Tough Times Ahead for Law Library Budgets

On January 26th we launched a little poll on the financial situation law libraries are finding themselves in because of the dismal state of the US economy. See Is It Time for a Law Library Bailout? I would like to thank the 220-plus participants and publish the results for your review.

The situation is grim. Only 11% responded that no budget cut was expected while 44% expected budget cuts this and next fiscal year. 31% have been informed or expect a 7-10% budget cut and an alarming 24% report that their budget cut will be more than 10%. Such a large percentage cutback, whether in one or two fiscal years, is going to be extremely disruptive to library operations and services.

What area will be hardest hit? Collections according to 82% of the responses. Vendors and library patrons take note because 82% of the poll's respondents work in academic or law firm libraries, generally the most heavily used libraries and the ones that spend the most on library materials each year. [JH]

Have you been informed or do you expect a budget cut in [fiscal year]

If you have or expect to have budget cut(s) this or next year or both, how much do you expect the cut will total over your last fiscal year's budget?

What area will be hardest hit in cutbacks?

I work in [law library type]