Canadian Association of Law Libraries / L'Association canadienne des bibliothèques de droit CALL/ACBD Blog

2026 Conference Program Now Available / Programme disponible : congrès 2026

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:46:03 GMT

Le texte français suit.

Join us in Moncton, New Brunswick, for the 2026 CALL/ACBD Annual Conference, themed "Currents of Resilience: Navigating Change."

We are thrilled to announce that the conference program is now available. Check it out on the conference website.

Please note that this year, all conference programs, including the Law Librarians Institute and the pre-conference workshop, take place between Sunday, May 24 and Wednesday, May 27 2026.

Registration

Don't miss out on the early bird registration rates for CALL/ACBD members, available until April 17, 2026:

CALL/ACBD members: $760
Non members: $938
Student rates are also available!

To register, fill out the registration form on CALL/ACBD’s website.

We can't wait to see you in Moncton and share in what promises to be an engaging and inspiring event!

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Rejoignez-nous à Moncton, au Nouveau-Brunswick, pour le congrès annuel de 2026 de CALL/ACBD se déroulant sous le thème « Les courants de la résilience : naviguer le changement ».

Nous sommes ravis d'annoncer que le programme est maintenant disponible. Découvrez-le dès aujourd’hui sur le site Web du congrès.

Veuillez noter que cette année, toutes les activités du congrès, y compris le programme de l’Institut pour les bibliothécaires de droit et l'atelier pré-conférence, se dérouleront du dimanche 24 mai au mercredi 27 mai 2026.

Inscription

Ne manquez pas les tarifs préférentiels pour l’inscription des membres de CALL/ACBD au congrès, valables jusqu'au 17 avril 2026.

Membres de CALL/ACBD : 760 $
Non membres : 938$
Des tarifs étudiants sont également disponibles!

Pour vous inscrire, remplissez le formulaire d’inscription sur le site Web de CALL/ACBD.

Nous sommes impatients de vous voir à Moncton et de partager avec vous ce qui promet d'être un événement captivant!

President's Message / Message du président

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:52:32 GMT

Le texte français suit.

CALLeagues,

Following up on this thread in our Member Forum - Globe and Mail reports CSC preparing to eliminate all prison librarian positions - I am proud to let you know that I signed on behalf of CALL/ACBD the open letter that was prepared by Book Clubs for Inmates. I am grateful to Amy Kaufman for sharing this news item with the association, and to Karen Sawatzky for speaking to it at the Executive Board so that we could lend our voice in support of this important cause.

As this example shows, our Member Forum is the space to share news and items of interest to your colleagues from coast-to-coast-to-coast, and I look forward to reviewing more of your forum postings.

Looking ahead, and following on the elections that were held last month, it is my pleasure to announce your Executive Board for 2026/2027:

Katarina Daniels, President (continuing)
Pia Williams, First Vice-President (continuing)
Sean Holdner, Second Vice-President (acclaimed)
Catherine Cotter, Treasurer (continuing)
Margaret Banka, Secretary (acclaimed)
Karen Sawatzky, Member-at-Large (continuing)
Eric Jacobson, Member-at-Large (elected)
Jason Wong, Past-President (continuing)

I am grateful to Donna Sikorsky, Sooin Kim, and Ann Marie Melvie for serving on the Elections Committee and working with our National Officer Laura Romero to ensure a free and fair election; to Mary-Jo Petsche, Danielle Brosseau, Hannah Rosborough, Jean-Sébastien Danis, and Kimberly Feher for serving on the Nominations Committee to recruit members to serve on our executive; and to Sarah Gibbs for putting herself as a candidate for member-at-large.

All these efforts by so many individuals contribute to the sustained governance of our organization, and I am humbled to continue my service as past-president to you and your new board who will officially take office at the end of the AGM in May.

All the best,

Jason Wong

Bonjour à tous les membres de la CALL/ACBD !

Pour faire suite au fil de discussion dans notre Forum des membres, portant sur un article du Globe and Mail selon lequel le SCC se prépare à abolir les postes de bibliothécaires dans les pénitenciers, je suis fier de vous faire savoir que j’ai signé au nom de la CALL/ACBD la lettre ouverte qui a été préparée par l’organisme Book Clubs for Inmates. Je tiens à remercier Amy Kaufman d’avoir informé l’association de cette nouvelle ainsi que Karen Sawatzky d’en avoir parlé au conseil exécutif afin que nous puissions appuyer cette cause importante.

Cet exemple montre que notre Forum des membres est une plateforme d’échange permettant de partager des nouvelles et des sujets d’intérêt avec vos collègues d’un bout à l’autre du pays, et je suis impatient de lire les messages que vous publierez sur le forum.

Pour ce qui est de l’avenir, et à la suite des élections qui ont eu lieu le mois dernier, j’ai le plaisir de dévoiler les membres du conseil exécutif pour 2026-2027.

Katarina Daniels, présidente (poursuit son mandat)
Pia Williams, première vice-présidente (poursuit son mandat)
Sean Holdner, deuxième vice-président (nommé par acclamation)
Catherine Cotter, trésorière (poursuit son mandat)
Margaret Banka, secrétaire (nommée par acclamation)
Karen Sawatzky, membre à titre personnel (poursuit son mandat)
Eric Jacobson, membre à titre personnel (élu)
Jason Wong, président sortant (poursuit son mandat)

Je remercie Donna Sikorsky, Sooin Kim et Ann Marie Melvie qui ont siégé au comité des élections et travaillé avec notre responsable du bureau national, Laura Romero, pour assurer la tenue d’élections libres et justes ; Mary-Jo Petsche, Danielle Brosseau, Hannah Rosborough, Jean-Sébastien Danis et Kimberly Feher qui ont siégé au comité des candidatures afin de recruter des membres pour siéger au sein de notre conseil exécutif ; et Sarah Gibbs qui s’est portée candidate pour le poste de membre à titre personnel. Les efforts déployés par autant de personnes contribuent à soutenir la gouvernance de notre organisation, et c’est un honneur pour moi de poursuivre mon mandat de président sortant auprès de vous et du nouveau conseil exécutif qui entrera officiellement en fonction à la fin de l’AGA en mai prochain.

Amicalement,

Jason Wong

Call for Volunteers: CLLR Feature Article Editor

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:15:13 GMT

The Canadian Law Library Review (CLLR), the official journal of CALL/ACBD, is looking for an additional Feature Article Editor.

The Feature Article Editor will work in tandem with the current Feature Article Editor to solicit, review, peer-review (if needed), and copy edit feature article submissions to CLLR. The time commitment varies, with a maximum of 10–12 hours per issue (three issues per year).

Responsibilities include:

Soliciting article submissions (posting to relevant listservs and forums, contacting people based on their research/conference presentations, reaching out to law schools and library schools for student submissions, etc.)
Corresponding with authors (confirming receipt of articles, notifying authors of acceptance or rejection, etc.)
Reviewing each accepted article (copy editing, recommending non-substantial changes to improve article quality, checking citations and sources, etc.)
Peer reviewing articles if requested (locating peer reviewers, ensuring identifying information is removed from articles, managing the process, etc.)
Submitting final drafts of articles to the CLLR Editor by the internal deadline

This is a perfect position for those early in their careers and more established professionals alike. Previous publishing experience isn't required; however, applicants should have strong writing, editing, and citation skills.

If you're interested in the role or just want to learn more, contact Nikki Tanner, CLLR Editor, at cllr.editors@callacbd.ca and/or Sara Klein, Feature Article Editor, at cllr.features@callacbd.ca by Wednesday, April 1.

President's Message / Message du président

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:33:39 GMT

CALLeagues,

In hopes of encouraging the many of you who have recently suffered through a brutal spell of winter weather, allow me to help you think ahead to the warmer days of spring by reminding you that you can now register for 2026 Conference in Moncton, and the program will soon be available thanks to the hard work of our Conference Planning Committee co-chairs Michèle Leblanc and Laura Corscadden, with the support of the subcommittee chairs, our VP2 Pia Williams, and our National Office Event Manager Yuna Le Berre (not to mention all of you who took the time to respond to the call for proposals).

Future trip planning aside, if you still find yourselves in the winter blues, perhaps some retail therapy will help, and to this end, allow me to recommend looking into the variety of discounts and perks available on a multitude of retailers through Perkopolis, a discounts, rewards and benefits program used by thousands of organizations throughout the country – now including CALL/ACBD! This is an opt-in program available to our new and renewed members, so renew your membership today and follow the instructions below to register for your perks.

Keep calm, my CALLeagues, as spring is around the corner!

~Jason Wong

Bonjour à tous les membres de la CALL/ACBD !

En espérant apporter un peu de réconfort à plusieurs d’entre vous qui avez récemment souffert des rigueurs de l’hiver, permettez-moi de vous faire penser aux journées plus chaudes du printemps en vous rappelant que vous pouvez désormais vous inscrire au Congrès 2026 à Moncton. Le programme sera bientôt accessible grâce au formidable travail des coprésidentes du comité de planification du congrès, Michèle Leblanc et Laura Corscadden, qui sont épaulées par les présidentes des sous-comités, notre 2e vice-présidente Pia Williams et la gestionnaire d’événements du bureau national, Yuna Le Berre (sans oublier toutes les personnes qui ont pris le temps de répondre à l’appel de propositions).

Si vous ressentez encore une certaine déprime hivernale malgré la planification de votre prochain voyage, une thérapie de magasinage pourrait peut-être vous aider. À cette fin, permettez-moi de suggérer de jeter un coup d’œil sur les divers rabais et avantages offerts par une multitude de détaillants par l’entremise de Perkopolis, un programme de rabais, de récompenses et d’avantages utilisé par des milliers d’organisations partout au pays, et incluant maintenant la CALL/ACBD ! Il s’agit d’un programme facultatif offert à nos membres actuels et nouveaux. Si ce n’est pas déjà fait, renouvelez votre adhésion aujourd’hui et suivez les instructions ci-dessous pour vous inscrire et profitez de rabais.

Gardez votre calme, le printemps est à nos portes !

~Jason Wong

Diversity Survey Report Submitted to CALL Board / Rapport sur la diversité soumis au conseil de l'ACBD

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 20:14:49 GMT

Le texte français suit.

The Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization Committee (DIDC) is delighted to share that it officially submitted its Diversity Survey Report to the CALL Board on January 21, 2026.

Le comité de la diversité, de l’inclusion et de la décolonisation (CDID) est ravi de vous informer qu'il a officiellement présenté son Rapport sur la diversité au conseil d'administration de l'ACBD le 21 janvier 2026 [texte en anglais].

Feedback Wanted for 11th edition of McGill Guide / Demande de commentaires sur la 11e édition du Guide McGill

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 19:46:05 GMT

Le texte français suit.

The McGill Law Journal is seeking feedback for the 11th edition of "McGill Guide" (the Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation). We are also conducting research on how law schools use the McGill Guide. The following form can be used to share any comments or suggestions you and your team may have.

We thank you for your collaboration and look forward to hearing from you,

If you have a specific question about using the guide or would like to get in touch with us directly, we are always reachable at mlj.citations@mcgill.ca.

Thank you!

McGill Law Journal - Citations Committee

Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation (McGill Guide), 11th edition – Feedback / Manuel canadien de la référence juridique 11e édition - Commentaires

La Revue de droit de McGill souhaite recueillir vos commentaires sur la 11e édition du "Guide McGill" (Manuel canadien de la référence juridique). Nous menons également une étude sur l’utilisation du Guide McGill par les facultés de droit. Vous pouvez utiliser le formulaire ci-dessous pour nous faire part de vos commentaires et suggestions.

Nous vous remercions de votre collaboration et espérons avoir de vos nouvelles prochainement

Si vous avez une question spécifique sur l'utilisation du guide ou si vous souhaitez nous contacter directement, nous sommes toujours joignables à mlj.citations@mcgill.ca.

Merci!

Revue de droit de McGill - Comité des citations

Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation (McGill Guide), 11th edition – Feedback / Manuel canadien de la référence juridique 11e édition - Commentaires

President's Message - January 2026 / Message du président - janvier 2026

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 18:30:29 GMT

Le texte français suit.

CALLeagues,

As we mark the start of 2026, our association’s annual membership drive also begins (my thanks to those of you who have already renewed your memberships). Related to the value of your membership, we are currently finalizing the details of an exciting new partnership that will deliver real value for each of you who renew - look out for the official announcement in your inboxes in the coming weeks!

Over the Holidays, I received a petition from a segment of our motivated and dedicated members to constitute a new special interest group (SIG) and I look forward to making a more formal announcement to you all soon.

SIGs are the organic communities of practice that form a vital part of our association, and all it takes to start one is 10 or more members with a shared interest (in anything!) declaring their interest in an email to office@callacbd.ca. In turn, your Executive Board and National Office supports SIGs by providing various administrative supports, including: space on the website, access to Basecamp to organize files and manage projects, use of the organizational Zoom account for meetings and events, the option to have meeting space at the annual conference, coordinating funding opportunities and budget requests for SIG activities, and more.

The new calendar year also marks a new fiscal year for our association, and as your executive board continues its work in managing both sides of the organizational balance sheet, I welcome your ideas to explore new and different revenue streams - these ideas may be submitted to office@callacbd.ca.

I hope each of you are having a smooth start to the new year,

Jason Wong

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Bonjour à tous les membres de la CALL/ACBD !

Alors que nous entamons l’année 2026, la campagne annuelle de renouvellement de l’adhésion à notre association est déjà commencée (je remercie les personnes qui ont déjà renouvelé leur adhésion). À propos de la valeur de votre adhésion, nous sommes en train de finaliser les détails d’un nouveau partenariat très intéressant qui offrira une valeur réelle à chaque personne qui renouvellera son adhésion. Surveillez l’annonce officielle dans votre boîte de réception au cours des prochaines semaines !

Pendant les Fêtes, j’ai reçu une pétition de la part d’un groupe de membres motivés et dévoués afin de créer un nouveau groupe d’intérêt spécial (GIS). Je suis impatient de vous annoncer plus officiellement ce projet très bientôt.

Les GIS sont des communautés de pratique organiques qui constituent une partie vitale de notre association. Pour créer un groupe, il suffit que 10 membres ou plus partageant un intérêt commun (dans n’importe quel domaine) et qu’une déclaration d’intérêt soit acheminée par courriel à office@callacbd.ca. En retour, le conseil exécutif et le bureau national soutiennent les GIS en leur fournissant diverses ressources administratives, notamment un espace sur le site Web, l’accès à Basecamp pour organiser des fichiers et gérer des projets, l’utilisation du compte Zoom de l’association pour les réunions et les événements, la possibilité de disposer d’une salle de réunion au congrès annuel, la coordination de possibilités de financement, les demandes de budget pour les activités des GIS, et bien d’autres services.

La nouvelle année civile marque également un nouvel exercice financier pour notre association. Alors que votre conseil exécutif poursuit la gestion des deux colonnes du bilan de l’organisation, je vous invite à me faire part de vos idées visant à explorer de nouvelles et différentes sources de revenus. N’hésitez pas à transmettre vos idées à office@callacbd.ca.

J’espère que la nouvelle année a bien commencé pour tout le monde !

Jason Wong

Canadian Law Library Review 50.3 is Here! / Le numéro 50.3 de la Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit est arrivé!

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 19:25:51 GMT

The most recent issue of the Canadian Law Library Review has been published.

It is the official journal of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries and appears in open access format three times per year (March, July, November).

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Le numéro le plus récent de la Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit vient d'être publié.

Il s'agit de la revue officielle de l’Association canadienne des bibliothèques de droit. Elle est publiée en accès libre trois fois par année (mars, juillet, novembre).

Law Librarians Institute 2026 / Institut des bibliothécaires de droit 2026

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:14:25 GMT

Le texte français suit.

Following the incredible success of our inaugural program, LLI is BACK for its second run, led once again by the incomparable Annette Demers.

The program will kick off on January 19, 2026 with our first virtual meet up. Lessons will be released every two weeks, with regular recap virtual meet ups. The LLI then wraps up in Moncton, with an in-person workshop and the pre-conference session. Optional courses will return after the CALL/ACBD conference.

A reminder that the virtual portion of the LLI is FREE for all CALL/ACBD members. A certificate of completion will be given out to those who complete the entire virtual program as well as the in-person workshop within two calendar years. You do not need to complete all sessions unless you would like to obtain a certificate of completion.

For more information about the program, and to register for upcoming sessions, visit the CALL/ACBD website, here: Law Librarians Institute.

À la suite de l’incroyable succès de notre programme inaugural, le LLI est de RETOUR pour une deuxième édition, dirigée une fois de plus par l’incomparable Annette Demers.

Le programme débutera le 19 janvier 2026 avec notre première rencontre virtuelle. Les leçons seront publiées toutes les deux semaines, accompagnées de rencontres virtuelles régulières pour des récapitulatifs. Le LLI se terminera à Moncton avec un atelier en personne et une séance préconférence. Les cours optionnels reprendront après le congrès de l’ACBD/CALL.

Un rappel que la portion virtuelle du LLI est GRATUITE pour tous les membres de l’ACBD/CALL. Un certificat d’achèvement sera remis à celles et ceux qui complètent l’ensemble du programme virtuel ainsi que l’atelier en personne dans un délai de deux ans. Il n’est pas nécessaire de participer à toutes les séances, sauf si vous souhaitez obtenir un certificat d’achèvement.

Pour plus d’informations sur le programme et pour vous inscrire aux prochaines séances, visitez le site web de l’ACBD/CALL ici : Institut des bibliothécaires de droit.

Request for Clawbie Award Nominations

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 14:02:08 GMT

CALL/ACBD member Sarah A. Sutherland is one the jury members for this year's Clawbie Awards ("Canadian Law Blog Awards").

Every year, the Clawbies recognize the best blogs, podcasts, videos, or other open content in the legal space in Canada.

Quite a few CALL members have been winners in various categories over the years.

More information is available on the Clawbies website.

Nominations will be accepted until the end of day on Monday, December 15th, 2025.

President's Message November 2025 / Message du président de novembre 2025

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 19:18:32 GMT

CALLeagues,

Forgive me for making my remarks this month about generative AI. As overdone and tiresome a topic it may be to some of you, it has become the biggest subject of preoccupation for me this past month.

Among other things, while I was attending a local gathering of science and engineering librarians, I was heartened to hear that our counterparts are also grappling with similar genAI-related issues as we are. What’s more, as the shortcomings of genAI become more apparent and as people become increasingly fed up with “AI slop,” we have a window of opportunity to engage with our stakeholders on our terms and in our role as longtime experts in information literacy, effective searching, and information stewardship. To this end, if you need some talking points about being cautious with genAI, allow me to recommend the “AI is very bad, actually: A manifesto" (and it even conveniently folds into a wallet-sized leaflet).

Back in our world, our colleagues on the CALL/ACBD AI Working Group have unveiled their AI in Legal Research & Writing Applications Assessment Guide after months of hard work and careful deliberation. As an open access publication, allow me to amplify the AI Working Group’s call to circulate the guide far and wide to your stakeholders, with the reminder that CALL/ACBD is on their side in helping them to procure, evaluate, compare, and manage AI as the technology and discourse around it evolves.

Remember: “don't just adopt AI - take control of it.”

Jason Wong

Bonjour à tous les membres de la CALL/ACBD !

Pardonnez-moi de revenir sur l’IA générative ce mois-ci. Même si ce sujet peut sembler exagéré et lassant pour un certain nombre d’entre vous, il est devenu ma plus grande préoccupation le mois dernier.

Entre autres, lors d’une réunion régionale réunissant des bibliothécaires en sciences et en génie, j’ai été réconforté d’entendre que nos homologues étaient aussi aux prises avec des problèmes similaires aux nôtres en matière d’IA générative. En outre, à mesure que les lacunes de l’IA générative deviennent plus apparentes et que les gens en ont de plus en plus ras-le-bol du « contenu dégénératif » (AI slop), nous disposons d’un créneau pour dialoguer avec nos acteurs à notre manière et à titre de spécialistes de longue date en matière de littératie informationnelle, de recherche efficace et de gestion de l’information. À cette fin, si vous avez besoin de points de discussion pour aborder la prudence avec l’IA générative, permettez-moi de vous recommander l’infographie "AI is very bad, actually: A manifesto" (offerte en format de poche, ce qui est très pratique).

