Investigation into the factors that influence the delivery of library training programmes in major New Zealand law firms

Abstract

Desktop applications have meant that vast amounts of information are readily accessible on lawyers' desktops. But providing the tools is only part of the equation and law librarians have responded by designing and delivering library training programmes to assist lawyers in the use of these applications. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that influence the delivery of library training programmes in major New Zealand law firms by conducting interviews with law librarians who run training programmes in law firms. The study was exploratory and qualitative, with the emphasis on drawing out the experience of the interviewees. The study concluded that the primary factor is the need to equip lawyers with the necessary skills to access desktop applications efficiently in order to apply that knowledge for clients in a cost effective way. To run successful and highly valued library training programmes, law librarians must design training programmes that are closely aligned with the business goals of the organisation and integrated with the workflow of lawyers. It is up to law librarians to make sure that management sees that the profession is ideally qualified to provide this training.