17 Law Librarian Interview Questions and Answers

Law librarians are information professionals who work in law libraries and help lawyers, law students, and the general public find the legal information they need. If you’re interested in becoming a law librarian, you may need to go through a job interview.

To prepare for your interview, it’s helpful to know what kind of questions you may be asked. Law librarian interview questions will focus on your research, writing, and communication skills, as well as your knowledge of library science and the law. You may also be asked questions about your ability to work independently and handle multiple tasks at the same time.

We’ve put together a list of sample law librarian interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your next job interview.

Are you familiar with the various types of legal research databases available?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the law library and its resources. You can answer this question by listing the types of databases you are familiar with, including their purpose and how you use them.

Example: “I am very familiar with the different types of legal research databases available because I have used many of them in my previous position as a law librarian. There are three main types of legal research databases that I use regularly—primary sources, secondary sources and online databases. Primary sources include court cases, statutes and regulations. Secondary sources include treatises, articles and books. Online databases include proprietary databases like Westlaw and LexisNexis.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a law librarian to have?

This question can help interviewers determine if you possess the necessary skills and abilities to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to list a few of the most important qualities for law librarians and explain why they are important.

Example: “The two most important qualities for a law librarian are attention to detail and organization. These skills allow me to ensure that I am finding accurate information for my patrons and helping them find what they need quickly. Another important quality is patience, as many people come to the library looking for legal advice or assistance with their cases. Patience allows me to work through patron questions and provide answers without getting frustrated.”

How would you describe the relationship between a law librarian and an attorney?

This question can help interviewers understand your perspective on the role of a law librarian and how you would interact with attorneys. You can use this opportunity to describe what you think is most important about working with an attorney, including any specific skills or qualities that are helpful for law librarians to have when interacting with them.

Example: “I believe it’s essential for law librarians to maintain a good relationship with their attorneys because they rely on us so much. We need to be able to communicate clearly with our attorneys in order to provide them with the information they need as efficiently as possible. I also think it’s important for law librarians to be flexible and willing to work with attorneys to find solutions to problems or questions they may have.”

What is your experience with managing and maintaining legal resources?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience with managing and organizing large amounts of information. Use examples from past experiences to highlight your organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to work under pressure.

Example: “In my current role as law librarian, I manage a database that contains thousands of legal resources including case studies, statutes, regulations and more. In addition to maintaining the library’s physical resources, I also ensure all digital resources are up-to-date and available for staff members to use. To do this, I regularly check in on the progress of our interns and junior staff members to make sure they’re completing their assignments correctly. This helps me stay organized and ensures the library is always running smoothly.”

Provide an example of a time when you provided an attorney with the wrong information. How did you resolve the situation?

This question can help interviewers understand how you respond to mistakes and learn from them. Use your answer to show that you are willing to admit when you’re wrong, apologize for it and take steps to ensure you don’t make the same mistake again in the future.

Example: “When I first started working as a law librarian, I was helping an attorney find information about a case they were working on. The attorney asked me if there was any precedent cases he could use to support his argument. I told him that I didn’t know of any, but I would look into it further. After searching through our database, I found several cases that supported his claim. When I informed him of this, he thanked me for my assistance.”

If an attorney asked you how to find a case, what would be your first response?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the library’s resources and how you can help attorneys find what they need. Your answer should include an example of how you would use the library’s resources to help them find cases, including which databases or online tools you would recommend.

Example: “I would first ask if they know the case number or jurisdiction where the case was filed. If not, I would suggest that they search for recent cases by searching through Westlaw or LexisNexis. These databases allow users to search for cases based on the court system, so it’s easy to narrow down their search. Once they have found the right case, I would then show them how to access the full text of the case using either database.”

What would you do if you noticed that a legal resource was missing?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenges and solve problems. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to work independently and attention to detail.

Example: “If I noticed a resource was missing, I would first make sure that it wasn’t just misplaced. If I couldn’t find the resource after searching for it, I would report it to my supervisor immediately so they could contact the vendor or publisher to replace the item. In the meantime, I would look for similar resources in our library’s collection to ensure we had enough information until the new resource arrived.”

How well do you perform under pressure?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to perform well under stress. They want to know that you can complete tasks in a timely manner and maintain accuracy even when you’re feeling stressed or anxious. In your answer, explain how you manage pressure and provide an example of a time when you successfully completed a task while feeling stressed.

Example: “I am able to handle high-pressure situations quite well. I have experience working as the sole librarian during finals week at my previous job, which was quite stressful. However, I still managed to help students find what they needed quickly and efficiently. During those weeks, I would work extra hours to ensure everything was ready for students by the start of class.”

