Webinar - 5 Critical Attributes for Special Librarians to Evolve and Stay Relevant

Between Google circumventing in-depth research, dealing with budget constraints, understanding the changes driving customer behavior, and other challenges, librarians are facing a new world in which they must be adaptive.
Join us Thursday, August 14, 2014 at 11:30am PT / 2:30pm ET, for a webinar featuring guest speaker Kate Arnold, 2014 SLA President.

This special webinar is titled “5 Critical Attributes for Special Librarians to Evolve and Stay Relevant.” It will feature findings from a study co-authored by the Financial Times and SLA (Special Libraries Association), of which Kate Arnold was a chief participant. Drawing from discoveries of this study, her experience as SLA President in 2014, and many years as a professional in special libraries, the event will focus on 5 essential attributes responsive special librarians are making in an ever-changing landscape.

This is a unique opportunity to get the nuts and bolts of the changes and adaptability needed to stay relevant—from industry thought-leader and knowledge professional, Kate Arnold. Sign up today!

Handheld Librarian Conference

Registration is Open

On February 26th and 27th, 2014, join us for the 9th Handheld Librarian Online Conference (HHLib9) where librarians on the leading edge of our profession share their latest ideas, tools, and strategies.

HHLib9: Encouraging Innovation and Technology, the top online tech conference for librarians, will feature inspiration and how to’s. Take part in sessions that share the wide range of insights and experiences that come with implementing technologies and programs to meet the needs of library users. Drink up the inspiration and information on Wednesday, February 26th and Thursday, February 27th, 2014.

In addition to a featured keynote presentation on meaningful gamification by Scott Nicholson of Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies and the Because Play Matters Game Lab, the HHLib9 conference will offer presentations on the following range of topics:

• Try Before You Buy: Beta Technology in Public Libraries
• Using Augmented Reality in Information Retrieval
• Social Georeferencing – A Model for Libraries
• Creating An Infographic Contest at Your Library
• Put a Badge on it! Badging and Professional Development

We look forward to your participation.  Register today!


Warm regards,
LearningTimes and The HHLib9 Team
http://nine.handheldlibrarian.org/
@HHLib9

"PLL" What's in a Name? 'Librarian,' that's what!

On October 23rd at Noon (CST), the PLL Board will discuss the challenges facing today's firm librarians. Among those challenges, we'll discuss whether the term "librarian" is still a good label for what information professionals do in their firms.  Here's the link to the broadcast to save in your calendar:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lawlibcon/2013/10/23/pll-whats-in-a-name-librarian-thats-what

Cycling for Libraries

This summer Barbara Fullerton (DALL member), Karen Holt (SLA), and April Kessler (SLA) will embark on an international library adventure with Cycling For Libraries. This unconference offers a week of library workshops, debates, and tours with a diverse group of 100 international librarians from 22 countries cycling 250+ miles from Amsterdam to Brussels. Cycling for libraries is an international cycling conference that aims to advocate for libraries and increase awareness of the valuable services and resources that libraries offer to the community. 

Technology expectations as described by lawyers

I've noted a flurry of articles and blog posts around the issue of lawyers and their familiarity with technology issues, specifically social media and Microsoft Office software. Some say young attorneys should know how to post on social media and monitor different feeds. Some say their job is to learn how to be lawyers first. Some say they should know how to use software efficiently enough to sort lists in Excel and do first draft word processing.

I also found a post about librarians and skill development, and thought it fit with the general theme.

Open Letter to New Lawyer: You should be dragging me into the 21st century not the other way around
by Carolyn Elefant on January 17, 2013
myShingle.com
http://myshingle.com/2013/01/articles/trends/open-letter-to-new-lawyer-you-should-be-dragging-me-into-the-21st-century-not-the-other-way-around/

Open Letter to Senior Lawyer: I’m Not a Tech Expert
by Josh Camson on January 23, 2013
Lawyerist.com
http://lawyerist.com/open-letter-to-senior-lawyer/

An Open Letter to Lawyers Young and Old
3 Geeks and a Law Blog
1/23/2013
Ryan McClead
http://www.geeklawblog.com/2013/01/an-open-letter-to-lawyers-young-and-old.html

