Ward and Smith is participating in National Library Week, an annual initiative in April that recognizes the importance of libraries and librarians.
Their vast resources make these spaces a necessity for cities, towns, schools, and even law firms.
In honor of this week-long celebration, we offer this spotlight on Eileen Schnur, our talented Library and Research Services Manager.
Why did you become a librarian?
During my career as a school teacher, I implemented a reading routine in my classroom that brought noticeable joy to my students. D.E.A.R. time (Drop Everything And Read) was a time my students cherished because, scheduled at the same time every day, they could grab a book of their choosing and find a place anywhere in the classroom outside of their desks to settle in, relax, and simply enjoy reading. They became lovers of reading, and I became aware of the profound impact that literature and information sharing had on their learning. The library was always a comforting place for me, and I hoped to recreate that stimulating, welcoming environment for my students. I was lucky to receive an opportunity to serve as a school librarian, and I was inspired to pursue the Master's of Library Science degree shortly thereafter. Since that time, I have learned to become a dedicated literacy advocate across a wide variety of professional library environments.
Do you need a master's degree to be a librarian?
Yes, if you want to be fully prepared for a dynamic career. The field of information science is growing and rapidly changing, which requires a multi-faceted, professionally trained librarian who is experienced to handle it. There is a lot more to the career than many might know. A master's degree in library science or information science prepares a librarian to adequately manage spaces, budgets, and people. Courses are designed to teach future librarians about emerging technologies, as well as how to foster community engagement, succeed in program management, and design relevant collection development plans…and much more.
Why are libraries important to law firms?
The information retrieval process is so complex at the moment. The rapid rate at which information is being created and disseminated demands a highly proficient legal researcher.
More specifically, e-resource acquisition is an area that requires a knowledgeable librarian who can navigate the content and carefully curate a collection that is best suited for the needs of the firm. Curation is not just about selecting the content, but also deciding how the firm will access the resources and tracking the overall usability of the content.
A law librarian is well-positioned to conduct this type of assessment. They are asked:
- How are users going to get to this content?
- Are there seat limits?
- What are the license restrictions?
As we step into the latest technologies, such as AI, that are integrated within legal databases, librarians should be prepared to analyze the privacy and security of the data. What happens to our users' data? What does the license agreement say about privacy and data gathering?
Law librarians also organize and archive reliable information in various formats, and instruct users to rely on more trustworthy legal information. As information specialists, law librarians not only steer the direction of legal information, but should also be contributors to the technology policies and acquisitions.
What's a misconception people have about librarians?
Libraries are often still perceived as quiet places. They are envisioned as a labyrinth of book stacks holding the knowledge base of the entire institution under lock and key. So, it's only natural that the perception of librarians matches that environment. What many do not know is that librarians have to be outspoken advocates for not just the safekeeping of content, but must also take an active role in the teaching and dissemination of valid information.
Among other qualities, a librarian is a skilled communicator and teacher, a problem solver, and resourceful. A librarian should also be adaptable to learn new technologies because databases and data systems host the majority of the information sources in a library. So, ditch the old stereotype of the quiet, introverted, cat-loving librarian! Your law librarian is a dog-lover.
National Library Week was first celebrated in 1958 with the theme “Wake Up and Read!” Now in its 67th year, the 2025 celebration embraces the theme “Drawn to the Library,” highlighting the many roles libraries play in our lives—whether for research, study, exploration, entertainment, connection, or personal growth.
To learn more about this year’s National Library Week and how you can support libraries in your community, visit the American Library Association’s website at www.ala.org.
