PLANNING CUSTOMIZED SERVICES FOR SMALLFIRM AND SOLO ATTORNEYS

PLANNING CUSTOMIZED SERVICES FOR SMALL-FIRM AND SOLO ATTORNEYS: RESULTS FROM AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY Susan G. Fowler MAALL Oct 2015

WHY STUDY ATTORNEYS?

89

WHY STUDY ATTORNEYS? �Better, more accurate ◦ Planning ◦ Service delivery �Increased library use �Job security?

2005 STUDY �Determine priorities �Unlimited possibilities v Limited resources �Customization

2005 STUDY FINDINGS �Barriers to library use ◦ Time �Break down the barriers ◦ Proactive service �Technology tutorials �Acquire general practice materials �Provide CLEs in areas of interest

2014 STUDY �Assumptions ◦ More technology use �Research �Time management �Information – email, cases – management �Storytelling in court

2014 FINDINGS �Technology is used more now �BUT ◦ Research ~ meh ◦ Too busy to do time management ◦ Email/calendar mess ◦ Little/no courtroom presentation

APPLYING THE FINDINGS �Time remains #1 issue among attorneys ◦ Lack thereof = stress ◦ First CLE of 2015: Stress Management

APPLYING THE FINDINGS �Taming the Beast of Information Overload (second CLE of 2015) ◦ Email management ◦ Calendar ◦ Case management software

APPLYING THE FINDINGS �Legal Research third CLE of 2015 ◦ Attorneys: Fast, Cheap, or Good – But Not All Three ◦ Public: Rock Your Legal Research Like a Boss

APPLYING THE FINDINGS �Attorneys research after hours ◦ Library after-hours services limited until income improves

APPLYING THE FINDINGS �Future Public Legal Education (PLE) Events ◦ Judicial System ◦ Independent judiciary

TECHNOLOGY �Shadowed attorney �Last CLE of 2015 ◦ E-filing

WHY STUDY ATTORNEYS? �Builds relationships ◦ Law library becomes a utility ◦ Law librarian becomes a colleague

CONTACT Susan Fowler Lyon County Law Library Emporia, KS 620 -341 -3472 sgfowler@lycolawlibrary. org