Law Librarian Blog

Supreme Court of Ohio Suspends Thousands of Lawyers Who Failed to Register on Time

Announcement from the Court:

"On December 2, 2005, the Supreme Court issued orders suspending 13,800 attorneys for noncompliance with Gov.Bar R. VI, which requires attorneys to file a Certificate of Registration and pay applicable fees on or before September 1, 2005. The text of the entry imposing the suspension is reproduced below. This is followed by a list of the attorneys who were suspended. The list includes, by county, each attorney’s Attorney Registration Number."

Here's the List.

Ron Jones, Unv Cin Law Lib

The Girl in the Photo

Is it true that Stina McClintock (King County Law Library) will sign the cover of your copy of the December issue of AALL Spectrum if you send it to her with a pre-paid return envelope?

Sign Petition for Open Access to World Law Bulletin

Keeping up with recent changes in foreign and international law can be a time consuming task.  I recently learned of an excellent publication to help with this current awareness chore.  The World Law Bulletin is a monthly publication of the Directorate of Legal Research at the Law Library of Congress. It provides "over 500 updates on foreign law developments annually."   

World Law Bulletin is a truly amazing publication.  See the May 2005 issue (pdf). The Bulletin provides information on new developments in the legal systems of over 40 countries and regions.  If you monitor ASIL’s International Legal Materials, which usually only includes 5-10 documents per issue, you know the breadth of coverage provided by World Law Bulletin is extraordinary.

Here is the kicker, the World Law Bulletin is only available to members of Congress and their staff. Like that other Library of Congress organization, the Congressional Research Service, the Directorate of Legal Research does not provide the public with direct access to its products.

A sign-on letter is being compiled asking the Joint Committee on the Library to "encourage, if not direct, the Law Library of Congress to publish the World Law Bulletin on the World Wide Web for unrestricted public access." This recent Secrecy News report is included here for background.

Signatures by Friday. If you would like to sign on to the letter, please send your name, title, & organization to Patrice McDermott pmcdermott@alawash.org  by  December 9th – that is this Friday.

When librarians get behind a cause, things happen – just ask Michael Moore.  Help your fellow foreign and international law librarians and sign on for open access!

(adapted from Marylin Raisch’s original post to the FCIL-SIS list)

Lee Peoples, Oklahoma City University Law Library

Two Blogs from the Law Professor Blogs Network Are Finalists for Best Law Blog Award; Voting Ends Dec. 15

Voting for the 2005 Weblog Awards has started. Congratulations to TaxProf Blog (Paul Caron, Cincinnati) and Sentencing Law & Policy (Douglas Berman, OSU) for being finalists for Best Law Blog. Voting ends December 15, 2005.

Dean of the UT Law School Now the University President

William Powers Jr., Dean of the Law School,  has been appointed president of the University of Texas at Austin. Powers will assume his new job February 1, 2006.

Mark Giangrande, DePaul Law Library

Release of Oral Argument Audio Recording in Rumsfeld v. FAIR Expected Today

The oral arguments being conducted today before the Supreme Court in Forum for Academic & Institutional Rights, et al. v. Rumsfeld, No.  04-1152, are scheduled for immediate release after the proceedings. At issue is whether the federal government can withhold funds from colleges that ban military recruiting to protest the military's policy toward gays. Check Oyez for availability.

The Court released the audio recording of the oral arguments in Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, No. 04-1144, the abortion rights case involving New Hampshire's parental notification law immediately after oral arguments on November 30th. That release marked the first time Chief Justice Roberts allowed the practice. Sources for the audio files include NPR and Oyez.

Google Book Search and Books Not Yet Written

The Edge is where the really, really smart people go to converse with someone on their own level. Obviously, I have no business going there but that's where you will find Turing's Cathedral, George Dyson's provocative essay about his visit to Google on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of John von Neumann's proposal for a digital computer. Dyson writes about his Google visit:

I felt I was entering a 14th-century cathedral — not in the 14th century but in the 12th century, while it was being built. Everyone was busy carving one stone here and another stone there, with some invisible architect getting everything to fit. The mood was playful, yet there was a palpable reverence in the air. "We are not scanning all those books to be read by people," explained one of my hosts after my talk. "We are scanning them to be read by an AI."

