University of Toronto Law Librarian Recognized as Member of the Month of International Law Section of the American Association of Law Libraries

Sooin Kim, Faculty Services Librarian at the Bora Laskin Law Library at the University of Toronto, has been recognized as Member of the Month of the Foreign, Comparative, and International Law Special Interest Section (FCIL-SIS) of the American Association of Law Libraries.

She was interviewed in DipLawMatic Dialogues, the blog of the FCIL-SIS:

"When did you develop an interest in foreign, comparative, and/or international law?

The Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto is comprised of professors whose research interests are inter-disciplinary and diverse. Many teach and write about various aspects of foreign, comparative and international law, and as the Faculty Services Librarian, I want to be able to support our professors with their research, scholarship, and teaching needs as competently as possible.

Also, as a Canadian law librarian, I enjoy getting to know librarians from various parts of the United States and the world by serving on committees and attending conferences.  I recently had the privilege of going to the 2024 IALL course in beautiful Oslo, Norway (during summer solstice!), and meeting amazing library professionals from all over the world."

Kim is also a valued member of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries.

Library Journal's Movers and Shakers 2024

Library Journal recently released its 2024 list of Library Movers and Shakers.

It is an annual snapshot of the transformative work being done by those in libraries of all types and sizes and across the field:

"Over the past 22 years, Library Journal’s Movers & Shakers awards have offered a compelling snapshot of what’s up and coming in the library world, as well as how it has changed. Our 2024 Movers cohort represents a range of innovative, proactive, and supportive work; they are imaginative and kind and brave in a world that needs those qualities—and the results they produce—very much."

The publication provides a map of all the Movers and Shakers from 2002 to today. Over the years, quite a few Canadians have been added to the list. 

Interview with New Chair of Canadian Federation of Library Associations

The website of the International Federation of Library Associations recently published an interview with Andrea Cecchetto, the new chair of the Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA).

The CFLA is a Canada-wide federation of associations, including the Canadian Association of Law Libraries.

In the interview Cecchetto addresses many topics, including the Federation's recently adopted strategic plan:

"Our new strategic plan also focuses strongly on advocacy. When we were developing this plan last year, we reached out to members and ‘advocacy’ was by far the most common priority identified as a strategic goal. We have objectives around formal government relations work with the federal government, but also goals to collaborate with other national associations and agencies on joint issues. To give a couple of examples, CFLA-FCAB has a very active Copyright committee that pulls together expertise from both academic and public sector knowledge specialists. Our Intellectual Freedom Committee recently announced a joint project with the Centre for Free Expression to track IF challenges across the country. Our newest committee, the Climate Action Committee, compliments work that is happening regionally through provincial associations by focusing on Federal stakeholders – this committee secured federal funding for a national campaign which would have been inaccessible for regional organizations, but which ultimately secures a different platform to amplify their work. These are some examples of how we will focus our efforts on strengthening capacity for the Canadian library sector through collaboration."

Another Librarian Profile, This Time From Australia

This is a follow-up to 3 recent posts about profiles of people in the library and information field.

The Australian Law Librarian, the journal published by the Australian Law Librarians' Association, regularly runs profiles of members "down under".

In the December issue of the journal there is a profile of Miz Brmbota, Manager Collections and Reader Experience, Law Library Victoria.  Victoria is a state in southeast Australia. Melbourne is the capital city:

"When did you become a law librarian and what was your first law library job?
I  majored  in  legal  studies  in  my  undergraduate  degree  and  have  always  had  an  interest  in  the  law.  After  I  completed  my  Grad  Dip,  I  applied  for  a  job  at  Middletons  Lawyers  (now  K&L  Gates)  as  a  Research Consultant and got the job. They were looking to get away from terms such as ‘Librarian’ in their job titles, and I got to have this cool job title (so I thought). It was a steep learning curve, but I loved it."

"Getting research queries from the lawyers on obscure topics was exciting. I enjoyed scouring all the legal databases and searching the internet. Some days you found nothing and were totally defeated. Other days were glorious, and you basked in the kudos from the lawyers for having found something they and their teams could not. Everyone at Middletons worked hard, and they celebrated wins pretty hard too. It was a fun time to be there (...)"

"Do you have a favourite library?
The  State  Library  of  Victoria  is  great.  The  La  Trobe  Reading  Room  is  spectacular.  The  Supreme  Court of Victoria Library building is also special. Every time I walk in, I look up at the dome and around at the portraits and think, wow. It was built with gold rush money and is totally ostentatious, with incredible wood panelling and gold ornaments. If you haven’t come in and seen it, you really need to. I know this is all a bit Vic- centric, but if you’re an avid bibliophile and come to Melbourne for a visit, they are both a must see."

