Dear Colleague,

Challenging economic times call for innovation, resiliency, and a can-do attitude. Happily, law librarians are wonderful professional examples of these traits! We all have been doing more with less in recent years, but look at the creative results we have achieved. This issue is full of examples to inspire you!

Steven Lastres, director of Library and Knowledge Management at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, starts from the premise that today's librarians need to embrace a broad view of their role. By using an array of technological tools, library staff members can streamline communications received by a firm's attorneys, run the library like a business, and provide easier access to key content and solutions. Intuitive, transparent resources are the rule at Debevoise, and Steven gives some great pointers for thinking outside the box.

At West, too, we are developing new ways to bring you the content you need in several newly released products. Westlaw® PeopleMap uses smart linking and graphical features to cut public records research time and give you more dependable information. Not surprisingly, law librarians provided critical input on the features, functionality, and concepts that enable the researcher to see connections among some 35 data types that otherwise might go unnoticed.

On the practice-area side, Westlaw Patents brings together all the materials needed for patent prosecution, patent litigation, or intellectual property (IP) case management. Built on a robust base of content from many sources, tools such as the graphical family tree, the claims version comparator, and the graphical view of patent claims allow the practitioner to focus on analysis instead of laboriously working through complex series of changes.

The nation's oldest law library, the Jenkins Law Library in Philadelphia, is a stellar example of moving with the times to meet and exceed user expectations about what the library can provide. Since 1802, this venerable institution has steadily expanded its user base and staff, bringing entrepreneurial spirit to the tasks before them. Importantly, its strategic plan is reviewed regularly to ensure they are in touch with its members.

Please call on your librarian relations manager to discuss your library management issues, establish an ongoing training program to enable your organization to get the best use out of the resources you already have, and work with your local chapter on professional development and networking opportunities. We are here for you!

Sincerely,

Lori Hedstrom