Step Inside the Collaborative Zone

Saturday
April 7
11:15 am to 12:00 pm


Michelle Rigual, Library Director, University of New Mexico Law Library

Click to download program materials for Enter the Collaborative Zone

To match the diversity of its patrons, the University of New Mexico Law Library has embraced diversity in its spaces. As a follow up to Friday’s session on the 21st Century Law Library, we’ll take a virtual guided tour through UNM’s recently-created Collaborative Zone and discuss how facilities changes reflect trends in legal education and libraries as well as local idiosyncrasies.

Developing Cultural Intelligence: Working Effectively Across Cultures (Deep Dive, part 2)

Saturday
April 7
11:15 am to 12:00 pm

Dr. Michele A. L. Villagran Lecturer, University of North Texas / CEO, CulturalCo

It is not enough to simply be ‘aware’ anymore. We must go beyond our own self-awareness and awareness of others to understand the impacts of how we work and interact effectively in culturally diverse situations, whether domestic or global. As the information profession operates in an ever changing, global environment, we need to be prepared to handle any diverse situation. As our workforces become more diverse, we face an even greater challenge and problem: that is how to successfully manage increasingly diverse interactions. To address this concern, organizations are applying the framework of cultural intelligence. Cultural intelligence is a person’s capability for successful adaptation to new cultural settings, that is, for unfamiliar settings attributable to cultural context. Cultural intelligence is not specific to a particular culture – rather it focuses on the capability to function effectively in culturally diverse situations. This session will discuss an overview of cultural intelligence (CQ) and its application within the information profession; specifically look at its application to change. Cultural intelligence allows information professionals to reinvent themselves by understanding their CQ, and applying differing techniques within the workplace when involved with culturally diverse situations and confronted with change. In order to understand how to increase an individual’s CQ, one must begin by understanding the four factors or sub-dimensions of CQ. Each of these factors relates specifically to cultural challenges: drive, knowledge, strategy and action. This session is designed for any individual that interacts with diverse cultures (ethnic, national, generational, and organizational cultures) and the concept can be applied to any organizational segment (academia, corporate, public etc).

Developing Cultural Intelligence: Working Effectively Across Cultures (Deep Dive, part 1)

Saturday
April 7
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Dr. Michele A. L. Villagran, Lecturer, University of North Texas / CEO, CulturalCo

Dr. Michele A. L. Villagran discusses cultural intelligence at the SWALL/HALL 2018 Join Conference.

It is not enough to simply be ‘aware’ anymore. We must go beyond our own self-awareness and awareness of others to understand the impacts of how we work and interact effectively in culturally diverse situations, whether domestic or global. As the information profession operates in an ever changing, global environment, we need to be prepared to handle any diverse situation. As our workforces become more diverse, we face an even greater challenge and problem: that is how to successfully manage increasingly diverse interactions. To address this concern, organizations are applying the framework of cultural intelligence. Cultural intelligence is a person’s capability for successful adaptation to new cultural settings, that is, for unfamiliar settings attributable to cultural context. Cultural intelligence is not specific to a particular culture – rather it focuses on the capability to function effectively in culturally diverse situations. This session will discuss an overview of cultural intelligence (CQ) and its application within the information profession; specifically look at its application to change. Cultural intelligence allows information professionals to reinvent themselves by understanding their CQ, and applying differing techniques within the workplace when involved with culturally diverse situations and confronted with change. In order to understand how to increase an individual’s CQ, one must begin by understanding the four factors or sub-dimensions of CQ. Each of these factors relates specifically to cultural challenges: drive, knowledge, strategy and action. This session is designed for any individual that interacts with diverse cultures (ethnic, national, generational, and organizational cultures) and the concept can be applied to any organizational segment (academia, corporate, public etc).

Free and Low Cost Tech Tools for Law Librarians

Saturday
April 7
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Emily Lawson Reference Librarian, University of Houston Law Center O'Quinn Law Library
Dan Donahue International and Foreign Law Librarian, University of Houston Law Center O'Quinn Law Library

Dan Donahue talks legal tech at SWALL/HALL 2018.

This program will feature a variety of free and low cost technology tools that can be used by all types of law librarians to assist with tasks such as teaching, marketing, time management, information organization, and research.

