ABSTRACT
This chapter considers various aspects of e-learning that involve law librarians and legal information specialists. A survey of academic law librarians/information specialists was carried out in November 2003 to establish the current range of involvement with e-learning. This chapter presents two case studies of virtual learning environment development and use for legal research skills training that have been contributed by Emily Allbon, City University, and Julie Hamley and Jane Redman, University of the West of England. The main drivers behind the introduction of e-learning are similar in both academic and commercial sectors: flexibility, enhanced, learning, enhanced, learning, consistency and reach, and cost. Various parallels, such as exclusive terminology and new roles, could be drawn between the emergence of e-learning and the early days of knowledge management. The primary purpose of academic law librarians has always been to provide support to law academic staff and students.
