected is government agency libraries—institutions that provide critical research, archival, and information services to federal employees, policymakers, and researchers. These libraries, usually housed within agencies such as the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and the Department of Defense (DoD), play an essential role in supporting government functions. This essay explores how Musk’s efficiency-driven policies might reshape these libraries, with potential consequences for automation, digitization, data management, funding, privacy and information security. Although the focus of this posting is U.S. government libraries, its implications are far reaching.

Continue reading

by

The new year is the perfect time to set and achieve your professional development goals. By focusing on small, actionable steps, you can grow your education and enhance your professional skills. Here are some opportunities offered by the American Association of Law Libraries  (AALL) to inspire your 2025 journey:

  • Nominate yourself or a colleague for a 2025 AALL Award.
  • Apply to lead as the next editor of AALL Spectrum when the call opens on January 28, 2025.
Continue reading

by

The Justice Department’s potential move to compel Google to sell its Chrome browser could significantly reshape the digital landscape, with direct and indirect consequences for the ability of law libraries to utilize computer-assisted legal research (CALR) to serve patrons effectively. This essay explores how such a divestiture might affect CALR resources, access, and functionality, while also considering implications for law libraries’ broader operational frameworks.

  1. Changes in Browser Compatibility with CALR Platforms

Most computer-assisted legal research tools, such as Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Bloomberg Law, are optimized for popular web browsers, including Chrome. Google Chrome’s dominance in the browser market (approximately 60% as of recent statistics) has led developers to prioritize compatibility with Chrome over other browsers. If Chrome’s ownership changes, there is a possibility that its development priorities, security protocols, or support for certain legal research tools could shift. This could necessitate costly adjustments by CALR providers and law libraries.

Continue reading

by

The internet, a vast tapestry of information and connection, stands on the cusp of a transformative era. Artificial intelligence (AI), with its ability to analyze, learn, and adapt, is poised to usher in a fundamental change in how we experience the digital world. This article will delve into the multifaceted impact of AI on the internet’s future, exploring both the potential benefits and challenges. While most observations will be general, a specific paragraph will be devoted to law libraries

Faster and more efficient data transmission:

AI-powered networks can transmit data more quickly and efficiently, which could lead to faster download and upload speeds and reduced latency.

Continue reading

by

Although retired as an active law librarian, I try to keep up with current developments by maintaining memberships in AALL, SLA, ABA, and maintaining contacts with friends currently active in the profession. I also have been publishing articles on the Criminal Law Library Blog since 2007 on various subjects, including those related to law, law librarians, and artificial intelligence.

I am grateful to have been able to maintain all of these relationships through the years and hope the below article will help my professional colleagues realize the potential of AI as a powerful ally. In my view, AI has the potential to revolutionize the services provided by law librarians through various means including those outlined below.

  1. Enhanced Legal Research
Continue reading

by

Law libraries are undergoing a transformation fueled by Artificial Intelligence (AI). While AI isn’t replacing librarians, it’s becoming a powerful tool that’s changing how legal research is conducted and how libraries serve their patrons.

The history of artificial intelligence in law libraries is a fascinating journey marked by technological evolution, legal industry demands, and the gradual integration of advanced tools to support legal research, information management, and decision-making processes. Here’s a historical overview of this subject:

Early Beginnings and Development

Continue reading

by

AALL will hold it’s 2004 Annual Meeting at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.  to bring together collaborators from across the legal information profession for four days of innovative learning and networking. Here is the Schedule At-A-Glance of the Annual Meeting.

The American Association of Law Libraries was founded in 1906 to promote and enhance the value of law libraries to the legal and public communities, to foster the profession of law librarianship, and to provide leadership in the field of legal information.

Contact Information
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in a contact form, text message, or voicemail. The contact form sends information by non-encrypted email, which is not secure. Submitting a contact form, sending a text message, making a phone call, or leaving a voicemail does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Copyright © 2016 – 2026, David Badertscher
JUSTIA Law Firm Blog Design