Putting the “Person” back into “Personnel”: Emotional Intelligence in Law Libraries

Saturday
April 7
9:00 am to 9:45 am

Sherri Thomas, Assistant Director, University of New Mexico Law Library

Law libraries are institutions with the essential mission of serving diverse and demanding patron bases. In these times of budgetary crunches, libraries are carrying their same levels of service, but with fewer personnel. Many times delegation of responsibilities does not depend on assessing what individual in the institution will excel at a task, but more often on who has less on their plate overflowing plates. Without considering the person that is taking the task and only focusing on task completion poor attitudes take root, which immediately create discord between supervisors and supervisees, and will eventually adversely affect library services. This article takes a look at how law library administrators can use emotional intelligence techniques to avoid managerial pitfalls and stay sane.

Information Services without Boundaries

Saturday
April 7
9:00 am to 9:45 am

Blythe McCoy, Librarian Relations Manager at Thomson Reuters, shares her marketing expertise.

Blythe McCoy Librarian Relations Manager, Thomson Reuters

Click to download program materials.

With the velocity and volume of information along with the constant change in technology in today’s market, Information Services Departments must think, act, manage and share information strategically to make an impact within business units and across the organization. The value of these services must be proven often. We will explore ideas and strategies that will leverage the impact the Information Services Department makes across your business—New and strategic ways to deliver valuable information and insight, going beyond the reactive approach to information services, how to leverage resources to benefit non-traditional business units, ways to collaborate with various stakeholders to show your value.

 

Address from AALL President Greg Lambert

Saturday
April 7
8:30 am to 9:00 am

Greg Lambert, AALL President, Chief Knowledge Services Officer, Jackson Walker LLP, Houston

SWALL and HALL are honored to welcome the president of American Association of Law Librarians to provide an update on the state of our national association.

Posted in All Educational Programs, All Events, April 7 - Saturday
Tagged Track 1, Track 2, Academic, Law Firm, Public Service, Government, Management, Meetings
 

American Civil Liberties Union Papers 1912-1990

Friday
April 6
2:30 pm to 3:15 pm

Vince Vessalo, Senior Account Representative-Gale; Rob Sieracki Academic Library Representative-Gale

American Civil Liberties Union Papers (ACLU)-1912 to 1990 was recently released by Gale and consists of two collections: -Part 1 Roger Baldwin years (1912-1950) and years of expansion (1950-1990). -Part 2 Southern Regional Office Records includes all new scanning held at the Mudd Library, Princeton University. Join Vince Vessalo and Rob Sieracki from Gale, as they offer a review and exploration concerning these two new academic collections as an added on archival installment of the Making of Modern Law.

Posted in All Educational Programs, All Events, April 6 - Friday
Tagged Academic, Government, Law Firm, Public Service, Tech Services, Track 2

Video Editing for Law Librarians (Deep Dive, part 2)

Friday
April 6
2:30 pm to 3:15 pm

Joseph Lawson, Deputy Director, Harris County Law Library

Click to download program materials.

Video is quickly becoming an essential medium for instruction, outreach, and public services. In this program, learn basics of video editing and applications in law library settings, from creating social media content and screen-casts to using video content for DIY digital signage to working with recordings of live programs. The program will include a live demonstration of editing techniques.

Sample Videos

Video Outreach for Law Librarians (Deep Dive, part 1)

Friday
April 6
1:30 pm to 2:15 pm

Jennifer Laws, Scholarly Communications & E-Resources Librarian & Lecturer III, University of New Mexico Law Library

Click to download program materials.

Many law libraries are looking for ways to diversify and extend their services without hiring lots more people or opening branches. Video content is a powerful tool to increase the impact of existing services, expand the role of librarians and the library within a parent organization, and address specific information and training needs. This program will explore ways that video content is being used in all types of law libraries. It will also examine the pros and cons of using video content and tools. Participants will have the opportunity to brainstorm ways that video content could address a specific need or goal in their own libraries.