As part of beauty contests, Kia Motors' corporate counsel tests associates to assess technology skills.
By Monica Bay
Tech Drive
Law Technology News
December 1, 2012
http://www.law.com/jsp/lawtechnologynews/PubArticleLTN.jsp?id=1202578835700

Kia Motors Tests Outside Counsel Tech Skills (part I)
By D. Casey Flaherty
Law Technology News
January 24, 2013
http://www.law.com/jsp/lawtechnologynews/PubArticleLTN.jsp?id=1202585496232

Kia Motors Tests Outside Counsel Tech Skills, Part II
By D. Casey Flaherty
Law Technology News
January 25, 2013
http://www.law.com/jsp/lawtechnologynews/PubArticleLTN.jsp?id=1202585662374&rss=rss_ltn&slreturn=20130025142505

The Skill Development Disconnect in Law Libraries
by Connie Crosby
Slaw: Canada's online legal magazine.
January 14, 2013
http://www.slaw.ca/2013/01/14/the-skill-development-disconnect-in-law-libraries/

Real Job Titles for Library and Information Professionals

Here's a list of job titles from various job listings for Librarians and Information Professionals. List provided by Michelle Mach.

60 Apps in 60 Minutes

Presenters Scott Brown and Joy Murphy conducted a session on mobile apps you need to know at the SLA 2012 conference.

How to Research Private Companies

Jocelyn Stillwell-Tong, research librarian at Nossaman, provided a list of resources librarians and information professionals can use while conducting research on private companies.  Here is the article.

Fyi. You can contact research through social media (Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.), wikis and other databases such as PrivCo and Capital IQ.

Frame-It

Frame-It by Beta List, is a personal library and workspace where you can store and organize information that interest you - from anywhere on the web. Visually organize and annotate your collected information then search through all your content, including inside your collection of PDF files.

Survey: Got Embedded Librarian??

Survey: Got Embedded Librarian?? 3 Geeks and a Law Blog is running a survey on embedded librarians in preparation for the ARK Group Conference on Best Practices & Management Strategies for Law Firm Library, Research & Information Services.

Handheld Librarian: Online Conference

HANDHELD LIBRARIAN VI ONLINE CONFERENCE
FEBRUARY 1-2, 2012

Mobile solutions for libraries that work!

Register at http://www.handheldlibrarian.org/.

Individuals: $65 for both days; Group: $95 for both days
The conference will feature professional development for librarians by librarians. This is the grass-roots nature of our highly successful program. Handheld Librarian VI will build on the success of prior conferences in which an array of presenters share their experiences and insights on topics addressing themes such as ebooks, location-based social networking, lending devices, reference and mobile technologies impacting society. You can see the quality of the content by looking through our past archives.

Our exciting one day conference, February 1, will feature presentations from your peers, along with two keynotes from respected thought leaders in the library world.

Michael Stephens, Assistant Professor in the School of Library and Information Science at San Jose State University, will address the conference in the morning. His research focuses on use of emerging technologies in libraries and technology learning programs. He currently writes the monthly column “Office Hours” in Library Journal exploring issues, ideas and emerging trends in library and information science education. Stephens has spoken about emerging technologies, innovation, and libraries to audiences in over 26 states and in five countries, including a 2009 speaking/research tour of Australia. Our afternoon keynote features Stephen Abram. Stephen has over 30 years in libraries as a practicing librarian and in the information industry. He has visited hundreds of libraries in many different countries and is uniquely positioned to spark ideas and insights. Stephen is currently Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Markets at Gale Cengage in Toronto, Canada. He has been Vice President Innovation for SirsiDynix and the Chief Strategist for the SirsiDynix Institute, VP of Corporate Development for Micromedia

The Value of Information Professionals- DALL Perspective

After reading Laura Cullerton's article on valuing information professionals, I recognized similar qualities and actions we have, even though she's a librarian at a nursing school. Like Laura, we are definitely future ready by saving our users time in a high technology world.

As an information expert, she can locate information in the library databases quicker than faculty and administration. Knowledge managers, legal information specialists, researchers are more familiar with the different array of databases and sources than attorneys, marketing and business development departments. Therefore, they rely on us to retrieve accurate information
and we are able to save money without risky high cost research from a user who is not familiar with the flat rate plans.

