Recommendations for Fee-based Databases

There are both advantages and disadvantages to using fee-based or commercial databases within a law library setting. The actual setting of the law library, whether it is academic or corporate, may also make a difference in whether fee-based databases prove to be advantageous. There are many advantages of electronic sources of legal information, both from the aspect of the librarian as well as from the user aspect. First, electronic databases require no shelf space as …

…a law student, attorney, or other patron, and when purchasing new types of materials for their library. The librarian should be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of each online and print research tool in order to maximize the use of each. Furthermore, since different users require different formats of information, the choices of databases and print materials should be continually re-evaluated to ensure that the resources meet the needs of their client and environment.