Do you have experience working with patrons who speak different languages?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have experience working with a diverse population. They want to know that you can communicate effectively and help patrons find the information they need, regardless of their native language. In your answer, share an example of how you helped someone who spoke another language.

Example: “At my current position, I work with many Spanish-speaking patrons. While I don’t speak Spanish myself, I am familiar with some basic phrases. When helping these patrons, I use Google Translate to assist them in finding what they’re looking for. This has proven helpful when they are unsure of the English terminology or spelling.”

When is it appropriate to refer a patron to another library or resource?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to make decisions that are in the best interest of patrons. In your answer, explain how you determine when it’s appropriate to refer a patron to another library or resource and what factors you consider.

Example: “I would only refer a patron to another library or resource if I couldn’t find the information they needed or if I didn’t have access to the resources necessary to provide them with the assistance they required. For example, if a patron asked me for legal advice but I wasn’t licensed to give it, I would refer them to an attorney who could help them.”

We want to improve our outreach to local law firms. What would you do to increase awareness of our library among attorneys in the area?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your marketing and outreach skills. They want to see that you can develop a strategy for promoting the library’s services and programs. In your answer, explain how you would plan an effective campaign to reach local attorneys. Consider sharing some of the strategies you used in previous roles to promote library events or services.

Example: “I think it’s important to have a presence at community events where lawyers might attend. I would consider sponsoring seminars or lectures on legal topics. This way, we could get our name out there while providing valuable information to attendees. Another idea is to create a newsletter with helpful tips for practicing law. We could include articles about new resources available through the library.”

Describe your process for organizing and updating a library’s legal resources.

The interviewer may ask you to describe your process for organizing and updating a library’s legal resources. This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize tasks, manage time and collaborate with others. In your answer, try to explain your method of organization and provide an example of how you implemented it in a previous role.

Example: “I use a color-coded system to organize my work. I start by sorting all of the books into five different categories based on their colors. Then, I sort each book within its color category according to its publication date. Finally, I update the information in each book every six months or so. This helps me stay organized while also ensuring that I am providing up-to-date information to the attorneys who need it most.”

What makes you stand out from other law librarians?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your background and how it relates to the position. They want to know what makes you unique, so share a few of your strongest skills or experiences that relate to law librarianship.

Example: “I have been working as a law librarian for five years now, and I am passionate about helping people find information they need. In my previous role, I helped create an online database where attorneys could search for case law by state and topic. This was helpful because many attorneys were unaware of this resource, but once they learned about it, they used it regularly. It’s important to me that I can help others with their work.”

Which legal research databases are you most familiar with?

This question can help interviewers understand your level of experience with legal research databases. When answering, you can list the ones you’re most familiar with and explain why they are important to you or how you use them in your work.

Example: “I’m most familiar with Westlaw and LexisNexis because I’ve used these two databases for my entire career as a law librarian. These databases have helped me find information on cases, statutes and regulations that I’ve used to answer questions from attorneys and other library users. I also regularly use Fastcase, which is an online database that allows me to search through case law, legislation and scholarly articles.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a law librarian to have?

This question can help interviewers understand what you value in a law librarian. They may also use your answer to decide which skills they should test during the interview process. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about the skills that are most important to you and how those skills relate to the job description.

Example: “I believe the most important skill for a law librarian is communication. A law librarian needs to be able to communicate with many different people, including attorneys, judges and other law librarians. I have experience working as a law librarian at my current position, and I find that being able to communicate effectively has helped me build strong relationships with everyone I work with.”

How often do you update your legal research skills?

Employers want to know that you are committed to your professional development. They may ask this question to see if you have a plan for keeping up with the latest legal research trends and technologies. In your answer, share how you stay current in your field. You can mention any certifications or continuing education courses you’ve completed.

Example: “I am always looking for ways to improve my skills as a law librarian. I recently took an online course on advanced legal research techniques. This class helped me learn more about using databases like Westlaw and LexisNexis. It also taught me new strategies for finding case law and statutes. I think it’s important to continue learning so I can provide the best service possible.”

There is a new law that impacts your area of expertise. How do you stay informed on the latest updates?

This question can help interviewers understand how you stay up-to-date on the latest legal developments. It is important to show that you are committed to your field and want to learn more about it.

Example: “I subscribe to several newsletters, blogs and other publications that provide updates on new laws. I also attend conferences where experts in my field speak about recent changes. Finally, I use social media to connect with other professionals who share their insights.”