Sample Video:

Robot Lawyer: Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of Law

Friday
April 6
1:30 pm to 2:15 pm

Saskia Mehlhorn, Director of KM and Libraries, Norton Rose Fulbright

Technology-fueled disruption has made its way into industries like healthcare, transportation, journalism and many more. At the center of this disruption is artificial intelligence ("AI"), which refers to a computer's ability to mimic "cognitive" functions such as "learning" and "problem solving" that are commonly associated with the human mind.

Those familiar with the practice of law expect that AI will disrupt the legal profession in the not-so-distant-future and that in fact it is already being utilized for tasks like contract review, e-discovery and practice management.

The session will provide a basic overview of AI in the legal profession, give specific examples of tools that incorporate AI technology and discuss opportunities for lawyers and other legal professionals.

Posted in All Educational Programs, All Events, April 6 - Friday
Tagged Academic, Government, Law Firm, Management, Public Service, Tech Services, Track 2

Preparing Students for Summer Externships and Employment

Friday
April 6
11:30 am to 12:15 pm

Alexandra Siek, Public Services Coordinator, University of New Mexico Law Library

Many law schools find a need to prepare their students - particularly the rising second years - for summer externships and employment, most often because first year curriculums are insufficient in preparing them for their summer legal research needs. This presenter will discuss her experiences at the University of New Mexico School of Law in supporting the research needs of students seeking summer externships and employment, and how that support has developed and continues to adapt. Attendees will also have opportunities to learn from their colleagues what they’ve tried at their own institutions and what has – and hasn’t - worked.

Click to download slides for this program.

Click the image to download the Group Worksheet from this program.

Current Issues in Immigration Law

Current Issues in Immigration Law

Friday, April 6

10:30am to 11:15am

  • Geoffrey Hoffman (panelist), Director, University of Houston Law Center Immigration Clinic
  • Anuj Shah (panelist), Attorney, The Law Office of Anuj A. Shah
  • Rosemary Vega (panelist), Contract Staff Attorney, University of Houston Law Center Immigration Clinic
  • Dan Donahue (moderator), Foreign and International Law Librarian, University of Houston O’Quinn Law Library

Immigration law is a subject that many law librarians can expect to encounter more frequently in the future: legal practitioners need access to the most current developments in this rapidly changing field, and the numbers of potential firm, clinic and pro se clients in critical need of assistance is only continuing to increase. This program is a panel discussion in which local experts will discuss the current state of immigration law, share stories about their experiences in the field, take questions from the program attendees, and generally help the attendees better understand both immigration law and the needs of a growing set of library patrons.

CLE: 1.0 hours in Texas

 

Cases or Spaces: What's the 21st Century Law Library Look Like?

Friday
April 6
10:30 am to 11:15 am

Stacy Fowler, Associate Professor/Technical Services Librarian, St. Mary's University School of Law Library (moderator)
Victoria Trotta Director/Associate Dean, ASU Law Library
Edward Hart, Assistant Dean and Director of the Law Library, UNT Dallas
Mike Martinez, Jr. Deputy Director of Administration, St. Mary's University School of Law Library

Just what is the modern academic law library of 2020 supposed to look like? Print vs. electronic materials? Fewer private study areas vs. commons for group study? Sleep pods? Law library administrators will each highlight their 3-year vision for their particular school, focusing on what their current design and collection development model is and how that is expected to change. Both public and private schools will be represented, as will various school sizes.

Plenary Session - Blockchain: A Legal Perspective

Friday
April 6
9:00 am to 10:00 am

Speaker: Luke Gilman, Partner, Jackson Walker LLP

Luke Gilman, Partner, Jackson Walker LLP

The program will present an overview of blockchain technology and bitcoin applications. The discussion topics will include illicit transactions, tax issues, initial coin offerings, issues that arise in different legal practice areas, and recent legislation.

Accessing Government Records: Overview of the PIA Request Process

Thursday
April 5
4:15 pm to 5:00 pm

Kristen Lee, Assistant County Attorney & Public Information Coordinator, Office of Vince Ryan, Harris County Attorney

Click to download program materials for Accessing Government Records: Overview of the PIA Request Process

Attorney Kristen Lee will draw from her experience as Public Information Coordinator in one of the busiest PIA departments in Texas to provide an overview of the Texas Public Information Act (PIA), which establishes the right to access government records, and the process for placing requests under the Act.

