Westlaw Red-Flags Law Librarians
Law librarians got miffed at Westlaw this week, after the legal research company sent out the following advertisement via e-mail:
Law librarians across the land were appalled and voiced their displeasure on this list-serv, among other places. From a librarian at a large southern law firm:
[Apparently] the folks at West think that attorneys shouldn’t know their librarians’ names. I’d love to see ATL’s snarky humor sticking it to West (or, Hell, stick it to us law librarians if you think we’re being too sensitive.)
We don’t think you’re being too sensitive. In fact, we have a great appreciation for law librarians.
We know that law librarians are hot. We know that librarianship is a good career alternative. We know that law library staffers save lives, literally. And we think knowing their names is not something to mock.
While the folks at LexisNexis are doing a little happy dance, what does Westlaw have to say for itself?
After the online protests, Westlaw-owner Thomson Reuters issued an apology. From the Library Journal:
These reactions prompted an apologetic reply to the list from Anne Ellis, senior director, library relations, Thomson Reuters, who acknowledged that the message was a mistake. “I’ve talked to the people behind the e-mail and can assure you that they meant no harm.” she wrote. “They now understand that the marketing piece was in poor taste and I have been assured that this will not happen again.”“It’s important that you understand that this does not reflect in any way how West feels about and values librarians,” Ellis insisted, adding diplomatically, “I’m on a first-name basis with more librarians that I can count, and I’m proud to know every one of them.”
But our librarian tipster tells us it didn’t impress:
West sent a kind of luke-warm apology from Anne Ellis (Senior Library Relations Manager) saying that they didn’t mean any harm by the ad, but that they’re sorry it went out.
We’re hoping LexisNexis does something inane soon, because we feel badly about picking on Westlaw twice in one week.
“West thinks you shouldn’t know your librarian’s name” [Law-Lib listserv discussion]
West Marketing Message Urges Bypass of Law Librarians [Library Journal]
The Library Wastes Time [The LiS Kid]
Don’t Tick Off the Mess Cook, the Supply Sergeant, or the Law Librarian [3 Geeks and a Law Blog]
What’s Wrong With Lexis & Thomson Reuters/West? - Desperation [Library Stuff]
Thomson West: Epic PR Fail [Out of the Jungle]
Earlier: Law Library Staffer of the Year Averts Disaster at Brandeis School of Law.
(42) Comments
Comments
I have nicknames for all they library people. No one knows their real names. Library people are weird.
I call every librarian "toots". Even the male ones.
The winner of ATL's Law Librarian Hotties Contest is pretty cute:
http://abovethelaw.com/2007/03/law_librarian_hotties_the_winn.php
I love the librarian at my firm. She can hunt down the most obscure references much more quickly than I could ever hope to -- looking for the third version of Blackstone, anyone? Done. The original version of a statute enacted in the 1920s? Done. Kudos are much deserved.
A good law librarian is a true ass-saver. The librarians at my law school were absolutely incredible - they knew every source out there and could cut your research time in half. Westlaw is limited and its reps are only educated in what Westlaw does. It's not the same as a skilled law librarian.
So now you're baiting Lexis, whose subsidiary sponsored your party on Monday, to epic fail at something just so you can blog about it, because you kinda feel sorry for West? What is this, equal time for the research giants?
http://abovethelaw.com/2009/08/applied_discovery_kickoff_party_4.php
RUFF!!
2 has potential.
You also can't give West a pearl necklace for assistance above and beyond the call of duty.
The real question is whether your West or Lexis rep brings cupcakes to the library when they visit.
10 - Fail
6 - Editorial independence. ATL recently made fun of the New York Times:
http://abovethelaw.com/2009/08/lame_nyt_article_on_legal_job_market.php
Which is also one of their advertisers:
http://abovethelaw.com/2009/08/thanks_to_advertisers_0826.php
11--you don't like cupcakes? Can slight transgressions not be overlooked with a sweet box of them from Magnolia Bakery?
12 with the coup de grace.
ATL = MysTTTal's soapbox
6, I think that was tongue in cheek.
It's a good thing law librarians in PR are wise latinos or they would feel extremely racisted.
Fire EllieWeasel!
First, you must hire EllieWeasel! And then, no-offer her or him.