De notre côté, nos collègues du groupe de travail sur l’IA de la CALL/ACBD ont dévoilé leur Guide d’évaluation des applications d’IA dans la recherche et la rédaction juridiques après plusieurs mois de travail intense et de mûre réflexion. Comme il s’agit d’une publication en accès libre, permettez-moi de promouvoir l’appel du groupe de travail sur l’IA pour que ce guide soit largement diffusé auprès des acteurs, en leur rappelant que la CALL/ACBD est là pour les aider à faire l’achat, l’évaluation, la comparaison et la gestion des applications d’IA au fil de l’évolution de cette technologie et du discours qui l’entoure.

Et rappelez-vous : « Ne vous contentez pas d’adopter l’IA, prenez-en le contrôle. »

Jason Wong

University of Victoria Creates Open Access Modules for AI in Legal Writing

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:13:17 GMT

The University of Victoria (UVic) has recently developed the Navigating Legal Research with GenAI: An Open Tutorial Series.

This is a collection of four concise, interactive modules designed to introduce legal researchers to the evolving role of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in legal research, and to guide them in using GenAI ethically, responsibly, and critically.

At UVic this has been integrated into the Legal Research and Writing course for 1Ls.

The modules are created using Articulate 360 and are intended as an open educational resource (OER) that can be used and adapted by others.

All four modules are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Please get in touch with lawref@uvic.ca for access to the web or SCORM files which can be integrated into your website or LMS environments.

CALL Releases Free Assessment Guide for Artificial Intelligence in Legal Research & Writing Applications

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:39:58 GMT

The Artificial Intelligence Working Group of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries has released AI in Legal Research and Writing Applications: Assessment Guide.

A French version of this assessment guide is coming soon.

As artificial intelligence transforms legal research and writing (LRW), legal professionals face new ethical and practical responsibilities. This open access guide is your essential companion for navigating the evolving landscape of AI-powered LRW tools.

Designed for lawyers, judges, law librarians, faculty, students, and other legal professionals, this Guide helps you become an informed consumer - one who sets the standards vendors must meet.

Whether you're procuring, evaluating, comparing, or using an AI LRW system, or managing AI-related risks, this Guide equips you with the right questions to ask and the criteria to evaluate.

Key Features:

A process for evaluating AI LRW systems
Scoring boxes and a summary table to facilitate assessments
An Excel tool for ease of comparison
Guidance aligned with ethical and professional obligations

À la mémoire de | In Memoriam - Denis Le May (ancien président de l'ACBD / ex-President of CALL)

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 20:45:21 GMT

Chers collègues,

Veuillez vous joindre à moi pour pleurer le décès de Denis Le May le 23 août 2025 à Québec.

Figure éminente du monde juridique québécois, il était également l'un de nos membres de longue durée (c'est le moins qu'on puisse dire), apportant de nombreuses contributions à notre association, dont une partie est capturée dans ce profil:

Denis Le May was a law librarian and a professor at the University of Laval in Quebec.

In 1989, Denis chaired the conference planning committee for that year’s conference in Quebec City.

Denis is well known for authoring published works such as La recherche documentaire en droit, The Civil Code of Québec in Chart Form, and Le code civil du Québec en tableaux synoptiques.

He also wrote in French a definitive treatise on legal research, as well as the chapter on Quebec research in Douglass T. MacEllvan’s Legal Research Handbook.

Together with John Eaton, Denis is the co-author of Essential Sources of Canadian Law / Les références essentielles en droit canadien.

During his presidency of CALL/ACBD, Denis created the executive board manual, signed the first contract to have a national office in Kingston, Ontario, and designed the new logo/letterhead for CALL/ACBD.

In 2003, Denis received the Denis Marshall Award for Excellence in Law Librarianship and, in 2010, he was named an Honoured Member of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries.

[Hilary Stamper, "CALL/ACBD 50th Anniversary: Reflections | A Parade of Past Presidents" (2013) 38:1 RCBD 8 à la p 11]

L'avis de décès peut-être trouvée ici: https://coopfuneraire2rives.com/avis-de-deces/denis-le-may-26129, et un hommage de l'Université de Laval: https://www.fd.ulaval.ca/actualites/deces-de-denis-lemay-bibliothecaire-de-droit-juriste-et-charge-de-cours-a-la-faculte-de-droit-de-luniversite-laval

Jason Wong
Président de CALL/ACBD

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CALLeagues,

Please join me in mourning the passing of Denis Le May on August 23, 2025 in Quebec City.

A distinguished figure in the Quebec legal world, he was also one of our longstanding members (to say the least), making numerous contributions to our association, a portion of which is captured in this profile:

Denis Le May was a law librarian and a professor at the University of Laval in Quebec.

In 1989, Denis chaired the conference planning committee for that year’s conference in Quebec City.

Denis is well known for authoring published works such as La recherche documentaire en droit, The Civil Code of Québec in Chart Form, and Le code civil du Québec en tableaux synoptiques.

He also wrote in French a definitive treatise on legal research, as well as the chapter on Quebec research in Douglass T. MacEllvan’s Legal Research Handbook.

Together with John Eaton, Denis is the co-author of Essential Sources of Canadian Law / Les références essentielles en droit canadien.

During his presidency of CALL/ACBD, Denis created the executive board manual, signed the first contract to have a national office in Kingston, Ontario, and designed the new logo/letterhead for CALL/ACBD.

In 2003, Denis received the Denis Marshall Award for Excellence in Law Librarianship and, in 2010, he was named an Honoured Member of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries.

[Hilary Stamper, "CALL/ACBD 50th Anniversary: Reflections | A Parade of Past Presidents" (2013) 38:1 CLLR 8 at 11]

His obituary can be found here: https://coopfuneraire2rives.com/avis-de-deces/denis-le-may-26129, along with a tribute by the Université Laval: https://www.fd.ulaval.ca/actualites/deces-de-denis-lemay-bibliothecaire-de-droit-juriste-et-charge-de-cours-a-la-faculte-de-droit-de-luniversite-laval

Jason Wong, President

President's Message / Mot du président

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 19:14:55 GMT

Le texte français suit.

CALLeagues,

As you all mark the change of the season from summer to autumn (I have already had to make the transition from short-sleeve to long-sleeve shirts), and start to look further in your professional day planners, do consider the volunteer and community building opportunities that are available by contacting a committee or SIG Chair with your expression of interest – our capable Chairs would love to hear from you!

In mentioning our committees, I would be remiss if I did not mention that we are still recruiting for the Chair of the Canadian Abridgment Editorial Advisory Board. As one of the longest standing and formalized relationships with one of our key external partners, this committee has a storied past (see this captivating 2012 write-up about the impact that our CALL/ACBD forebearers had in leading a “riot”!), and it is now in need of leadership to ensure that the resource remains grounded in usability and reliability in the 2020s and beyond. To discuss this opportunity further, please contact our Past President Mary-Jo Petsche.

For those of you who are looking for more structure and one-on-one engagement, our flagship Mentorship Program is open for applications for both mentors and mentees, and still for those of you wanting to build your international profile, our colleagues at the International Journal of Legal Information have an interesting opportunity that is further outlined below.

All the best for a smooth and productive transition to autumn,

Jason Wong

Bonjour à tous les membres de la CALL/ACBD !

Alors que vous vous apprêtez à passer de l’été à l’automne (j’ai déjà dû troquer mes chemises à manches courtes contre celles à manches longues) et que vous commencez à planifier vos activités professionnelles, je vous invite à songer aux possibilités de bénévolat et de promotion de notre communauté offertes en contactant un.e président.e d’un comité ou d’un Groupe d'intérêt spécial (GIS) pour lui faire part de votre intérêt. Ces personnes chevronnées seront ravies de faire votre connaissance !

En parlant de nos comités, je m’en voudrais de ne pas mentionner que nous sommes toujours à la recherche d’un.e président.e pour le comité consultatif de rédaction du Canadian Abridgment. Ce comité, qui entretient l’une des plus longues relations avec l’un de nos principaux partenaires externes, jouit d’une histoire riche (lisez l’article captivant de 2012 sur l’impact qu’ont eu nos prédécesseurs de la CALL/ACBD en menant une « révolte »). Le comité a maintenant besoin d’un leadership pour s’assurer que cette ressource reste utile et fiable dans les années 2020 et après. Pour discuter davantage de cette possibilité, n’hésitez pas à contacter la présidente sortante, Mary-Jo Petsche.

Pour les personnes qui recherchent davantage de structure et d’engagement individuel, notre important Programme de mentorat est ouvert aux candidatures tant pour les mentor.e.s que pour les mentoré.e.s. Enfin, pour les personnes qui souhaitent se forger une réputation internationale, nos collègues de l’International Journal of Legal Information offrent une possibilité intéressante, dont les détails sont présentés ci-dessous.

Je vous souhaite une transition harmonieuse et productive vers l’automne.

Jason Wong

Mentorship Program Registration is Now Open! / L’inscription au programme de mentorat est maintenant ouverte!

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 17:43:38 GMT

Le texte français suit.

The CALL/ACBD Membership Development Committee (MDC) is excited to announce that registration for the CALL/ACBD Mentorship Program is now open.

The Mentorship Program is an initiative intended to connect law library professionals by fostering positive relationships between members that will promote growth, leadership, and commitment to the profession.

The program is open to all CALL/ACBD Members and all types of library professionals including library technicians and library assistants.

We are continuing the Peer-to-Peer Matching, which allows members to be matched with another member in a similar role or place in their careers to connect, exchange ideas and provide peer support.

If you are interested in being involved in the Mentorship Program, please fill out the online registration form. Once we have received registrations we can begin matching people together.

We will also be hosting mentor and mentee information sessions to provide information for all members of the program on how to set up a successful mentorship connection.

Link to registration form HERE.

Please complete the registration form by September 12, 2025.

If you have any questions about the Mentorship Program or this form, please contact the Membership Development Committee Co-Chairs, Amanda Irvine or Alexia Loumankis at membership-committee@callacbd.ca.

Le Comité de recrutement des membres de la CALL/ACBD est heureux d’annoncer que l’inscription au programme de mentorat CALL/ACBD est maintenant ouverte.

Ce programme est une initiative visant à rapprocher les professionnel.le.s des bibliothèques de droit en favorisant la création de liens positifs entre les membres afin de promouvoir la croissance, le leadership et l’engagement à l’égard de la profession.

Il s’adresse à tous les membres de la CALL/ACBD et aux professionnel.le.s de la bibliothéconomie, dont les bibliotechnicien.ne.s et les assistant.e.s de bibliothèque. Nous poursuivons encore le jumelage entre pairs.

Il permet aux membres d’être jumelé.e.s avec un autre membre occupant un poste semblable au leur ou se situant à la même étape de leur carrière dans le but d’établir des liens, d’échanger des idées et de s’entraider.

Si vous souhaitez participer au Programme de mentorat, veuillez remplir le formulaire d’inscription en ligne. Une fois que nous aurons reçu les inscriptions, nous commencerons à jumeler les personnes.

Nous organiserons également des séances d’information pour les mentor.e.s et les mentoré.e.s afin d’informer les participant.e.s sur la façon d’établir une relation de mentorat efficace.

Pour vous inscrire, cliquez sur le formulaire d’inscription ICI.

Veuillez remplir le formulaire d’inscription avant le 12 septembre 2025.

Pour toute question, veuillez contacter les coprésidentes du Comité de recrutement des membres, Amanda Irvine ou Alexia Loumankis à membership-committee@callacbd.ca.

Canadian Law Library Review 50.2 is Here! / Le numéro 50.2 de la Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit est arrivé!

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 17:03:14 GMT

The most recent issue of the Canadian Law Library Review has been published.

It is the official journal of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries and appears in open access format three times per year (March, July, November).

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Le numéro le plus récent de la Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit vient d'être publié.

Il s'agit de la revue officielle de l’Association canadienne des bibliothèques de droit. Elle est publiée en accès libre trois fois par année (mars, juillet, novembre).

Article on Trends in Canadian Academic Law Libraries

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 20:37:33 GMT

Annette Demers, Yemisi Dina and Gian Medves have just published Reinvigorating Academic Law Library Standards Survey, Part Two as part of the CanLII Authors Program:

"This article is the second article written by the authors about academic law librarianship in Canada (...) We begin by explaining the impetus for this article. We explore the necessary components for success of a specialized profession generally and then detail selected results of the Reinvigorating Academic Law Library Standards which was conducted in winter 2023. We conclude this article with some general observations about the current trajectory of academic law librarianship in Canada, with an eye to our next article which will suggest relevant changes to academic law library standards in the future."

Annette Demers, BA, LLB, MLIS, is a reference librarian at the Don and Gail Rodzik Law Library at the University of Windsor and has been an academic law librarian for over twenty years. She headed the law library at U Windsor for 10 years. Yemisi Dina BA, MA, LLB, MLIS, MPPAL, is Chief Law Librarian at the Osgoode Hall Law School, York University and has worked in academic law libraries for over 30 years. Gian Medves, BA, MLS, is Chief Law Librarian at the Bora Laskin Law Library at the University of Toronto and has been an academic law librarian for 35 years.

Revised First Edition of the Canadian Open Access Legal Citation Guide Now Available

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 18:13:00 GMT

A revised first edition of the Canadian Open Access Legal (COAL) Citation Guide/Guide canadien de la référence juridique en accès libre (RJAL) is now available.

The guide’s editors have incorporated reader feedback and corrections into a revised edition.

Some of the changes include moving the general rules to their own section and revising rules on citing regularly updated books, regulations, administrative decisions, and generative AI for greater clarity and increased consistency across the guide.

Additions to the guide include guidance on creating a bibliography/table of authorities and on citing reports, dissertations, municipal by-laws, court materials, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - Crown Treaties, amongst other sources. A more detailed list is in the guide’s introduction.

Since the publication of the guide in June 2024, the editors have led multiple online training sessions and conference workshops. We are now working on training materials that reflect the revised edition.

The francophone editors continue to work on the French version of the guide, with the aim to publish it in 2026.

Once the French version is published, we will be able to better focus our efforts to have the courts, tribunals, and the government adopt the guide and to add the guide to citation management tools.

Reaction to the guide has been overwhelmingly positive. In fact, the guide was a recipient of a Clawbie for Best Legal Papers, Reports, or eBooks of 2024 and the CALL/ACBD Hugh Lawford Award for Excellence in Legal Publishing.

The guide’s editors remain committed to feedback and encourage users to get in touch at coal.rjal@ubc.ca.

The 2025 CALL/ACBD–TALL–VALL Salary Survey is now open! / Le sondage sur les salaires 2025 de la CALL/ACBD–TALL–VALL est maintenant ouvert!

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 23:53:30 GMT

Le texte français suit.

The Canadian Association of Law Libraries/Association Canadienne Des Bibliothèques de Droit(CALL/ACBD), the Toronto Association of Law Libraries (TALL), and the Vancouver Association of Law Libraries (VALL) are conducting a joint salary survey.

We need you to complete the survey to ensure that members of our profession have access to current and relevant compensation data. Information on salary and benefits is instrumental in helping both employees and employers, including individuals seeking employment and organizations trying to set a competitive salary.

The survey should take around 15 minutes to complete. Your responses will be anonymized and confidential, and the tabulated results will be available in the Fall of 2025. The survey will remain open for two weeks from 25 June through 9 July 2025.

Bonus! All participants have the option of entering a draw for ten $25 gift certificates from giftcertificates.ca. To enter the draw, you will be prompted to provide your email address via a link to a second survey. This will ensure that your contact information is not linked to your other responses.

Please go to the following web address to respond to the survey in English: https://surveys.dal.ca/opinio/s?s=79860

Thank you for your participation!

The CALL/ACBD–TALL–VALL Salary Survey Committee 2025.

L'Association canadienne des bibliothèques de droit (CALL/ACBD), de la Toronto Association of Law Libraries (TALL) et de la Vancouver Association of Law Libraries (VALL) vous invitent â bien vouloir répondre au sondage afin que les membres de notre profession puissent avoir accès à des données actuelles et pertinentes sur la rémunération.

Les renseignements sur les salaires et les avantages sont indispensables pour aider les employés et les employeurs, ainsi que les personnes à la recherche d’un emploi et les organisations cherchant à établir des salaires concurrentiels.

Le sondage prendra environ 15 minutes à remplir. Vos réponses demeureront anonymes et confidentielles, et les résultats compilés seront disponibles à l’automne 2025. Le sondage restera ouvert du 25 juin au 9 juillet 2025.

Tirage! Tous les participants ont la possibilité de participer au tirage pour gagner l’une des dix cartes-cadeaux de 25 $ chez giftcertificates.ca. Pour participer au tirage, vous serez invité à fournir votre adresse électronique pour qu’un lien vous soit envoyé vers un deuxième sondage. Cela permet de garantir que vos coordonnées ne seront pas liées à vos réponses.

Veuillez vous rendre à l’adresse web suivante pour répondre au sondage en français: https://surveys.dal.ca/opinio/s?s=79860&lang=fr_CA

Merci de votre participation!

Le comité du sondage salarial de CALL/ACBD–TALL–VALL 2025

Parting Words from Outgoing CALL President / Message de la présidente sortante de l'ACBD

Mon, 19 May 2025 14:30:01 GMT

Le texte français suit plus bas.

Greetings CALL/ACBD members,

As my term as President comes to a close, I want to express my heartfelt thanks for the honour and privilege of serving this incredible association. It has truly been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional life.

What has meant the most to me over this term is the spirit of collaboration that defines our association. Whether working together on committees, sharing ideas at conferences, or supporting one another through challenges, it has been a privilege to be part of such a collegial and generous group of professionals.

I am deeply grateful for the support and teamwork of the Board, our Committees and SIGs, and every member who has contributed time, energy, and ideas. Your commitment to the association’s objectives and your belief in the value of our collective work have made a lasting impact.

I would especially like to thank the members of the Board for their dedication, wisdom, and steady support throughout my term. To Yemisi Dina, Jason Wong, Katarina Daniels, Jennifer McNenly, Donna Sikorsky, Alexia Loumankis, and Hannah Rosborough — your thoughtful contributions, collaborative approach, and willingness to tackle challenges with both professionalism and positivity have made serving alongside you a true pleasure. It has been an honour to work with such a committed group, and I am grateful for the time and energy each of you has given in service to the association.

While my term as President is ending, my connection to this vibrant community will remain strong. I look forward to continuing on the Board for another year as Past-President and supporting the association through our strategic plan.

Thank you again for the opportunity to serve.

Warm regards,

Mary-Jo Petsche

President, CALL/ACBD

************************************

Bonjour à tous les membres de la CALL/ACBD !

Au terme de mon mandat à la présidence, je tiens à exprimer ma sincère gratitude pour l’honneur et le privilège qui m’ont été accordés de servir cette formidable association. Cette expérience fut vraiment l’une des plus enrichissantes de ma carrière professionnelle.

Ce qui m’a le plus marqué au cours de ce mandat, c’est l’esprit de collaboration qui caractérise notre association. Que ce soit en travaillant ensemble au sein de comités, en partageant des idées lors de congrès ou en nous soutenant mutuellement dans les moments difficiles, ce fut un privilège de faire partie d’un groupe de professionnel.le.s à l’esprit de collégialité et de générosité.

Je suis profondément reconnaissante du soutien et du travail d’équipe du C. A., de nos comités et GIS, ainsi que de tous nos membres qui ont contribué par leur temps, leur énergie et leurs idées. Votre engagement envers les objectifs de l’association et votre conviction de l’importance de notre travail collectif ont eu un impact durable.

Je tiens tout particulièrement à remercier les membres du C. A. pour leur dévouement, leur sagesse et leur soutien constant tout au long de mon mandat. À Yemisi Dina, Jason Wong, Katarina Daniels, Jennifer McNenly, Donna Sikorsky, Alexia Loumankis et Hannah Rosborough, vos contributions réfléchies, votre approche collaborative et votre volonté de relever les défis avec professionnalisme et positivité ont fait de cette collaboration un véritable plaisir. Ce fut un honneur de travailler avec un groupe aussi dévoué, et je suis reconnaissante du temps et de l’énergie que vous avez consacrés à l’association.

