but please, no minimum billable hours for law firm librarians

This article - Heather Smith, Don't count out law librarians, American Lawyer (July 14, 2005) - provides some good examples of librarians meeting the challenges (and opportunities) presented by our current times. Here's one brief quote:

Schnader Harrison partner Donaldson says she's heard no negative feedback from clients when presenting them with bills for librarians' work. "They've been pleased with what [librarians have] been able to ferret out," she says. And since LexisNexis and Westlaw searches are billed as separate line items, cost-conscious clients have begun demanding that lawyers improve their efficiency by using librarians who are more skilled searchers.

Thanks to Library Stuff for the link.