VALL/VASLA Meeting April 29, 2011

The deadline to register for the joint meeting is April 22! Don't let this opportunity to meet, learn and network with fellow VALLers as well as colleagues from VASLA, slip by. Click below for registration form and agenda for the Spring Meeting at Regent University Law Library in Virginia Beach: http://vall.pbworks.com/w/page/37940261/2011-Spring-Meeting

Jane Baugh's Spectrum Article

Everyone has at one time or another had to negotiate contracts with vendors. Check out VALLer Jan Baugh's article on that very subject in the latest issue of Spectrum: http://www.aallnet.org/products/pub_sp1104/pub-sp1104-Yes.pdf

Joint VLA/VALL Conference, Oct. 2011

It's official! VALL will combine with VLA for a joint annual conference this year. The Conference will be held Thursday and Friday, Oct. 27-28, 2011 at the Portsmouth Renaissance Hotel in Portsmouth, VA. This conference provides an excellent opportunity for VALL members to present programs. VLA members are interested in learning about all aspects of law librarianship and legal issues affecting librarians. Present a program on legal reference, copyright law, basic legal research, courthouse documents, using the Virginia Code, other online resources, a "day in the life" program or paths to a career in law librarianship. The possibilities are nearly endless. P rograms geared toward a law librarian audience are also encouraged, as VALL will have its own track at the conference. Presenters will be granted a 50% reduction in the conference registration fee. Any number of people may present a session, but only two presenters will be provided reduced registration. All program proposals should be submitted through VLA's Concurrent Session Proposal Form. You can now complete the fillable .pdf and e-mail it to VLA! Help us promote sustainability by saving paper! Deadline: May 1, 2011. Here is a direct link to the form: Concurrent Session Proposal Form 2011 Here is a link to the conference page: http://www.vla.org/wordpress/?page_id=1342 May 1 will be here in the blink of an eye. Submit soon, and often!

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

First VALL Dine-Around

by Michele Gernhardt

It was a cool crisp evening. My husband reported for baby-sitting duty at 6:45 p.m., which meant I could potentially arrive fashionably late to the inaugural dining out event at Bertucci’s in Short Pump. The highways were blessedly free of traffic jams, but I was quite overwhelmed by the changes to the Short Pump area since my last visit. The dark sky and glaring lights made it nearly impossible to see the street signs. I whooped in excited relief when I spotted the bright red lettering sported on Bertucci’s tower. Without that beacon in the night sky, I would have been even later than my not-so-fashionable 25 minutes. I was greeted by 5 colleagues and a guest. Evelyn Campbell jokingly indicated that as the latest arrival I would be responsible for the check, which would include several glasses of wine and mixed drinks.

The seven of us enjoyed great bread, good food and excellent company for a couple hours. We shared library-related news and also got to know each other a little better as the evening progressed. Fred Dingledy ’s guest, Victoria , the only non-librarian at the table, was the only one to answer a ready reference question during the meal (the location of the 2012 AALL Annual Meeting). It was wonderful reconnecting with colleagues and making some new acquaintances as well. I finally got to meet Greg Stoner , who happens to work just down the street from me. Somehow in the midst of busy reference shifts and deadlines, I hadn’t met him before.

We were all far too stuffed for dessert, but were quick to agree to another get-together in the near future. Terri Long and Lara Dresser recommended Tarrant’s Café in downtown Richmond (http://www.tarrantscafe.org/). We plan to pick an evening in March. If you’d like to attend, feel free to post your avoid dates, or e-mail them to mgernhardt@hunton.com.

VALL Winter Meeting Registration

Registration for the Winter Meeting on Feb. 18 at Hunton & Williams in Richmond is now open. Please check the VALL Wiki for information and the registration form:

http://vall.pbworks.com/w/page/34706734/2011-Winter-Meeting

February 14 is the deadline ... don't wait too long!