Bien que mon mandat de présidente tire à sa fin, je resterai très attachée à cette communauté dynamique. J’ai hâte de continuer à siéger au C. A. pendant une autre année à titre de présidente sortante et de soutenir l’association dans la mise en œuvre de son plan stratégique.

Je vous remercie encore une fois de m’avoir donné l’occasion de servir l’association.

Cordialement,

Mary-Jo Petsche

Présidente, CALL/ACBD

New Issue of Canadian Law Library Review / Nouveau numéro de la Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 12:06:43 GMT

Le texte français suit.

Hello.

The most recent issue of the Canadian Law Library Review (CLLR) is available online.

The CLLR is the official journal of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL).

Check out the feature article "Unmasking Identities: A Diversity Survey of CALL/ACBD" (starts p. 10):

"To better understand the membership of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries / L’Association canadienne des bibliothèques de droit (CALL/ACBD), the Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization Committee (DIDC) conducted a diversity survey. This survey provides representative data on membership location and citizenship, education, employment, age, gender and sexual orientation, language, race and ethnicity, religious symbols, ability and accommodations, and caregiving needs. Through quantitative and qualitative survey data analysis, this survey report includes a discussion of law librarianship employment trends, the future of the profession in relation to worker age and career status, the ability and accommodation needs of members, and comparisons to other major diversity surveys that situate law librarianship within the larger profession of librarianship in Canada."

Bonjour.

Le numéro le plus récent de la Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit est maintenant disponible en ligne.

Il s'agit de la revue officielle de l'Association canadienne des bibliothèques de droit.

Jetez un coup d'oeil à l'article de fond qui commence en page 10, "Unmasking Identities: A Diversity Survey of CALL/ACBD":

"Afin de mieux comprendre les membres de l’Association canadienne des bibliothèques de droit / Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL/ACBD), le Comité sur la diversité, l’inclusion et la décolonisation (DIDC) a mené une enquête sur la diversité. Cette enquête fournit des données représentatives sur le lieu d’adhésion et la citoyenneté, l’éducation, l’emploi, l’âge, le sexe et l’orientation sexuelle, la langue, la race et l’ethnicité, les symboles religieux, les capacités et les accommodements, et les besoins en matière de soins. Grâce à une analyse quantitative et qualitative des données de l’enquête, ce rapport d’enquête comprend une discussion sur les tendances de l’emploi dans la bibliothéconomie juridique, l’avenir de la profession par rapport à l’âge et au statut professionnel des travailleurs, les besoins des membres en matière d’aptitudes et d’accommodements, et des comparaisons avec d’autres enquêtes importantes sur la diversité qui situent la bibliothéconomie juridique par rapport à l’ensemble de la profession de bibliothécaire au Canada."

CALL Now on Bluesky Social Network / L'ACBD est maintenant sur Bluesky

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 18:32:17 GMT

The Canadian Association of Law Libraries recentlly joined the Bluesky social network.

It is another platform for association news and announcements in addition to the Members Forum, the In Session monthly bulletin and Linkedin.

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L'Association canadienne des bibliothèques de droit s'est jointe récemment au réseau social Bluesky.

Il s'agit d'une autre plateforme où trouver des nouvelles et des annonces de l'association en plus du forum des membres, du bulletin mensuel In Session et de Linkedin.

CALL Relaunches Law Librarians’ Institute / L'ACBD annonce la refonte de l'Institut des bibliothécaires de droit

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 23:04:03 GMT

Le texte français suit plus bas.

CALL is pleased to announced our revamped Law Librarians’ Institute, a specialized training program designed to help legal information professionals, law students, and other legal researchers build and refine their legal research skills.

Developed by Annette Demers and designed to meet the Competencies of a Legal Researcher in Canada, the program consists of two distinct components: a virtual learning program and an in-person workshop.

The virtual program will begin on March 3, 2025. It features self-paced video lessons, guided exercises, and live virtual discussions. Participants will work through skill-specific modules covering federal and provincial legislation, judicial decisions, secondary legal sources, as well as optional specialized research areas.

Following the virtual portion, participants will attend an in-person workshop on May 24, 2025, as part of CALL’s annual conference.

This hands-on session allows participants to engage in problem-based exercises, collaborate with peers, and apply their newly developed legal research competencies in a structured environment.

Participants who complete all required virtual modules and attend the in-person workshop will receive a Letter of Completion from CALL.

The cost to participate in the virtual portion of the course is included in your CALL membership fee. The cost to complete the in-person workshop at the conference can be found here.

More details, including a course syllabus, can be found on our website, here.

Questions can be directed to Katarina Daniels.

L'ACBD a le plaisir d’annoncer la refonte de son Institut des bibliothécaires de droit, un programme de formation spécialisé conçu pour aider les professionnel.le.s de l'information juridique, les étudiant.e.s en droit et les autres chercheur.euse.s juridiques à acquérir et à perfectionner leurs compétences en recherche juridique.

Élaboré par Annette Demers et conçu pour répondre aux Compétences d'un chercheur juridique au Canada, le programme se compose de deux volets distincts : un programme d'apprentissage virtuel et un atelier en personne.

Le programme virtuel débutera le 3 mars 2025. Il comprend des leçons vidéo à suivre à son propre rythme, des exercices guidés et des discussions virtuelles en direct. Les participant.e.s travailleront à travers des modules spécifiques à chaque compétence, couvrant la législation fédérale et provinciale, les décisions judiciaires, les sources juridiques secondaires ainsi que des domaines de recherche spécialisés (facultatif).

À l’issue du programme virtuel, les participant.e.s assisteront à un atelier en présentiel le 24 mai 2025, dans le cadre du congrès annuel de l'ACBD. Cette séance pratique permet aux participant.e.s de participer à des exercices basés sur des problèmes, de collaborer avec leurs pairs et d'appliquer leurs nouvelles compétences en matière de recherche juridique dans un environnement structuré.

Les participant.e.s qui auront suivi tous les modules virtuels requis et qui auront assisté à l'atelier en personne recevront une lettre d'achèvement de l'ACBD.

Le coût de la participation à la partie virtuelle du cours est inclus dans votre cotisation à l'ACBD. Le coût de l'atelier en personne lors de la conférence est indiqué ici.

Vous trouverez plus de détails, y compris le programme du cours, sur notre site Web, ici.

Les questions peuvent être adressées à Katarina Daniels.

Foreign Library Visits & Exchanges Survey

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 22:17:56 GMT

The following announcement was sent by International Visits Committee of the American Association of Law Libraries, a sister organization of CALL:

The American Association of Law Libraries’ Foreign, Comparative & International Law SIS (FCIL) has long recognized the need among members to gain experience in working with foreign legal information sources and to develop personal and professional relationships with law librarians around the world.

In the past the FCIL International Visits Committee has had a list of opportunities for visits and exchanges and is currently in the process of updating it.

If your library or libraries that you know about are interested in hosting visits or exchanges with librarians and library students from other countries, please complete this survey:

https://uconn.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bPZjLWwbpsWIVtc

If you have any question or concerns, please contact David McFadden, FCIL International Visits Committee Chair at dmcfadden@swlaw.edu.

Canadian Open Access Legal Citation Guide Wins Award for Best 2024 E-Book / Le Guide canadien de la référence juridique en accès libre remporte un prix du meilleur livre électronique de 2024

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 20:47:51 GMT

Le texte français suit.

Happy New Year.

The winners of the 2024 Canadian Law Blog Awards (known as the Clawbies) were announced recently.

The Clawbies exist to reward the best and most innovative Canadian blogs, podcasts, videos, legal newsletters, and other forms of online commentary.

The Canadian Open Access Legal (COAL) Citation Guide put together by law librarians from across Canada, including many members of CALL, was recognized in the category for "Best Legal Papers, Reports, or eBooks of 2024".

Congratulations!

Bonne année.

Le texte français suit.

Les lauréats des Prix des meilleurs blogues juridiques canadiens de 2024 (connus sous le nom des Clawbies) furent annoncés récemment.

Les Clawbies existent pour reconnaître et célébrer les meilleurs blogues, balados, vidéos, infolettres et autres formes de commentaire en ligne dans le domaine juridique au Canada.

Le Guide canadien de la référence juridique en accès libre (RJAL) créé par une équipe de bibliothécaires juridiques de toutes les régions du Canada, dont plusieurs membres de l'ACBD, a remporté un prix dans la catégorie des meilleurs rapports juridiques ou livres électroniques.

Félicitations!

Update from the Membership Development Committee

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:28:07 GMT

The Membership Development Committee (MDC) met on November 25, 2024.

We reviewed the Mentorship Program which was successfully restarted in the summer. Over 40 applications for the program were received, with a high number of mentor applicants being early career professionals.

We were able to make over 20 mentor/mentee matches and four Peer-to-Peer matches. Peer-to-Peer match is a new feature of the Mentorship Program, connecting members who are in the same time of their career, to provide support and share ideas and information.

The MDC also discussed MLIS and Library Technician student member outreach. This was a topic we have been exploring for a while, looking at how student outreach has changed over time and how to get contacts at library schools and speak to library students to share information about CALL and student membership.

We considered how MDC can be involved in new member communications and provide information to new members about how to join committees and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and provide some initial contact with CALL to welcome new members. We also brainstormed some exciting ideas for member recognition and we hope to share some more information about that with members in the new year!

If you are interested in being involved in the Membership Development Committee please contact MDC co-chairs, Katherine Melville (KMelville [at] farris.com) and Beth Galbraith (BGalbraith [at] cwilson.com).

CALL Research Grant / Bourse de recherche de l'ACBD

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 00:13:59 GMT

Le texte français suit.

The Committee to Promote Research is excited to promote the CALL/ACBD Research Grant this year.

This grant is designed to support members' research projects that need financial assistance.

With a maximum award of $5,000, this opportunity empowers law librarians to delve deeper into their research pursuits and contribute to the field.

Research Grant recipients are also invited to share their progress with the Committee and their methodologies, findings, and recommendations with the CALL/ACBD membership through a publication or presentation channel of their choice.

CALL/ACBD Research Grant applications are due on February 24, 2025.

The Research Grant Application and more information may be found on the CALL website's Scholarships & Awards page. Past recipients of the Research Grant may be found in the Research Grant Data Bank.

Questions about the Research Grant Application may be directed to Beth Galbraith or Dominique Garingan (Co-Chairs of the Committee to Promote Research).

Si vous êtes à la recherche de financement pour un projet de recherche, les demandes de bourse de recherche de l'ACBD doivent être déposées au plus tard le 24 février 2025.

Le montant maximal de la bourse est de 5 000 $. Les renseignements, le formulaire de candidature et la liste des lauréat.e.s antérieur.e.s se trouvent sur le site Web de l'association.

Toute question concernant la demande peut être adressée à Dominique Garingan ou Beth Galbraith (les coprésidentes du Comité pour promouvoir la recherche).

Introducing the CALL Volunteer Coordinator / Bienvenue à la coordonnatrice des bénévoles de l'ACBD

Sun, 17 Nov 2024 21:52:07 GMT

Le texte français suit.

CALL would like to welcome and introduce the successful candidate for the Volunteer Coordinator position.

CALL/ACBD is looking forward to working with Vanessa Quiring in this new role.

Vanessa Quiring is the Cheffe – Cataloguing and Library System at the CAIJ (Centre d’acces a l’information juridique) in Montreal.

Vanessa has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Brunswick, a Master of Arts in History from the University of Manitoba, an Ontario Graduate Certificate in Libraries and Digital Technologies from Mohawk College and is currently completing a Master of Information Studies at McGill University.

She has been an active member of the CALL/ACBD community serving on the Conference Planning Committee in 2022 and in Montreal (2024).

She is most interested in issues of preservation and access to legal resources as well as issues regarding classification and cataloguing of Indigenous materials.

L'ACBD tient à souhaiter la bienvenue et à présenter la candidate retenue pour le poste de coordonnatrice des bénévoles.

L’association se réjouit de travailler avec Vanessa Quiring dans le cadre de ses nouvelles fonctions.

Vanessa Quiring est Cheffe – Traitement documentaire et système bibliothèque au CAIJ, basé à Montréal.

Elle détient un baccalauréat en arts (histoire) de l’université du Nouveau-Brunswick, une maîtrise en arts (histoire) de l’université du Manitoba, un Ontario Graduate Certificate (Libraries and Digital Technologies) de Mohawk College et poursuit présentement une maîtrise en sciences de l’information à l’université McGill.

Elle est active dans la communauté du CALL/ACBD en tant que membre du comité organisateur de la Conférence de 2022 et de Montréal (2024).

Elle est intéressée par les enjeux de la préservation et de l’accès aux ressources juridiques ainsi que la classification et la description des ressources autochtones.

Conference 2025 Call for Proposals / Appel de propositions pour le congrès 2025

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 10:55:26 GMT

Le texte français suit.

The CALL/ACBD 2025 Conference is taking place in Calgary, Alberta from May 25 to 28 at the Calgary Westin.

Organizers are pleased to announce that CALL/ACBD is now accepting applications to present at the event.

This years theme is "Moving Mountains Together – Déplacer des Montagnes Ensemble". Connection and collaboration between our members is the foundation of our shared profession and at this conference we are looking for English and French proposals on topics that reflect the diversity of our members expertise and explores the ideas and issues that frame our working lives but also provide a venue for us all to connect.

Organizers are looking for a variety of proposals that fit in with the CALL Professional Pathways, speakers from different types of libraries and introductory and advanced coverage of topics.

The deadline for applying is December 20, 2024.

Le congrès 2025 de l'ACBD aura lieu à Calgary, en Alberta, du 25 au 28 mai à l’hôtel The Westin Calgary.

Les organisateurs sont heureux d’annoncer que l'association accepte maintenant les propositions de communications pour notre congrès annuel 2025.

La thématique de ce congrès est « Moving Mountains Together – Déplacer des Montagnes Ensemble ». Les liens et la collaboration qui unissent nos membres constituent les fondations de la profession que nous exerçons.

Dans le cadre du congrès, les organisateurs recherchent des propositions en français et en anglais portant sur des sujets qui reflètent la diversité de l’expertise de nos membres et qui explorent les idées et les questions qui guident notre vie professionnelle, tout en nous permettant de nous rapprocher.

Ils recherchent des propositions variées qui correspondent aux parcours professionnels de l'ACBC, à savoir des communications présentées par des personnes œuvrant dans des bibliothèques de différentes natures, et couvrant des aspects élémentaires ou plus approfondis.

La date limite de dépôt des propositions est fixée au 20 décembre 2024.

Update from the Private Law Library Special Interest Group (SIG)

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 20:43:30 GMT

Hello.

The CALL Private Law Library Special Interest Group met October 2 for the first meeting of the 2024-2025 session.

This year we are going to focus on soft skills in private law libraries, and we started with reviewing statistics and data-driven decision making. These decisions can be as simple as which books to weed based on circulation statistics to as in-depth as which products to cancel based on little use.

We welcomed a number of private law librarians for a rousing discussion on the use of stats, how we make decisions, how we report the statistics to our managing partner / C-level team / lawyers, and everything in between.

We ended with a round table, as we often do, and came up with some ideas for future sessions, including how private firms bill / don’t bill for online research, how to use the stats to inform new training sessions, and will AI ever be able to run stats for us?

We concluded with a call for private law librarians to volunteer with CALL’s mentorship program, which is making a comeback this year. If any CALL members are interested in participating, please see the Mentorship Program page.

Marnie Bailey
Manager, Knowledge Services
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

Nominations for the Next Hugh Lawford Award for Excellence in Legal Publishing / Appel de candidatures pour le Prix Hugh Lawford en édition juridique 2025

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 19:43:44 GMT

Le texte français suit.

CALL/ACBD is accepting nominations for the 2025 Hugh Lawford Award for Excellence in Legal Publishing.

The Canadian Association of Law Libraries has long had an annual award for excellent legal publishing. Some years ago, we renamed the award we present after Queens University Professor Hugh Lawford (1933-2009) to recognize his contributions to legal publishing in Canada.

As a group of legal information specialists, our work depends on being able to access and share high-quality legal knowledge.

We value innovation and this award is open to legal content in all information formats.

The award honours a publisher (whether for-profit or not-for profit, corporate or non-corporate) that has demonstrated excellence by publishing a work, series, website, or electronic product that makes a significant contribution to legal research and scholarship.

Members and non-members of CALL/ACBD are welcome to make nominations. Information about the process is available on our website.

Please send your nomination to National Office by January 31, 2025.

L’ACBD/CALL accepte les mises en candidature pour le Prix d’excellence Hugh Lawford en édition juridique 2025.

L’Association canadienne des bibliothèques de droit décerne depuis de nombreuses années un prix annuel pour souligner l’excellence en édition juridique. Depuis quelques années, nous avons renommé le prix que nous décernons en l’honneur du professeur Hugh Lawford de l’Université Queen’s (1933-2009) afin de reconnaître ses contributions à l’édition juridique au Canada.

En tant que groupe de spécialistes de l’information juridique, notre travail repose sur notre capacité à accéder à des connaissances juridiques de haute qualité et à les partager.

Nous avons à cœur l’innovation, et ce prix est ouvert au contenu juridique dans tous les formats d’information.

Le prix est décerné à un éditeur (à but lucratif ou non, société ou autre) qui a fait preuve d’excellence en publiant un ouvrage, une série de textes, un site Web ou un produit électronique qui apporte une contribution importante à la recherche et l’aide juridiques.

Les membres et les non-membres de l’ACBD/CALL sont invités à proposer des candidatures.

Des renseignements sur le processus sont disponibles sur notre site Web. Envoyez les mises en candidature au bureau national avant le 31 janvier 2025.

Seeking Honoured Membership Nominations / Appel de candidatures au statut de membre honoraire

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 21:53:37 GMT

Le texte français suit.

Honoured membership status is bestowed on a CALL/ACBD member who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of law librarianship.

This honour is voted on by the membership at its Annual General Meeting (AGM). As noted in CALL/ACBD Bylaw 3.1(b), nominations for honoured membership shall be submitted to the immediate Past President for consideration of the Executive Board.

Nominees deemed by the Board to have met the necessary criteria shall be awarded honoured membership if elected by a two-thirds vote at the next AGM.

In terms of process, nominations must be sent to current Past President, Yemisi Dina, by November 1, 2024.

The nomination should include a brief description of the individual's career, with particular emphasis on their contribution to the Association (where relevant) and to the profession at large. It should also, where possible, provide the names and contact information of persons wishing to support the nomination, offer testimonials, or related materials.

The submission of supporting materials (e.g. letters of support) for the Executive Board’s consideration in reaching a decision to recommend to membership may be sent after November 1, 2024.

Le statut de membre honoraire est accordé à un membre de l’ACBD/CALL qui a apporté une contribution exceptionnelle à l’avancement de la bibliothéconomie juridique.

Cet honneur est entériné par les membres lors de l’assemblée générale annuelle (AGA). Tel qu’il est indiqué au paragraphe 3.1(b) des Statuts de l’ACBD/CALL, les candidatures au statut de membre honoraire doivent être transmises au président sortant aux fins de considération par le Conseil exécutif.

Les candidat.e.s dont le Conseil exécutif estime qu’ils répondent aux critères se verront attribuer le statut de membre honoraire s’ils obtiennent les deux tiers des voix exprimées par les membres à la prochaine AGA.

En ce qui a trait à la procédure, les candidatures doivent être envoyées au président sortant actuel, Yemisi Dina, avant le 1^er novembre 2024.

La candidature doit être accompagnée d’une brève description de la carrière de la personne, en mettant l’accent sur sa contribution à l’Association (le cas échéant) et à la profession dans son ensemble. Dans la mesure du possible, elle doit également comprendre le nom et les coordonnées de personnes souhaitant soutenir la candidature, offrir des témoignages ou de la documentation connexe.

Les documents d’accompagnement (p. ex., les lettres de soutien) qui seront examinés par le Conseil exécutif pour décider de recommander la candidature aux membres peuvent être envoyés après le 1^er novembre 2024.

