Law Libraries Adapt to AI, Hybrid Work, and New Roles in 2025 AALL State of the Profession Report
The 2025 AALL report shows law libraries adapting to AI, hybrid work, and new roles across academic, firm, and government sectors. AI policies and training vary widely by library type.
AALL State of the Profession Report Highlights Law Libraries' Adaptation to AI, Hybrid Work, and Evolving Roles
Law libraries in academia, private firms, and government are adjusting to shifts in technology, staffing, and services, according to the 2025 State of the Profession report by the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). Drawing on responses from 510 legal information professionals across the U.S., this report focuses on trends in generative AI use, staff development, workplace flexibility, digitization, public service, and diversity efforts.
The report categorizes findings by three main law library types: academic, firm/corporate, and government. It provides a snapshot of conditions as of January 1, 2024, ahead of the upcoming AALL annual conference in Portland, Oregon.
Academic Law Libraries
Academic law librarians are expanding their instructional and service duties while considering how to integrate generative AI. Only 27% of institutions have formal AI policies, and just 3% require training before using AI tools. Despite this, AI ranks as the top professional development priority, with 79% focusing on AI, machine learning, and prompt engineering. Other priorities include teaching (71%), legal research and writing (56%), and marketing (41%).
Teaching remains a core responsibility for many; 63% teach credit-bearing legal research courses, and 47% identify teaching as a key part of their role. Academic libraries also support faculty research, law school clinics, and faculty assistants extensively, and often serve students outside the law school and the public.
Flexible work arrangements are common among academic librarians (60%) but less so for other library staff (48%). Many libraries have shifted responsibilities recently due to vacancies or changing service needs. While most hiring focused on professional librarians (87%), some institutions recruited non-MLS staff with skills in instructional design, web development, and legal technology.
On collections, nearly half of academic libraries use patron-driven acquisitions, but only 23% collect AI-generated research content in institutional repositories.
Law Firm and Corporate Libraries
Firm and corporate libraries have adopted formal AI policies more broadly, with 68% having policies in place. However, only 30% require staff training before AI platform access. These policies mainly address confidentiality, accuracy, and guidelines for research and client service.
AI is the top professional development area: 91% of staff and 60% of directors prioritize it. Other focus areas include business research (52%), data visualization (46%), and teaching (45%). Leadership, strategic planning, and vendor management are also key skills for directors.
Operational data collection is widespread, with 88% tracking usage metrics like reference activity and electronic resource use. Collaboration tools such as SharePoint (74%) and Microsoft Teams (63%) are commonly used. Firm libraries support competitive intelligence, client alerts, docket tracking, and news monitoring. They also assist in training summer associates (71%) and support diversity, equity, and inclusion (60%), often through research and programming.
Most firm libraries are small, with 85% operating in organizations with five or fewer physical locations. Only 7% belong to firms with more than 10 offices.
Government Law Libraries
Government law libraries show limited AI adoption: only 18% have AI policies, and 93% do not require AI training for staff. Yet, 48% consider AI important for future professional development.
Staffing is expected to remain stable for 60% of libraries, with 17% planning to hire and 21% anticipating role shifts. Budget and technology constraints challenge digitization and preservation efforts; 40% lack a preservation plan, and 35% have large-scale scanning capabilities.
Public service is central. Most government libraries (84%) are open to the public, with 88% assisting attorneys. Services for self-represented litigants include self-help centers (46%), educational programs (31%), and legal clinics (27%). Collaboration with other government libraries (65%), bar associations (63%), legal aid organizations (51%), nonprofits (45%), and academic institutions (39%) is common.
Usage data is reported to internal staff (61%), budgeting officials (59%), governing bodies (46%), judges (22%), and elected officials (15%).
Popular Electronic Resources
Academic Law Libraries
- HeinOnline: 100% subscription rate
- Lexis+ AI and Bloomberg Law: next most popular
Law Firm and Corporate Libraries
- HeinOnline remains popular across firm sizes
- Fastcase and vLex show minimal adoption; Fastcase has zero adoption, vLex only at largest firms
Note: Many attorneys have access to Fastcase and vLex through bar association programs, which may explain low library subscriptions.
Government Law Libraries
- HeinOnline is the most common subscription
- Followed by Lexis+ and Westlaw Edge
Key Themes Across Sectors
Law librarianship increasingly demands technical, teaching, and leadership capabilities. While legal research remains a core function, librarians also engage in instructional design, knowledge management, competitive intelligence, and digital strategy. Hiring challenges persist, especially in finding candidates with both legal and technological expertise.
The full 2025 State of the Profession report is available for purchase in print and digital formats through AALL, along with a free executive summary. Visit bit.ly/AALLSOTP for more information.