18 - How can you no-offer someone that is already hired? Just stop...
At least I know my librarian's name!
20 is pathetic.
Morgan Lewis D.C. is in = NO OFFERS!!!!
Does anyone know whether the librarian at Morgan Lewis DC has an MLS and is a member of the American Association of Law Libraries
Law librarians are awesome. The ones at my school were some of the coolest people there and the only ones I still care about and with whom I keep in touch. Westlaw? Just another corporation trying to screw me over for money.
24 - Much like you're just another lawyer trying to screw over clients for money?
WestLaw is of course, in direct competition with most law librarians. The more we use WestLaw than the librarians, the more money for WestLaw. That having been said, I greatly prefer to use my firm's law librarian, she is BY FAR the most useful non-lawyer in the entire firm.
And this certainly calls for a Lexis vs. WestLaw debate. Lexis is vastly superior.
Is it a sign of sleep depravation that I literally laughed out loud, in a sustained manner even, at #7?
The picture and the post are great.
law librarians are two things. I already knew they were very helpful. i didn't know they were such insecure pussies. Those who can do. Those who can't teach, and those who are lazy fat-asses with no ambition become law librarians.
It *is* sort of a retarded ad, especially since at some firms the librarians are the ones who communicate with Westlaw.
Perhaps some other companies should get into the act:
"Do you have the Westlaw customer service number memorized? If so, chances are, Westlaw sucks and doesn't have what you're looking for. Try Heinonline/Precydent/Lexis/the library instead."
26, based on what? Lexis objectively sucks.
Speaking of hot librarians, this is the winning photo from the 2005 "A Day in the Life of the Law Library Community" sponsored by the American Association of Law Libraries:
http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/./photos/uncategorized/shelving_in_silhouette.jpg
And here's some background:
http://www.aallnet.org/products/pub_sp0512/pub_sp0512_DILWinners.pdf
26, law librarians are definitely Westlaw and Lexis customers. In some cases they actually decide which service to carry, if they have to make that choice.
Are we a little bi-polar there 28? You call the law librarians "helpful" in one sentence, then "lazy fat-asses with no ambition" in another? I guess when the librarian pulls your fat ass out of a bind by finding that resource you overlooked, then they're helpful. Maybe you should go ask a librarian to find you a shoehorn so you can pull your head out of your ass. Although, if I were them, I wouldn't really have the ambition to help you on that task.
I'm friends with a law librarian (not my firm's, as I'm at small law so we don't have one). Does that mean I'm not using Westlaw enough?
Btw, my law librarian friend is far kinder, more fun to be around, hilarious-er, and better-tempered than the bulk of lawyers I know.
Law librarians are exponentially more helpful than Westlaw. Westlaw is insane to think that nerdy types like law students and lawyers would ever forsake the best researchers around. I introduce all of our chambers' interns and incoming clerks to the library and the librarians. You miss a lot when you only use Westlaw.
Law librarians are the secret saviors of many an attorney ass. Any firm who downsizes library staff is TTT. Some nimrod at West/Lex who futilely asks you for terms to enter in a search string isn't worth jack shit when your supervising partner assigns you a research question that literally no one in the office has any idea how to answer. "Are there any other terms that might assist you in your search?" -- headdesk headdesk headdesk. Big Love to law librarians.
I would like to hear more about Sparky Emeritus' hybrid tough-love package
28
Are you sure you are an attorney? I work with quite a few and I don't think that any of them would make such a dumb statement.
Perhaps you are a law student unable to find a job or an associate who is having to deal with a lay off or pay cut. Whatever the cause I hope you get rid of your bitterness.
ATL!!! Learn grammar! Say, "We feel bad," NOT "We feel badly." When you say, "We feel badly," you're talking about your sense of touch. Thus, "We cannot sense the difference between sandpaper and silk because we feel badly."
Partner Emeritus, no comment? Do you not remember our passionate night in the stacks? I had your love child and I'm sending him to a top ranking school.
Hey 1 and 2, go to Hell.
I've been banging our librarian off and on for the past 3 months but I can't say that I'm on a first name basis with her.
Hey 41, you and me both. The librarians are kind of like the table of pastries outside the conference room - fun to dip into every once in a while, but you don't want to get too familiar with them.