Video Recording of CALL Conference Session on Legal Info for Incarcerated Persons / Enregistrement vidéo d'une séance de la conférence de l'ACBD sur l'information pour les personnes incarcérées

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 22:52:06 GMT

Le texte français suit.

We are sharing the video recording of a CALL/ACBD 2024 panel presentation advocating access to libraries, law, and legal information for incarcerated persons. We would be delighted if you could share the recording with your colleagues, staff, and any in your network who may be interested in this panel. The panel description is below in French and English.

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Special Substantive Session: Within Bars But Not Without Rights: Legal Information And Library Access for Incarcerated Persons

Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL/ACBD), Annual Conference, Tuesday, June 25, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkrR3o__f1U

Prison libraries are fundamental as they provide access to information about the rights of the incarcerated person and the tools necessary to access those rights.

Imprisoned Canadians are an underserved segment of the population who lack adequate access to legal information and library services. Most provincial prisons do not have formal libraries.

Without a legislated requirement for library access to books and materials, incarcerated persons lack recreational, cultural, educational, and law reading materials. As more legal information is placed online, incarcerated persons are being excluded from simple access to the law.

The “language of law” is not available to this group.

Join an impressive group of panelists and advocates from across the country working to better connect their province’s incarcerated populations with legal information and library services:

Helen Anderson, Director, CLEO Connect
Alan Kilpatrick, Law Society of Saskatchewan
Romy Otayek, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
The Honourable Kim Pate, Senate of Canada
Karen Sawatzky, Manitoba Law Library
Ava Sinclair, Buffalo Sage Wellness House
Kirsten Wurmann, Manitoba Library Association

Thank you,

Alan Kilpatrick, Karen Sawatzky, and Kirsten Wurmann

Session Spéciale: Information juridique et accès aux bibliothèques pour les personnes incarcérées

L'Association canadienne des bibliothèques (ACBD/CALL), Le congrès annuel de l’ACBD/CALL, le mardi 25 juin 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkrR3o__f1U

Les bibliothèques des prisons sont fondamentales, car elles donnent accès à l'information sur les droits des personnes incarcérées et aux outils nécessaires pour accéder à ces droits.

Les Canadiens incarcérés constituent un segment mal desservi de la population qui n'a pas un accès adéquat à l'information juridique et aux services de bibliothèque. La plupart des prisons provinciales ne disposent pas de bibliothèques officielles.

En l'absence d'une obligation légale d'accès aux livres et aux documents, les personnes incarcérées ne disposent pas de documents récréatifs, culturels, éducatifs et juridiques. Alors que de plus en plus d'informations juridiques sont mises en ligne, les personnes incarcérées sont exclues d'un accès simple au droit.

Le "langage du droit" n'est pas disponible pour ce groupe.

Rejoignez un groupe impressionnant de panélistes et de militants représentant l'ensemble du pays, qui s'efforcent de mieux relier les populations incarcérées de leur province à l'information juridique et aux services de bibliothèque:

Helen Anderson, Directrice de CLEO Connect

Alan Kilpatrick, Société du droit de la Saskatchewan
Romy Otayek, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
L'honorable Kim Pate, Sénat du Canada
Karen Sawatzky, Bibliothèque de droit du Manitoba
Ava Sinclair, Buffalo Sage Wellness House
Kirsten Wurmann, Association des bibliothèques du Manitoba

Merci.

Alan Kilpatrick, Karen Sawatzky, et Kirsten Wurmann

Volunteer Coordinator Opportunity / Poste de coordonnateur ou de coordonnatrice des bénévoles

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 18:10:31 GMT

Le texte français suit.

Position Summary:

As a national association, CALL/ACBD relies heavily on volunteers that want to help in the development and implementation of different programs, events and targets set every year. The Volunteer Coordinator would be responsible for creating an appropriate structure to develop and support our growing volunteer base and would assist our National Officer with tasks that rely heavily on volunteers.

The Volunteer Coordinator would work with and report to a Board Liaison to support strategic initiatives and program development. This position would support National Office directly with operational tasks and management.

View the Full Job Description Here

How to Apply:

The applicant should submit the following:

1. A brief statement of interest focusing on (~500 words or fewer):

Why the applicant is interested in the position
Why the applicant is suited for the position

2. A current resume / CV

If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Hannah Rosborough.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Résumé du poste :

À titre d’association nationale, la CALL/ACBD compte essentiellement sur des bénévoles qui veulent aider au développement et à la mise en œuvre des différents programmes, événements et objectifs fixés chaque année. Le coordonnateur ou la coordonnatrice des bénévoles est responsable de créer une structure appropriée afin de développer et de soutenir notre bassin croissant de bénévoles ainsi que d’aider notre responsable national en ce qui a trait aux tâches qui dépendent fortement de bénévoles.

Relevant d’un membre du conseil exécutif chargé d’assurer la liaison, le coordonnateur ou la coordonnatrice des bénévoles travaillera avec cette personne pour soutenir les initiatives stratégiques et l’élaboration des programmes. Le ou la titulaire de ce poste apporte un soutien direct au bureau national pour ce qui est des tâches de gestion opérationnelle.

Consultez la description détaillée du poste ici.

Comment postuler?

Le candidat doit soumettre les documents suivants à Hannah Rosborough :

1. Une brève déclaration d'intérêt (~500 mots ou moins) :

Les raisons pour lesquelles le candidat est intéressé par le poste
Les raisons pour lesquelles le candidat est apte à occuper le poste

2. Un curriculum vitae à jour

Si ce poste vous intéresse, veuillez contacter Hannah Rosborough.

Nous avons hâte de recevoir votre candidature!

2024 Awards Winners Announcement / Annonce des lauréats des prix 2024

Sun, 28 Jul 2024 14:09:33 GMT

Le texte français suit plus bas.

The Canadian Association of Law Libraries / L’Association canadienne des bibliothèques de droit (CALL/ACBD) is honoured to announce the recipients of our 2023-2024 awards, scholarships, and grants.

Congratulations to all!

CALL/ACBD is proud to offer these opportunities to our members, and we encourage you to apply or nominate your colleagues for next year’s awards!

Kim Clarke

CALL Research Grant

The CALL/ACBD Research Grant was established in 1996 to provide members with financial assistance to carry out research in areas of interest to members and to the association. The Committee to Promote Research manages the grant process, receiving and evaluating applications and making recommendations to the Executive Board for award of the Research Grant. Submissions for the 2025 CALL Research Grant are due February 24, 2025.

Kim Clarke was the recipient of the 2024 CALL Research Grant for her project entitled “Reliance on Original Research at the Alberta Court of Appeal.” Kim’s research will analyze the volume of original research the Alberta Court of Appeal relies on in their decisions as compared to the case law cited by the parties in their factums. American Researchers have explored this and related citation issues and this would bring similar research to a Canadian appeals court. This research will be of interest to practitioners and future law clerks and all those interested in legal research generally.

Emily Groper

Canadian Law Library Review Featured Article Award

The CALL/ACBD award of $500 may be given annually to the author of a feature length article published in the Canadian Law Library Review / Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit.

The 2024 Award goes to Emily Groper for “Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property: AI-Driven Drug Discovery and the Challenges It Poses to the Canadian Patent System.” This article was published in volume 48, issue 3 of the CLLR. You can find this article in the CLLR archive on CanLII.

Danielle Noonan

Canadian Law Library Review Student Article Award

The CALL/ACBD award of $250 may be given annually to the student author of an article published in the Canadian Law Library Review / Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit.

The 2024 Award goes to Danielle Noonan for “Readers’ Advisory Services in Canadian Prisons.” This article was published in volume 48, issue 1 of the CLLR. You can find this article in the CLLR archive on CanLII.

Emma Scott

Diana M. Priestly Memorial Scholarship

Established in honour of the late Diana M. Priestly, a distinguished Canadian law librarian, and in recognition of her distinctive contribution to Law Librarianship, the Scholarship is intended to support professional development in the field and is awarded to a student pursuing their education in a combination of law and library science. Applications for the next Diana M. Priestly Memorial Scholarship are due February 1, 2025.

Emma Scott is soon to finish her MLIS degree from the University of Western Ontario, and recently completed her co-op as Student Law Librarian at the Lederman Law Library at Queen’s University. She is excited to pursue law librarianship following her graduation, and has already contributed to the profession and our association through presenting “Increasing the Prominence of Indigenous Legal Orders in Library Collections” alongside her Queen’s colleagues at this year’s CALL/ACBD conference.

Eunice Beeson Memorial Professional Development Fund

The Eunice Beeson Memorial Professional Development Fund was established to assist CALL/ACBD members who wish to attend the Annual Conference but, for financial reasons, are unable to do so. It commemorates Eunice Beeson’s considerable contributions to the foundation of CALL/ACBD. Applications for the 2025 CALL/ACBD conference will be due in the spring.

This year, four CALL/ACBD members were awarded bursaries to support their attendance at the Conference in Montreal.

Nathalie Léonard

Gisèle Laprise Prize

The Gisèle Laprise Prize was generously established by Thomson Reuters, and has been enlarged by Gisèle's family. This award recognizes an outstanding contribution to an understanding and appreciation of the civil and common law systems in Canada. The contribution may be in the form of an article, book, course, research, activities/advocacy or a body of work, and should build bridges and understanding between the Common Law and the Civil Law. Nominations for the next Gisèle Laprise Prize are due on April 1, 2025.

Nathalie Léonard was awarded the Gisèle Laprise Prize in recognition of her body of work in the profession. Of note is Nathalie’s long-standing contribution to the teaching of the Civil and Common Law systems at the Brian Dickson Law Library at the University of Ottawa, and her many contributions to CALL/ACBD, particularly the Canadian Law Library Review.

Hannah Rosborough and Eve Leung

James D. Lang Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship, supported by Thomson Reuters, is designed to support attendance at a continuing education program, be it a workshop, certificate program or other similar activity deemed appropriate by the CALL/ACBD Scholarships and Awards Committee. Applications for James D. Lang Scholarships are considered twice yearly, with a February 1 and August 1 deadline.

Hannah Rosborough was the recipient of the August 2023 James D. Lang Memorial Scholarship, to assist with her attendance at the OsgoodePD’s Professional LLM in Intellectual Property Law. Eve Leung was the recipient of the February 2024 Scholarship, which has assisted with her attendance at the Executive MBA program at the Ivey Business School at Western University.

Tim Knight

Michael Silverstein Prize

An annual monetary award of $1,500 sponsored by Thomson Reuters, the Michael Silverstein Prize recognizes an outstanding contribution to enhancing understanding, analysis and appreciation of primary law and legal taxonomy. The contribution may be in the form of an article, book, course, research, activities/advocacy or a body of work. Nominations for the next Michael Silverstein Prize are due on April 1, 2025.

Tim Knight received the Michael Silverstein Prize for his outstanding and long-standing contribution as a member of CALL/ACBD to enhancing understanding, analysis and appreciation of legal taxonomy. This award encompasses Tim's career contributions, in particular his work in spear-heading the KF Modified classification system for Canadian legal materials.

L'Association Canadienne des Bibliothèques de Droit / Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL/ACBD) a l'honneur d'annoncer les lauréat.e.s de ses prix, bourses et subventions pour 2023-2024.

Félicitations !

CALL/ACBD est fier d'offrir ces opportunités à ses membres, et nous vous encourageons à poser votre candidature ou à nommer vos collègues pour les prix de l'année prochaine !

Kim Clarke

Bourse de recherche de l’ACBD

La bourse de recherche de l’ACBD a été créée en 1996 pour offrir une aide financière aux membres afin qu’ils puissent effectuer de la recherche dans des domaines présentant un intérêt pour les membres et pour l’Association. Le Comité pour promouvoir la recherche gère le processus d’attribution, c.-à-d. qu’il reçoit et évalue les demandes et transmet ses recommandations au conseil d’administration aux fins d’attribution de la bourse de recherche. Les candidatures pour la bourse de recherche de l'ACBD 2025 doivent être soumises au plus tard le 24 février 2025.

Kim Clarke a reçu la bourse de recherche de l'ACBD 2024 pour son projet intitulé « Reliance on Original Research at the Alberta Court of Appeal » (Recours à la recherche originale à la Cour d'appel de l'Alberta). La recherche de Kim analyse le volume de recherche originale sur lequel la Cour d'appel de l'Alberta s'appuie dans ses décisions par rapport à la jurisprudence citée par les parties dans leurs mémoires. Des chercheurs américains ont étudié cette question et d'autres questions connexes liées à la citation, et cette recherche apporterait des éléments similaires à une cour d'appel canadienne. Cette recherche intéressera les praticiens, les futurs auxiliaires juridiques et tous ceux qui s'intéressent à la recherche juridique en général.

Emily Groper

Prix du meilleur article de fond paru dans la Revue Canadienne des Bibliothèques de Droit

Le prix CALL/ACBD de 500 $ peut être décerné chaque année à l’auteur d’un article de fond publié dans la Revue Canadienne des Bibliothèques de Droit.

Le prix 2024 est décerné à Emily Groper pour « Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property : AI-Driven Drug Discovery and the Challenges It Poses to the Canadian Patent System ». Cet article a été publié dans le volume 48, numéro 3 de la CLLR. Vous pouvez trouver cet article dans les archives de la CLLR sur CanLII.

Danielle Noonan

Prix de l'article étudiant de la Revue Canadienne des Bibliothèques de Droit

Le prix CALL/ACBD de 250 $ peut être accorder chaque année à l'étudiant auteur d'un article publié dans la Revue Canadienne des Bibliothèques de Droit / Canadian Law Library Review.

Le prix 2024 est décerné à Danielle Noonan pour « Readers' Advisory Services in Canadian Prisons ». Cet article a été publié dans le volume 48, numéro 1 de la CLLR. Vous pouvez trouver cet article dans les archives de la CLLR sur CanLII.

Emma Scott

Bourse commémorative Diana M. Priestly

Créée en l’honneur de la regrettée Diana M. Priestly, une éminente bibliothécaire de droit canadienne, pour souligner sa contribution marquante à la bibliothéconomie juridique, cette bourse vise à favoriser le perfectionnement professionnel dans le domaine et est attribuée à un à un étudiant qui poursuit ses études en combinant le droit et la bibliothéconomie. Les candidatures pour la prochaine bourse commémorative Diana M. Priestly doivent être déposées avant le 1er février 2025.

Emma Scott va bientôt terminer son diplôme MLIS à l'Université de Western Ontario, et a récemment terminé son stage coopératif en tant que bibliothécaire juridique étudiante à la Lederman Law Library de l'Université Queen's. Elle est très enthousiaste à l'idée de poursuivre sa carrière de bibliothécaire juridique. Elle a déjà contribué à la profession et à notre association en présentant « Increasing the Prominence of Indigenous Legal Orders in Library Collections » avec ses collègues de Queen's lors de la conférence CALL/ACBD de cette année.

Bourse commémorative de perfectionnement professionnel Eunice Beeson

Le Fonds de développement professionnel commémoratif Eunice Beeson a été créé pour aider les membres de l'ACBD/CALL qui souhaitent assister à la conférence annuelle mais qui, pour des raisons financières, ne sont pas en mesure de le faire. Il commémore les contributions considérables d'Eunice Beeson à la fondation de CALL/ACBD. Les candidatures pour la conférence CALL/ACBD de 2025 devront être envoyées au printemps.

Cette année, quatre membres de CALL/ACBD ont reçu des bourses pour les aider à participer à la conférence de Montréal.

Nathalie Léonard

Prix Gisèle Laprise

Le prix Gisèle Laprise a été généreusement instauré par Thomson Reuters et a été élargi par la famille de Gisèle. Ce prix récompense une contribution remarquable à la compréhension et à l'appréciation des systèmes de droit civil et de common law au Canada. Cette contribution peut prendre la forme d'un article, d'un livre, d'un cours, d'une recherche, d'une activité ou d'un ensemble de travaux, et doit permettre de construire des liens et de favoriser la compréhension entre la common law et le droit civil. Les nominations pour le prochain Prix Gisèle Laprise sont attendues pour le 1er avril 2025.

Nathalie Léonard a reçu le Prix Gisèle Laprise en reconnaissance de l'ensemble de son travail dans la profession. Il convient de souligner la contribution de longue date de Nathalie à l'enseignement des systèmes de droit civil et de common law à la bibliothèque de droit Brian Dickson de l'Université d'Ottawa, ainsi que ses nombreuses contributions à CALL/ACBD, en particulier à la Revue Canadienne des Bibliothèques de Droit.

Hannah Rosborough and Eve Leung

Bourse d’études commémorative James D. Lang

Cette bourse, financée par Thomson Reuters, vise à appuyer la participation à un programme de formation continue, qu'il s'agisse d'un atelier, d'un programme de certificat ou d'une autre activité semblable jugée appropriée par le Comité des bourses et des prix de l'ACBD/CALL. Les demandes de bourses James D. Lang sont examinées deux fois par an, les dates limites étant le 1er février et le 1er août.

Hannah Rosborough a reçu la bourse commémorative James D. Lang en août 2023, afin de l'aider à suivre le programme professionnel de maîtrise en droit de la propriété intellectuelle de l'OsgoodePD. Eve Leung a reçu la bourse de février 2024, qui l'a aidée à suivre le programme Executive MBA à l'Ivey Business School de l'Université Western.

Tim Knight

Prix Michael Silverstein

Le prix Michael Silverstein est une récompense annuelle d'une valeur de 1 500 dollars, sponsorisée par Thomson Reuters, qui reconnaît une contribution exceptionnelle à l'amélioration de la compréhension, de l'analyse et de l'appréciation du droit primaire et de la taxonomie juridique. Cette contribution peut prendre la forme d'un article, d'un livre, d'un cours, d'une recherche, d'une activité ou d'un ensemble de travaux. Les nominations pour le prochain prix Michael Silverstein sont attendues pour le 1er avril 2025.

Tim Knight a reçu le prix Michael Silverstein pour sa contribution exceptionnelle et de longue date, en tant que membre de CALL/ACBD, à l'amélioration de la compréhension, de l'analyse et de l'appréciation de la taxonomie juridique. Ce prix englobe les contributions de Tim au cours de sa carrière, en particulier son travail en tant que fer de lance du système de classification KF Modified pour les documents juridiques canadiens.

New Canadian Open Access Legal (COAL) Citation Guide / Lancement du Guide canadien de la référence juridique en accès libre (RJAL)

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 21:19:04 GMT

Le texte français suit plus bas.

The Canadian Open Access Legal (COAL) Citation Guide/Guide canadien de la référence juridique en accès libre (RJAL), which began with the desire for an open-access legal citation guide in Canada, is now available on CanLII (Canadian Legal Information Institute).

Over the course of two years, law librarians from across Canada, including many members of CALL, worked together to create the COAL-RJAL Guide.

The English version of the Guide is now freely available and hosted on CanLII, and the French version is in progress.

The Guide is intended to be used throughout the legal field and incorporates feedback contributed by reviewers from Canadian courts, law firms, law journals, law societies, and law schools.

COAL-RJAL is freely available on CanLII, allowing anyone requiring a Canadian legal citation guide to access it online without financial barriers.

This Guide will reduce the financial burden on law students, new lawyers, and sole practitioners and will also support self-represented litigants, libraries, and other organizations with an access to justice mission.

The Editorial Board of COAL-RJAL is a national, bilingual, and bijural group, committed to continuity of the Guide and continuous knowledge building.

Regular Guide updates will center the needs of the legal community by incorporating user feedback and responding to emerging developments, while maintaining long-term consistency.

The legal community’s support and expertise is the foundation for COAL-RJAL’s success.

Explore the Guide on CanLII for writing, editing, or teaching, and give us your feedback. The Guide will be enriched by contributions from a diverse group of people sharing their knowledge.

Connect with the Editorial Board at coal.rjal@ubc.ca for feedback, volunteer inquiries, and more.

Le Canadian Open Access Legal (COAL) Citation Guide / Guide canadien de la référence juridique en accès libre (RJAL), né du désir de disposer d'un guide de référence juridique en accès libre au Canada, est maintenant disponible sur le site de CanLII.

