Marian the Cybrarian

Here is a link to Thomas H. Benton's very readable review of Marilyn Johnson's This Book Is Overdue! How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All (HarperCollins, 2010) in the Chronicle of Higher Education.

http://chronicle.com/article/Marian-the-Cybrarian/65570/

Message from the President

Faced with the present harsh economic situation, the tasks ahead for a new President of an association like VALL are many. Despite the many challenges, particularly the dwindling budgetary allocations for professional development by member institutions and law firms which in turn affect most VALL functions, I offer my commitment to take the mandate you have given me in accomplishing credible results during my tenure. In making such a bold projection, I have an unflinching belief in the good nature of VALL members who are ever-ready to help when called upon.

In the course of my stewardship, I will endeavor to advance a three-point agenda for VALL, viz: (i.) timely and effective use of technology, including VALL list serve, VALL Wiki and VALL Blog to disseminate information and generate greater interest in VALL programs; (ii.) to come up with a draft list of programs for my administration soon after I take over office so that members can plan well in advance and be able to make necessary arrangements to attend VALL functions; and (iii.) to liaise with the program committee to ensure that VALL meetings are constructive and educational while balancing the interests of the academic, public and law firm librarians that make up our association.

I invite every member to work with me so that we can actualize these goals. I know we can do it, for where there is a will, there is a way. My message will be incomplete without acknowledging the invaluable assistance I received from the immediate past president and some members and past executives of VALL.

I also thank my director and colleagues at Liberty University School of Law library who have committed to support me during my tenure so that I can give my best effort to VALL. And to every member of VALL, I promise to run a transparent administration. I count on your time, talent, and treasure in making my tenure a success.

Thank you.

Tony

Service to SEAALL Award Recipient: Sally Wambold

Congratulations to VALL's own Sally Wambold!

Sally Wambold receiving the Service to SEAALL award from Terry Long

The Service to SEAALL award is given to "a member who has made special, significant and sustained contributions" to the chapter.

"I was privileged to honor Sally this year with the Service to SEAALL award. She is certainly deserving of the award. Sally has served the chapter in many capacities as committee member, chair of the Government Relations Committee, editor of the SEAALL Briefs section of the newsletter and has served as treasurer and as secretary to the chapter. Sally also devised the Preservation Jeopardy game and has coordinated many programs for annual SEAALL meetings," said Terry Long, chair of the Service to SEAALL Committee.

Congratulations once again to Sally Wambold from the University of Richmond Law School Library, it is an award well-deserved!

VALL Spring Business Meeting: Williamsburg

Saying farewell to Fred and welcoming Tony ...

What could it be?

It's a traditional VALL gift to the outgoing president ... a book clock ... to say thank you for the service and that we appreciate the time you gave us.

Fred conducting his last VALL business meeting

VALL members going over by-laws and amendments

The 2010/2011 VALL Board

L-R: Fred Dingledy (past president), David Knight (director), Tony Ikwueme (president), Suzanne Corriell (treasurer) and Charles Condon (director)

Not present: Michele Gernhardt (vp/president elect)

NLW: Virginia Supreme Court Library

The library added a new event to its list of activities this year -- a Brown Bag Book event which was a community book read that was open to people from the judicial branch. State Law Librarian Gail Warren picked a book that would be fun and appeal to a wide range of employees and be by a Virginia author. She settled on The Many Aspects of Mobile Home Living: A Novel by Martin Clark who also happens to be a Patrick County Circuit Court judge.

Participants brought a brown bag lunch and the library provided dessert. The event proved to be so popular that the library is continuing it as a regular book group with a meeting scheduled for June 9th.

Gail also contacted Judge Clark and mailed him copies of his books which he signed and mailed back to her to be used as prizes in some of the library's NLW activities. He also sent additional copies of his book.

Two of the books were used as prizes in a Virtual Scavenger Hunt which was created by Assistant Law Librarian Dee Dee Dockendorf.

Dee Dee Dockendorf and winner of the Virtual Scavenger Hunt

Another activity involved guessing the number of M&Ms in a jar. The person who came close to the number without going over, won the jar of M&Ms and also a $10 Starbucks gift card.

The library also continued its tradition of collecting books for a book drive to benefit a Richmond library. This year the library of the Peter Paul Development Center in Church Hill was the beneficiary of the book drive. The center's website:http://www.peterpauldevcenter.org/

Book drive books on display in the Supreme Court Library