Reframing the Path Forward: How Law Librarians Can Lead in Legal Innovation and Technology
Final Thoughts on the 2025–2027 Strategic Plan Before the LIT-SIS Roundtable
By Michael Robak, Chair, LIT-SIS Strategic Planning Committee
(Committee Members: Patricia Barbone, Will Monroe, Susan Azyndar, Teresa Myers, and Victor Chavez)
Setting the Mission: A Call to Reimagine Professional Identity
As we prepare for the LIT-SIS Roundtable on July 20, 2025, it’s essential to focus our attention on a mission that doesn’t merely reflect who we are, but who we must become. Our AI co-pilots helped highlight two core ideas that should serve as anchor points—or “bookends”—to frame our strategic evolution:
- Developing Hybrid Expertise
Law librarians are uniquely positioned to become legal information architects—professionals who integrate legal research expertise with technological fluency. This includes mastery of AI prompt engineering, data curation, and algorithmic literacy, all while retaining the human-centered skills that define our profession: ethical reasoning, contextual analysis, and judgment. This transformation isn’t optional; it is the natural next step for those who wish to remain leaders in the legal information ecosystem. - Redefining Our Value Proposition in the Age of AI
We must counter the false narrative that AI diminishes the need for human expertise. On the contrary, our role as interpreters, validators, and ethical stewards becomes more critical in an AI-saturated legal environment. Law librarians must embrace and communicate the evolving value we bring—helping others navigate complexity, verify accuracy, and uphold justice in an age where information can be generated faster than it can be understood.
These ideas should shape not only our mission statement but also the daily work and strategic direction of our SIS.
Aligning Themes with Strategic Goals
To create a meaningful and coherent strategic plan, we’ve mapped out how the central themes emerging from our conversations translate into actionable goals. This pairing ensures that every initiative is grounded in purpose and aligned with our vision for professional transformation:
| Theme | Strategic Goal |
| Education & Professional Development | Advance Tech-Centric Legal Education & Training |
| Innovation & Technological Advancement | Foster a Future-Ready Inclusive Professional Community |
| Community Engagement & Membership Growth | Promote a Culture of Innovation and Knowledge Sharing |
| Governance, Succession, and Organizational Continuity | Ensure Operational Excellence and Organizational Continuity |
| Outreach, Advocacy, and Collaboration | Strengthen Strategic Partnerships and Amplify External Influence |
This framework invites us to be intentional and strategic. We are not simply reacting to technological change—we are leading its integration into legal information services.
A Preview of Our Roundtable Agenda
Our July 20 discussion will center on finalizing a mission statement that reflects both the aspirational and pragmatic dimensions of LIT-SIS. We’ll review and refine these theme-goal pairings and consider how best to operationalize our plan across the next two years.
Your input at the roundtable is essential. Whether your focus is on instruction, reference, systems, or leadership, your perspective will help us shape a future in which law librarians are not only relevant—but indispensable.
Let’s chart a course together that puts law librarians at the center of legal innovation, technology integration, and ethical leadership.
LIT-SIS Roundtable
July 20, 2025
12:45 – 1:45
The 2025-2027 Strategic Plan Discussion
Materials packet provided
Mission Statement analysis
Strategic Plan Goals
Blog Post 1
Blog Post 2
Blog Post 3
Blog Post 4
Blog Post 5
Current Committees
Agenda:
12:45 pm Welcome
12:50 pm Review Common Themes
12:55 pm Review Mission Statement options
Discussion
Additions/Changes
1:15 pm Review Strategic Plan Goal options
Discussion
Additions/ changes
1:35 pm Conclude and next steps
1:45 pm Finish
