Adapting to Change and Shaping Change: A Legal Research Library in an Academic Environment

Abstract

he year 2024 marked a turning point for the LCEL Library as it became part of the University of Luxembourg. While remaining a legal research library, this institutional change required its integration into an academic environment and adaptation to new organisational structures, systems and user communities.

To respond to a broader and more diverse community, the library adapted its collections, expanded access to electronic resources through participation in the Consortium Luxembourg, and explored emerging tools, including AI-based legal databases, as part of its reflection on future services. Since its location remained unchanged, the library reimagined its spaces and repurposed furniture and equipment to support the growing user community. Moreover, the migration from Aleph to Alma and integration into the national shared catalogue (a-z.lu) has provided an opportunity to redefine workflows and improve the visibility and accessibility of its collections. This transformation also extended to community engagement through initiatives such as Library Talks and an art contest open to the public, with selected artworks now exhibited in the LCEL Library.

This poster highlights how a library can adapt to multilevel change while maintaining continuity and becoming a driver of new developments.