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!"

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.

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:

www.cvfb.org

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!

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.

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

Things I learned at AMPLL 2009

by Laurie Claywell

It began innocently enough. I just wanted to support our Lexis Librarian Relations representative since she was on the 2009 AMPLL advisory council. It would look good, I thought, to have people from her territory apply. I wasn’t supposed to actually be chosen to participate. The mission of the conference was Invigorate Your Leadership Skills in Turbulent Times, and I got my first lesson even before setting foot in Dallas. I was reminded by a savvy colleague that VALL offers professional education grants and suggested that I should apply to defray the travel cost. I almost didn’t since I work for a firm that supports my professional education expenses but then I realized that money and the bottom line are what speak to those who occupy the C-offices (CEO, CFO, etc). Resourcefulness is what librarians are all about so I applied, received a grant (thank you) and, hopefully, impressed my boss a bit.

This was not a long weekend of sightseeing or golf in between sessions. It was highly focused, drop any introverted tendencies and get with the program. The breakout sessions and meal time chatter were incredibly informative and stimulating but two of the scheduled programs have really struck a long term chord with me.

The executive director of a Midwestern law firm suggested developing an action plan: set specific goals and objectives; prepare a budget; allocate resources to the highest value; know the cost to support a practice group; justify the return of cost (3x); support all Admin departments (cooperative efforts not adversarial); make changes/improve costs/implement efficiencies; know the firm’s top clients and prospects; be proactive.

To help justify the existence of library staff, track staff billable hours with a goal of a 90% recovery rate. If library time is continually written down or written off by a particular attorney then that attorney’s request gets lower priority; in the eyes of this “C”, collectable equals highest priority; Track cost data and recovery; Track requesting customers and service excellence examples. Record some stats: number of patrons; which practice groups; what kinds of services; ILL trends. Be proactive. Increase visibility -- visit a partner a week: How can we help you or, conversely, this is how we can help you.

Overall, the “C” wished his librarian would talk to him more like an MBA than an MLS.

The other session that had the biggest impact on me was that of building a portfolio – promoting team accomplishments. Too often we are more comfortable working in the background but it was pointed out that we are successful in those support roles and we need to leverage that success: a tree in a forest of accomplishments vs. undocumented successes.

“What Have You Done For Me Lately?” or Starting a Success Portfolio. Capture your kudos and those of your staff. If an attorney passes you in the hall and mentions that your reference librarian really came through in the clutch, ask her to send you a short email to document that help. If she forgets to do it, send her an email thanking her for taking the time to let you know what your staff member accomplished and put that email in the team’s portfolio. What does a Portfolio look like?

Paper or electronic, whichever works best for you and your staff but be consistent. I’m trying out a Workspace in our DM software
Content must make sense to the desired audience (detail; put it in context)
Needs to be more than “thank you!” or “you rock!” One suggestion for content is reviewing the firm’s new client list and noting which clients the library had a role in bringing in

It’s all about perceptions. Dress the part. Exude confidence. Take ownership. Make them look good – and keep a success log of how you did it.