The Academic Law Library's Role in Cultivating the Rural Lawyer

The shortage of lawyers in rural areas continues to grow. The need to cultivate and adequately prepare students interested in rural practice is also well known. So what can academic law libraries do to assist students for practicing in our less populated areas? This paper highlights the issues surrounding the practice of law in rural locations, with a focus on the skills which libraries are uniquely qualified to foster. This includes offering more state-specific legal research training, presenting insight into critical leadership and business skills, and providing "small benefits" such as library privileges, access to resources, and librarian assistance for alumni and members of the local bar with the appropriate marketing to build the library brand. https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.journals/sdlr64&i=245