Ignite Talks

Thursday
April 5
4:15 pm to 5:00 pm

Jamie Baker discusses algorithmic competence.

Facilitating the Duty of Tech Competence in the Algorithmic Society
Jamie Baker, Associate Director, Texas Tech University School of Law Library
As more states continue to adopt the ethical Duty of Technology Competence, and as we move from the "Digital Age" to the "Algorithmic Society," how can law librarians help facilitate ethical compliance? This Ignite Talk will introduce the audience to the Duty of Tech Competence and examine how law librarians interact with and facilitate this duty.

The Art of the Research Conference
Alyson Drake, Assistant Director for Public Services, Texas Tech University School of Law
While many instructors of legal research and writing courses incorporate conferencing into their curriculum, most do so as students engage in the writing process--long after students have struggled with the analytical thinking central to the research process. This program will introduce the pedagogical benefits of conducting research conferences and give a primer on one approach to structuring these conferences in both first year and advanced legal research courses. Attendees will be able to: *Advocate the value of research conferences to their legal research and legal writing colleagues, including how conferences can help meet ABA standards on formative assessment; and *Create a pre-conference questionnaire that will allow their students to set the agenda and tone for the conferences.

Click to download program materials.

CI on the Fly
Caren Luckie, Jackson-Walker

Legal Research Worldwide: Law Librarians Teaching Abroad, Parts I & II
 

Barbara Bintliff speaks at Kuwait International School of Law

Barbara Bintliff, Professor in Law, Director of University of Texas at Austin Tarlton Law Library/Jamail Center for Legal Research
 

Jeff B. Woodmansee, Associate Professor of Law Librarianship at UA Little Rock Bowen School of Law

Jeff Woodmansee speaks at the University of Silesia in Poland


Because law librarianship is an increasingly international field, working and learning abroad can enrich you culturally and professionally. Whether you visit for a few days, weeks, or move halfway across the world for a year or more, these two sessions will give you more information about participating in teaching exchange programs and ideas on how to make the most of a life-changing experience.
    In Part I, Professor Bintliff shares her experiences from her teaching and other formal involvement with the Kuwait International School of Law and will discuss other ways law librarians are increasingly teaching internationally.<p>
    In Part II, Professor Woodmansee will deliver remarks from his recent paper “International Opportunity for a Law Librarian: Teaching Legal Research in Poland” based on his experience teaching criminal law research and involvement as part of the School of U.S. Law program at the University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland.

Disaster Recovery: Law Library Responses in Times of Crisis (Deep Dive, Part 2)

Thursday
April 5
3:15 pm to 4:00 pm

Amanda Watson Director of the O’Quinn Law Library and Assistant Professor of Law, University of Houston Law Center
Joe Lawson Deputy Director, Harris County Law Library
Panelists from academic, law firm, and government law libraries discuss the impact disasters, like hurricanes, have on our institutions and the opportunities to help with recovery efforts, not only in the law library, but in our parent organizations and communities as well.

Click to download Amanda Watson's program materials.

Click to download Joe Lawson's program materials.

Adapting Steenken and Brooks’ Sources of American Law

Thursday
April 5
3:15 pm to 4:00 pm

Edward Hart Assistant Professor of Law and Assistant Dean for Law Library, University of North Texas Dallas College of Law
Stewart Caton, Reference Librarian, University of North Texas Dallas College of Law
Bailey Eagin, Reference Librarian, University of North Texas Dallas College of Law
Law librarians from UNT Dallas College of Law will discuss their experience developing the first-year research curriculum for a required two-credit course using Beau Steenken and Tina Brooks’ textbook, along with its generous creative commons license, Sources of American Law - An Introduction to Legal Research. The book is a CALI eLangdell Press publication now in its third edition. It is freely available in several downloadable formats for various platforms as well as an affordable print-and-bind-on-demand service. They will discuss factors that led to the book’s adoption and their takeaways transitioning away from a more traditional legal research text. For example, one benefit is the ability to take advantage of the creative commons license to rewrite exercises for their jurisdiction. Also important is the interplay between the contents of the book and the promotion of related CALI Lessons. In addition to their feedback, presenters will share commentary from current and former students.