I too would like to see a discussion on the Virtual Law Library, but
like Frank, I would like to see some reality in it. I think it is
much further off than many people think. Lexis and Westlaw indicate
that we have the technology to store and retrieve the amount of
information involved, but the legal publishing industry is far from
deciding to universally enter into the kind of agreements that will
be necessary to create such a library. Lexis and Westlaw have flourished
in large part because the core of their databases are in the public
domain and they don't need to get anyone's permission to post them or
put them in their format. But as the Matthew Bender treatises and
Lexis indicate, the rest of the publishers may try it, get nervous,
begin to disagree or whatever and pull their stuff out. They are
far too divided on issues like licenses, network access and user
interfaces to participate in a truely comprehensive virtual law library.
I predict that we won't see a comprehensive virtual law library until
standards are agreed upon in all these areas. And I don't think that
will come quickly. I think the hybrid paper/electronic law library
will be the norm for a long time to come.
Mary Brandt Jensen University of South Dakota
Director of the Law Library School of Law
Associate Professor of Law 414 E. Clark St.
MJENSEN@CHARLIE.USD.EDU Vermillion, SD 57069-2390
(605) 677 6363 Fax (605) 677 5417
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