Interview With Alysha Try Information Management Specialist, Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada

This is a follow-up to 2 recent posts about profiles of people in the library and information field.

Another source to get to know information professionals is the website Librarianship.ca that runs an occasional series known as Freshly Minted.

In the most recent instalment, the website interviews Alysha Try, Information Management Specialist, Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada:

"What do you think is the most important aspect of being an information professional today?
Simply put, it’s most important to maintain a learning mindset and to know how to find information. Technology changes rapidly, so being a quick learner as well as being adaptive to change are huge assets."

"Any advice for the many MLIS students who will be soon graduating and looking for their first professional position?
Get as much practical experience in your desired field as you can, whether that involves using specific software programs, volunteering at a desired institution, or doing paid work. Don’t discount the transferable skills you have gained from work outside the program. Networking is also important; I have found that many folks working in LIS are happy to share their knowledge and experiences!"

American Association of Law Libraries Member Profile: Heather Joy

The American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) regularly publishes member profiles.

The most recent one is about Heather Joy, a reference librarian at Stanford University, Robert Crown Law Library in Stanford, California:

"Why Did You Join AALL As A Member?
I joined AALL on the excellent advice of those same librarians at Boley (Portland, Oregon), and in part because I was lucky enough to be a short drive from Seattle where the AALL Annual Meeting was held the year  I decided to pursue law librarianship. Everyone in Seattle was so welcoming and fun, I felt like I had found my people."

"What One Member Benefit Is Most Valuable To You?
The learning and resources available from my fellow members, both informally and in structured opportunities, like conferences and the work of special interest sections ..."

Law Library of Congress Interview With Sarah Bandini, Foreign Law Intern

In Custodia Legis, the blog of the Law Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., has posted an interview with Sarah Bandini, a foreign law intern in the institution's Global Legal Research Directorate. She is originally from Ravenna, Italy.

It is part of an ongoing series of interviews about the kinds of work staff do behind the scenes:

"How would you describe your job to other people?
At the Law Library, I carry out research for the Global Legal Research Directorate (...) My role consists of assisting in conducting comparative studies and researching the law of the European Union (EU) in response to requests from Congress, federal agencies, the courts, and private patrons. I write articles for the Global Legal Monitor on new regulations and the latest legislative proposals from the EU and EU member states. My contributions will hopefully enhance the knowledge of the members of Congress and the public in general (...)"

"What is the most interesting fact you have learned about the Law Library of Congress?
I recently came across an interesting tidbit that I would like to share. The Library of Congress does not just host millions of books, but it also finds itself as the focal point of a narrative in one. In Margaret Truman’s Murder at the Library of Congress, the Library transforms into a hub of mysteries and homicides that bury terrible secrets."

The Law Library of Congress is the world’s largest law library, with a collection of almost 3 million volumes from all ages of history and virtually every jurisdiction in the world.

Law Library of Congress Interview With Louis Gilbert, Legal Research Fellow

In Custodia Legis, the blog of the Law Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., has posted an interview with Louis Gilbert, Legal Research Fellow in the Library's Global Legal Research Directorate.

It is part of an ongoing series of interviews about the kinds of work staff do behind the scenes:

"How do you describe your job to other people?
I tell people that my job is to respond to legal research requests concerning French-speaking jurisdictions from Congress, the judiciary, federal agencies, and members of the public. I also help write reports on legal and legislative developments in the French-speaking jurisdictions I cover."

"Why did you want to work at the Library of Congress?
I first wanted to work for the Library of Congress after hearing alumni from my school praise the work environment. I also wanted to work in an environment that would allow me to switch between reading and writing in English and French throughout my work day. What really pushed me to apply was the idea that the work in the Global Legal Research Directorate involves not only researching multiple jurisdictions, but also switching between varied legal subject areas."

"Ultimately, it’s the friendliness of the people I have met working here that makes me want to stay."

 The Law Library of Congress is the world’s largest law library, with a collection of almost 3 million volumes from all ages of history and virtually every jurisdiction in the world.

Law Society of Ontario Interview With Supreme Court of Canada Justice Michelle O’Bonsawin

The Law Society of Ontario Gazette has published a recent interview with Supreme Court of Canada Justice Michelle O’Bonsawin.

Justice O’Bonsawin is the first Indigenous justice to sit on Canada's highest court.

She discusses her background and upbringing as someone who is a French-speaking Indigenous woman from Northern Ontario, explains what being a good judge means, and offers advice to new lawyers.

Law Library of Congress Interview With Olivia Kane-Cruz, Librarian-in-Residence

In Custodia Legis, the blog of the Law Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., has posted an interview with Olivia Kane-Cruz, Librarian-in-Residence. 

It is part of an ongoing series of interviews about the kinds of work staff do behind the scenes:

"How do you describe your job to other people?
At the heart of my job, I am a reference librarian; I help provide access to legal resources. But I also get to do many different projects as part of my job. For example, I am currently working on the inventory for the bills and resolutions for the 117th Congress, I co-presented a webinar on Recent Developments in U.S. Foreign Relations Law and Research Strategies, and I had the opportunity to lead a group of six interns to create a navigation aid for the Statutes at Large digital collection (...)"

"What is the most interesting fact that you’ve learned about the Law Library?
We only have about 1% of the law collection in the Law Library Reading Room and the rest of the collection is in the closed stacks or in the off-site storage. The most interesting fact to me, is the Law Library’s closed stacks is located underneath our feet in the Madison Building and is approximately two football fields of compact shelving."

The Law Library of Congress is the world’s largest law library, with a collection of almost 3 million volumes from all ages of history and virtually every jurisdiction in the world.

Profiles of Female Judges in Canada

The Canadian Bar Association has been running a project called Madam Justice that features profiles of female judges from all levels of the Canadian court system.

"The project is intended to celebrate diversity on the bench by showcasing advice and perspectives from women judges across Canada. The project is ongoing and we will be adding to the gallery over time."

One of the people featured is The Honourable Sheilah Martin, Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.

Library Journal's Movers and Shakers 2021

Library Journal recently released its 2021 list of Library Movers and Shakers.

It is an annual snapshot of the transformative work being done by those in libraries of all types and sizes and across the field:

"Over the years, Movers have come from the ranks of both degreed librarians and non-degreed library workers, as well as volunteers and vendors, and have come from academic, public, school, and special libraries settings—occasionally even outside of traditional libraries altogether."

"This year’s class of Movers has had little choice but to embrace change and run with it. And they’ve certainly risen to the challenge. Their stories and so many more offer actionable examples to replicate and adapt across a range of library environments and communities (...)"

"This year’s Movers are doing their groundbreaking work in the middle of a pandemic, at a time when providing basic, much-needed services often felt like—and was—an exceptional achievement. In recognizing those who were able to go above and beyond this year, we want also to hold space for those who overcame illness, grief, fear, financial losses, and more to deliver core library services in new, safer ways. The point of naming Movers & Shakers in the middle of a crisis is not to say that everyone can or should be expected to deliver exceptional results despite these circumstances. Rather, it is that learning from those who were able to do so can make their advances that much more achievable for the next person."

Winners were chosen in the following categories:

• Change agents
• Innovators
• Advocates
• Educators
• Digital developers
• Community builders

The publication provides a map of all the Movers and Shakers from 2002 to today. Over the years, quite a few Canadians have been added to the list.

Five Questions with Julie Boon, Great Library, Law Society of Ontario

The Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL) has been running a series of member profiles called Five Questions With...

The most recent interview is with Julie Boon, Reference Librarian at the Great Library, Law Society of Ontario (Toronto):

"How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?
CALL has helped me professionally in that I have met some really, really great people through the organization. Whether it was through the CALL mentorship program or the CALL Conference in 2019, it has given me the opportunity to meet amazing professionals I otherwise may not have crossed paths with. Recently, CALL has acted as a balm to the isolation and disconnect that the pandemic has brought into everyone’s lives in some way. Attending virtual conferences and tutorials has maintained my feeling of connection to the legal industry and its professionals, which has been a huge relief (...)"

"What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry?
Don’t be intimidated! There is a lot to learn, but it’s kind of great in a lot of ways to be working in an industry where there is so much to know and understand – it never gets boring! Plus, it’s important to remember that even if you don’t remember every legal concept, term or piece of jargon off the top of your head, it doesn’t mean that you’re bad at your job, or not learning quick enough. Far from it! There is a vast ocean of legal information in the world, and even those legal professionals who have worked in the industry for years and years still need refreshers from time to time. Just remember that there are people out there, like your colleagues, who are probably happy to lend a helping hand!"

Five Questions with Dominique Garingan, Library Manager, Parlee McLaws LLP

The Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL) has been running a series of member profiles called Five Questions With...

The most recent interview is with Dominique Garingan, Library Manager at Parlee McLaws LLP in Calgary:

"How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?
I have been a member of CALL since March of 2019. This is not a long time, compared to many other members. To me, CALL has been an amazing community of legal information professionals that covers almost all current and emerging aspects of the profession. To this day, I find myself reveling at the work of CALL’s various committees and special interest groups."

"During my first year, the CALL Mentorship Program was a wonderful opportunity to get to know a long-serving and recognized member of CALL and discuss many facets of the profession. This was a lovely experience. Being a part of the Canadian Law Library Review Editorial Board has provided an avenue for me to keep abreast with current and emerging issues and dialogues in the legal information profession. Working with members of the CALL Vendor Liaison Committee has helped me learn more about legal technology and gain confidence in terms of communicating and engaging with legal publishers and vendors."

