Law Librarian Blog

Opening: Cataloging Librarian, University of Cincinnait College of Law

The Robert S. Marx Library at the University of Cincinnati College of Law seeks an experienced catalog librarian.  The position is responsible for managing all aspects of the library’s cataloging operations.  The College of Law is the fourth oldest law school in the United States, and serves a student body of 400.  The Law Library is an integral part of the college’s community that provides first-class customer service to its users.  Cincinnati is a dynamic city located at the southwest corner of Ohio, with access to excellent education, cultural opportunities and recreation, including professional baseball and football teams and a world class theme park.

Duties: Specific duties include developing plans for cataloging operations; performing original and copy cataloging of records in multiple formats; creating and revising authority records; maintaining quality control of catalog and other integrated library system modules; developing and updating cataloging policies, standards, and procedures; training and supervising paraprofessionals and students; creating instructional materials; assisting in evaluating collection and serving on collection committee; assisting in collection maintenance with Associate Director for Public and Research Services;  participating in university libraries’ committees.

 

Reporting: The position reports to the Director of the Law Library and Information Technology.

 

Minimum Qualifications:   M.L.S. or equivalent degree from an ALA-accredited school.  At least three years cataloging experience in a public, academic, or special library, including authority control, original cataloging, and record maintenance. 

 

Ideal Qualifications: Two years of experience cataloging legal materials; experience cataloging nontraditional formats; two years of experience supervising employees; excellent written and oral communications skills; experience with the Innovative Interfaces Millennium ILS; experience in collection management.  

 

EEO/Diversity: The University of Cincinnati is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Women, People of Color, persons with a disability, and Vietnam Era and veterans that are disabled are encouraged to apply .We are committed to increasing the diversity of the University community. Candidates who can contribute to that goal are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths or experiences in this area.

 Application Process: You must use the University of Cincinnati online application system to submit your application.  Visit http://www.jobsatuc.com and apply for position number 210UC1967.

 

 

Villanova Admits "Knowlingly" Reporting Bad Data to the ABA

What's up with Villanova Law?  Both the ABA Journal and Above The Law are reporting that the school disclosed that it "knowingly reported" inaccurate GPA and LSAT scores to the ABA for years.  I know from my own experience with law school administrations how Admissions Committees work the admissions pools to produce the highest averages of those two scores.  It looks good when potential students check out the school, and it helps faculty and administrators when it comes to predicting bar passage.  A bright and motivated student body is more likely to make that final push to success when it comes to taking the bar.  At least that's how the theory goes.

The ABA Journal report notes that incorrect data can be retroactively changed online, but old copies of the Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools will still be out there with bad data.  Then there is the issue of the U.S. News past rankings, which the article states will not be revised per U.S. News policy.  All well and good.

What no one is saying whether this will be a problem (or not) for the ABA in how it manages its relations with a law school that lied to it on its surveys.  The ABA is poised out there as a form of control on law schools, or so it seems.  I suspect with Villanova coming clean on its own that nothing will happen to it.  There have been irregularities at other law schools - cough, cough - and nothing of consequence happened there.  I don't think this will be any different.  Old statistics will be updated and the status quo will be maintained.  Who would want it to be any different?  [MG]

There Are Still Some Small US Legal Publishers Thomson Reuters Can Acquire

I recently mentioned that Thomson Reuters has been conquering the Latin American legal publishing industry because there were no small US legal publishers left to acquire. Not true. My bad.

Last month, TR bought LRP Publications’ Public Employment Group and Bankruptcy/Banking Products Group. Old time labor law specialists such as myself may recall the publishing house as Labor Relations Press. It was a niche publisher specializing in public sector employment and labor arbitation reporters. For public sector employment attorneys it filled a coverage gap left open by BNA for some larger state public sector jurisdictions such as California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, etc. LRP, founded by an employment attorney in 1977, expanded its offerings into "hot topic" areas -- bankruptcy, civil RICO, real estate and environmental liability with some success.

Now LRP is "joining Thomson Reuters, the world leader in providing intelligent information to businesses and professionals." Ah, OK. Just one question. LRP's public sector employment reporters are available online via a licensing agreement with LEXIS. Is that going to change? [JH]

Too Late for Consideration? Leahy's USA PATRIOT Act Extension Bill, S. 193, Would Improve Privacy of Library Records

On January 26th, Sen. Patrick Leahy introduced S. 193, The USA PATRIOT Act Sunset Extension Act of 2011 that would reauthorize sections of the USA PATRIOT Act. One positive step in S. 193 is that the bill would provide more safeguards for library records. According to the Library Journal's report:

For one, it would remove the presumption in favor of the government that a judge has to honor when reviewing a Section 215 order for business records.

It would also require the FBI, when seeking library records, to make "a statement of facts" showing that "there are reasonable grounds to believe that the records sought" pertain to a terrorism investigation that involves a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power. Presently, the law allows the government access to "any tangible thing" during investigations.

While protecting library records, S. 193 still leaves a huge gaping privacy hole because it does not provide similar safeguards for the records of bookstore customers which could still be searched whenever the FBI believes they are “relevant.”

