The Barbara Cumming Professional Development Grant

The Barbara Cumming Professional Development Grant was formally initiated at the VALL Winter Meeting in Richmond on Feb. 18. The grant was created in the memory of long-time VALL member and dear colleague, Barbara Cumming, who was law librarian at Watt, Tieder, Hoffar & Fitzgerald, LLP for many years. Members of Barbara's family and firm were present at the dedication ceremony. Barbara’s daughter, Kristin Cumming Murdock, and Bob Cox, senior partner at Watt Tieder, both spoke of her love of law librarianship and her enthusiastic involvement in VALL. Watt Tieder donated $1,000 to initiate the Barbara Cumming Professional Development Grant. Many thanks to VALL members, Donna Bausch, Terry Long, Frosty Owen, Gail Warren, Gail Zwirner, Greg Stoner, Jean Holcomb and Theresa Schmid who have made donations towards the grant. A special thank you to the Grants Committee (chaired by Jean Holcomb) for its tireless efforts in setting up this grant.

Joe Murdock , Kristin Cumming Murdock , Bob Cox , Jennifer Blandford , Michele Gernhardt and Anthony Ikwueme

Barbara Cumming at the last VALL annual meeting she attended in Richmond in 2009.

VALL Winter Meeting in Richmond

Write up by Michele Gernhardt, Photos by Terry Long

The promise of spring was in the air on the day of the VALL Winter Meeting with clear weather and unseasonably warm temperatures. Twenty-eight VALL members and guests gathered in a top floor conference room at Hunton & Williams in Richmond for what may be the very last VALL Winter Meeting. The bylaw amendments approved at the 2010 Annual meeting have eliminated the need for a winter meeting.

VALL President Tony Ikwueme and VP Michele Gernhardt

VALL President Anthony Ikwueme started off the meeting by warmly welcoming all members and guests, as well as our meeting sponsor, BNA and our host, Hunton & Williams, LLP.

West Account Representative, Chris Vassey (left) with BNA Account Representative, Julie Coriaty (right)

Bill Magee (Regent University Law Library) gave an excellent and engaging presentation titled Research, Laxity and Their Malpractice Progeny: A Teaching Tool for the Unwary Jurist. The presentation illustrated how one can incorporate specific legal research and resource instruction into a very meaningful context - how to avoid being sued for legal malpractice.

Gail Warren and Laura Dresser

The second program was a panel discussion titled Face Time: Training, Marketing and Outreach at Three Richmond Libraries. Gail Warren (Virginia State Law Library), Yours Truly (Hunton & Williams) and Lara Dresser (Richmond Public Law Library) discussed a wide array of programs, strategies, initiatives and efforts underway at our libraries. I personally benefited from learning about Gail’s and Lara’s endeavors, which included book clubs, special collection development, marketing and networking at local bar events and formal training programs. I daresay that all in attendance gleaned at least one new idea from this lively discussion.

The theme of this meeting was training and outreach. There is no doubt that the programs delivered on these points. But it was the near-palpable presence of passion and professionalism that has made the strongest and most lasting impression. Passion for the profession of law librarianship, in the speakers, the attendees and in our memory and celebration of Barbara Cumming’s life and work.

A sincere thank you to every member of VALL for your continued involvement and support.
A specific thank you to Bill Magee, Lara Dresser, Gail Warren, BNA, Frosty Owen, the program committee (Lisa Reinhard, Cathy Palombi and David Knight), Terry Long (our Winter Meeting photographer) and all attendees.

More pictures are available here