Vable Announce Hire Of Topic Law Librarian, Clare Brown

Introducing Clare Brown, a Law Librarian and Vable’s New Topic Specialist

Despite premature reports of the death of librarianship, law librarians continue to be in high demand – sometimes in new and different roles. We at Vable are excited to be part of the vanguard of technology and other companies that are recognising the value of information professionals and finding new ways to utilise the unique skill set they embody.

I’m particularly excited to introduce you to Clare Brown, a Library and Information Professional with over twenty years’ experience working in law firms. Clare joins us as a Topic Specialist, and she will help Vable continue to provide cutting-edge current awareness solutions to our clients.

Tell us a little about your educational and professional background.

My route into librarianship was quite traditional. I was writing to the Library Association (now CILIP) and BIALL for careers advice at the tender age of 15, determined to be a library and information professional from the start. After A Levels, I went to Loughborough University of Technology to do a joint BA in Library & Information Studies with English. It was a world of computer opportunity, but at the time I was quite happy to find refuge in restoration drama, and the poetry of John Milton.

Only when I got my first library post at Kennedys Law in London did I really start putting into practice what I had learned. By 1998 I felt ready to charter. As a ‘special librarian’ it was more of a challenge because the LA didn’t really know how to deal with us in the late 90s. For instance how do you talk about library management and structure when you’re in a team of 2? Therefore I had to be more creative to demonstrate relevant professional development. Creativity and the constant evolution of the ’special’ library sector has remained the focus of my CPD.