When we are unable to locate information quickly, we have the DALL listserv and can quickly email our colleagues for assistance. In addition, we have access to local law schools who can offer inter-library loans or public libraries that have a legal collection of sources without relying on a client-matter number.

By being associated with local and national library organizations and associations, we are aware of trends and issues in our profession. By staying active in an organization, being proactive members is a way of saving time.

Not necessarily I call it retention, however, with a positive experience, legal, marketing and business development users will use the library more often. Thus, becoming less stressful and not full of anxiety on their part.

Note: The Value of Information Professionals by Laura Cullerton, Information Specialist and is a member of the Medical Library Association, Colorado Council Medical Librarians, Special Library Assocation and etc.

Out of the Jungle: Johns Hopkins To Close Its Medical Library

Out of the Jungle: Johns Hopkins To Close Its Medical Library

Marie S. Newman posted on the Out of the Jungle blog regarding the decision of Johns Hopkins to close their medical library. It appears that the librarians are already being embedded in departments, and staff is not being reduced. The fate of the physical building has not been decided.

Valuing Mentorship: It Does Make a Difference

According to Webster's Dictionary online, the definition of a mentor is someone who is a trusted counselor or guide. Mentors can provide guidance and influence to an individual who is in need of direction.

Since library school, I had my share of mentors in the law librarianship field. They influenced me into joining professional associations such as AALL and DALL just to name a few. There were times where I would simply have lunch or received some advice. My best moments with my mentors was when they shared their experiences being new to the profession. Their stories made me feel as if I was not the only who was making mistakes, going through struggles or hardships trying to look for a new opportunity after graduation. I can definitely relate to them and they were perfect examples of going through growing pains, but managed to become successful.

I did not participate on committees, you can say as a young librarian I was sitting on my laurels. Because my current job in academic libraries, I was not active in law librarianship. That changed earlier this year when I decided to attend a DALL luncheon and participated in the annual Spring Institute. It was great seeing old faces and my mentors again. After attending those events, I missed working in the legal field. This summer I became Treasurer DALL and I was shocked because someone nominated me for the opening. After much thought, I knew it was time for me to get out of my comfort zone and become more involved in DALL. I am no longer a student, but an information professional that had to walk out on faith to learn this new position.

Becoming DALL Treasurer was a major blessing in disguise because it help me to become active and supportive. I thought about my mentors who made a major difference in my walk in law libraries because they encouraged me to join professional associations.

Note: I was influenced by Constance Ard's article on valuing and mentoring new inforamtion professionals. On Firmer Ground Blog.

Update on Caren Biberman post and AALL

Caren Biberman just posted an update to her post regarding AALL not allowing extra time for program proposals for the 2012 conference. See the previous Lex Scripta post with links to posts on this topic.

Value and Mentoring in a New Generation of Professionals

Excellent article about valuing and mentoring the new generation of librarians by Constance Ard.

AALL - recent observations

Contemplating “RIP AALL” Ahead of Boston 2012: Muster of the Minutemen (and Minutewomen)
Joe Hodnicki
Law Librarian Blog
August 31, 2011

Hodnicki starts his post with the provocative statement, "As an organization of institutional buyers, AALL is on the verge of becoming irrelevant."

and

So what that there was a Hurricane and Earthquake--Adherence is More Important
Caren Biberman
Law Librarian Blog
August 30, 2011

Biberman makes a public her plea to AALL to extend the program submission deadline due to the recent earthquake and flooding on the east coast.

Improving Google Skills

A fun way to encourage students to improve Google search skills
August 30, 2011
Out of the Jungle
Betsy McKenzie

This post is aimed at training for students, but can be applied to training anyone in Google search. McKenzie describes how she used "A Google A Day!" puzzles to get students to buff up their research skills. She also has links to additional Google search support.

I Think Someone Forgot to “Target Their Communication”

I Think Someone Forgot to “Target Their Communication” Greg Lambert muses on a misdirected email invitation from Bloomberg.

How Librarians Add Value to Their Law Firm

Greg Castanias, Library Partner from the Washington, D.C. office of Jones Day, spoke at the PLL-SIS Summit of the American Association of Law Librarians Summit in Philadelphia, PA last month. Here is the transcript of his presentation.