Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Nominations 2010

It's that time of the year again! VALL is looking for a Vice President/President Elect, Secretary and Director.

Please fill out a nominations form located at: http://vall.pbworks.com/ or email Nominations Chair, Cathy Palombi at ccp7m@virginia.edu with your suggestions.

Deadline is February 5th, 2010.

Friday, November 13, 2009

VALL Survey: Timing & Frequency of Meetings

From Fred Dingledy:

Greetings, VALL members!

At the Fall/Annual Meeting, we discussed the frequency and timing ofVALL's meetings. It's been brought to our attention that the quarterlymeeting format might be a large time and financial commitment for a lot of members, especially in these days of tight budgets. We're also wondering if the Annual Meeting should be changed from a two-day to a one-day event. So, we'd like your input. We've created a six-question survey that you can access at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=p7LTimIAQlSQNUTp4PMdxQ_3d_3d

VALL's meetings can't go anywhere without our members, so your input is very important to us. Note that actually changing the number of meetings per year will require a by laws amendment, so this is something that won't happen overnight, but we'd like to know how our members feel about this before putting things into motion.We'd greatly appreciate it if you could respond to the survey by Thursday, November 19, since one of the questions is about a preferred date for the Winter 2010 meeting. Thanks in advance!

VALL Annual Meeting at South University, Richmond, Nov. 6 - 7, 2009

"Cool" "Modern" and "Immensely attractive" were some of the words used by members of VALL to describe South University's Richmond Campus. VALL held it's annual meeting at the Richmond Campus, Nov. 6 - 7, and it was attended by about 30 members.

The Friday attendees in the Distance Learning Lab






Interim Richmond Campus President Seth Saunders welcoming VALL and sharing SU's history, philosophy and plans with VALLers


Doris Morgan from McGuireWoods won one of Friday's door prizes -- an SU t-shirt. Seth Saunders and SU Head Librarian Evelyn Campbell present it to her.



VALL Program Chair Anthony Ikwueme receives the second door prize from Seth Saunders. The third door prize which was an SU clock was won by Julie Stuckey.



Gail Warren from the Virginia State Law Library and Jean Holcomb presenting their Friday program Got Ideas? Tools and Techniques to Identify, Refine and Communicate Ideas that Stick.



Friday's attendees listening attentively to Gail and Jean.



Saturday's panel for Bridging the Gap Between What Law Schools Teach and What Law Firms Need. L-R: Chris Byrne from the College of William & Mary Law Library, Suzanne Corriell from the University of Richmond Law Library, Barbara Baxter from Liberty University School of Law Library, Billie Jo Brooks from Williams Mullen and Laurie Claywell from Kaufman & Canoles.



Saturday's attendees listening to the panel before participating in a lively discussion.


Donna Bausch, Jean Holcomb, Tracie Krumbine and Doris Morgan during a break in the program.



Jeanne Ullian, Chris Byrne and VALL President Fred Dingledy.



Gail Warren, Barbara Cumming, Billie Jo Brooks and Barbara Baxter.


Guest Speaker Christine Sellers from the Library of Congress sharing her experiences with VALL on how she coped with being laid off and how she created the popular blog Law Librarians of Leisure.


Guest speaker Christine Sellers



More door prizes! Billie Jo Brooks wins one of the door prizes donated by LexisNexis' Leanne Battle. L-R: Fred Dingledy, Tracie Krumbine and Billie Jo Brooks.


Suzanne Corriell wins the second door prize.


David Knight from the Norfolk Law Library won the third door prize.

A Word (or two) from VALL President Fred Dingledy:
"Thanks to everyone for making the VALL Fall/Annual Meeting a success! Kudos to the Program Committee for coming up with a great slate of speakers. Jean Holcomb and Gail Warren provided sage advice on how to come up with ideas that will stick; and just as important, how to get those ideas across to the people who have to implement them. There was a lively panel discussion involving librarians from the academic and law firm worlds on how to best teach law students the research skills they will need as attorneys. Finally, Christine Sellers, the mind behind the Law Librarians of Leisure blog, offered sound advice on dealing with the current job market for law librarians.
I was especially pleased with the high degree of involvement our members displayed. Many questions and comments flew back and forth between presenters and members during the weekend's programs, which I always take as a sign of a good meeting. Once again, thanks to the presenters, organizers, and attendees, and a big thanks to South University as well for agreeing to host the event at their brand-new campus in Richmond. I hope everyone will be there for the Winter Meeting at Liberty!"

