Check out the latest issue (Sept/Oct 2011) of Spectrum for a listing of all winners in the different categories. Congratulations to VALL for winning the Best Campaign award for articles published in the Virginia Lawyer and Virginia Lawyers Weekly.
Here is the link to pg. 16 (cut and paste into your browser):
http://www.aallnet.org/main-menu/Publications/spectrum/Vol-16/No-1/pr.pdf
This was possible because of the hard work and involvement of VALL members. When the opportunity arises don't forget to volunteer to write an article! We have many talented writers in VALL.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Welcome Nick!
Nicholas Stump is the new reference librarian at the Appalachian School of Law Library.Nick grew up in Buckhannon, West Virginia. After attending WVU for both his undergraduate and law degrees he moved to Buchanan County, Virginia (pronounced the same!) to work at ASL.
Nick was a student worker at WVU's Law Library during his law school days.
When he's not answering reference questions for students and faculty, he's often found hiking out in the mountains.
VALL welcomes Nick and looks forward to meeting him at future VALL meetings.
VALL Business Meeting Oct.28
The next VALL business meeting will be held Friday, October 28, 2011 at 10:45 a.m. in the 1st floor Amphitheater of the Portsmouth Renaissance Hotel and Waterfront Conference Center. The address is 425 Water Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704.
Please submit all proposed agenda items to Michele Gernhardt (mgernhardt@hunton.com) by Friday, October 21.
Please submit all proposed agenda items to Michele Gernhardt (mgernhardt@hunton.com) by Friday, October 21.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Register for the VLA/VALL Annual Meeting!
by Michele Gernhardt
The VLA/VALL Annual Meeting is a little over a month away. Remember to reserve your room(s) at the Portsmouth Renaissance Hotel &Waterfront Conference Center before September 26 to ensure you get theVLA Group rate. ($125/night plus taxes and fees. Price includes hotelparking and internet access in your room. A few rooms are also being offered at the current Government rate.) September 26 is just one weekaway! To link to the hotel and for more information about the VLA AnnualConference, please visit http://www.vla.org/?page_id=3950.
We lookforward to seeing you October 27-28 in Portsmouth...come a day earlyand join us for Preconferences on October 26!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Teaching Advanced Google
by Laurie Claywell
Don MacLeod, manager of knowledge management at Debevoise & Plimpton, pointed out at the beginning of the sitting-in-the-aisle room only PLL-SIS program Teaching Advanced Google that our patrons are going to use Google so we might as well help them to get the most from it. I confess I felt a little better hearing him say that out loud since I had come to the same what I thought of as defeated conclusion about a year ago. (The words “really…really?” are frequently poised on my lips when someone says “ok, I’ve checked Google but not sure where to look next.”) Don is right. They’re going to use it so let’s help them to ask a better question. Basic Google is good but Advance Search gives a shorter list with more relevant hits.
To find Advance Search, click on the Options gear icon in upper right corner, then click on Advance Search. Don referred us to the Advance Search tips available as a link on this page (upper right corner).
The syntax tools and filters are great options for forcing and eliminating search terms. A user can take advantage of the Advance Search template or, alternatively, just memorize the syntax tools, i.e., + [search for the literal term], - [eliminate term from the search] , ~ [employ synonyms; our speaker didn’t see a lot of need for more search terms but I can see where it would be useful for things like cellular/wireless/mobile or property/land/real estate], and, lastly, site: [site search](my favorite, too, Don!) A site search allows you to target a specific web site. It’s a good way to dig down on a specific site or to pick up on items that don’t get hits using a site’s sometimes less than adequate search feature.
Other very useful features are the built-in reference tools [what time is it in “x”; currency converter; calculator (5*9)+3 ]. The complete list of tools is on the Advance Search tips page -- click on “special search features.”
Another useful tool was actually pointed out by someone in the audience. He advised us that neutral results can be obtained by inserting Pws=0& after the question mark in the Google search results string. From what I have heard, it may not work with Google Instant so you may want to consider turning off Instant if you want neutralized results. Another option for turning on and off personalized search:
1. Log out if you are logged into a Google account. It should simply say Sign In with no mention of your name in the upper right hand corner.
2. Click on the gear icon on a search results page and select Web History. [the Web History choice seems to appear only on the results page, not the Google home page]
3. Select ”Disable customizations based on Web History.”
I think the frequent excited murmuring of “oh!” and subsequent furious scribbling from those around me during this program is what gave me the greatest insight: what we may take for granted may be new to others. I was reminded to not assume my users know about these tools. Posting tips on the library’s intranet page isn’t enough – hence the need for this PLL SIS program. We need to teach sessions on using Google effectively – ‘cause they’re going to use it. Really.
Volunteer at the VALL/VLA Conference in October!
