The Annual Academic Law Library Survey, conducted by David Gee and Laura Griffiths at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies on behalf of the Society of Legal Scholars (SLS) and British and Irish Association of Law Librarians (BIALL), provides a snapshot of the staffing, expenditure on acquisitions, subscriptions to databases and range of services provided in the academic year by university and college libraries in the UK and Ireland.
It is the only survey of its kind and provides data which academic law library managers use to benchmark their own services and law course validation bodies note when appraising the provision of institutions seeking to run law courses.
Winner of the Wallace Breem Memorial Award 2016
IALS Library was thrilled to be awarded the Wallace Breem Memorial Award 2016 by the British and Irish Association of Law Librarians in recognition of its work on the Current Awareness column, which is published in Legal Information Management and made available through the free caLIM database and the annual BIALL / SLS Survey of Academic Law Libraries.
Current Survey Questionnaire 2018/2019
2017/2018 survey report
The survey report outlines the activities and funding of academic law libraries in the UK and Ireland in the academic year 2017/2018. The figures have been taken from the results of a survey questionnaire undertaken by Academic Services staff at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies on behalf of the Society of Legal Scholars (SLS).
The report is based on returns from 93 university and college libraries in the UK and Ireland (institutions offering either undergraduate, postgraduate or vocational courses) who responded to the survey conducted in March 2019. The report includes a summary of key findings, a compilation of the statistics, conclusions drawn from the figures and illustrative diagrams.
Many thanks as ever to all the law librarians making the time and effort to complete and return the survey questionnaire. The 2017/2018 survey was funded by the Society of Legal Scholars (SLS). Download a copy of the 2017/2018 survey questionnaire (an editable PDF form)
Published survey reports for earlier years
2016/2017 survey report
The survey report outlines the activities and funding of academic law libraries in the UK and Ireland in the academic year 2016/2017. The figures have been taken from the results of a survey questionnaire undertaken by Academic Services staff at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies on behalf of the British and Irish Association of Law Librarians (BIALL).
The report is based on returns from 90 university and college libraries in the UK and Ireland (institutions offering either undergraduate, postgraduate or vocational courses) who responded to the survey conducted in March 2018. The report includes a summary of key findings, a compilation of the statistics, conclusions drawn from the figures and illustrative diagrams.
Many thanks as ever to all the law librarians making the time and effort to complete and return the survey questionnaire. The 2016/2017 survey was funded by the British and Irish Association of Law Librarians (BIALL). Download a copy of the 2016/2017 survey questionnaire (an editable PDF form)
2015/2016 survey report
The survey report outlines the activities and funding of academic law libraries in the UK and Ireland in the academic year 2015/2016. The figures have been taken from the results of a survey questionnaire undertaken by Academic Services staff at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies on behalf of the Society of Legal Scholars (SLS).
The report is based on returns from 97 university and college libraries in the UK and Ireland (institutions offering either undergraduate, postgraduate or vocational courses) who responded to the survey conducted in March 2017. The report includes a summary of key findings, a compilation of the statistics, conclusions drawn from the figures and illustrative diagrams.
Many thanks as ever to all the law librarians making the time and effort to complete and return the survey questionnaire. The 2015/2016 survey was funded by the Society of Legal Scholars (SLS). Download a copy of the 2015/2016 survey questionnaire (an editable PDF form)
The survey report for 2014/2015 is based on returns from 93 university and college libraries in the UK and Ireland (institutions offering either undergraduate, postgraduate or vocational courses) who responded to the survey conducted from Wednesday 10 February 2016 to Friday 18 March 2016. The report includes a compilation of the statistics, conclusions drawn from the figures and illustrative diagrams.
Many thanks as ever to all the law librarians making the time and effort to complete and return the survey questionnaire. The 2014/2015 survey was funded by the British and Irish Association of Law Librarians (BIALL). Download a copy of the 2014/2015 survey questionnaire (an editable PDF form)
The survey report for 2013/2014 is based on returns from 91 university and college libraries in the UK and Ireland (institutions offering either undergraduate, postgraduate or vocational courses) who responded to the survey conducted from Tuesday 3 February 2015 to Friday 20 March 2015. The report includes a compilation of the statistics, conclusions drawn from the figures and illustrative diagrams.
Many thanks as ever to all the law librarians making the time and effort to complete and return the survey questionnaire. The data is currently being analysed and a report will follow later this year. The 2013/2014 survey was funded by the Society of Legal Scholars (SLS). Download a copy of the 2013/2014 survey questionnaire (an editable PDF form)
The survey for 2012/2013 is based on returns from 93 university and college libraries in the UK and Ireland (institutions offering either undergraduate, postgraduate or vocational courses) who responded to the survey held in January/February 2014. The report includes a compilation of the statistics, conclusions drawn from the figures and illustrative diagrams.
The survey for 2011/2012 is based on returns from 92 university and college libraries in the UK and Ireland (institutions offering either undergraduate, postgraduate or vocational courses) who responded to the survey held in January/February 2013. The report includes a compilation of the statistics, conclusions drawn from the figures and illustrative diagrams.
The survey for 2010/2011 is based on returns from 95 university and college libraries in the UK and Ireland (institutions offering either undergraduate, postgraduate or vocational courses) who responded to the survey held in January/February 2012. The report includes a compilation of the statistics, conclusions drawn from the figures and illustrative diagrams.
For further information, please contact: David Gee, Librarian, Institute of Advanced Legal Studies david.gee@sas.ac.uk