CS-SIS Bylaws: Recommended Changes

August 11th, 2008

The following are changes that the Bylaws Committee (Susan Boland, Tina Ching, Dominick Grillo (Chair), Sheri Lewis, and Jean Willis) propose for a vote by CS-SIS membership. An online vote will be conducted 30 days after posting this on the CS-SIS website. CS-SIS members shall receive Bylaws electronic vote instructions via email.

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Become a Fan of CS-SIS on Facebook!

July 9th, 2008

CS-SIS now has a Facebook Page. Become a Fan, write on our Wall, check out our AALL events, recommend an app, or even start a discussion.

CONNECTING: At the ABA TechShow by Katherine Greene

July 8th, 2008

Attending the ® ABA TechShow 2008 was a great experience.  Maybe it was because my colleague and I traveled by train to Chicago, or maybe it was because our double room at the Chicago Hilton had two closets and bathrooms.  Most likely, it was because of the excellent programs and extensive Expo Hall.  We were lucky the train and hotel kept us well rested; the ABA TechShow is intense!  The American Bar Association’s Law Practice Management Section put together 50 sessions covering 16 topical tracks.  (Download the Program Guide.)  With seven simultaneous sessions and nearly 120 exhibitors, it was hard to take it all in.  Fortunately each registration packet came with a CD of handouts and supplementary materials.  A month after the conference, attendees received a link to the Power Points.  I will be delving into the sessions I missed for the rest of the year.

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CONNECTING: Technology Tips for Getting Things Done by Susan Boland

July 8th, 2008

I keep tripping over this thing called GTD®.  Gobbling Turkey Day?  Getting There Directions?  Going To Disney World?  While I would love any one of those things, it actually stands for Getting It Done® and it is one of those ubiquitous management phrases floating around.  According to The David Allan Company’s website, “GTD® is the popular shorthand for “Getting Things Done®“, the groundbreaking work-life management system and book by David Allen that transforms personal overwhelm and overload into an integrated system of stress-free productivity.” The David Allen Company, The Definition of David Allen’s Getting Things Done®, (2008), http://www.davidco.com/what_is_gtd.php.  I’m not hawking the book or the system, but I am a fan of using technology to help me accomplish the things I need to in as efficient a way as possible.  Unfortunately, I’ve had all too much contact with technology that becomes a black sink hole of my time!  Thus, I’ve compiled a list of some of the more useful technology tips that help me, and can maybe help you, save time.

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CONNECTING: Mark Folmsbee to Receive Kenneth J. Hirsh Distinguished Service Award

July 8th, 2008

The 2008 recipient of the CS-SIS Kenneth J. Hirsh Award is Mark Folmsbee, Associate Dean of Computer Services and Associate Director of the Law Library at the Washburn University School of Law. Mark has been a guiding force in law school and law library technology for nearly 20 years and has been a leader in the CS-SIS and AALL.

An early innovator, Mark established the AALLnet site online in the 1990’s. He hosted the site at Washburn University School of Law using Telnet and a Lynx Web client. He also hosted the first AALL email lists, including the listserv for the Automation and Scientific Development SIS – the predecessor to the Computing Services SIS. Read the rest of this entry »

CS-SIS Grant 2008 Winners

July 8th, 2008

Congrats to our two grant winners this year, Stacey L. Rowland from the University of Mississippi and Raizel Liebler from John Marshall Law School. The CS-SIS grant covers their conference registration fees to attend the annual AALL conference.

The Web 2.0 Challenge is almost here!

July 7th, 2008

The Web 2.0 Challenge — a free, comprehensive, and interactive online course — will use hands-on exercises to introduce law librarians to many kinds of social technologies in just five weeks.  The course is intended for those who have little experience with these technologies but are interested in learning more.

Although enrollment in the course is now full, anyone may follow along with the course as a guest.  Most of the course content will be available to you.  To access the course, go to http://www.cssis.org/Web20Challenge/login/ and select “Login as guest”.

The course is scheduled for the five weeks after the AALL Annual Meeting (July 21-Aug. 24, 2008).  You may follow along with this schedule, or at your own pace if you prefer.

If you’re planning to attend the AALL Annual Meeting, we invite you to attend session H1, Cool Tools: Energizing Law Librarianship with Web 2.0 on Tuesday from 9:00 to 10:30.  Bonnie Shucha will be leading one of the showcases in which she will discuss the Web 2.0 Challenge and preview the course content.

If you have any questions about the Web 2.0 Challenge, please contact course organizers, Bonnie Shucha  <bjshucha@wisc.edu>, Debbie Ginsberg <dginsberg@kentlaw.edu>, or Meg Kribble <kribblem@nsu.law.nova.edu>.

Come to the CS-SIS Karaoke Night 2008!

June 30th, 2008

Come have fun at our officially-sponsored karaoke event on Saturday, July 12. Full information is here.

CSSIS Web 2.0 Challenge

June 11th, 2008

Starting June 13th, register for the CS-SIS Web 2.0 Challenge!

The Web 2.0 Challenge will provide a free, comprehensive, and social online learning opportunity designed for law librarians by directing them in hands-on use of these technologies. The course is intended for law librarians who have little experience with these technologies but are interested in learning more.

The online course will take place between July 21 and August 18. The five week course will cover these areas:

Week 1: Blogs & RSS
Week 2: Wikis
Week 3: Social Networking Software and Second Life
Week 4: Flickr & Social Bookmarking Software
Week 5: Selling Social Software @ Your Library

For more information, including how to sign up, go here.

CSSIS Program Schedule for AALL Conference

June 9th, 2008

Check out the schedule of events planned by CSSIS for Portland. We’ll see you there!

Update: Karaoke has been added.