Dyson agrees with Google to a certain extent. He writes:

[O]nce the digital universe is thoroughly mapped, and initialized by us searching for meaningful things and following meaningful paths, it will inevitably be colonized by codes that will start doing things with the results. Once a system of template-based-addressing is in place, the door is opened to code that can interact directly with other code, free at last from a rigid bureaucracy requiring that every bit be assigned an exact address.

"[The] ability to take general, organized advantage of local, haphazard processes is exactly the ability that (so far) has distinguished information processing in living organisms from information processing by digital computers."

At that point, "the machines take control!" Or do they?

In a follow-up interview for the Edge, Dyson was asked if he had anything to say about books, authors, and the digital age. He did. He calls attention to the fact that digitization only covers "The Complete Works of Homo Sapiens, Unabridged;" it does not encompass the books that have not been written. Thus, the author is beyond the reach of "the machine." Dyson concludes that "even in the Age of Search, we will still need authors to find the meaningful books."

As librarians, do we not know this to be the case?

Spotlight on Law Librarians: Terri Gallego O’Rourke

Terri Gallego O’Rourke
Reference and International Law Librarian
Pappas Law Library
Boston University School of Law

B.A. 1994 State University of New York at Albany
J.D. 1997 Villanova Law School
M.L.S. 2004 Simmons College

Like many law students I have talked to, I graduated from college with a liberal arts degree but didn’t know exactly what to do with it.  So, I applied to law school. While at Villanova Law, I worked for the State Court Administrator’s Office of Pennsylvania and a small litigation firm.  I also spent many hours in the library, working on the Environmental Law Journal.  It was while I was working on gathering sources for a journal article that I discovered that one of the law librarians had both her law degree and library science degree.  Incredulous, I asked her “Why would you do this job when you could be working in a high-paying job in a big firm?”  She replied that she liked helping people.  It’s kind of funny that eight years later, I find myself answering the same question to students.

Nevertheless, when I graduated law school, I did the “firm thing,” with a small litigation firm. I was laid off after a year, but now consider that to have been a blessing in disguise. I knew that litigation was not for me, but I didn’t know exactly which way to turn, other than that I wanted to move to a new city, which ended up being Boston, MA, where I had a good friend.

I moved to Boston in 1998, and worked in a variety of administrative positions while I figured out where I wanted my career path to go.  I didn’t feel at all mentally stimulated or challenged in any of those positions, and I found myself always asking for research-oriented projects.  I also felt like I was wasting the law degree that had cost me so much time and money to obtain.  So, I decided to go back to school at Simmons College for my M.L.S.   

While in school, I worked in circulation at a local public library and obtained a full-time, 6-month temporary stint at the Harvard Law School Library as a Reference Assistant.  I was very happy when that led to a longer temporary position as a Reference Librarian in August 2004.  However, I knew that my time at Harvard would eventually come to an end, so I started looking at permanent positions elsewhere in Boston.  I was sorry to leave Harvard, where I was able to work with and learn from such an amazingly talented group of reference librarians who I now count as my friends, but I consider myself very fortunate to have landed at BU.  The librarians are very knowledgeable, and the faculty is very supportive and down-to-earth.  Having had very little international reference experience before my current position, my department has allowed me to audit an international law class and a French class.  Where else could I do something like this?

Among other things, my job involves a lot of teaching, which at first terrified me. I hated public speaking as a lawyer but I love teaching.   I have been asked to speak about research in substantive law classes, which I absolutely love doing because it gives me the opportunity to show them electronic (and print) resources that they might not otherwise learn about.  The students here are unpretentious and very willing to ask questions both in class and at the reference desk.   It’s funny but when I practiced and someone asked me a question I couldn’t answer, I felt like a fraud and that I knew nothing. Now, when someone asks me a question to which I don’t know the answer, such as researching the laws of Estonia, Latvia or Tajikistan (just the other day in fact), I am happy for the opportunity to learn something new.

It took me several years to figure out where I needed to be career-wise.  You know how I knew?  It was when I walked into the Harvard Law Library on my first day, and I thought to myself, “I’m home.”  Now, at BU, students often wave to me and say, “Hey Terri!” or “Thanks for your help on that project of mine,” or they ask me questions that show they’ve retained something I taught them in a class or earlier reference sessions.  I finally feel like I am making a difference.  It really hit home when my older brother, who watched me flounder career-wise for so many years, said to me a few weeks ago, “I think you found your calling. You seem very happy.”  He’s right. I find it amazing that I get paid to do something I love every day.

---

The Spotlight on Law Librarians feature is edited by Lee Peoples, Law Librarian Blog Contributing Editor and Associate Director for Faculty, Research and Instructional Services, Oklahoma City University Law Library. Please feel free to recommend a colleague for this feature to Lee at lpeoples@okcu.edu

Recent CRS Reports on Telecom Issues

THE DIGITAL TV TRANSITION: A BRIEF OVERVIEW
CRS Publication Date: 11/18/2005
Document No.: RS22217
Author(s): Lennard G. Kruger and Linda K. Moore, Resources, Science, and Industry Division

Abstract: Congressional policymakers are seeking a way to accelerate the nation's transition to digital television and to expedite the transfer of radio frequency channels from the broadcast industry to public safety and commercial users no later than 2009. Broadcasters are holding spectrum in the 700MHz band (channels 52-69) that they would be required to relinquish after the transition to digital television (DTV) is achieved. Without a hard deadline, the transition to digital television has been postponed. Meanwhile, public safety officials want 700 MHz spectrum that has been assigned to them, but not delivered, in order to build new interoperable networks, while the commercial wireless industry would like access to the spectrum for new services. Bills to clear spectrum and facilitate the transition to digital televison are under consideration in the House and Senate. To meet the goals of H.Con.Res. 95, the Senate has passed a budget reconciliation bill (S. 1932) that covers some parts of the DTV transition process. The House has passed a budget bill, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (H.R. 4241, Representative Nussle) with more extensive provisions for DTV. Although policymakers continue to discuss different proposals for legislation, it appears that consensus has been reached on several points. For example, there is general agreement to set a firm date for the clearing of 700 MHz spectrum; to use $4.8 to $5.0 billion of auction proceeds toward Congressional commitments to reduce the budget deficit by 2010; and to take measures so that TV viewers will not lose access to television programming. The steps needed to achieve the latter remain a major point of disagreement, within and outside Congress. There is also debate about expanding must carry rules to include multicasting must carry. The Federal Communications Commission has ruled that broadcasters will be entitled to request must carry for a primary video stream only, applying current must carry rules to digital programs. Broadcasters are pushing for rights to multicasting must carry, requiring that all digital over-the-air programs be carried.

SPECTRUM USE AND THE TRANSITION TO DIGITAL TV
CRS Publication Date: 11/18/2005
Document No.: RS22218
Author(s): Linda K. Moore, Resources, Science, and Industry Division

Abstract: The United States, like most of the world, is moving to replace current television technology with a new, technically superior format generally referred to as digital television (DTV). As part of this transition, Congress is seeking to provide the impetus that would move television broadcasters out of 700 MHz spectrum currently in use for the old, analog technology - thereby ending these broadcasts. Channels at 700 MHz would subsequently be available for other uses. Both public safety communications networks and commercial advanced wireless service companies are eager to have access to frequencies already designated for their use but not released. Congress, therefore, is also considering aspects of spectrum policy as part of the transition process. In addition, the budget resolution H.Con.Res. 95 anticipates auctioning some of the cleared spectrum to provide at least $4.8 billion toward closing the budget gap. The Digital Television Transition Act of 2005, marked up by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, has been included for consideration by the House in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (H.R. 4241, Representative Nessle). Some measures to assist a DTV transition have been approved as part of the Deficit Reduction Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 2005 (S. 1932, Senator Gregg). The reconciliation bills have been approved and will move to conference to resolve significant differences unrelated to DTV and spectrum. Other bills in the 109th Congress dealing with the transition to digital television and spectrum use include H.R. 1646 (Representative Harman), S. 1268 (Senator McCain), and S. 1600 and S. 1767 (Senator Snowe).

INTERNET DEVELOPMENT AND INFORMATION CONTROL IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
CRS Publication Date: 11/22/2005
Document No.: RL33167
Author(s): Michelle W. Lau, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division

Abstract: The government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) places strict limitations on its domestic and foreign news media. Information that is considered "politically sensitive" or that conveys organized dissent and criticism of the Communist Party is not tolerated. As a result, information or objective reporting on subjects such as China's human rights record, Tibetan independence, Falun Gong, Taiwan, or the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown, among other topics, are largely absent in China. Journalists have allegedly been harassed, sometimes with violence, and jailed for reporting content that is undesirable or that implicate government officials in corruption. In addition to reporting that is critical of the government, PRC leadership actively suppresses coverage of events that it considers a threat to social stability. State coverups of the early spread of AIDS, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in April 2003, and fatal industrial disasters are notable examples of issues that have been censored in the Chinese media.

AN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SAFETY NET: INTEGRATING 911 AND OTHER SERVICES
CRS Publication Date: 11/01/2005
Document No.: RL32939
Author(s): Linda K. Moore, Resources, Science, and Industry Division

Abstract: This report reviews key points about the implementation of 911 and reviews some of the ways in which it might be integrated with existing or envisioned networks or services.

PUBLIC SAFETY, INTEROPERABILITY AND THE TRANSITION TO DIGITAL TELEVISION
CRS Publication Date: 11/04/2005
Document No.: RL32622
Author(s): Linda K. Moore, Resources, Science, and Industry Division

Abstract: Because of the announced intention to use spectrum funds to meet the Budget Resolution (H.Con.Res. 95), key points for DTV transition could be treated as part of the reconciliation process. The Senate has approved some measures, provided in budget reconciliation bill S. 1932, as passed on November 3, 2005. The House is preparing to consider steps to facilitate the DTV transition as part of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. Other bills that would free 700 MHz spectrum include the HERO Act ( H.R. 1646, Representative Harman) and the SAVE LIVES Act (S. 1268, Senator McCain).

SAFE HARBOR FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS UNDER THE DIGITAL MILLENNIUM COPYRIGHT ACT
CRS Publication Date: 11/04/2005
Document No.: RL32037
Author(s): Brian Yeh and Robin Jeweler, American Law Division

Abstract: This report describes the safe harbor and subpoena provisions, along with the responsibilities and obligations of service providers under 17 U.S.C. section 512. In addition to highlighting specific aspects of the statutory text, the report examines case law to date interpreting and applying the Digital Millennium Copyright Acts safe harbors and subpoena procedure.

BROADBAND OVER POWERLINES: REGULATORY AND POLICY
CRS Publication Date: 11/01/2005
Document No.: RL32421
Author(s): Patricia Moloney Figliola, Resources, Science, and Industry Division

Abstract: The telephone, cable, satellite industries, and more recently the electric utilities, all provide broadband services to consumers. Driven by the growth of the Internet and the increasing demand for broadband services, electric utilities began exploring ways to turn a previously internal communications capability into a commercially viable, consumer service Broadband over Powerlines (BPL). BPL has the potential to play a significant role in increasing the competitive landscape of the communications industry but also has the potential to extend the reach of broadband to a greater number of Americans. BPL, like any technology, has its advantages and disadvantages. On the positive side, (1) BPL is less expensive to deploy than the cable and telephone companies broadband offerings, (2) it does not require upgrades to the actual electric grid, and (3) it is not limited by certain technical constraints of its competitors. However, some parties have expressed concern about BPLs effect on licensed radio spectrum. Other FCC proceedings are also related to BPL. For instance, the Commission ruled on August 5, 2005, that providers of certain voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services , such as BPL providers , would be required to accommodate law enforcement wiretaps. Additionally, the FCC is conducting another proceeding specifically on the regulatory classification of VoIP, which will also have an impact on BPL providers and services. On April 21, 2005, Representative Mike Ross introduced H.Res. 230, to express the sense that the FCC should reconsider and revise its rules governing BPL. The resolution was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet on May 13, 2005.

DIGITAL TELEVISION: AN OVERVIEW
CRS Publication Date: 11/04/2005
Document No.: RL31260
Author(s): Lennard G. Kruger, Resources, Science and Industry Division

Abstract: On November 3, 2005, the Senate passed S. 1932, the Deficit Reduction Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 2005. Title III is the Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 which sets a digital transition deadline of April 7, 2009 and allocates $3 billion for a program to assist consumers in the purchase of converter boxes. Also on November 3, 2005, the House Budget Committee reported out the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. Subtitle D of the House budget reconciliation bill is the Digital Television Transition Act of 2005, which sets a digital transition deadline of December 31, 2008 and allocates $990 million for a digital-to-analog converter box program.

CRS reports listed above are available from GalleyWatch.com

Ron Jones, University of Cincinnati Law Library

Job Opening: Reference Librarian, Fort Worth, TX

Reference Librarian
Dee J. Kelly Law Library
Texas Wesleyan University School of Law

The Reference Librarian, a professional position reporting to the Head of Public Services, is responsible for providing reference services to the law school community, bench, bar and public.

Basic Responsibilities: Provide reference using print, microform and electronic resources for the law school faculty and students. Provide directional reference for attorneys and public patrons. Actively participate in public services department (reference, ILL, circulation, reserve and collection maintenance). Responsible for circulation including reserve collection and overdue notices.

Requirements: MLS and JD from accredited institution(s). Proficiency with automated library system, Internet, LEXIS/NEXIS, Westlaw. Team player. Strong service orientation. Energetic self-starter with desire to excel.

Hours include at least one weekend day and some evenings.

Salary commensurate with qualifications. Minimum: $45,000.

Available immediately. Send resume and three references to:

Susan Phillips
Associate Dean and Director of Library
Dee J. Kelly Law Library
Texas Wesleyan University School of Law
1515 Commerce St.
Fort Worth, TX 76102

Ambrogi Reviews 10 Law Podcast Sites

In 2005: Year of the Podcast, Bob Ambrogi, one of the most knowledgeable commentators on law tech,  reviews 10 law-related podcasts. "Not a 10-best list;" rather Bob presents a cross section of the lawyer-produced podcasts. Check it out.

Online Guide to Journalist Shield Laws

Originally posted at Cornell’s InSite this Guide features state-by-state listing of protections available for journalists under state law.  “For each state, the guide indicates whether there are common-law or statutory protections.  Specific code sections are indicated and code section text is excerpted.  Relevant cases are also noted with complete citations.  If a state does not have a shield law, relevant state constitutional provisions are listed.  Links are made to free sources for state codes and constitutions."

Lee Peoples, Oklahoma City University Law Library

Former Stanford Dean Flunks California Bar Exam

Kathleen Sullivan, a noted Constitutional scholar and former Dean of Stanford Law School, failed California's notoriously difficult bar exam on her first try. TaxProf Blog has more.

UN Quest for Global Information Society

The second round of the UN's World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) continued the UN's goal to harness information and communication technologies for the benefit of the developing world.

Tech Law Prof Blog covered the developments for internet governance and the advent of the Internet Governance Forum to guide ICANN in Internet administration. Media Law Prof's Blog has  background on this issue.

Another development was the unveiling of Nicholas Negroponte's $100 laptop design for the developing world. Wired Magazine interviewed Negroponte after the conference.

Another exciting development from the Summit was the International Telecommunication Union's most recent report on the Internet of of Things discusses the potential for ubiquitious computing and distributed sensor networks to change the very fabric of society. (Executive Summary (pdf))

While UNESCO hailed the Summit's Commitment to freedom of  expression and openness, the BBC notes protesters at the Summit exposed the uneven record among participants for freedom of information.

After the first round of WSIS, the Law Librarian Blog noted a critical view of the entire Information Society concept/metaphor as an overly optimistic and technologically deterministic vision of the future.

Neal R. Axton, William Mitchell College of Law Library

Stronger Make My Day Law in Oklahoma

Several of ABA/AALS inspectors touring the library during their recent visit thought it was strange that we had “no firearms allowed” stickers posed on the entrances to the law library.  They would really be surprised if they learned about Oklahoma House Representative Kevin Calvey.  He plans to introduce legislation that would allow citizens to use deadly force anywhere they perceive danger.  Oklahoma already has a “Make My Day” law on the books that gives citizens the right to use deadly force inside their homes. 

What got me thinking about these strange laws was Jim Milles’ re-post on Out of the Jungle about Icelandic butter available at Whole Foods.  You see in Oklahoma we may be able to carry guns and shoot people everywhere but we can’t buy wine or strong beer in grocery stores, hence no Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s for us.   So my out of town friends who live in more “progressive” cities think I am a freak because when I visit I usually demand a stop at one of these fine establishments at some point.  File this one under musings at the water cooler.

Oklahoma’s current “Make My Day” law

News article about the proposed legislation

Lee Peoples, Oklahoma City University Law Library

Editor's Note: I think you can tell what Lee would like for Christmas. You can send spirits to his office: OCU School of Law Library, 2501 N. Blackwelder, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73106.

Here in "extreme" southwestern Ohio (Cincinnati), where only wusses obtain concealed carry permits, we don't care too much for wine, but we do like to mix our beer with ammo.

Archived Webcast Available for Notre Dame Law's Symposium on Religion and Judiciary

I don't know how I missed this but I did. The Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics, & Public Policy hosted a symposium Nov. 9th titled “The Religious Commitments of Judicial Nominees: Appropriate Questioning and Acceptable Answers.”  The symposium is available for viewing on the Web at: broadband | modem

Panelists for the presentations included:

Judge D’Army Bailey, a two-term judge on the Tennessee Circuit Court, 30th Judicial District.  Bailey disagreed with the perspective that would allow judges to recuse themselves from cases because of conflicts between the law and the judge’s religious commitments.  He stressed that judges take an oath to uphold the law, and that this oath should not be overridden or informed by religious commitments.

Matthew Franck, professor and chair of the Political Science Department at Radford University, who offered a brief survey of the Supreme Court’s historical religious breakdown and stressed that the recent focus on religion in the confirmation process is a new phenomena.  He observed that this new phenomena is likely driven by concern over the growing number of adherents to one religion (Catholicism) on the court, as well as by how religious commitment will affect the justices’ decisions in cases on abortion rights, gay marriage, and the right to die, which are at the center of the “culture wars.”  Dr. Franck also noted that inquiries into religious commitments are used as an indirect form of questioning on judicial philosophy by those who feel uncomfortable directly questioning judicial philosophy, or by those who are stonewalled by the nominees on direct questions.

Francis Beckwith is the associate professor of church-state studies, associate editor of the Journal of Church & State, and associate director of the J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies at Baylor University.  Beckwith argued that, unlike scientific, historical, mathematical, or other sources of knowledge, religion has been systematically and intentionally marginalized (and personalized) so that it is no longer acceptable as a respectable source of information for the legal opinions of judges.

Source: Press Release

Depository Library Council Takes Steps to Furthering the "Vision"

Barbie Selby, Chair of the Depository Library Council (Alderman Library, University of Virginia) is inviting everyone to help the Depository Library Council continue the process of envisioning the future of the FDLP and of our libraries' roles in providing government information.

One suggestion for proceeding is to focus exclusively on the "action plan" and not worry about the vision discussion paper. We'd aim to end up with a short document which stated goals and action items. Some narrative, but mostly what we plan to DO. For example:

• We think "training" is important - what kind of training do we need, what kind of training can we provide? Who might pay for this?
• We want to mentor, and to have mentors - can we set up a mechanism to match up new and "old" documents librarians to mentor each other?
• We need to distinguish between big "O" and little "o" official materials and their electronic provision. Can a group of us begin to list what is big "O" Official in electronic format?
• We think an expert registry might be a good idea - for referrals. Could GODORT host such a registry? Would a depository consider an official GPO partnership to host such a registry?
• We believe that exploring possibilities with "internet memory organizations" would be advisable. Are some of us already doing this? Are we partnering to digitize government information? Can we make an acceptable proposal to GPO for partnering to get some government documents digitized?
• We want government information chat reference service. Are we willing to fully staff such an effort? How would it work?

Our action plan should probably take these into account in some way.

• Topics
  • Adding value
  • Deploying expertise
  • Collections/delivering content
  • Non-exclusive environment
• Themes
  • Customer focus
  • Increase flexibility
  • Education
  • Promotion (Marketing)
  • Collaboration
  • Innovation

If you are interested in helping DLC as the Council moves forward in its planning process, please email Barbie Selby at bselby@virginia.edu and let her know if there's a particular area you're interested in working on.

Library Suspends Staffer Over Squirrel Rescue Attempt

The Associated Press is reporting that an Indiana library has suspended a staffer, Cindee Goetz,  because she took too much time trying to rescue a squirrel trapped in the ceiling of the library. The AP story quotes the library's executive director, Judy Hamilton, as saying:

"I don't want that squirrel to die, either, but I can't allow a live animal to be headquartered in that building. It's a severe situation I can't ignore. I'm not running a squirrel condominium here."

Emphasis supplied.

You just know there is more to this story.

And there is! This isn't the first time Goetz has been in "trouble with the law." Last year, she was reprimanded by the library for caring for an abandoned bird during work breaks while keeping it in a garage at the library branch in LaPorte, Indiana.

Ah-ha! Now we know where the library director is coming from.

Open Educational Resources

The "Open Educational Resources" portal features free course materials and other educational content offered by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and other institutions around the world. The initiative is launched in partnership by the Development Gateway Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Read more about it. There are currently six law courses.