Pendant deux ans, des bibliothécaires juridiques de partout au Canada, y compris plusieurs membres de l'ACBD, ont travaillé ensemble pour créer le Guide COAL-RJAL.

La version anglaise du Guide est maintenant disponible gratuitement et hébergée sur CanLII. La version française est en cours d’élaboration.

Ce guide est destiné à être utilisé dans toutes les sphères juridiques, et on y a intégré la rétroaction de réviseurs travaillant dans des tribunaux, cabinets, revues juridiques, facultés de droit et barreaux canadiens.

Le Guide est disponible gratuitement sur CanLII, ce qui permet à toute personne ayant besoin d'un guide canadien de référence juridique d'y accéder sans obstacle financier.

Ce guide réduira le fardeau financier des personnes étudiant en droit, des nouvelles avocates et nouveaux avocats et des praticiennes et praticiens exerçant seul. Il soutiendra également les parties non représentées, les bibliothèques et les autres organismes ayant comme mission l'accès à la justice.

Le comité de rédaction de COAL-RJAL est un groupe pancanadien, bilingue et bijuridique, qui s’engage à assurer la pérennité du Guide et le développement continu de ses connaissances.

Les mises à jour périodiques du Guide seront axées sur les besoins de la communauté juridique, en intégrant les commentaires reçus et en répondant aux questions émergentes, tout en assurant une cohérence à long terme.

Le soutien et l'expertise de la communauté juridique seront, nous l’espérons, à la base du succès du Guide.

Explorez-le sur CanLII en menant vos travaux de rédaction, d’édition ou d’enseignement, et faites-nous part de votre rétroaction. Le Guide sera enrichi par les contributions d'un groupe diversifié de personnes partageant leurs connaissances.

Contactez le comité de rédaction à l'adresse coal.rjal@ubc.ca pour faire part de vos commentaires, offrir vos services en tant que bénévole, ou pour toute autre question.

Check Our Social Media for Conference Updates / Suivez nos comptes de médias sociaux pour les mises à jour sur la conférence

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 00:08:08 GMT

CALL/ACBD is on X, Threads, and LinkedIn!

Whether you’ll be in Montreal or following the annual conference from afar, keep an eye on our social media pages to stay updated.

We’ll be posting announcements, scheduling information, and photos from conference events.

See you in June!

----

Best,

Kyla McCallum, Master of Library and Information Science, UBC '25

CALL/ACBD est sur X, Threads et LinkedIn!

Que vous soyez sur place à Montréal ou que vous suiviez la conférence annuelle à distance, gardez un oeil sur nos comptes de médias sociaux pour rester à jour.

Nous allons publier des annonces, des informations sur l'horaire et des photos de la conférence.

C'est un rendez-vous!

----

Au plaisir,

Kyla McCallum, Maîtrise en bibliothéconomie et sciences de l'information, UBC '25

Update from the New Professionals Special Interest Group (SIG)

Sun, 02 Jun 2024 23:20:59 GMT

The spring meeting of the New Professionals SIG was held on April 15. The business portion of the meeting included a reminder for people to subscribe to the member forum and that we'll be holding our business meeting in June.

The SIG is also looking for a new chair or co-chairs for the 2024/2025 year. Both current co-chairs have finished their terms.

We welcomed Hannah Rosborough as our guest speaker to share her experience in the LLM program at York Osgoode School of Law.

As a life-long learner, Hannah provided insight into how she arrived at the decision to enroll in the program, and talked about course content, long term implications, career development and her research with AI tools.

The New Professionals SIG aims to support student members and new professionals as well as to promote law librarianship and CALL/ACBD to new library and information professionals across Canada.

The SIG began as the Student SIG in 2012 and evolved into the New Professionals SIG in May 2016 at the annual conference in Vancouver.

Amanda Irvine, Library Technician, Law Society of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)

Federal Budget Highlights of Interest to the Library and Information Community

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 20:39:23 GMT

The website Librarianship.ca has published an overview of the 2024 federal budget that was tabled earlier this week in the House of Commons.

The post presents highlights of interest to the Canadian library and information management community in areas such as:

artificial intelligence
arts and culture institutions
cybersecurity
digital economy
DEI
government information
and more

Interview with New Chair of Canadian Federation of Library Associations

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 14:51:29 GMT

The website of the International Federation of Library Associations recently published an interview with Andrea Cecchetto, the new chair of the Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA).

The CFLA is a Canada-wide federation of provincial and territorial as well as sectoral associations, including the Canadian Association of Law Libraries.

In the interview Cecchetto addresses many topics, including the Federation's recently adopted strategic plan:

"Our new strategic plan also focuses strongly on advocacy. When we were developing this plan last year, we reached out to members and ‘advocacy’ was by far the most common priority identified as a strategic goal. We have objectives around formal government relations work with the federal government, but also goals to collaborate with other national associations and agencies on joint issues. To give a couple of examples, CFLA-FCAB has a very active Copyright committee that pulls together expertise from both academic and public sector knowledge specialists (...)"

For more information, the CFLA has published an update about its recent activities in areas that may be of interest to members of CALL/ACBD, such as governance, intellectual freedom, copyright, climate action, Indigenous matters, and more.

CALL AI Working Group - Feedback Request / Groupe de travail de l'ACBD sur l'intelligence artificielle - Demande de rétroaction

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 20:43:08 GMT

Le français suit.

We are writing to you on behalf of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries AI Working Group (WG).

The WG is responsible for developing guidance on the use of artificial intelligence in legal technologies, including both commercial and non-commercial databases.

The databases anticipated to be covered would be those that use legal information sources (statutes, regulations, cases, commentary, and other sources) as their primary data source.

At this time, we are soliciting feedback from the legal profession.

Your feedback is important to the process, and will be used to help frame our final document.

The survey will take approximately 5 minutes of your time to complete.

To access the survey using Microsoft Forms, please click here: https://forms.office.com/r/Wswb1G7cPn

To access the survey using Google Forms, please click here: https://forms.gle/kgpKW2BMeYXix2bB7

Please complete the survey prior to Friday March 15, 2024.

For questions about this survey, or the project generally, please contact:

Annette L. Demers | Reference Librarian
University of Windsor | Faculty of Law
email: ademers@uwindsor.ca

Sandy Hervieux | Head Librarian
Nahum Gelber Law Library | McGill
email: sandy.hervieux@mcgill.ca

We thank you for your time!

Sincerely,

The CALL AI Working Group

Bonjour chères collègues,

Nous vous écrivons au nom du groupe de travail sur l'intelligence artificielle de l'Association canadienne des bibliothèques de droit.

Le groupe de travail est chargé d'élaborer des lignes directrices sur l'utilisation de l'intelligence artificielle dans les technologies juridiques, y compris les bases de données commerciales et non commerciales.

Les bases de données visées sont celles qui utilisent des sources d'information juridique (lois, règlements, affaires, commentaires et autres sources) comme source principale de données.

À l'heure actuelle, nous sollicitons les réactions de divers utilisateurs potentiels et actuels de l'IA.

Vos commentaires sont importants pour le processus et seront utilisés pour élaborer le document final.

Il vous faudra environ 5 minutes pour répondre à l'enquête.

Pour accéder à l'enquête à l'aide de Microsoft Forms, veuillez cliquer ici : https://forms.office.com/r/dmQ1GxKQcJ

Pour accéder à l'enquête à l'aide de Google Forms, veuillez cliquer ici : https://forms.gle/GgDoFXdrBxamHhmX6

Veuillez remplir le sondage avant le vendredi 15 mars 2024.

Pour toute question concernant cette enquête ou le projet en général, veuillez contacter

Annette L. Demers | Bibliothécaire de référenceUniversité de Windsor | Faculté de droit
Courriel : ademers@uwindsor.ca

Sandy Hervieux | Bibliothécaire en chef
Bibliothèque de droit Nahum Gelber | McGill
Courriel : sandy.hervieux@mcgill.ca

Nous vous remercions pour le temps que vous nous avez consacré!

Cordialement,

Le groupe de travail sur l'IA de l'ACBD

CALL Member Article: Artificial Intelligence for Legal Applications

Sun, 18 Feb 2024 15:00:35 GMT

CALL member Annette Demers, Reference Librarian at the University of Windsor Law School, has written an article that will be of interest to many of us, "Artificial Intelligence AI for Legal Applications: Resources and Updates".

It originally appeared on Slaw.ca on February 13, 2024.

It is republished here with permission of the author, with minor edits.

It’s been fun pulling together regulations and standards for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in legal applications over the past few months!

CALL/ACBD AI Working Group

Last fall, I proposed a working group (WG) through the Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL/ACBD).

Ultimately, the CALL/ACBD Executive did approved an Artificial Intelligence WG, whose terms of reference are on the CALL website. We are a group of 13 law librarians from across the country, representing a variety of interested parties, from firms, to academia to courthouse and legislative libraries. Our focus is primarily on AI in legal research and writing applications. Our progress will be reported on as a Lightening Talk at the upcoming CALL Conference in Montreal this June, 2024.

ISO/IEC Committee on Artificial Intelligence

Similarly, representing CALL on the Standards Council of Canada mirror committee to the joint ISO/IEC Committee on Artificial Intelligence has also been eye-opening.

AI for Legal Applications: Guides, Guidelines and Resources

As reported on Library Boy blog in January, I have begun compiling a list of AI-related polices, guidelines and regulations in Canada. I think the list is fairly comprehensive, and includes what I’ve found so far for the US (federal and state), EU and a few other interesting tools currently available. It is continuously being updated.

Additionally, I compiled a list of AI-driven tools that our law students already have access to. Admittedly, the list is pretty thin at present, and calls in products that have been using NLP for a decade or more, but I hope to keep it updated as more resources become available.

AI in Legal Applications: Guidance for Law Students

AI Guidance for Law Students is a set of guidelines that I drafted for discussion purposes. Please feel free to send feedback my way! An ongoing open dialogue about the impact of AI on legal applications is going to be necessary as the technology evolves!

Next on my AI Reading List

I’ve just ordered (and our staff immediately delivered the e-book link for) Roman V Yampolskiy, AI: Unexplainable, Unpredictable, Uncontrollable (Taylor and Francis Group, 2024). It ought to be interesting to draw upon as I write my next post “The Robots are Already in Control”. Stay tuned!

Canadian Law Libraries Review Wins Award For Best Newsletter / Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit reconnue comme une des meilleures infolettres de droit

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 00:35:12 GMT

Le texte français suit.

The winners of the 2023 Canadian Law Blog Awards (known as the Clawbies) were announced on New Year's Eve.

The Clawbies exist to reward the best and most innovative Canadian blogs, podcasts, videos, legal newsletters, and other forms of online commentary.

The Canadian Law Libraries Review, the journal of our association, was selected as one of the best newsletters!

In their synopsis, the organizers of the competition highlighted some of the significant features of the publication and our work as legal information professionals: "…voice of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL/ACBD), sharing news happenings, expertise and book reviews (...) An invaluable contribution to the Canadian legal infosphere!”

Les lauréats des Prix des meilleurs blogues juridiques canadiens de 2023 (connus sous le nom des Clawbies) furent annoncés la veille du Jour de l'An.

Les Clawbies existent pour reconnaître et célébrer les meilleurs blogues, balados, vidéos, infolettres et autres formes de commentaire en ligne dans le domaine juridique au Canada.

La Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit, la revue de notre association, fut reconnue comme une des meilleures publications dans la catégorie des infolettres.

Dans le résumé publié, les organisateurs ont souligné certaines caractéristiques clés de la revue et de notre travail à titre de professionnels de l’information juridique: « ... [la revue] est la voix de l’Association canadienne des bibliothèques de droit (CALL/ACBD), qui partage des nouvelles, de l’expertise et des comptes rendus de livres. Elle apporte une contribution inestimable à l’infosphère juridique au Canada! »

Nominations for the 2024 Hugh Lawford Award for Excellence in Legal Publishing / Appel de candidatures pour le Prix d’excellence Hugh Lawford en édition juridique 2024

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 19:47:00 GMT

Le texte français suit.

The Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL/ACBD) is accepting nominations for the 2024 Hugh Lawford Award for Excellence in Legal Publishing.

CALL/ACBD has long had an annual award for excellent legal publishing.

Some years ago, we renamed the award we present after Queens University Professor Hugh Lawford (1933-2009) to recognize his contributions to legal publishing in Canada.

As a group of legal information specialists, our work depends on being able to access and share high-quality legal knowledge. We value innovation and this award is open to legal content in all information formats.

Members and non-members of CALL/ACBD are welcome to make nominations. Information about the process is available on our website.

Please send your nomination to National Office by January 31, 2024.

The award will be presented to the recipient during the 2024 CALL/ACBD Annual Conference, which will be held in Montreal June 25 - 28, 2024.

L’Association canadienne des bibliothèques (ACBD/CALL) accepte les mises en candidature pour le Prix d’excellence Hugh Lawford en édition juridique 2024.

L’ACBD/CALL décerne depuis de nombreuses années un prix annuel pour souligner l’excellence en édition juridique. Depuis quelques années, nous avons renommé le prix que nous décernons en l’honneur du professeur Hugh Lawford de l’Université Queen’s (1933-2009) afin de reconnaître ses contributions à l’édition juridique au Canada.

En tant que groupe de spécialistes de l’information juridique, notre travail repose sur notre capacité à accéder à des connaissances juridiques de haute qualité et à les partager. Nous avons à cœur l’innovation, et ce prix est ouvert au contenu juridique dans tous les formats d’information.

Les membres et les non-membres de l’ACBD/CALL sont invités à proposer des candidatures. Des renseignements sur le processus sont disponibles sur notre site Web.

Envoyez les mises en candidature au bureau national avant le 31 janvier 2024.

Le prix sera remis à la personne lauréate lors du Congrès annuel 2024 de l’ACBD/CALL, qui se tiendra à Montréal du 25 au 28 juin 2024.

Crown Copyright Code of Best Practices for Libraries

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 20:22:45 GMT

The Canadian Association of Research Libraries and the Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA) have been working on a Crown Copyright Code of Best Practices for Libraries.

The Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL/ACBD) is a member of the CFLA and has argued for reform of Crown Copyright.

The draft code is now available for comment.

The review period ends January 15, 2024.

As the draft explains:

"The current legal provision related to Crown copyright in Canada is found in Section 12 of the Copyright Act. It is extremely comprehensive in scope, granting the Crown copyright to any work that has been 'prepared or published under the direction or control of Her Majesty or any government department.' It also preserves the ancient royal prerogative or privilege that predates copyright law and it is silent about term length for unpublished works, leading to the assumption that these works are protected by copyright in perpetuity. These anomalies provide governments with expansive rights that could be used to withhold, censor or control government information to the detriment of the public good."

"Section 12 also sets out the duration of copyright controls for government works it covers. For published government works, the duration of the term of copyright is 50 years after the year of publication. In addition, and by virtue of Subsection 13(3) of the Copyright Act, the Crown, like any private sector employer, owns copyright in original work authored by its employees in the course of their employment. This copyright lasts until the end of the 70th year past the death of the author. Both Sections 12 and 13(3) may be modified by agreement but such agreements are relatively rare. Both apply to all works of the federal and provincial government and the territories and neither provides for compulsory licensing. In practice, government works are generally assumed to be protected by Crown copyright unless a personal author is named on the title page and the copyright statement does not clearly state that Crown copyright applies (e.g., © Government of Canada)."

(...)

"Confusion about the appropriate interpretation of the Act, and its hampering impact on the efforts of libraries attempting to serve as stewards of government works, was described in numerous submissions and testimonies presented to the Parliamentary Committee responsible for the Copyright Act review of 2018/2019, summarized by librarian Amanda Wakaruk and described in the Committee’s final report. Put briefly, this confusion, compounded by copyright anxiety and related legal chill, has impeded the work of libraries, which has resulted in the loss of innumerable government works, including both born digital files and legacy print materials."

"At the time of writing, the Government of Canada has yet to address the concerns of those that participated in the most recent legislative review or the near-continuous requests for review and reform made by Canadian library associations and the Canadian Association of University Teachers. Nor has it addressed the comments of the Supreme Court of Canada, that Section 12 be revisited by Parliament."

The issue was discussed earlier in December at one of the sessions at the Government Information Day(s) 2023.

Past CALL/ACBD statements on copyright reform including Crown copyright include:

2023 CALL-TALL Salary Survey Update / Résultats du sondage sur les salaires 2023 de la TALL et de la CALL/ACBD

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 01:13:49 GMT

Le texte français suit.

CALL/ACBD is pleased to share the results of the 2023 CALL-TALL Salary Survey.

This is a joint salary survey report from the Toronto Association of Law Libraries (TALL) and the Canadian Association of Law Libraries / L'Association canadienne des bibliothèques de droit (CALL/ACBD).

The purpose is to determine benchmark employment remuneration received by members. This survey reports data collected in February/March 2023. The previous survey was conducted in 2018.

This analysis is based on 204 survey responses. Respondents were able to skip questions, which results in different “totals” for individual questions throughout this report.

.............................................................................................

Nous sommes heureux de vous transmettre les résultats du Sondage sur les salaires 2023 de la TALL et de la CALL/ACBD.

Il s’agit d’un rapport conjoint de la Toronto Association of Law Libraries (TALL) et de la Canadian Association of Law Libraries / Association canadienne des bibliothèques de droit (CALL/ACBD) portant sur l’enquête salariale.

Ce sondage visait à établir une référence quant à la rémunération des membres.

Les données du sondage ont été recueillies en février et mars 2023. Le sondage précédent avait été réalisé en 2018. L’analyse est basée sur 204 réponses.

Étant donné que les répondants pouvaient sauter des questions, cela explique les différents « totaux » pour les questions individuelles dans le rapport.

Joint SIG Session on AI and the Student Experience

Sun, 19 Nov 2023 22:08:34 GMT

On October 25, the Private Law Library and Academic Law Library Special Interest Groups jointly held a session about AI and the student experience.

Gathering to learn more about what students are learning and using in the school and firm environments, the groups had a lively conversation and left with a better understanding of how we can support students as they start seeing more AI resources during their school and articling careers.

We had 3 academic speakers sharing their perspectives, which ranged from "not touching on it at all" in lower-year legal research and writing classes to using the "cool mom approach": we know students will use AI, so let’s teach them to use it safely.

Each speaker stressed the importance of teaching students to question data sets and results, try multiple approaches, and not rely solely on AI for their research.

Our 3 firm speakers touched on the role and scope of internal AI committees setting policies and guidance for responsible AI use. Firms are also using research sessions to remind students to learn the limitations of AI tools and understand how to evaluate results for accuracy and authority.

While articling, students must also consider how client privacy requirements might influence how and when they would incorporate AI tools into their work.

Ending with a roundtable, the groups agreed that we have an important role in building AI skills, becoming experts in using AI tools for research efficiency, identifying training and development gaps, shaping use policy, and piloting new tools.

The AI landscape is still rapidly shifting, and we concluded with a recognition that academic and firm librarians will all succeed more effectively in this space if we continue to meet and share our experiences.

Carolyn Petrie, Library Services Director, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP / S.E.N.C.R.L., s.r.l. (Vancouver)

Membership Development Committee Back in Action / Le Comité de recrutement des membres de retour dans le feu de l'action

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 22:50:20 GMT

Le texte français suit.

The Membership Development Committee (MDC) is excited to be back in the full swing of things, with an excellent group of volunteers and plans in the works for membership events to come later this season.

In the immediate, however, the return of fall means the return of school visits on behalf of the Association.

As it has been a few years since we have had the opportunity to visit many of the professional and technical programs across Canada, the MDC is working on updating and expanding our list of contacts at the various school programs.

We would like to encourage our CALL/ACBD membership to forward along to us your ideas and suggestions for programs we should connect with; your contacts at your alma mater, and of course, your interest in attending a school visit, should you wish!

The MDC Co-Chairs Beth Galbraith and Katherine Melville can be reached at: membershipcommittee@callacbd.ca

Le Comité de recrutement des membres (CRM) est ravi d’être de retour dans le feu de l’action grâce à un excellent groupe de bénévoles et aux projets d’activités à venir plus tard cette saison.

