AALLCovFeb:Layout 1 1/10/12 12:42 PM Page 1 Volume 16 No.AALL 4 ■ February 2012 SpectrumAALL: Maximizing the Power of the Law Library Community Since 1906 In This Issue 11 A law libraryʼs experiences using SMART Technologies 13 The value of a law firm libraryʼs manager and staff 15 How libraries can assist faculty throughout the publication process From the Desk to the Bench A judge uses skills she 08 learned as a law librarian www.aallnet.org AALLCovNov:Layout 1 10/12/11 3:13 PM Page 2 AALLFeb2012:1 1/11/12 12:31 PM Page 1 Vol. 16, No. 4 February 2012 from the editor By Mark Estes AALL Spectrum Bookends Editorial Staff t’s a small world after all!” Years who have both an in-depth knowledge of Marketing and Communications Manager the organization and broader contacts than Ashley St. John [email protected] ago, a trip to Disneyland with our two-year-old daughter involved one person might reasonably be expected Editorial Director “I multiple trips on the It’s a Small World to enjoy. This committee’s networked Mark E. Estes [email protected] ride. For years after that, I broke out in a resources are intended to facilitate its ability Copy Editor Robert B. Barnett Jr. cold sweat at the thought of taking that to provide lists of potential candidates for Graphic Designer Kathy Wozbut ride again. Fast-forward three decades to a committee appointments” so that “where return trip to Disneyland and another ride possible, the committee membership will 2011–2012 Law Library Journal through It’s a Small World, but this time reflect a balance of geography, library type, and AALL Spectrum Committee years of experience and other demographic Chair Merle J. Slyhoff with our two granddaughters, aged one and Vice Chair Linda C. Corbelli three and a half, one on each side of me in factors. Obviously, in a small committee, the boat. I would have gone again. representation of all factors is not possible. Members Moreover, because committees perform tasks Mark P. Bernstein Darla Jackson In the time between those two rides, Wendy Biddle Marguerite I. Most many things happened: I helped raise our which transcend geographical boundaries Sean H. Crane Mark E. Estes (Ex-Officio) daughter, moved four times, changed and library types, rigid adherence to Judy K. Davis Janet Sinder (Ex-Officio) employers twice, and changed job balance, while preferred, is not required.” Deborah S. Dennison Deborah L. Rusin (Board Liaison) Timothy Gallina responsibilities untold times. The Association’s print communication More broadly, the world changed, tool, AALL Newsletter, which used to be 2011–2012 AALL Executive Board becoming more complex and changing ever published four times per year with no ads or President Darcy Kirk more rapidly. Law firm libraries expanded photos, morphed into a glossy print magazine Vice President/President-Elect Jean M. Wenger and shrank in physical size and physical issued nine times per year and is available in Secretary Deborah L. Rusin Treasurer Susan J. Lewis volume count but not in the range of print and electronic formats. It is now also Immediate Past President Joyce Manna Janto services provided. The Library of Congress archived and searchable on the members-only Executive Director Kate Hagan completed the KF schedule, and some section of AALLNET (thanks to a partnership with William S. Hein & Co.). Members public libraries dropped Kathleen Brown Diane Rodriguez classification schemes in favor Discussions about topics of Lucy Curci-Gonzalez Ronald E. Wheeler Jr. of bookstore-like displays. interest to the members took place Gregory R. Lambert Donna S. Williams The number of legal at the business meeting constrained AALL Spectrum (ISSN: 1089–8689) is published monthly except specialties grew, as did the by Roberts Rules of Order. In 1992, January and August with combined September/October by the format of legal information, from a comment made by Camille American Association of Law Libraries, 105 W. Adams Street, Suite Broussard, I suggested to then 3300, Chicago, IL 60603. Telephone: 312/939-4764, fax: 312/431- while the number of legal 1097, email: [email protected]. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, publishers shrank. AALL President Carolyn Ahern Illinois and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address Much about AALL and the board that we hold an changes to AALL Spectrum, 105 W. Adams Street, Suite 3300, changed too. “open forum” after the business Chicago, IL 60603. The year before my first meeting where members could raise Writers wanted — contribute to your Association’s magazine. interminable ride, Jack Ellenberger was the questions and concerns without stating For guidelines, visit www.aallnet.org/main-menu/publications/ second law firm librarian president of them in the form of a motion but which spectrum/policy-spectrum.html or contact Editorial Director Mark E. would become part of the official record of Estes at [email protected]. AALL (and the second Covington & Burling law librarian to serve as president). the Annual Meeting. The early years had AALL Spectrum Submissions Since Ellenberger’s term, three law firm extensive comments at the open forum, Article ideas for the following issues must be approved by the but more recently the quantity dwindled editorial director by the following dates: librarians have been elected AALL 2012 Issue Approval Deadline president. AALL also held the first to fewer than a half-dozen. Now, almost Vol. 16 No. 9 July March 10 contested election for vice president/ 10 years after the first open forum at the Vol. 17 No. 1 Sept./Oct. June 14 Annual Meeting, there is an electronic open No. 2 November July 12 president-elect because of a petition candidacy. After the election, the forum for members to raise concerns about AALLNET: www.aallnet.org membership amended the bylaws to require the Association and law librarianship. two nominees for each position on the My two It’s a Small World rides Advertising Representative Executive Board. Later, the Nominations bookended half my life and a time of Innovative Media Solutions upheaval, of increased complexity in the 320 W. Chestnut Street Committee and process became more P.O. Box 399 open, excluding from membership on the challenges law librarians face, with the Oneida, IL 61467 Nominations Committee current members changes and complexities increasing ever Telephone: 309/483-6467 of the Executive Board, excluding members faster. Generally, we as a profession and an Fax: 309/483-2371 E-mail: [email protected] on the committee from nomination for one Association have coped exceptionally well, year, and charged with “present[ing] a slate demonstrating our abilities to find solutions AALL Spectrum is a free benefit of member ship in the American that, if elected, would maintain a balance to new challenges while improving the Association of Law Libraries. Of each year’s dues, $42 is for one year customer service experience. We can of AALL Spectrum. Nonmembers may subscribe to AALL Spectrum for on the Executive Board of members by $75 per year. For membership and/or subscription information, please library type, geography, sex, and minority continue that success through discussions contact the American Association of Law Libraries at the address representation to the extent possible.” on the new open forum, continuing above. From two business meetings during education, professional Association activities, the Annual Meeting, a constitution laughter, and play to nourish our creativity AALL Publications Disclaimer so we can carry and share the childlike joy This publication is provided for informational and educational and bylaws, and snail mail voting, the purposes only. The American Association of Law Libraries does Association moved to one business meeting I rediscovered with my granddaughters. not assume, and expressly disclaims, any responsibility for the at the Annual Meeting, streamlined bylaws, statements advanced by the contributors to, and the advertisers in, the Association’s publication. Editorial views do not necessarily and electronic voting. represent the official position of the Association or of its officers, The committee appointment process, directors, staff, or representatives. All advertising copy is subject to which had seemed closed and limited to editorial approval. 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