Volunteers are needed to assist with facilitating sessions during the 2011 VLA Conference to be held October 27-28 at the Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel and Waterfront Conference Center. If you are interested in being a volunteer during the conference, please contactLydia Williams by email at williamslc@longwood.edu or by telephone at434.395.2432.
Bobbie Jane Denny, 1947-2011
It is with sadness we note the death of former Valler Bobbie Jane Denny, who passed away in Grafton, IL on July 28, 2011. Bobbie had been an active member of VALL and was president of the association from 2003-2004 before her retirement in 2006.
Below is a picture and obituary which were published in the Jacksonville Journal-Courier on July 30, 2011:
Bobbie Jane Denny, 63, of Grafton, and formerly of Roodhouse, died Thursday afternoon, July 28, 2011, at her home on the Mississippi River.
Born in Springfield Nov. 6, 1947, she was the daughter of the late James E. and Alene I. "Icky" (Sprague) Denny.Surviving are a daughter, Laura (husband, Bill) Ripol of Richmond, Va.; a son, Mark (wife, Randi) Dain of Fairfax, Va.; four grandchildren, Dain Ripol, Anne-Katharine Ripol, Derek Dain and Luke Dain; a brother, James G. Denny of Beardstown; and her niece, Lauren Denny of Roodhouse.
Bobbie was preceded in death by her parents, World War II Army Air Corps veteran, retired Air Force Master Sgt. James Denny and Alene I. "Icky" Denny. A sister, Joan Carol Denny, who died in infancy, also preceded her in death.
She graduated as valedictorian of North Greene High School Class of 1965. Bobbie attended the University of Illinois receiving her undergraduate degree in psychology with honors and a master's degree in education. She then attended American University in Washington, D.C., where she obtained a Juris Doctorate degree. She later earned a master's degree in Library and Information Science from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Bobbie was a public school teacher and counselor in Illinois. In 1974, she moved to northern Virginia where she had a private law practice for over 20 years. She also was director of the Fairfax County Law Library for 10 years retiring in 2006, returning to Illinois in 2007.
In addition to many academic honors, successful careers in multiple professions and world travel, Bobbie took great pleasure in the finer things in life. She attended Roodhouse Methodist Church as a child, and after coming back to Illinois was a member of The Living Word Church in Alton. She enjoyed painting and was an avid golfer.
Bobbie loved animals, had many pets and was a horse enthusiast. She loved her childhood in Roodhouse, surrounded by friends and family growing up, many of whom were with her on the day she passed.
Visitation will be from 4-5:30 p.m. on Monday at Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in Roodhouse. Following visitation, graveside rites will be held at Fernwood Cemetery in Roodhouse. Memorials may be made to The Living Word Church. Condolences may be left online at http://www.airsman-hires.com/
Below is a picture and obituary which were published in the Jacksonville Journal-Courier on July 30, 2011:
Bobbie Jane Denny, 63, of Grafton, and formerly of Roodhouse, died Thursday afternoon, July 28, 2011, at her home on the Mississippi River.
Born in Springfield Nov. 6, 1947, she was the daughter of the late James E. and Alene I. "Icky" (Sprague) Denny.Surviving are a daughter, Laura (husband, Bill) Ripol of Richmond, Va.; a son, Mark (wife, Randi) Dain of Fairfax, Va.; four grandchildren, Dain Ripol, Anne-Katharine Ripol, Derek Dain and Luke Dain; a brother, James G. Denny of Beardstown; and her niece, Lauren Denny of Roodhouse.
Bobbie was preceded in death by her parents, World War II Army Air Corps veteran, retired Air Force Master Sgt. James Denny and Alene I. "Icky" Denny. A sister, Joan Carol Denny, who died in infancy, also preceded her in death.
She graduated as valedictorian of North Greene High School Class of 1965. Bobbie attended the University of Illinois receiving her undergraduate degree in psychology with honors and a master's degree in education. She then attended American University in Washington, D.C., where she obtained a Juris Doctorate degree. She later earned a master's degree in Library and Information Science from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Bobbie was a public school teacher and counselor in Illinois. In 1974, she moved to northern Virginia where she had a private law practice for over 20 years. She also was director of the Fairfax County Law Library for 10 years retiring in 2006, returning to Illinois in 2007.
In addition to many academic honors, successful careers in multiple professions and world travel, Bobbie took great pleasure in the finer things in life. She attended Roodhouse Methodist Church as a child, and after coming back to Illinois was a member of The Living Word Church in Alton. She enjoyed painting and was an avid golfer.
Bobbie loved animals, had many pets and was a horse enthusiast. She loved her childhood in Roodhouse, surrounded by friends and family growing up, many of whom were with her on the day she passed.
Visitation will be from 4-5:30 p.m. on Monday at Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in Roodhouse. Following visitation, graveside rites will be held at Fernwood Cemetery in Roodhouse. Memorials may be made to The Living Word Church. Condolences may be left online at http://www.airsman-hires.com/
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