En attendant, l’arrivée de l’automne est synonyme du retour des visites dans les établissements d’enseignement pour l’Association.

Étant donné que nous n’avons pas eu la possibilité de visiter les programmes professionnels et techniques au Canada depuis quelques années, le CRM s’efforce de mettre à jour et d’élargir sa liste de contacts dans les différents programmes d’études.

Nous invitons les membres de l’ACBD/CALL à nous faire part de leurs idées et de leurs suggestions concernant des programmes avec lesquels nous devrions établir des liens, des personnes à contacter auprès de leur ancienne université et, notamment, de leur intérêt à participer à une de ces visites!

N’hésitez pas à contacter les coprésidentes du CRM, Beth Galbraith et Katherine Melville: membershipcommittee@callacbd.ca.

Nomination Period for CALL Second Vice-President / Période de candidature pour le poste de 2e vice-président.e de l'ACBD

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 23:25:52 GMT

Le texte français suit.

As you all know, 2024 is another election year for our association and a Nominations Committee has been struck to solicit expressions of interest, or the names of members who are willing to stand for election to the Executive Board.

The members of the Nominations Committee are Daniel Boyer, Vicki Jay Leung, Allyssa McFadyen, Carolyn Petrie, and George Tsiakos (Chair). Our sincerest thanks to these CALL/ACBD members for taking time to serve on this important committee.

In 2024, there will be one position open for election: Second Vice-President.

If you are interested in standing for office, please contact any member of the Nominations Committee [contact info available in the Members Directory in the members-only section of the CALL webesite].

Current Executive Board members also welcome inquiries about serving on the Board. The Committee will present an initial slate of candidates to the President by mid-November, and the President will communicate the names to the membership by Dec. 1.

Afterwards, a write-in process outlined in our Bylaws facilitates nominations from the general membership.

Serving on the Executive Board provides a tremendous opportunity to build your professional network and skill set. It is also personally rewarding and a great way to give back to the community.

We hope that you will give some thought to providing leadership to the association. The investment in time and effort is worthwhile.

Comme vous le savez, 2024 est de nouveau une année d’élection pour notre association. Un Comité des candidatures a été mis sur pied pour solliciter des déclarations d’intérêt ou le nom des membres qui sont disposés à se présenter à l’élection du Conseil exécutif.

Le Comité des candidatures est composé des membres suivants: Daniel Boyer, Vicki Jay Leung, Allyssa McFadyen, Carolyn Petrie et George Tsiakos (président). Nos remerciements les plus sincères à ces membres de l’ACBD/CALL qui se rendent disponibles pour siéger à cet important comité.

En 2024, il y aura un poste à pourvoir, celui de deuxième vice-président.e.

Si vous souhaitez vous porter candidat.e, veuillez contacter l’un des membres du Comité des candidatures [vous pouvez trouver leurs coordonnées dans le Répertoire des membres dans la section réservée aux membres du site de l'ACBD].

Les membres du Conseil exécutif se feront également un plaisir de répondre à toute question à propos des mandats au Conseil.

Le Comité des candidatures présentera une première liste de candidats à la présidente à la mi-novembre, et cette dernière communiquera les noms aux membres avant le 1er décembre. Par la suite, une procédure de vote par correspondance, prévue dans nos Statuts, facilitera la nomination par l’ensemble des membres.

Siéger au Conseil exécutif constitue une formidable occasion d’élargir votre réseau professionnel et de perfectionner vos compétences. C’est également une expérience enrichissante sur le plan personnel et un excellent moyen de redonner à la communauté.

Nous espérons que vous songerez à la possibilité d’assurer le leadership de l’association. L’investissement en temps et en efforts en vaut la peine.

New CALL Artificial Intelligence Standards Working Group / Nouveau groupe de travail de l'ACBD sur les normes de l’intelligence artificielle

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 20:19:49 GMT

Le texte français suit.

The CALL/ACBD Board recently approved the creation of a new AI Standards Working Group as a sub committee of the Vendor Liaison Committee.

This group currently includes members from Ontario and Alberta, representing Academic and firm libraries.

We are currently seeking to add new members to the group.

Members from courthouse or government libraries from jurisdictions outside of Ontario and Alberta would be preferred, however all interested people are welcome to contact us with expressions of interest.

Please send an email to Annette Demers (chair) at "ademers AT uwindsor.ca" to express interest.

Le Conseil exécutif de l’ACBD/CALL a récemment approuvé la création d’un nouveau Groupe de travail sur les normes de l’intelligence artificielle à titre de sous-comité du Comité de liaison avec les éditeurs.

Ce groupe est actuellement composé de membres de l’Ontario et de l’Alberta représentant des bibliothèques du milieu universitaire et de cabinets d’avocats, et nous recherchons de nouveaux membres pour y siéger.

Des membres travaillant dans une bibliothèque gouvernementale ou de palais de justice dans une province autre que l’Ontario et l’Alberta seraient préférables, mais toute personne intéressée est invitée à nous contacter pour nous faire part de leur intérêt.

Veuillez transmettre votre déclaration d’intérêt par courriel à Annette Demers (présidente) à l'adresse "ademers a commercial uwindsor.ca".

CALL Member Article: Thoughts From the Classroom: Addressing Generative AI and Legal Research & Writing

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 20:06:49 GMT

CALL member Hannah Rosborough, Instruction & Reference Librarian at the Sir James Dunn Law Library at Dalhousie University in Halifax (Nova Scotia), recently wrote an article on "Thoughts From the Classroom: Addressing Generative AI and Legal Research & Writing". It originally appeared on Slaw.ca on August 16, 2023.

It is republished here with permission of the author, with minor edits.

Generative AI will disrupt legal research. Its negative impact has been highlighted in mainstream media in the UK and the US. Many legal information professionals have valid concerns about how generative AI’s application in legal research may impact the integrity of the profession. Meanwhile, social media (e.g., LinkedIn and Twitter) is flooded with legal tech companies’ commentary on how it can be harnessed to streamline legal research, improving efficiency and productivity. I reached out to several colleagues to hear their thoughts and ideas on how to address this contentious topic in their legal research classrooms.

Determining whether the impact is net negative or net positive will take years, but while we wait, it is important to figure out how to address existing and developing generative AI applications with new legal researchers. Students will use them whether it is discussed in the legal research classroom or not. Once they graduate, students will be faced with AI laws, policies, and guidelines they will be required to follow as it becomes embedded in legal practice and daily-use tools. Ensuring they have the technological literacy to assess generative AI tools is crucial.

For the purpose of this post, I am using definition of generative AI with LLMs as presented by the MLA-CCCC Joint Task Force on Writing and AI, “… computer systems that can produce, or generate, various forms of traditionally human expression, in the form of digital content including language, images, video, and music. LLMs are a subset of generative AI used to deliver text-based formats like prose, poetry, or even programming code.” This post does not address academic integrity explicitly, but there is, of course, overlap given that the context is law school.

There have been multiple accounts of generative AI passing law school exams and the bar, however these are examples of replacing a student or lawyer, not examples of an assistive technology. I intend to teach it explicitly as a supplemental tool in a way that encourages critical thinking and analysis. Most importantly, discussions and activities will communicate that AI should not be used to generate legal research from scratch. Foundational legal research skills are required for productive, accurate use of generative AI. I anticipate it will be an ongoing discussion throughout the year and not isolated to a single class.

I intend to introduce existing general-purpose tools, like ChatGPT, as I teach legal citation to highlight the significance of a well-crafted prompt and why the review and assessment of AI output are crucial. I will continue to do a comparison activity between the common legal research platforms and the variations in search results that I’ve done every year, but with the addition of generative AI legal research tools as a new comparator (e.g. Jurisage). I am also in the early stages of organising a Legal Research Technology day for my LRW class for this upcoming academic year that will inevitably include some generative AI tools, whether standalone or embedded in existing platforms.

To see how other legal research instructors are approaching generative AI, I reached out to several colleagues across Canada and the US to hear their thoughts and get some inspiration. They kindly responded to the following questions:

1. Will you address generative AI in your legal research classroom(s) this upcoming academic year?
- a. Have you already introduced it in previous years?
2. Could you briefly explain why you are introducing it to law students?
3. If you are introducing generative AI, could you provide a brief summary of how you intend to introduce it to your students?

Annette Demers, Reference Librarian at the Paul Martin Law Library, Faculty of Law, University of Windsor

For the fall semester, 2023, I have carved out one week to discuss the use of generative AI for law. I have two guest speakers slated to discuss the issues on the first day of class. On the second day of class that week, it is my intention to provide two very short examples of AI responses to a very contained (and specially designed) legal problem. One will be from Chat GPT and one will be from a provider that is built specifically for Canadian law. From there, I’m going to have the students work in groups to analyze the outputs of each. Students will need to submit their analyses and we’ll have an in-class discussion about the students’ findings versus my own observations.

Marcelo Rodriguez, Assistant Librarian & Foreign, Comparative, and International Law Librarian at the Daniel F. Cracchiolo Law Library, University of Arizona

Will you address generative AI in your legal research classroom(s) this upcoming academic year? Or have you already introduced it in previous years?

Absolutely! I already touched on this topic in the previous academic year. Earlier this year, when ChatGPT made a splash in everyone’s lives, our colleague, Sarah Gotschall made a LibGuide called, ChatGPT and Bing Chat: Generative AI Legal Research. This is a great source which I used to craft a discussion in class around this topic and just assess where the students were, their thoughts and present different angles and perspectives on Generative AI and the Law. When it comes to these emerging and cutting-edge topics, sometimes the students are way more exposed and knowledgeable than you are. Therefore, I strive for a more socratic method and to foster critical thinking. I want to ignite their sense of curiosity, listen to their views and thoughts, and bring it all back to legal research.

Could you briefly explain why you are introducing it to law students?

There is no doubt that Generative AI is the new kid on the block. However, if you dig a little deeper, you realize that this is yet another head in the longer body of conversations we have had for a while now: Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Tech Law, Ethics, Bias in AI, etc. I’m convinced that it’s your job as a Legal Research Professor or any professor for that matter, to guide students and help them connect the dots.

If you are introducing generative AI, could you provide a brief summary of how you intend to introduce it to your students?

I will probably follow the same approach I did last academic year: discussion, real examples on the big screen and present different points of view regarding the impact of generative AI on the law. This approach is not set in stone and it can’t be. Inevitably, such a new conversation will continue to develop in multiple ways, some of which no one has foreseen at all. In my class, I want that novelty and rapid change to be my students’ catalyst for curiosity. However, as a professor, I strive to connect these fast changing developments and their sense of curiosity to larger conversations which will empower them to be resilient critical thinkers and researchers no matter the new shiny technology that comes along.

Dominique Garingan, Sessional Instructor, University of Calgary Faculty of Law

Will you address generative AI in your legal research classroom(s) this upcoming academic year? Or have you already introduced it in previous years?

I will be addressing generative AI in my advanced legal research (ALR) course this year. I did not address it in my class last year, as it was not as widespread then. Because the course is comprehensive and the class will be meeting once a week, I only have part of one meeting dedicated to the topic. However, I anticipate it coming up in other meetings and being part of ongoing discussions.

Could you briefly explain why you are introducing it to law students?

Generative AI is a subject that taps into both research competence and technological competence. Reflecting on the current legal environment, organizations that students are set to join once they graduate may be introducing or implementing AI policies and practices, conducting trials, and/or evaluating AI’s use cases, risks, and returns on investment in various legal processes or workflows. This may include the use of generative AI in legal research.

Introducing generative AI to students in an ALR course, alongside responsibilities surrounding technological competence, critical thinking, information evaluation, and accountability for errors and omissions, may help students as they enter professional practice, which is arguably becoming more exposed to AI, automation, and other assistive technologies. On a more holistic note, addressing generative AI in ALR may help students allay any personal concerns, detect the limitations and capabilities of the AI tools they will be exploring, determine the immense value they bring as practitioners, and help reframe legal research as a process involving higher-level and critical thinking.

If you are introducing generative AI, could you provide a brief summary of how you intend to introduce it to your students?

I am still thinking about the how and haven’t quite settled on things yet. Because of the evolving nature of AI (the technology) and the course context, I may focus class activities on AI outputs that may, given accountability and extreme caution, be involved in the preparation of research deliverables.

I’m hoping to do a brief lecture on critical evaluation criteria that may be used for evaluating outputs (errors, omissions, and limitations) and an exercise using open-access generative AI tools. For the exercise, I’m hoping to have a question on prompt engineering and another on evaluating gaps and limitations in AI outputs. Because generative AI is a great subject upon which to exercise critical thinking skills, I’m hoping we can do an open discussion or debrief afterward. Much of this will be time-dependent.

Matthew Renaud, Law Librarian, E.K. Williams Law Library, Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba

Will you address generative AI in your legal research classroom(s) this upcoming academic year? Or have you already introduced it in previous years?

Yes, the plan is to address/discuss AI in my Advanced Legal Research course this upcoming academic year. I am aiming to have both a productive discussion on the topic and incorporate it into one of the major student assignments.

Could you briefly explain why you are introducing it to law students?

Law students are already well aware of AI tools like ChatGPT (with many having begun to use them) and we are no longer have the luxury of ignoring this topic. The disruption of the legal profession and legal research by AI is well underway, so not acknowledging it would be doing a disservice to students taking my Advanced Legal Research course.

If you are introducing generative AI, could you provide a brief summary of how you intend to introduce it to your students?

The tentative plan right now is to introduce generative AI in the classroom by highlighting pre-existing tools (such as ChatGPT) to showcase their impact on legal citation and legal research. This will likely take up a single, 3-hour seminar block, but I imagine an organic discussion will take place throughout the semester.

---

The common theme presented is that this is an ongoing, evolving discussion that reiterates the importance of critical thinking and analysis.

Wikipedia was black-listed for academic research in the early aughts as being unreliable and lacking authority. Now there is an understanding that while it cannot replace robust academic resources or steps in the research process, Wikipedia can be used in the same manner as a traditional encyclopedia by providing researchers with an introduction to an unfamiliar topic and identifying key concepts and terms to assist further searches on appropriate platforms to find authoritative sources. It is important to figure out where generative AI may supplement, but not replace, steps in the legal research process. While there are valid reasons for concern, it is important to consider areas of advancement as well.

Addressing generative AI as an assistive tool in the legal research classroom while maintaining focus on teaching foundational legal research skills to new legal researchers should preserve professional integrity and prepare them for a profession undergoing an overdue technological evolution.

Thank you Anette, Marcelo, Dominique, and Matthew for sharing your thoughts and ideas.

Update from the Private Law Library Special Interest Group

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 18:09:28 GMT

The Private Law Library Special Interest Group (PLL-SIG) met June 27 for its annual general meeting.

Guest speaker Sarah Sutherland spoke to the concept of legal data – what is it, where it is going, and how Artificial Intelligence fits into the picture. It was a thought-provoking talk on a little-discussed but often thought about topic, and the PLL-SIG Chairs thank Sarah for her time.

After the presentation, there was a round table discussion on various data initiatives amongst the firms.

We all seem to be in similar situations; we have data to track and collate, but no one knows exactly what to do with it!

The group also talked about how difficult it can be to demonstrate value through quantitative data, and the challenge of designing metrics for research services.

The meeting closed with ideas and activities for 2023-2024, including AI in law firms and competitive intelligence.

Please see the PLL-SIG Base Camp site for the complete minutes.

We are also looking for a new co-chair; if anyone is interested, please contact Marnie Bailey or Carolyn Petrie directly.

Thank you,

Marnie and Carolyn

CALL Member Article: Ceci N’est Pas Un ChatGPT

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 20:50:49 GMT

CALL member Marcelo Rodriguez, the Foreign, Comparative and International Law Librarian at the University of Arizona Law School in Tucson, Arizona, recently wrote an article entitled "Ceci N’est Pas Un ChatGPT".

It originally appeared on Slaw.ca on June 8, 2023.

It is republished here with permission of the author.

As I finished teaching my class, Foreign, Comparative and International Legal (FCIL) Research, this past semester, a couple of students asked me about ChatGPT and artificial intelligence (AI).

Given the ubiquitous presence of these topics in everyone’s minds, I should have expected these questions. This is clearly what everyone is talking about and my students are no strangers to these conversations.

As someone who works on legal research with sources in multiple languages and from a wide range of countries, I identify myself as agnostic when it comes to technology. In the end, I decided to share with my students the several times when I had to call another human being or when I had to use a fax to receive the materials I needed as major technological breakthroughs in the FCIL field.

Joke aside, there are clearly some major challenges when you pursue FCIL research regardless of advances in technology and the impact it might have on research. To this day, researchers struggle to grasp the idea that not everything is available online. (The horror!).

Simply put, ChatGPT and the promise of AI run afoul this reality in FCIL research. Regardless of the jurisdiction, timeframe, topic of interest, there is a high chance of probability that some relevant information for your research won’t be available online.

As an informed and skillful researcher, you should be able to overcome these challenges and that’s precisely what we work on in my class. And even if the information is available online, you need to assess and evaluate the information very closely: when was it updated? Is it translated? Who translated it? What are the sources of this information?, etc.

I believe there are a few lessons to be learned from FCIL research which can be applied to the current ChatGPT race.

As I have said before multiple times, having a research strategy is paramount to your research. I recommend my students and all researchers to build a research strategy which is both intentional and flexible. As the well-informed researcher in charge, you should be able to construct a strategy which streamlines your intentions and serves as a map to help you navigate the sources and information you will find along the way.

ChatGPT will not help you do that. I have asked ChatGPT several “how to do research” questions and they all fluctuate between incredibly general to completely wrong.

Spending a few minutes crafting and thinking about the steps, keywords, tools, and sources you will need in your research strategy will help you immensely along your research path.

As mentioned before, another great lesson from FCIL research which can be applied to ChatGPT is that not everything is available online.

Everytime I mention this in front of a classroom or even in my office or zooming in while talking to a researcher, I get a glaring look into the void.

Yes, my friends, it’s 2023 and still to this day, there are big chunks of legal information simply not available online. As someone who specializes in legal systems from around the world and internationally, I encounter this challenge regularly.

However, I also know from experience that this situation also arises in several developed countries, where legal information from lower courts is simply not available in major legal research platforms.

As it has been reported several times, if ChatGPT can’t find the information online, sometimes it makes things up: fictional cases, legislation, articles, etc.

In the FCIL world, if we can’t find the information we need online, we rely on each other. FCIL librarians have developed networks, groups and list servs where information is shared and other law librarians from all over the world help each out when needed.

By mentioning some FCIL lessons, my intention is for all of us to conceive ChatGPT as a tool, indeed a powerful one depending on what you need.

However, it’s still just a tool among many others empowering researchers to do their work efficiently.

As an educator, I’m a big believer in sharing information, building transparent pipelines and allowing people to think critically and rationally about the steps they are taking in an informed way.

Update from the Vendor Liaison Committee

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 20:05:13 GMT

[Message from Alexia Loumankis, Reference & Research Librarian, Bora Laskin Law Library, University of Toronto]

The CALL/ACBD Vendor Liaison Committee (VLC) acts as a liaison between CALL/ACBD’s members and legal information vendors by gathering input from the CALL/ACBD membership to advocate, recommend, and propose solutions to common issues that relate to vendor relationships and products.

While the committee meets throughout the year to work on these initiatives, its annual meeting, held around the time of the association’s AGM, is open to all CALL/ACBD members.

The VLC held this meeting on June 12 with over 50 CALL members in attendance. The meeting gave the VLC co-chairs a chance to outline the outcomes of their activities over the past year and set out their goals for the coming year.

The VLC co-chairs updated attendees as to their most recent meeting with Thomson Reuters representatives with regard to the transfer of loose-leafs from ProView to Westlaw Edge Canada.

Attendees were able to ask questions and share information in a collegial environment. The meeting also gave the opportunity to the co-chairs to drum up interest and volunteers for an upcoming webinar on negotiation and a subcommittee to create a “best practice” or standards document for the implementation of AI for legal applications.

CALL/ACBD members with questions or concerns are welcome to contact VLC co-chairs Alexia Loumankis and Annette Demers. The VLC will continue to update CALL/ACBD members on its activities through the In Session members bulletin and the new CALL Member Forum.

