Starting a new role as a law librarian requires a strategic approach to mastering legal resources, understanding library management systems, and collaborating with legal professionals. This 30-60-90 day plan offers a comprehensive roadmap to help new law librarians acclimate efficiently and contribute meaningfully to their organization's legal information services.
Use this plan to:
- Establish foundational knowledge of the library's collections, databases, and research tools
- Develop relationships with attorneys, paralegals, and administrative staff to understand their information needs
- Implement effective cataloging, acquisition, and reference services tailored to legal research
Whether you are transitioning from another library role or entering the legal information field for the first time, this customizable template supports your onboarding journey with clear milestones and actionable tasks.
Benefits of a 30-60-90 Day Plan for Law Librarians
This structured plan helps new law librarians by:
- Providing a focused timeline to learn complex legal research platforms and resources
- Facilitating early engagement with legal teams to align library services with firm needs
- Encouraging proactive skill development in areas such as legal citation, database management, and knowledge organization
- Supporting measurable progress through defined goals and feedback opportunities
Main Elements of the Law Librarian 30-60-90 Day Plan
This plan is segmented into three phases, each with specific objectives and tasks:
First 30 Days
Focus on orientation and foundational learning. Tasks include:
- Familiarize yourself with the library’s physical and digital collections, including key legal databases like Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Bloomberg Law.
- Meet with legal staff to understand their research preferences and frequent information requests.
- Review existing cataloging and classification systems used in the library.
- Complete any mandatory training on library software and institutional policies.
Days 31-60
Build on initial knowledge and begin contributing to library operations. Tasks include:
- Assist with managing acquisitions and subscriptions to legal resources, ensuring up-to-date materials.
- Provide reference services by responding to research inquiries and preparing resource guides tailored to practice areas.
- Collaborate with IT to optimize access to electronic resources and troubleshoot user issues.
- Attend legal team meetings to stay informed about upcoming projects and information needs.
Days 61-90
Focus on leadership and process improvement. Tasks include:
- Develop training sessions or workshops to enhance legal research skills among attorneys and staff.
- Evaluate current library workflows and propose enhancements for efficiency and user satisfaction.
- Establish metrics for tracking library usage and impact on legal research outcomes.
- Document best practices and create a knowledge base for ongoing reference support.
Throughout the 90-day period, maintain detailed notes on progress, challenges, and feedback received. Regularly review goals with your supervisor to ensure alignment and adjust plans as necessary. This proactive approach will help you establish yourself as an indispensable resource within your legal organization.