Barbara Jones, director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, called on Congress to protect the privacy of reader records in bookstores as well as libraries. “We appreciate the heightened protection afforded library records for those Americans who borrow books,” she said. “The next logical step would be to safeguard the First Amendment rights of Americans who purchase books in a bookstore. In both instances, reader privacy must be maintained.”

Quoting from PEN's press release, Reader Privacy Fight Resumes in Congress. See Michael Kelley's LJ article for details.

USA PATRIOT ACT Extension in the House. The Hill is reporting that the House will vote on H.R. 514, to extend the legal authority to conduct various surveillance activities under the USA PATRIOT Act. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, would extend these practices until Dec. 8.

USA PATRIOT ACT Extension in the Senate. In addition to Senator Leahy's bill, Senator Grassley has proposed a permanent extension and Senator Feinstein has introduced a bill that would extend the Act for three years. While Senator Leahy's bill offers improved reader privacy protections, Feinstein's S. 289 is supported by the Obama administration. According to The Hill's Senate split over how to extend the Patriot Act's surveillance authority:

Leahy is also facing a challenge from within his own party. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has introduced her own bill that would extend the surveillance authorities until 2013, but would do so without the additional oversight language that Leahy prefers.

In Thursday's hearing, Feinstein indicated that there may not be enough time to consider Leahy's reforms.

Section 215 Library Provisions Set to Expire on February 28. Too late? In a joint letter supporting Leahy's bill, ARL and ALA wrote:

ARL and ALA welcome the introduction of S. 193 for several reasons.

First, we support additional judicial oversight for use of these surveillance tools when they implicate reader privacy. Specifically, our members strongly support the requirement of a clear connection to a terrorist or spy (rather than the much lower “mere relevance” standard that applies to other Section 215 requests) when law enforcement agents seek library circulation records and patron lists. This provision recognizes the importance of protecting the right to read, a vital First Amendment activity.

Second, ALA and ARL strongly support the codification of the reforms adopted voluntarily by Attorney General Eric Holder. While we welcomed the Attorney General’s announcement that he would institute some of the reforms included in S. 193, including the protections for library records, we believe strongly that these protections are too important to leave to the discretion of executive officers. Making them part of the law will ensure that future attorneys general will not roll back these important safeguards.

Third, we support the other commonsense reforms in the bill, including a new sunset for National Security Letters (NSLs) and the repeal of the presumption of relevance for certain Section 215 orders. Restoring the constitutional rights of gag order recipients is another important provision. These sections are extremely important to assure accountability and transparency.

[JH]

Opening: Faculty Services Librarian, Univ. of Kentucky College of Law Library

Description and Responsibilities: Provide liaison services to faculty members by assisting with reference and research needs including development of on-line support, training and working with research assistants, and promoting current awareness and document delivery.

As a member of the reference librarian faculty, the Faculty Services Librarian will also provide proactive reference and research support to the college of law faculty, students, members of the practicing bar and other patrons of the Library. This position also requires reference desk hours, including participation in evening and weekend rotations. Reference librarians at the Library also play an integral part in the first year legal research and writing curriculum. In particular, reference librarians are expected to participate actively as instructors for the Introduction to Legal Research course.

Required: A J.D. degree from an ABA approved law school and an M.L.S. or the equivalent from an ALA accredited institution are required. Also required: a familiarity with legal materials, including law and law related on-line databases; a familiarity with software customarily used in academic libraries and standard productivity software suites; strong service orientation; the ability to work effectively as a member of the law library team; and, excellent oral and written communication skills.

Successful candidates will be able to show evidence of an ability to meet University of Kentucky requirements for promotion and tenure in the librarian title faculty series as delineated in university and college rules, including excellence in performing primary job responsibilities as well as evidence of self-motivation, initiative, professionalism, scholarly productivity, and a commitment to professional and university service.

Desired: Reference experience in an academic or law library, demonstrated ability to understand the research process, and familiarity with ExpressO, SSRN, or other digital repository interfaces.

Salary and Benefits: Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. Librarian title series tenure-track, 12-month appointment, 22 days annual leave, TIAA/CREF and Fidelity retirement plans.

To Apply: Interested applicants should submit a cover letter addressing qualifications for the position, resume or vita, and contact information for three professional references to Ryan Valentin, Head of Public Services, University of Kentucky, College of Law Library, 620 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40506-0048. Applications may also be submitted electronically to ravale2(at)uky.edu.

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin February 20th, 2011, and continue until position is filled. Upon offer of employment, successful applicants must undergo a national background check as required by University of Kentucky Human Resources.

The University of Kentucky is an Affirmative Action, Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Round-Up of Accident-Related Practitioner Blogs

Maritime & Boating Accident Lawyer News
http://news.braislaw.com
http://news.braislaw.com/index.xml
Discusses maritime injury opinions, reports and cases in Florida. Published by Brais & Brais.

Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
http://www.fortlauderdalecaraccidentattorneyblog.com
http://www.fortlauderdalecaraccidentattorneyblog.com/index.xml
Reviews car accident news, cases and reports in Fort Lauderdale. Published by Freeman & Mallard, LLC.

California DUI Injury Lawyer Blog
http://www.californiaduiinjurylawyerblog.com
http://www.californiaduiinjurylawyerblog.com/index.xml
Examines drunk driving accident opinions, reports and cases in California. Published by Estey & Bomberger, LLP.