Update from the Scholarships & Awards Committee

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 23:02:05 GMT

[Submitted by Julie Lavigne, Legal Studies Librarian at Carleton University]

The Scholarships & Awards Committee met on June 14 to review the 2022-23 year and start planning projects for the year to come. This past year was fairly quiet, and we focused our energies on simply ensuring the available awards and scholarships were granted.

We had a couple of new members join us at this meeting, and so we started by reviewing the committee’s mandate and the awards and scholarships for which it is responsible.

These include an award for excellence in law librarianship, an award for an emerging leader, awards for outstanding contributions (eg, publications or research) to specific areas of the law, and scholarships and grants providing financial support to members pursuing professional development through courses, webinars, etc.

More information on all of the awards and scholarships available to members is on the CALL/ACBD website.

Only a couple of these awards and scholarships were granted this year, and the committee plans to work on ways to further promote the various awards and scholarships over the next year, which will hopefully increase applications.

We are also happy to welcome Jennifer Walker, who has volunteered to take over as Chair from Julie Lavigne, who has now finished her term as Executive Liaison (Member at Large) to the committee. Welcome, Jennifer!

We are always looking for new volunteers! Any CALL/ACBD member interested in joining the Scholarships & Awards Committee can email Jennifer at jwalker@ccla-abcc.ca.

Launch of New Member and Inter-Library Loan Forum

Sun, 09 Jul 2023 23:15:27 GMT

As many of you know, the CALL-L Listserv will be retired soon. The CALL/ACBD Board of Directors is excited to announce the launch of the CALL/ACBD Member Forum and Inter-Library Loan Forum!

The Member Forum will provide CALL/ACBD members with new ways to connect and engage with colleagues and continue the important tradition of information sharing (including Inter-Library Loans) made possible through the Listserv.

The CALL/ACBD Member Forum is an unmoderated discussion forum fostering an interest in and discussion on law librarianship in Canada.

A wide range of law library topics is discussed: reference question assistance, value of online databases, digital innovations, interlibrary loan, and many more.

Participation in the Member Forum is exclusive to CALL/ACBD members and is a membership benefit.

NOTE: All current CALL/ACBD members will automatically receive access to the Member Forum.

For a limited time, CALL/ACBD will be extending temporary access to the CALL/ACBD Member Forum to non-members who are members of the CALL-L Listserv.

If you are a non-member and would like to confirm your interest in this special offer, please complete this form by Monday, July 31^st, 2023.

How do I access the Member Forum and Inter-Library Loan Forum?

The Member Forum and Inter-Library Loan forum are located on the main menu of the CALL/ACBD website under the ‘Get Involved’ tab. To access the forums, you will need to login to your member account.

What is the purpose of the Inter-Library Loan forum?

The Inter-Library Loan forum is an exclusive page for members to request for reference material using the similar process to that being currently used on the List-serv. This forum is reserved exclusively to manage these requests and should not be used for any other kind of discussion topics.

Authors of Forum messages are solely responsible for the content of their messages. The administration does not verify the accuracy of submitted messages nor does it endorse the opinions expressed by message authors. The forum is administered by the CALL/ACBD National Office.

Message from Incoming President Yemisi Dina / Message de la nouvelle présidente Yemisi Dina

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 15:04:24 GMT

You can read incoming CALL President Yemisi Dina's first From the President's Desk column on our website.

It was published in the June 2023 issue of In Session, the bulletin for CALL members.

In her message, she emphasizes the importance of the work by CALL committees and special interest groups:

"During the initial years after I joined CALL/ACBD in 2006, I recall joining a few committees and SIGs after being invited by some more experienced colleagues. I found this experience very fulfilling, and it exposed me to different levels of professional development. Some of the committees and SIGs need volunteers. I encourage you to identify something that interests you and where you would be willing to make an impact."

"Thank you to all those who have put their names forward and to all who continue to assist."

Sur note site web, vous pouvez trouver le tout premier Mot de la présidente de la nouvelle présidente de l'ACBD , Yemisi Dina.

Il a été publié dans le numéro de juin 2023 du bulletin mensuel aux membres de l'Association.

Dans son message, elle souligne l'importance du travail des comités et des groupes d'intérêt spécial de l'association:

"Dans les premières années suivant mon adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL en 2006, je me souviens m’être jointe à quelques comités et groupes d’intérêt spécial (GIS) sur invitation de collègues chevronnées. J’ai trouvé cette expérience fort enrichissante et cela m’a permis de découvrir différents niveaux de perfectionnement professionnel. Certains de nos comités et GIS ont besoin de bénévoles. Je vous invite donc à trouver un volet qui vous intéresse et dans lequel vous pourriez exercer une influence."

"Merci à toutes les personnes qui ont proposé leur candidature ainsi qu’à tous les bénévoles qui continuent de prêter main-forte."

Parting Words from Outgoing CALL President / Message de départ du président sortant de l'ACBD

Mon, 22 May 2023 21:02:51 GMT

You can read outgoing CALL President George Tsiakos' last From the President's Desk column on our website.

In it, George outlines some of the CALL Board's many recent accomplishments:

"One of the Board highlights of the past year has been supporting the organization of the first in-person annual conference in four years (...) With so many members expressing their eagerness to come together in person once again, I am thrilled that we are able to provide this opportunity (...)"

"Another Board accomplishment I am particularly proud of is the initiation of a strategic planning process. This process aims to develop a new plan that will guide the Executive Board's work over the coming years. By engaging in this activity, we are ensuring that the Association remains responsive to the needs of our community. We are currently in the final drafting stages and will soon unveil a comprehensive plan that outlines our goals and objectives for the future."

"With the help of National Office, we have also been working hard on developing an online member’s chat forum, which will be released to members in the coming weeks. This forum will provide a virtual space for members to connect, share resources, and engage with one another outside of our in-person events. We recognize that our members have diverse interests and needs, and we want to provide a platform that fosters meaningful interactions and connections."

Sur note site web, vous pouvez trouver le dernier Mot du président du président sortant de l'ACBD , George Tsiakos.

George y décrit quelques-unes des réalisations récentes du conseil d'administration de l'association:

"Un des éléments les plus positifs que je retiens de la dernière année est le soutien apporté à l’organisation du premier congrès annuel en présentiel depuis quatre ans (...) Les membres étaient nombreux à exprimer un grand enthousiasme à l’idée de se retrouver en personne, et je suis ravi que nous soyons en mesure de leur offrir cette occasion (...)"

"Une autre réalisation du conseil dont je suis particulièrement fier est le lancement d’un processus de planification stratégique. Cette démarche vise à élaborer un nouveau plan qui orientera les travaux du conseil exécutif au cours des prochaines années. Elle permet aussi de nous assurer que l’association tient compte des besoins de notre communauté. Nous sommes aux dernières étapes de la rédaction de l’ébauche et nous dévoilerons bientôt un plan complet qui définira nos buts et nos objectifs pour l’avenir."

"Grâce à l’aide du bureau national, nous avons également travaillé très fort à l’élaboration d’un forum de discussion en ligne pour les membres, qui sera mis à la disposition de ceux-ci au cours des prochaines semaines. Ce forum constituera un espace virtuel où les membres pourront rester en contact, partager des ressources et échanger entre eux en dehors de nos événements en personne. Nous sommes conscients que nos membres ont des intérêts et des besoins divers, et nous voulons leur offrir une plateforme qui favorise des interactions et des liens enrichissants."

Keeping Up With AI Trends: Stanford University AI Index Report

Wed, 10 May 2023 21:16:17 GMT

The AI Index Report developed at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence at Stanford University in California is an interesting resource to help track developments in the field.

It tracks worldwide trends in private AI investments, the number of incidents related to the ethical misuse of AI, as well as the state of AI regulation and legislation across the world.

Chapter 6 on Policy and Governance shows that there has been an explosive increase in the level of attention that legislators are paying to issues relating to AI:

"An AI Index analysis of the legislative records of 127 countries shows that the number of bills containing 'artificial intelligence' that were passed into law grew from just 1 in 2016 to 37 in 2022. An analysis of the parliamentary records on AI in 81 countries likewise shows that mentions of AI in global legislative proceedings have increased nearly 6.5 times since 2016."

There has been a rapid growth in commentary on artificial intelligence and its impact on sectors such as law.

It can be hard to follow the trends but legal tech blogs and websites and podcasts are a good source of information.

Sources to check out include:

the Legal Tech column in the Canadian Bar Association's National Magazine
the 3 Geeks and a Law Blog podcast co-hosted by Greg Lambert, former president of the American Association of Law Libraries who has spoken in the past at CALL
various university research centres such as the University of Ottawa's Centre for Law, Technology and Society, among others
the AALL Spectrum published an article on Keeping Up With AI & Other New Tech Advancements in its May/June 2023 issue (pp. 48-50)

The Law Commission of Ontario also currently has an ongoing multiyear project looking into the issues related to AI. As part of its work, the Commission has published many reports and papers.

Mentorship Program for Visible Minority Librarians in Canada

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 14:22:31 GMT

The Visible Minority Librarians of Canada Mentorship Program is now accepting applications for the 2023 session that will run from May 1st to June 30th, 2023.

Applications will close on April 21, 2023:

"The Visible Minority Librarians of Canada (ViMLoC) recognizes the need to help visible minority librarians, especially early career and new immigrant librarians, develop their professional careers, as well as the need to encourage and guide visible minority library students with career planning. Lack of mentorship is often cited as a challenge among visible minority librarians, and through our mentorship program, we found that small acts of mentorship were able to make an impact on our mentees. Applying for this program will help create a larger network of visible minority librarians and increase our representation in the library profession. The 2023 ViMLoC mentoring program will recruit experienced visible minority librarians as potential mentors, as well as facilitate the matching of potential mentors to mentees. ViMLoC membership is NOT required to participate in this program."

Speed Networking Event at the 2023 CALL Conference

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 20:30:39 GMT

The CALL New-Professionals Special Interest Group (NP-SIG) is hosting a Speed Networking event at the 2023 CALL Conference in Hamilton on May 28 from 4:00-5:00pm.

Do you like networking in a fun environment? Are you interested in connecting with legal professionals across a variety of disciplines? Are you a newbie with lots of questions, or a veteran who wants to broaden your knowledge?

Then, this session is for you!

Our goal is to encourage connections and dialogue between experienced Legal Information Professionals and students, graduates, and new professionals; however, we welcome anyone who would like to speed network to join us.

Attendees will rotate through tables at regular intervals, with the chance to learn from our Coaches. We’ll provide some icebreaker questions to get discussions started.

Our Legal Information coaches will share things like what a workday looks like for them, what research is interesting and ongoing, or any projects they are working on.

If you are a Legal Professional interested in being a Coach please sign up by Wednesday April 19th, 2023 by filling out this form.

Keep your eyes peeled for instructions on how to register as a Speed Networking attendee coming the end of April/ beginning of May.

If you have any question about the event please contact NP-SIG co-chair Amanda Irvine at amanda.irvine@lawsociety.sk.ca.

Survey - Reinvigorating Academic Law Library Standards / Sondage - Revigorer les normes relatives aux bibliothécaires de droit en milieu universitaire

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 14:32:54 GMT

Le français suit plus bas.

Legal research skills are considered a core competency of law graduates as identified by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. Law Library and legal information services are an important part of legal research skills training for law students.

University libraries in Canada have been impacted by budgetary constraints. Some academic libraries have responded to external pressures by reorganizing library functions. The impacts of reorganization on law library services have not been studied yet.

This study will survey University Librarians and management, law librarians and staff to identify current law library reporting structures, budgets, human resources, and services, and to identify and evaluate changes to services that occur because of reorganization. The survey includes questions about reorganization decision-making, consultation, implementation, and follow-up.

Law Faculty members will also be surveyed, using qualitative questions to assess their use of library services. Use of library services prior to and after reorganization, as well as the level of faculty consultation in the reorganization decision-making process, will also be surveyed.

This study is intended to identify law library services that support legal education. It will also identify and articulate the impact of library reorganization on law library services It is designed to identify library reorganization decision-making and associated drivers to ascertain whether such decisions are made in alignment with the requirements of law faculties, or for other reasons.

The goals of this survey include the following:

To gauge the importance of law library services in meeting the needs of law faculties.
To articulate current standards and best practices for law library operations and services.
To assess organizational decision making and its alignment with the core requirements of the faculties being served.

To fulfill this, any librarian or staff member who works in a law library, law administrators and law faculty members will be asked to complete the survey. All law library employees will be invited to participate, regardless of whether the institution has engaged in reorganization or not, to allow for comparisons to be made. The intention is to invite survey participants from around the globe, as academic law librarians are well-networked, and standards are shared among jurisdictions.

This study is intended to help identify and articulate the importance of law library services to legal education. Additionally, it is designed to assess the impact of library reorganization on law library service to law faculties. Its findings could help to inform law library services, service standards and library reorganization planning in future.

This survey may take 10 - 15 minutes of your time. We encourage you to forward this invitation to any law faculty members, employees or librarians who work in the law library in your organization as well. Retirees are invited to participate.

This research has received clearance from the University of Windsor’s Research Ethics Board.

The deadline for participation has been extended and will close on Wednesday March 15, 2023.

Take the survey now.

Annette Demers, University of Windsor, Faculty of Law

Yemisi Dina, Osgoode Hall Law School

Gian Medves, University of Toronto Law School

La Fédération des ordres professionnels de juristes du Canada considère que la recherche juridique est une compétence clé que doivent acquérir les diplômés en droit. Les bibliothèques de droit et les services d’information juridique représentent un élément important de la formation en recherche juridique pour les étudiants en droit.

Les bibliothèques universitaires au Canada ont été touchées par des contraintes budgétaires. Certaines de ces bibliothèques ont réagi aux pressions externes en réorganisant les fonctions de la bibliothèque. Les impacts de la réorganisation sur les services des bibliothèques de droit n’ont pas encore été étudiés.

La présente étude vise à sonder les bibliothécaires en chef et la direction de même que les bibliothécaires de droit et le personnel afin de déterminer les structures hiérarchiques, les budgets, les ressources humaines et les services actuels dans les bibliothèques de droit ainsi que pour cerner et évaluer les changements apportés aux services en raison de la restructuration. Le sondage comprend des questions portant sur la prise de décisions, les consultations, la mise en œuvre et le suivi de la réorganisation.

Les membres du corps enseignant des facultés de droit seront également sondés à l’aide de questions qualitatives afin d’évaluer leur utilisation des services de bibliothèque. Le questionnaire permettra aussi de sonder l’utilisation des services de la bibliothèque avant et après la réorganisation de même que le niveau de consultation auprès de la faculté dans le cadre du processus de prise de décisions de la réorganisation.

Cette étude vise à identifier les services offerts par les bibliothèques de droit qui soutiennent les programmes d’enseignement en droit. Elle permettra aussi de déterminer et de préciser l’impact de la réorganisation des bibliothèques sur les services des bibliothèques de droit. Elle est conçue pour identifier la prise de décisions en matière de réorganisation des bibliothèques et les facteurs connexes afin de déterminer si ces décisions sont prises conformément aux exigences des facultés de droit ou pour d’autres raisons.

Les objectifs de ce sondage sont les suivants:

Mesurer l’importance des services des bibliothèques de droit pour répondre aux besoins des facultés de droit;
Établir les normes et les meilleures pratiques actuelles en matière de fonctionnement et de services des bibliothèques de droit;
Évaluer la prise de décision organisationnelle et sa pertinence par rapport aux exigences fondamentales des facultés desservies.

Pour parvenir à ces objectifs, nous inviterons les bibliothécaires et le personnel des bibliothèques de droit ainsi que les administrateurs et les membres du corps enseignant des facultés de droit à remplir le sondage. Tous les employés des bibliothèques de droit seront invités à participer, que l’établissement se soit engagé dans une réorganisation ou non, afin de pouvoir établir des comparaisons. Nous souhaitons inviter des participantes au sondage de partout dans le monde puisque les bibliothécaires de droit en milieu universitaire ont des réseaux très bien établis et que les normes sont partagées entre les divers établissements.

Cette étude a pour but d’aider à déterminer et à mettre en lumière l’importance des services offerts par les bibliothèques de droit à l’égard des programmes d’enseignement en droit. Elle vise aussi à évaluer l’impact de la réorganisation des bibliothèques sur les services offerts par les bibliothèques de droit auprès des facultés de droit. Les résultats pourraient contribuer à éclairer les services des bibliothèques de droit, les normes de service et la planification de la réorganisation des bibliothèques à venir.

Vous aurez besoin d’environ 10 à 15 minutes pour remplir le sondage. Nous vous prions de transmettre cette invitation aux professeurs de droit, employés et aux bibliothécaires qui travaillent à la bibliothèque de droit de votre établissement. Les retraités sont invités à participer.

Cette recherche a été approuvée par le comité d’éthique de la recherche de l’Université de Windsor.

La date limite de participation a été prolongée et se terminera le mercredi 15 mars 2023.

Répondez au sondage maintenant.

Annette Demers, Faculté de droit, Université de Windsor

Yemisi Dina, Osgoode Hall Law School

Gian Medves, Faculté de droit, Université de Toronto

February 2023 Joint Meeting of the Copyright Committee and Private Law Libraries SIG

Sun, 05 Mar 2023 15:27:46 GMT

The Copyright Committee and the Private Law Library Special Interest Group met February 13 to discuss the issues private law firms have when dealing with copyright.

A number of academic librarians also joined the discussion, which provided a wonderful overview of how having a copyright or access librarian can often save the day!

The main concerns from the law firms were how to deal with requests for copies of more than 10% of a text, and how to deal with scanning conference proceedings for access in-firm when managing space constraints.

With more questions than answers at the end of the session, it was determined that additional meetings of the two groups would be helpful.

We asked for, and received, a volunteer from each group to work on creating follow up sessions.

Please see the respective Basecamp sites for the Copyright Committee or the PLL-SIG for the full report from this meeting, and future meetings will be announced on the CALL-L listserv.

People interested in joining a Basecamp site should contact the CALL National Office.

Marnie Bailey, Manager, Knowledge Services, Fasken

2023 TALL – CALL/ACBD Salary Survey / Sondage sur les salaires 2023 de TALL et de l'ACBD

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 19:45:55 GMT

Le texte français suit.

The Salary Survey is used to determine employment remuneration received by members of the Toronto Association of Law Libraries and CALL/ACBD.

The findings of this survey will serve as a benchmark of members’ employment compensation during this period. By completing this survey, members will have access to current and relevant compensation data.

Information on salary and benefits is instrumental in helping both employees and employers, including individuals seeking employment and organizations trying to set a competitive salary.

The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Please note that responses will be anonymous and confidential, and the tabulated results will be available later in 2023.

The survey will remain open until February 27, 2023.

Participation Bonus! Participants have the option of entering a draw for ten $25 gift certificates from giftcards.ca.

To enter the draw, you will be prompted to provide your email address via a link to a second survey. This will ensure that your contact information is not linked to your other responses.

Please go to the following web address to respond to the survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2GT6YYR

If you have any questions, please contact the Committee Chair, Erica Friesen (e-mail: erica.friesen AT queensu.ca).

Thank you for your participation!

The TALL – CALL/ACBD Salary Survey Committee

Ce sondage sur les salaires vise à déterminer le salaire gagné par les membres de la Toronto Association of Law Libraries et de l'ACBD.

Les résultats du sondage serviront d’outil de référence quant à la rémunération de ces membres pendant cette période. En remplissant ce sondage, les membres auront accès à des données récentes et pertinentes sur les salaires.

Les renseignements sur les salaires et les avantages sociaux contribuent à aider les employés et les employeurs, notamment les personnes à la recherche d’un emploi et les organisations qui veulent offrir des salaires concurrentiels.

Il vous faudra environ 15 minutes pour répondre aux questions. Veuillez noter que vos réponses demeureront anonymes et confidentielles et que les résultats compilés seront disponibles plus tard en 2023.

Le sondage sera ouvert jusqu’au 27 février 2023.

