Tina Ching, Robyn Hagle, and Philippe Cloutier attended the AALL Futures Summit. As members of LLOPS we wanted to put out some questions for our community to think about and address. We got together and had a Google Chat conversation to solidify our thoughts post-Summit with these questions:
- What idea from keynote speaker Andy Hines applied to our discussion of the future of the profession of law librarianship?
- What did you think of the format and schedule of the Futures Summit?
- Any other major issues pertaining to the profession of law librarianship that was addressed at the Futures Summit?
- What will be the biggest issue for LLOPS to address in the next five years?
- What is the biggest change that you’d like to see in LLOPS within five years?
Below you will find a transcript of that conversation. Feel free to comment and agree, disagree, question, enlighten, etc.; as we aim to get some dialogue in motion. Continue reading 'AALL Futures Summit: Local Wrap-up'»
by Brenna Louzin
Did you read the one about the comedian/librarian, Meredith Myers? It seems that Ms. Myers, a former publicist-turned-comedian-turned-librarian, was looking for ways to gain library experience and signed up to do some volunteer work fundraising for the West Hollywood branch of the L.A. County Public Library. Since the newly minted librarian was unable to find a library job, she offered to promote literacy and libraries while perfecting her comedy routine, StandUpLibrarian.com. Too bad, her career plans back-fired.
Myers was ready to volunteer at the new library branch when she was offered a job there as a temporary library page at $9.25 an hour. She had just begun her page gig when a couple of columnists from the Los Angeles Times learned about Myers and her plans to staff the West Hollywood Book Fair. The Times staff wanted to interview her about her comedian/librarian pursuits, however, supervisors from the county library informed her that she could be interviewed, but was forbidden to say she was a page at the West Hollywood branch.
In the end, Meredith Myers lost her job as a library page, but she ended up donating her first and only paycheck to the West Hollywood Library fund.
What sort of career advice do you have for Meredith Myers?
by Crystal Sherman Norton
At a recent Kitsap Medical Society charitable event, I had the good luck to be seated next to an emergency room physician from Harrison Medical Center. I’d met him a few months earlier in the year when we took him, his wife, and several of his close friends out on his birthday cruise on Dye’s Inlet. (I never did catch just which birthday it was we were celebrating, as I kept busy pouring wine and serving hors d’oeuvres.) Trying to think of something to say at the gala, I resisted my first urge to come right out and ask how old he was (he looks very young), but instead asked how everything has been since I’d seen him last, on his birthday cruise. After several glasses of wine (for both), it was easy to ask as a follow-up question, “So, was that a significant birthday?” He hesitated for split second then told me how old he was. Then I told him that we are the same age (true). He looked reflective for a moment then quipped, “That went fast, didn’t it!” I had to smile wryly and agree. Where did all those years go? Continue reading 'President’s Message'»
NPR reports on an eccentric perfumer who considers himself the antithesis of traditional perfumeries. New York’s Christopher Brosius creates scents that are unlike anything else on the market. And you certainly won’t find them at your local Macy’s. A trip to his website, I Hate Perfume, reveals this concoction: “M5 Where We Are There Is No Here – A subtle Jasmine perfume inspired by the last of Cocteau’s film”. If you needed a gift for that film-lover in your life, what could be better than a perfume that captures movie magic. And not to be neglected is the perfect gift for any librarian: “Russian Caravan Tea – Smoked black Indian tea, bergamot and the hint of shelves full of old books”. Russian Caravan Tea would test the veracity of the oft-exclaimed, “I love the smell of old books”.
No need to thank us for the gift-giving ideas, as our whiff on this story comes from Amy Eaton. Her ability to smell out a malodorous article is much appreciated.
by Philippe Cloutier
Today is American Censorship Day and the Electronic Frontier Foundation dearly hopes that we will contact our representatives and make our voices heard. The idea of blacklisting websites and blocking information access sends chills up my spine. It is difficult to fathom any bill getting through Congress that serves to control the Internet and the flow of information. Unfortunately the Stop Online Piracy Act is not a joke. The bill would give new powers to the Attorney General for Internet take-downs. Apparently no court process or judicial review would be necessary. Not to be outdone, the bill also has a buddy: the Protect IP Act. For more information on the the latter bill check-out this video from AmericanCensorship.org.
LLOPS Executive Board Meeting Minutes
October 4, 2011
Attendees: Crystal Sherman Norton (President), Mort Brinchmann (Past-President), Jennifer Hill (Vice President/President Elect), Stephanie Wilson (Treasurer). Absent was Judy Davis (Secretary).
Held at: Riddell Williams, Seattle, WA
Time: The meeting was called to order by President Crystal Norton at 9:35 a.m.
Continue reading 'LLOPS Executive Board Meeting Minutes 10/4/2011'»
by Stina McClintock
This has been a busy time in the world of news and entertainment. Between the heartbreaking end to Kim Kardashian’s 72-day not-at-all-for-money marriage to the GOP candidates going for blood in their 500th debate of the year, the goings-on at the Supreme Court have not received much air time. So what are the Justices up to these days? Well, they have been busy issuing its first opinion of the term and hearing oral arguments in cases ranging from prosecutorial duty to disclose evidence to whether or not filing a fraudulent tax return can be considered an aggravated felony. And recently the court heard oral argument on a case that is being likened to a Ninety Eighty-Four Orwellian theme. Continue reading 'Keeping Up With the Court'»
Attending:
Mort Brinchmann, Crystal Norton, Christy Leith, Robyn Hagle, Judy Davis, Jennifer Hill, Stephanie Wilson, Kim Ositis, Tina Ching, Bridget Dacres, Barbara Swatt Engstrom, Kerry Fitzgerald, Amy Eaton, Jill Allyn, Brenna Louzin, Nancy Noble, Susan Schulkin, Holly Gale, Carolyn Pietala, Phillipe Cloutier, and Catherine Horan
Where: Stoel Rives
Time: The meeting was called to order by President Mort Brinchmann on June 28, 2011, at noon.
Continue reading 'LLOPS Business Meeting Minutes 6/28/2011'»
by Stina McClintock
Hey folks! I have some rather startling news. Despite what some retailers might think, between Halloween and Christmas there is this rumored holiday called “Thanksgiving”. (True story: I was at Walmart at midnight this past weekend and they were playing Christmas music. It wasn’t enough that I was at Walmart, but I had to listen to that awful Paul McCartney Christmas song while buying a ladder and light bulbs.) Thanksgiving is the time when we stop and reflect on the things we are grateful for, whether it be friends, family or E! green-lighting another season of Keeping Up With the Kardashians. And even one library system is getting in the spirit by helping their fellow man. Continue reading '‘Tis the Season (No, not that one)'»
The opening keynote with Andy Hines and message from President Darcy Kirk are available online. In order to access the video and slide materials you’ll need an AALL log-in. Additional notes and audio from the event should be up shortly. Stay tuned here or on the AALL website.
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