Monday, November 2, 2009

Directions to South University

From Charlottesville: Take I-64 east toward Richmond. Take exit 178-A (Route 250 West also known as West Broad Street). As you enter Route 250, you must cross all lanes of traffic and get into the left most lane so that you may turn left at the first full traffic signal (Brookriver Drive). From the left most turn lane, turn left onto Brookriver Drive. Go past the first street (Whole Foods will be on your left) and drive to the stop sign staying in the left lane. At the stop sign, South University is the building across the street to your left (look for the orange awnings). Drive straight across the street and turn left into the parking lot behind the building.


From Williamsburg: Take I-64 west toward Richmond. Take exit 178-A (Route 250 West also known as West Broad Street. As you enter Route 250, you must cross all lanes of traffic and get into the left most lane. Go past the first partial traffic signal that puts people back on I-64, and turn left at the first full traffic signal (Brookriver Drive). From the left most turn lane, turn left onto Brookriver Drive. Go past the first street (Whole Foods will be on your left) and drive to the stop sign staying in the left lane. At the stop sign, South University is the building across the street to your left (look for the orange awnings). Drive straight across the street and turn left into the parking lot behind the building.


For those using Routes 60 or 360 from west of Richmond: Go east on either Route 60 or 360. Get on Route 288 North and go across the James River. Take the Route 250 East (also known as West Broad Street) exit. Stay in the right lane and proceed approximately three miles. You will see Short Pump Town Center mall on your left and several shopping centers on your right. After you pass a very large intersection (Pump Road and Pouncey Track Road), you will see a Walmart on your left followed by a Target, Kroger, Home Depot and Kohl’s (all on your left). On your right, is West Broad Village. Turn right into West Broad Village shopping center at Brookriver Drive. Get into the left lane, go past the first street (Whole Foods will be on your left) and drive to the stop sign staying in the left lane. At the stop sign, South University is the building across the street to your left (look for the orange awnings). Drive straight across the street and turn left into the parking lot behind the building.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Food Drive

Congratulations to those libraries who are doing the food drive for the Central Virginia Food Bank! For those who haven't started, it's not too late ... there is still time left to collect canned and boxed goods. Foods that are needed are canned chicken & ham, canned tuna & salmon, peanut butter, canned vegetables, canned fruits, spaghetti sauce, hot & cold cereals and pasta & rice. Please check out the Food Bank's website for other urgently needed items and for flyers & tips on how to conduct a food drive:
Please bring your donations to the VALL meeting on Nov. 6 and arrangements will be made to drop off the donated goods to the Food Bank. A report will be made to the membership on how many pounds of food VALL was able to collect. One pound of food averages one meal ... let's help feed the hungry in Virginia ... donate generously!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Dine Around for Nov. 6th Night

There are many restaurants around South University. Please take a look at the list below, check out the menus and then post a comment stating your name and your restaurant choice by Oct. 31st.

Mimi's Cafe:
This is a New Orleans themed restaurant which is within walking distance of Aloft and South University. If you order the Bread Pudding be sure to ask for extra whiskey sauce!
http://www.mimiscafe.com/

Kona Grill:
The menu at this restaurant is American with Pacific Rim fusion so there is sushi and also pad thai available. The Pad Thai Noodles with Shrimp and Chicken & the Sweet-Chili Glazed Salmon were excellent.
http://www.konagrill.com/

Bertucci's:
Is an area favorite and is a short drive from South University. It has introduced its new Fall menu items and the Fettucinne Isabella is delicious. The rolls are excellent ... crusty on the outside and soft on the inside ... just be sure to save room for dinner and maybe dessert.
http://www.bertuccis.com/

Tara Thai:
In the Short Pump Center is also very popular. Have dinner and then do a spot of shopping!
http://www.tarathairichmond.com/

Please post a comment if you have additions to the list. This is just a very short list.

Friday, October 9, 2009

VALL Annual Meeting at South University, Nov. 6 - 7

Dates: Friday-Saturday, November 6-7, 2009
Location: South University
2151 Old Brick Road
Glen Allen, Virginia 23060
Registration Form and Hotel Information:
http://vall.pbworks.com/2009+Fall-Annual+Meeting