"Although I have only been to one in-person conference, the CALL Annual Conferences are a wonderful place to meet fellow peers and immerse one’s self in riveting seminars and learning opportunities. I do find my professional life meaningfully enriched by CALL and hope to continue being a member for years to come."

Law Library of Congress Interview With Louis Myers, Librarian-in-Residence

 In Custodia Legis, the blog of the Law Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., has posted an interview with Louis Myers, Librarian-in-Residence. It is part of an ongoing series of interviews:

"Why did you want to work at the Law Library of Congress?
To me, the Library of Congress is the most well-respected library in the world—where else would I want to work? But on a more serious note, I think the opportunity to work with the largest legal collection on the planet and have the opportunity to learn from the expert law librarians here will be a defining moment in my career, and will truly create a framework that I will carry with me no matter where law librarianship takes me. Each morning when I wake up I am still in awe that my job is with the Library of Congress."

"What is the most interesting fact you’ve learned about the Law Library of Congress?
During one of the first weeks I learned that our foreign law collection is so large and comprehensive that foreign governments sometimes ask us to share our copies of their laws when they need to do primary source research. That is pretty cool!"

The Law Library of Congress is the world’s largest law library, with a collection of almost 3 million volumes from all ages of history and virtually every jurisdiction in the world.

United States Supreme Court Candidate Amy Coney Barrett: Selected Primary Material

 This is a follow-up to the September 27, 2020 blog post entitled Law Library of Congress Bibliography on US Supreme Court Nominee Amy Coney Barrett.

The Congressional Research Service yesterday published Judge Amy Coney Barrett: Selected Primary Material:

"On September 26, 2020, President Donald J. Trump announced the nomination of Judge Amy V. Coney Barrett of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (“Seventh Circuit”) to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court caused by Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death on September 18, 2020."

"This Sidebar contains reference information about Judge Barrett, including a biography; a list of publications she authored or coauthored; legislative documentation related to her previous nominations; lists of her written opinions; a list of Supreme Court briefs to which she contributed; and additional resources."

Law Library of Congress Bibliography on US Supreme Court Nominee Amy Coney Barrett

 The Law Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. has put together a bibliography on Amy Coney Barrett who was nominated to the Supreme Court of the United States on September 26 to take the place of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who died earlier this month of pancreatic cancer at the age of 87

There are sections on:

• articles/book by and about her
• congressional materials about her
• noteworthy recent opinions written by Judge Barrett 

Barrett is currently a judge on the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

 Melanie O’Brien, senior lecturer in international law at the University of Western Australia, wrote yesterday about the legacy of United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who passed way last week.

The article, The RBG Legacy: Equality and Inspiration, was published on the blog Opinio Juris:

It is impossible in a blog post to mention all of the cases RBG had an impact on; but there are myriad articles and books written about these. As a lawyer and a Supreme Court Justice, RBG specifically contributed to changing the law for the better. Her actions resulted in the reduction of discrimination on the basis of gender, and other grounds, throughout the United States. Her work affected every woman in the country, expanding their rights to education, to make claims against workplace pay discrimination, to access military benefits, and beyond. Every case that was about one person became so much more. RBG said that there would be enough women on the Supreme Court “when there are nine”, noting that nobody was ever shocked that for most of the Supreme Court’s existence, there have been nine male judges. Her engagement with and use of foreign and international law demonstrate an openness of legal perspective that benefited her work as a professor, lawyer and judge, and confirms that looking beyond one’s borders makes one a better jurist. People around the world admire RBG – themselves practicing this open perspective, to learn from her as a foreign, domestic judge – learning how to be a better professor, lawyer or judge.

Opinio Juris is associated with the Geneva-based International Commission of Jurists (ICJ). The ICJ brings together senior judges, lawyers, and legal academics representing the world’s many legal systems to promote and protect the rule of law.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 1933-2020 - A Selection of Video Interviews and Lectures

The website infoDOCKET has posted a selection of recorded interviews and lectures with Supreme Court of the United States Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who passed away last Friday.

May there be many more to follow in her footsteps.

Five Questions with Alan Kilpatrick, Law Society of Saskatchewan

The Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL) has been running a series of member profiles called Five Questions With...

The most recent interview is with Alan Kilpatrick, Reference Librarian, Law Society of Saskatchewan:

What are three skills/attributes you think legal information professionals need to have?

Act Boldly: Boldly market yourself and boldly reimagine what a library can be. 

Embrace Change: Embrace change in the legal information field.    

Learn Continuously:  Commit yourself to lifelong learning.  Integrate what you learn into your professional practice.