This Friday, April 2, on Law Librarian Conversations the topic for discussion is “Collection Development in Academic Law Libraries in the Face of Budget Cuts”. From the description: This week’s conversation will focus on collection development in academic law libraries as we face severe budget cuts. How do we balance fiscal responsibility with our responsibility to train new lawyers and support the research mission of our faculties? Should law schools collect materials that are used in law practice? If not, how can law schools properly educate students? What is the role of law firm libraries in training students about tools for legal research? This week’s panel will consist of Richard Leiter, Marcia Dority Baker, Mark Estes, Michael Chiorazzi, Margie Maes, Greg Lambert.

The show will air this Friday, April 2, 2010 from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Eastern time. You can register to attend the webinar on the CALI website.

If you have any comments for AALL’s “Draft Strategic Directions,” the deadline is today, March 5. The draft is available at: http://www.aallnet.org/strategic/draft_strategic_direction-2010-2013.pdf .
Submit your suggestions to the Comments page: http://www.aallnet.org/strategic/comments2010-2013.asp or to any member of the Executive Board. You may submit comments as an individual member or as a member of a special interest section, committee, caucus or chapter. Multiple submissions are welcome.

Registration is now open for Lawberry Camp Midwinter, taking place January 16, 2010 at Harvard Law School Library.  Visit the new and improved Lawberry Camp website to register and for details: http://lawberrycamp.com/

Lawberry Camp Midwinter will be an all day affair.  The day will be divided up into round table discussions andlightning talks and end with the always fun and exciting Battle Decks competition (a sort of karaoke powerpoint presentation improv).

As always, the subjects of these programs will be up to the attendees, so after you register, be sure to suggest a topic you that would like to discuss or give a quick talk about.  If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can also sign up to compete in Battle Decks.

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.

(more…)

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.

(more…)

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. (more…)