Prix en guise de remerciement! Tous les répondants au sondage peuvent s’inscrire au concours pour gagner l’une des dix cartes-cadeaux de 25 $ échangeables chez giftcards.ca

Pour vous inscrire au concours, vous serez invité à fournir votre adresse de courriel par le biais d’un lien vers un deuxième questionnaire. Cette démarche permet de garantir que vos coordonnées ne seront pas liées à vos autres réponses.

Veuillez vous rendre à l’adresse Web suivante pour répondre au sondage :

https://fr.surveymonkey.com/r/SDMD2HY

Pour toute question, n’hésitez pas à contacter la présidente du comité, Erica Friesen (courriel: erica.friesen AT queensu.ca).

Merci de votre participation!

Comité du Sondage sur les salaires de TALL et de l'ACBD

Update from the Diversity, Inclusion & Decolonization Committee

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 16:49:36 GMT

The Diversity, Inclusion & Decolonization Committee (DIDC) just held its winter meeting to update members on our activities. If anyone is interested in joining, let us know – this is a great opportunity to share and learn from one another in a safe and friendly environment.

Notably, the Diversity Survey has been completed. The survey is designed to measure the diversity of our profession in Canada and to get an idea of what CALL/ACBD can do to better support all of its members.

DIDC members have tested it out and sent us feedback; the survey subcommittee will make the necessary adjustments and then seek approval from the Executive. Next steps are to get it translated and then sent out!

We have submitted a number of proposals for the next CALL/ACBD Conference, including sessions on land acknowledgments and pronouns, a keynote session by a notable Indigenous leader, as well as a Blanket Exercise. Hopefully some of these will be picked up by the Conference Planning Committee!

We are also assisting in organizing a webinar for this spring related to Nadine Hoffman’s ongoing work on Indigenous subject headings.

The Glossary of Terms update: definitions from different sources have been accumulated. This bank of definitions is intended for the work of DIDC and CALL/ACBD to help everyone better understand unfamiliar EDI terms, and to work with a shared understanding of those terms.

Next steps include drafting definitions specific for CALL/ACBD. If anyone is interested in helping us with this, please let us know!

DIDC is still looking for a new Co-Chair. It’s a great way to get involved and meet other legal information professionals across the country. Please contact Vicki Jay Leung (vicki.jayleung@uwindsor.ca) or Andrea Black (andrea.black@dentons.com) for information or to express your interest.

CALL Members in Librarianship Honour Roll for 2022 / Membres de l'ACBD au tableau d'honneur en bibliothéconomie pour 2022

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 20:41:54 GMT

Le français suit plus bas.

The website Librarianship.ca has published a 2022 Honour Roll listing all the members of the Canadian librarianship community who were recognized with awards last year for their contributions to the profession.

A few CALL members made the list:

Yemisi Dina (York University): Daniel L. Wade Outstanding Service Award, American Association of Law Libraries - Foreign, Comparative and International Law Special Interest Section
Sooin Kim (University of Toronto): Arbor Award, University of Toronto
Anne C. Matthewman (Dalhousie University): AALL Hall of Fame Award, American Association of Law Libraries
Shaunna Mireau (Alexsei; ex-CALL President): Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, Government of Alberta
Hannah Steeves (Dalhousie University): Nancy McCormack Emerging Leader Award, Canadian Association of Law Libraries

Congratulations!

Les site web Librarianship.ca a publié un tableau d'honneur de l'année 2022 incluant tous les membres de la communauté des bibliothécaires au Canada dont les contributions à la profession ont été reconnues l'année dernière par différents prix.

Il y a plusieurs membres de l'ACBD qui figurent sur la liste:

Yemisi Dina (Unversité York, Toronto): Daniel L. Wade Outstanding Service Award, American Association of Law Libraries Foreign, Comparative and International Law Special Interest Section
Sooin Kim (Université de Toronto): Arbor Award, University of Toronto
Anne C. Matthewman (Université Dalhousie, Halifax): AALL Hall of Fame Award, American Association of Law Libraries
Shaunna Mireau (Alexsei; ancienne présidente de l'ACBD): Médaille du jubilé de platine de la Reine Elizabeth II, Gouvernement de l'Alberta
Hannah Steeves (Université Dalhousie, Halifax): Prix Nancy McCormack pour leader émergent, Association canadienne des bibliothèques de droit

Félicitations à toutes les lauréates!

Seeking Nominations for the 2022 Clawbies - the Canadian Law Blog Awards

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 01:07:03 GMT

The team at Stem Legal,a firm of web strategists for the legal profession, is seeking nominations for the 2022 annual Clawbies awards, which celebrate the best of Canadian online legal content!

"Each year, we ask colleagues in the Canadian legal community to share their favourite blogs, social media accounts, podcasts, newsletters and more, and every year they deliver. Every year, we delight in seeing the genuine admiration and appreciation that authors and readers have for each other. And every year, we discover new publications and are honoured to help boost their profiles, just as we add more lions of Canadian legal commentary to our Clawbies Hall of Fame."

People can submit up to 3 nominations for what they consider the best Canadian podcasts, legal Twitter accounts, Youtube channels, blogs, or other open access publications or projects.

Nominations ca be made via blog post or tweets (using the hashtag #clawbies2022).

A complete list of all past winners is available. There have been numerous winners from the legal research and law librarian community (including a few CALL members).

But hurry up. You have until end of day Friday, Dec 16 to send your nominations.

Winners are announced on New Year’s Eve.

Call for Articles: Canadian Law Library Review

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 20:51:59 GMT

The Canadian Law Library Review/Revue Canadienne des bibliothèques de droit (CLLR) is currently welcoming article submissions from members of the legal community.

The CLLR is the official publication of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries. It is an open access, online journal published three times per year. Articles typically range from 2,000-4,000 words.

Prior to publication, all submissions are subject to review and editing by members of the Editorial Board or independent subject specialists; the final decision to publish rests with the Editorial Board. Independent peer review is possible if requested by the author. Please view the CLLR style guide for guidance on how to format a feature article for submission.

To submit an article, or for questions or clarifications, please contact Features Editors Andrea Black and Erica Friesen.

[This call for articles originally appeared on Slaw.ca on November 8, 2022]

CALL Member Article: Thoughts on the New Lexis+ Brief Analysis Tool: For Law Students and Novice Researchers

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 20:31:39 GMT

CALL member Erica Friesen, Research and Instruction Librarian & Online Learning Specialist at the Lederman Law Library at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario recently wrote an article on "Thoughts on the New Lexis+ Brief Analysis Tool: For Law Students and Novice Researchers". It originally appeared on Slaw.ca on September 28, 2022.

It is republished here with permission of the author.

New academic year; new legal research tools. Something new always comes out right as another cohort of students is gearing up to begin their law degree. And, as with many new product launches these days, “artificial intelligence” is often a prominently displayed term with accompanying materials. As legal publishers continue to launch AI-driven research tools in Canada, what do students and other novice researchers need to know to be prepared for their first forays into legal research?

Lexis recently launched the latest version of their legal research platform, Lexis+ Canada, for Canadian law schools. It features significant updates that employ artificial intelligence, including a “Brief Analysis” tool in line with similar products offered by Westlaw Edge (on the US platform) and vLex (already available in Canada). According to Lexis+, this tool helps researchers “expedite completion of briefs and other legal documents.” Once your document is uploaded, it spits out a report including the following categories: 1) recommended cases, 2) cases and legislation cited in your document, 3) jurisdiction, and 4) extracted and recommended concepts.

While I do not intend to comment on the utility of this tool for practitioners, I have no doubt that students beginning law school or working in summer or articling positions are bound to encounter this new feature sooner or later. When you do, you may have questions: should I be using this tool? How or how not? The landing page for this tool in Lexis+ contains no information on how this tool works and the Lexis+ Canada “Help” database so far contains minimal documentation. Confusion or uncertainty is understandable with such opacity.

To gain some insight, let’s run an experiment: take two case comments written by different authors on the same Supreme Court case from 2004.[1] An older decision means that we should retrieve an abundance of recommendations from the intervening 18 years. Both comments include an overview of the area of law at the time of this decision as well as an analysis of how this particular decision would change the area of law. Once Lexis analyzed these documents, I exported the resulting report and compared the results for each comment.

Here are the two documents, in case you’d like to run the experiment yourself:

Comment A: Teresa Scassa, “Recalibrating Copyright Law?: A Comment on the Supreme Court of Canada’s Decision in CCH Canadian Limited et al. v. Law Society of Upper Canada”, Case Comment, (2004) 3:2 CJLT 89.

Comment B: WL Hayhurst, “The Canadian Supreme Court on Copyright: CCH Canadian Ltd. v. Law Society of Upper Canada”, Case Comment, (2004-2005) 41 Can Bus LJ 134.

Recommended Cases

“Recommendations” is the section of the Brief Analysis report that lists additional case law for you to consider adding to your legal document. Brief Analysis recommended 58 unique cases in total between Comment A and Comment B. However, only 10 of those cases were the same between the two documents (after adjusting for “recommended” cases that were actually cited in the other document). See Figure 1.

Key takeaway: Legal research and writing is an art, not a science. AI-driven tools like these run on the material that you upload, so you can expect substantially different results depending on the quality of analysis and the decisions you made in producing the original document. This does not mean that there is no value in using the tool, but you cannot expect it to help you build something from nothing. Recommendations are based on the content in the document, so if the content in the original document is not already strong, you may find yourself headed down the wrong path. Garbage in; garbage out as they say.

Extracted Concepts

Lexis currently provides almost no information on what is meant by “extracted concepts” using Brief Analysis. But it sure looks cool to upload your document and instantly see a list of legal topics associated with your writing.

Here, too, there is substantial difference between the two documents. Comment A and Comment B had an overlap of 18 common extracted concepts. Comment A had an additional 22 unique extracted concepts while Comment B had an additional 21 unique extracted concepts. See Figure 2 for this data.

The utility of these concepts is highly variable. One illuminating instance is that Brief Analysis believed that “et al” was a relevant legal concept to Comment B. Does this simply mean that the phrase “et al” appears many times in the document?

Key Takeaway: For novice researchers, this tool has limited utility if used in isolation. While an experienced practitioner may quickly be able to understand which extracted concepts are relevant, it is unlikely that a novice researcher will have the necessary context to make these determinations with such little transparency provided by the tool itself.

For example, Brief Analysis extracted “strike” as a relevant concept for Comment B. While “strike” may indeed seem like a potentially important legal concept, it seems to have been picked up here because of an emphasis on “striking a balance” between the rights of authors and the rights of the public. Brief Analysis allows you to edit and reconfigure these concepts on your results page, but novice researchers will need to put in additional research outside of the tool to familiarize themselves with these concepts before they can properly make these assessments.

Cited in Your Document

This part of the report identifies caselaw and legislation that is already cited in your document. Presumably the intention is to warn you of potential negative history or treatment via the QuickCITE signals that the report pulls into the document as a visual representation.

Brief Analysis was fairly accurate in identifying Canadian case citations in the two documents, but still missed a number of Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal decisions, as well as decisions that were cited as part of a case history. Interestingly, only one Canadian legislation citation was correctly identified as legislation; others were identified as caselaw or not identified at all. Almost no foreign or international citations were correctly identified (legislation, case law, treaties, etc). See Figure 3 for a breakdown of how many citations were correctly identified versus missed.

Key Takeaway: Like any other research platform, AI-driven tools are limited based on the data that serves as their input. If Brief Analysis only runs on Lexis’ Canadian content, then it won’t pick up US or UK citations as part of its analysis. This is a limitation to be aware of in the context of its other features too. None of the recommended caselaw or legislation was foreign or international either, but I might not have noticed this if I hadn’t critically assessed this part of the report. Again, familiarity with an area of law is necessary to use the tool properly and know if it is relevant to go to sources beyond Canadian law for your particular research question.

Conclusion

New tools like Lexis’ Brief Analysis may be aimed at experienced practitioners, but they are often rolled out first to law students and other less experienced legal researchers with minimal guidance or documentation on how to effectively use them. This experiment is intended to illustrate the potential pitfalls of a brief analysis tool like the one newly available on Lexis+ for law students. Only by using these tools with a critical eye can we truly get a sense for where such a product might fit in our legal research process. -- Erica Friesen, Research and Instruction Librarian & Online Learning Specialist, Lederman Law Library, Queen’s Law

[1] CCH Canadian Ltd v Law Society of Upper Canada, 2004 SCC 13.

CALL Research Tips & Tricks: Finding Standards / Trucs et astuces de recherche de l’ACBD: comment trouver des normes

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 14:19:01 GMT

Le français suit plus bas.

We all have a few tricks up our sleeve when it comes to performing legal research. We sometimes share them with clients. And sometimes, we like to use those tricks to hunt down seemingly impossible to find material and wow them. Because nothing is “impossible” for law librarians.

The CALL blog has started a new regular series of research tips and tricks.

Please share your favourite or coolest strategies with Michel-Adrien Sheppard to have them published on the CALL blog.

Nous avons tous nos trucs favoris quand il s'agit de faire de la recherche juridique. Parfois, nous les partageons avec nos clients. Et parfois, nous aimons les épater en utilisant ces trucs et astuces pour mettre la main sur des informations apparemment impossibles à trouver. Car rien n’est « impossible » pour des bibliothécaires de droit.

Le blogue de l'ACBD a lancé une nouvelle série sur les trucs et astuces de recherche.

SVP partagez vos stratégies les plus intéressantes ou les plus « cool » avec Michel-Adrien Sheppard afin de les faire publier sur le blogue de CALL/ACBD.

Today: Finding Standards (Susannah Tredwell, Manager of Library Services at DLA Piper (Canada) LLP, Vancouver). It originally appeared on Slaw.ca on August 31, 2022.

It is republished here with permission of the author.

Standards, which “establish accepted practices, technical requirements, and terminologies”, are often referenced by acts and regulations; in order to be able to properly interpret a piece of legislation you may need to see the standard it is referring to.

Frequently the fastest and most efficient solution (if not the cheapest) is to buy the standard, either in print or electronic format. However, if you’re buying a digital version it is important to be aware of how the standard is licenced, e.g. in some cases the person who bought the standard is the only person who can use it. For Canadian standards, the Standards Council of Canada (confusingly — for law librarians at least — abbreviated SCC) is a useful place to start.

Standards are frequently referred to by a number (e.g. “CSA Z1008:21”) where the first letters indicate who issued the standard (in this case the Canadian Standards Association), the middle numbers indicate the number of the standard, and the last number indicates the year of issue (i.e. 2021). Standards are frequently revised or replaced, so it is important to know which particular version of a standard you are looking for. Older standards can be more challenging to find.

Your local public library may own some standards in print format so it is worthwhile checking with them.

A number of Canadian standards are available for free; for example you can find the online collection of Codes Canada publications (including the National Building Code of Canada 2020, the National Plumbing Code of Canada 2020 and the National Fire Code of Canada 2020) at https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/search/?q=NRCCode. Similarly the British Columbia Codes 2018 are available online at https://www.bccodes.ca/index.html.

CALL Member Article: Researching Foreign and International Current Events

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 13:21:05 GMT

CALL member Marcelo Rodriguez, the Foreign, Comparative and International Law Librarian at the University of Arizona Law School in Tucson, Arizona, recently wrote an article on "Researching Foreign and International Current Events". It originally appeared on Slaw.ca on August 16, 2022.

It is republished here with permission of the author.

In my professional experience working as a law librarian in multiple types of institutions, most of the time a question about or related to a situation happening in a foreign country or at the international level comes primarily through one scenario: the researcher read about it in an online media outlet, newspaper, article, blog, tweet, etc. and wants to know more. Understanding, finding relevant sources and making sense of a rapidly (d)evolving and fast moving situation in a foreign country or internationally is an incredibly complicated and labor intensive type of research, no matter how much experience you have in the subject or country. To hopefully alleviate some of the pressure on these requests from researchers, I created a monthly series, called Through the FCIL Lens, shared in the blog of the Foreign, Comparative and International Law (FCIL) group within the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). In this monthly series, I strive to give readers a summary with all the known and relevant information on what’s currently happening, some analysis from experts, and most importantly for the researchers, I also include at least three academic articles which help connect the situation on the ground to larger conversations and trends.

I’d like to think that my purpose and hard work behind the series were confirmed a few weeks ago when the dramatic current events in Sri Lanka made international headlines in major newspapers, magazines and social media. Given my obsession and unhealthy consumption of foreign and international news, I featured the increasingly deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka as one of the “hotspots” to observe back in April 2022. I’m not claiming any sort of superpower, nor advocating for others to compulsively follow international news. The point is that when you are tasked with researching and finding authoritative sources in order to understand an explosive current situation in a foreign country, 97% of the time, it is not a situation coming out of nowhere. Your job is to find the relevant resources to help you link the current situation on the ground to previously documented situations, people and trends.

In this post, I will mention a few crucial steps that I take in order to come up with a successful research strategy. Similarly to what I do in my legal research classes, I’m not going to enumerate a list of websites and hope the researcher finds their way. If you do that, a lot of the time, they’re left with websites which are not updated, don’t work or with a list of broken links taking you nowhere. Therefore, I will talk briefly about the initial steps I take when building a research strategy that has worked for me and also the limitations to this type of research requests that we should all be aware of.

First, your main goal should be to look for specific names of people, institutions, places, perhaps a specific case or legislation. You’re aiming to find one proper name (many, if you’re lucky!) and use it as your keyword to search for sources which will help you link the current situation to previous trends, events or any relevant information. In the case of the current crisis in Sri Lanka, one of the main characters is the recently deposed president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. If you search for his name in both free sources and subscription-based databases, you will quickly find out lots of important information. For example, he belongs to a “political dynasty” which has taken control of the country for decades and also he was hailed as a “war hero” after his leading involvement in ending the country’s civil war in 2009. These two points are undoubtedly incredibly significant for any researcher to understand the current crisis and its importance to Sri Lankan people.

Two things to keep in mind when working with foreign names is transliteration when using our Latin script and full names. Usually, when a person is not regularly featured in Western media outlets, there is a plethora of transliteration options and not one uniformed way to write a person’s name using the Latin script. Depending on how long and how often during and after the current event this person’s name is used, journalists, academics and experts might finally arrive at a consensus on how to spell a person’s name using Latin script. For example, I have seen Gotabaya, Gothabaya, G. Rajapaksa, Rajapaska, Rajapakse and many more. Another important point when it comes to names is the full names of these important players. As I said before, the Rajapaksa family is a political dynasty in Sri Lanka with numerous important people. Therefore, you might want to use someone’s full name in order to avoid any confusion. For example, Gotabaya’s full name is actually Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapksa. Using his full name will bring up specific information related to his involvement in previous historical events in the country. Again, you’re doing all these steps to help you connect the current situation with larger and older conversations and trends. These names and proper nouns will serve as your connectors with more relevant information.

Overall, you have two major limitations when pursuing this type of research: not everything is translated into English and not everything is online. In my experience, this is the moment of truth. As a Foreign and International Law Librarian, I try to be as honest as possible with my users. Foreign and International Legal Research can be incredibly interesting and rewarding, but it also takes time and lots of extra steps. The current situation in Sri Lanka might be making its way into major Western and English speaking media outlets. However, for people in Sri Lanka, this is their pressing and tumultuous reality. Therefore, it’s fair to say that the overwhelming amount of information will be primarily in Sinhala and maybe Tamil, the two official languages of Sri Lanka. On top of that, a significant amount of primary sources might not be available online, due to lack of resources, but also to the current chaotic situation in the country. In these instances, you will need to get creative and find secondary sources as well as contacting experts which might be able to help you. I shared some related ideas in my previous post on Legal Research Without Official Diplomatic Relations.

Good luck! Please feel free to add any steps you take yourself regarding this type of research in the comments section or contact me directly.

CALL Member Article: Gender Inclusivity in Canadian Legal Writing and Style Guides

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 23:56:46 GMT

CALL member Dominique Garingan, Library Manager in the Calgary office of Parlee McLaws LLP, recently wrote an article on "The Singular They: Gender Inclusivity in Canadian Legal Writing and Style Guides". It originally appeared on the website Notes Between Us on June 22, 2022.

It is reprinted here with permission.

Language is a product of culture, and it is known that the English language lacks a singular pronoun that signifies the non-specific he or she. