Law Librarian Blog

Barack Obama Speeches - 2002-2009

A free, searchable database of the complete transcripts of more than 220 Barack Obama speeches has been released by askSam Systems. The askSam database contains a full-text searchable archive of speeches from 2002-2009. The transcripts can be searched by keyword or phrase, title, date, and location.  [RJ]

3L Hiring Down 3 Percent

According to NALP's annual law school survey which also reports that 2L summer program offers have declined. [JH]

One day only - $200 Dell netbook

Looking to take advantage of all the free wifi at the AALL Annual Meeting, but don't want to carry around the 6 pound office lap top?  Today only get a Dell netbook for just $199.  You might get an educational discount, too, depending on your university.  [jj]

Congrats to Bonnie Shucha

Congratulations are in order for  Bonnie Shucha, head of reference at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law Library (profiled here), who takes on the role of contributor to the Wisconsin State Bar e-newsletter.  Her first article is entitled "The Many Faces of Google."  Check it out!  [RJ]

Friday Fun: I Want to be a Producer Librarian

Created by some bright young things attending the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta. [JH]

Al-Qaeda Goes to College

Al-Qaeda Goes to College: Impact of the War on Terror on American Higher Education (Praeger, April 30, 2009) by James Ottavio Castagnera (Rider University) is the first book-length treatment of how the 9/11 attacks and the American political scene afterward have affected higher education in this country. It covers topics such as: universities' roles in training counter-terrorism experts, particularly anthropologists working in Iraq and Afghanistan; bio-terrorism research on campuses; inflammatory critiques by the likes of Ward Churchill; the conspiracy theories advocated by some academics regarding 9/11; lawsuits against universities by terror victims trying to get settlements from countries like Iran by seizing archaeological artifacts in American universities; accused Islamists teaching at American colleges, like Sami al-Arian at USF. See Mitchell H. Rubinstein's review on Adjunct Law Prof Blog. [JH]

Nominate the 2009 Federal Depository Library of the Year

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2009 Federal Depository Library of the Year Award. The chosen library will be announced during the Fall 2009 Federal Depository Library Conference and Meeting of the Depository Library Council.

The Federal Depository Library of the Year Award provides special recognition for a library that furthers the goal of the Federal Depository Library Program by ensuring that the American public has free access to its Government's information.

You are invited to nominate any Federal depository library, regardless of its size or type. Past winners, libraries of current Depository Library Council members and libraries on probation are ineligible for consideration.

The nomination deadline is July 1, 2009. The winning library will be notified by the end of July 2009.

Read more about the Library of the Year Award, the nomination guidelines, and access the nomination form on the FDLP Desktop at <http://www.fdlp.gov/home/about/102-loty>.

AALL Tools for Success Wiki

New from the American Association of Law Libraries:  In response to the U.S. recession and its impact on law libraries, AALL has created a wiki of Tools for Success in Today’s Economy. On the wiki you will find:

• Tips for operating your law library with a tight budget
• Advice on negotiating contracts with vendors
• How to interview effectively for your next job
• Resources for professional development
• And much more

Check it out.  [RJ]

Should the Law Protect Robots from Abuse?

Once upon a time people laughed at the notion of enacting rules to protect animals from abuse. Not now. What about androids? According to National Geographic, South Korea is drawing up a code of ethics to prevent human abuse of robots—and vice versa. Sounds silly but the country's Ministry of Information and Communication is working on plans to put a robot in every South Korean household by 2020. Read more about the idea on Wired. [JH]

Opening: Associate Law Librarian for Research and Faculty Services, Emory University School of Law Library

The Hugh F. MacMillan Law Library at Emory University School of Law is seeking an experienced, energetic, and creative professional to join our team as Associate Law Librarian for Research and Faculty Services. This is a new position that will be instrumental in enhancing and expanding the range and quality of research services offered to library users.  A detailed position description is posted at http://www.law.emory.edu/library/position.html

Responsibilities:

Under the general supervision of the Director of Library Services, the Associate Law Librarian is responsible for planning, implementing, and reviewing all policies and programs related to research and related services for all library user groups, especially members of the Law School faculty.  The incumbent also participates directly in these programs and teaches advanced courses related to research.  The Associate Law Librarian will supervise the work of four professional staff members.  In addition, as part of the Law Library senior management team, the incumbent will work closely with the Director of Library Services and the Associate Law Librarian for Collection Services to develop policies and plans that guide overall library operations.

Required:

ABA-accredited J.D.; ALA-accredited M.L.I.S. (or equivalent); six years of successful experience as a law reference librarian; significant supervisory experience.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary based on education, qualifications and experience. Excellent benefits package, including an array of retirement plans, courtesy scholarships, and support for professional development.

To Apply:

Please see the full position description linked above.

Emory University is an EEO/AA employer.

Run Carl Run: Carl Malamud for Public Printer

Carl Malamud is "running" for the position of Public Printer of the United States. Check out his campaign site for details on his plans for the GPO and endorsements. Position papers here. Endorsements can be sent directly to Carl by email: carl@media.org or by twitter: @carlmalamud.  {RJ & JH]

New on LLRX.com for February 2009

From LLRX.com:

• E-Discovery Update: Revisiting ESI Agreements and Court Orders, by Conrad J. Jacoby
• Researching Intellectual Property Law In The Russian Federation, by Julian Zegelman
• Six Questions and a Strategy for Campus-wide Information Competence, by Stuart Basefsky
• FOIA Facts: President Obama's FOIA Memorandum and When Change Will Actually Occur, by Scott A. Hodes
• Ahead of the Curve: In 2009, Your Lawyers Are Your Best Knowledge Management Resource, by Gretta Rusanow

Seeking Nominations for the 2009 Roy M. Mersky Spirit of Law Librarianship Award for Public Service

Each year, the newly re-named Roy M. Mersky Spirit of Law Librarianship Award for Public Service Committee honors one law librarian or law library organization for his or her service to the community. Please help us recognize law librarians by nominating a worthy individual who has made a meaningful contribution to a social or charitable cause or concern. A review of past award recipients shows the variety of charitable work that may be recognized.

The award, established in 1991 by Roy M.  Mersky, former director of Tarlton Law Library at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, and Richard Leiter, director of the Schmid Law Library at the University of Nebraska, was created in order to give special recognition to individual law librarians who might not otherwise be recognized by their peers for their important work. The award was established in lieu of accepting royalties from their book, published in 1991 by the Fred B. Rothman Company (now a division of the Wm. S. Hein and Co. Inc.), The Spirit of Law Librarianship. The second edition was published in the spring of 2004 by Alert Publications Inc.

Award recipients are selected from nominations submitted to the Award Selection Committee, which consists of Professor Leiter; Donna M. Tuke, Publisher, Alert Publications; Dick Spinelli, Senior Vice President, Wm. S. Hein & Company; and, Professor Terry Martin, Interim Director, University of Texas, Tarlton Law Library. Ordinarily, the previous award winner will also serve on the section committee. 
The award will be presented to the recipient at a reception during the 2009 AALL Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.

An award will be given only when an outstanding individual is nominated. The committee encourages nominations from anyone with information regarding individuals who might fit the profile of an award recipient. Please help us to recognize the people who represent a special dimension of the ‘Spirit of Law Librarianship.’

The deadline for nominations is June 1. To make a nomination, please contact: Professor Richard Leiter, Schmid Law Library, University of Nebraska College of Law, Lincoln, NE 68583-0902; rleiter@unl.edu; 402/472-5737; fax: 402/472-8260.

Scared Silent: Where Have All The Law Student Bloggers Gone?

There's some anecdotal evidence that law students have stopped blogging because career services advisors have warned them that blogging can be detrimental to getting hired. See Robert Ambrogi's Legal Blog Watch post. Certainly some career services advisors have warned students of the dangers of blogging but if students exercised a little restraint, there's no reason to stop completely. [JH]

Digital Information Management (DigIn) Certificate

The University of Arizona School of Information Resources and Library Science has openings in the school's graduate certificate program in Digital Information Management (DigIn), and that scholarships are available for students entering the program in 2009.

The DigIn program features hands-on experience and focused instruction supporting careers in libraries, archives, records management, museums, as well as in the private sector. The certificate includes six courses covering a wide range of topics relevant to today's digital information environment, including digital collections, applied technology, technology planning and leadership, policy and ethics, digital preservation and research data curation.

For information professionals just starting in the field or considering career changes, the DigIn certificate program offers an alternative path to graduate studies that helps prepare students for success in traditional graduate programs or the workplace.

The certificate also provides a means for working professionals and those who already have advanced graduate degrees in library and information sciences, archives, museum studies or other fields to broaden their knowledge and skills in today's rapidly evolving digital information landscape.

The program is delivered 100% online and has no residency requirements. Students generally complete the certificate in four or six semesters (15 months or 27 months).

Beginning this year, DigIn applicants will be able to enter the program at the start of the Summer, Fall, or Spring semesters. The application deadline for Summer '09 is April 1. The deadline for Fall '09 admission is July 1, and for Spring '10 the deadline will be Nov. 1.

DigIn was developed in cooperation with the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records and the University of Arizona Outreach College. Major funding for the program comes from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which has also provided scholarship funding.

Additional details on the program including course descriptions, admissions requirements and application forms may be found on the program website:  digin.arizona.edu.

Applicants may also contact the DigIn program coordinator, Prof. Peter Botticelli, at digin@email.arizona.edu.

Reminder: Deadline for Shaffer Grant for Foreign Law Librarians Rapidly Approaching

The application deadline for 2009 FCIL Schaffer Grant for Foreign Law Librarians is March 1, 2009. Details here. [JH]

A video rendition of Wiki making

If you have attended a librarian conference in the past 8 years or so I am sure you have heard of the push for libraries and librarians to work with wikis. This trend may be somewhat fading as other tools come into creation but Slate V created something that I consider terrific for anyone who has struggled working on a wiki. The Wiki Breakup is a 6 minute video that humorously mimics the back and forth of creating a wiki (just video style). Enjoy {bb}

Federal Judiciary Technology Plan Available

The Long Range Plan for Information Technology in the Federal Judiciary, revised fiscal 2009 version, is now available from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. The plan presents an evaluation of current technology, and development goals and budget requirements for the next five years, with respect to five areas of court activity: external participants, court operations, judges and chambers, probation and pretrial services, and information technology infrastructure. 

Among the successfully implemented technologies noted by the plan are the Jury Management System; the Electronic Public Access System for docket information; the OSCAR law clerk application system; PACER and the Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) system, including its “E-Orders” application; the Voice Case Information System providing bankruptcy case information by telephone; video evidence presentation tools and video conferencing; and probation and pretrial service applications, including mobile technology, the PACTS case tracking system and the ATLAS criminal history retrieval system. 

Goals identified in the plan include ensuring long-term preservation of digital court records; integrating into a single package all applications used by judges; improving audio recording with speech-recognition technology; integrating probation and pretrial information from multiple courts; expanding the use of geographic information systems, voice recognition, computer telephony, and video conferencing for probation and pretrial services personnel; and improving remote access to court technology. [Robert Richards]

Should Academic Law Library Directors Be Tenured Law Faculty?

ABA Standard 603(d) provides that directors should hold faculty appointments with security of faculty position, and not in the administrative position of director, unless under very special circumstances. In What Interests are Served When Academic Law Library Directors are Tenured Law Faculty? Spencer Simons (Houston) argues that academic law library directors should have all the rights and privileges but not the job security afforded by tenure because "deadwood" directors cannot be removed once they have tenure.

Is the deadwood professor phenomena isolated to law library directors? I think every academic law librarian can point to one-two-three-more(?) deadwood law profs at their law schools. In all likelihood there are more deadwood law profs than law library directors. So if Simons wants to apply this argument, he ought to be proposing that no one in the legal academy be granted the job security tenure provides. My hunch is some law deans would give that argument a big thumbs up (but not in a faculty meeting). [JH]

Georgetown Honors Bob Oakley with Symposium on the Future of Today's Legal Scholarship

As many will recall  Georgetown Professor and Law Librarian Bob Oakley died unexpectedly Saturday, September 29, 2007, of cardiac arrest. He was only 61. He had served as Law Librarian at Georgetown for over 25 years. On July 25, 2009, Georgetown will honor Bob's memory with a symposium entitled The Future of Today's Legal Scholarship. Stimulated in part by the widespread use of blogs by law professors and law librarians, the symposium will bring together academic bloggers, law librarians, and experts in preservation to tackle the bigger, more imperative challenges that will influence legal scholarship and democratic access to legal information for generations to come.

From the announcement:

The Future of Today's Legal Scholarship aims to accomplish this objective through non-conventional means. This symposium is an active, idea-based exchange inviting the participation and contribution of attendees alongside that of expert presenters and panelists.

• This unique symposium will seek answers to the questions:
• How can quality academic scholarship reliably be discovered?
• How can future researchers be assured of perpetual access to the information currently available in blogs?
• How can any researcher be confident that documents posted to blogs are genuine?

The symposium will include a working group break-out session to create a uniform standard for preservation of blogs, a document to be shared by bloggers and librarians alike.

Note the date of the symposium, the AALL Annual Meeting kicks off on July 25th so many convention attendees may want to add the symposium to their schedule for that day. [JH]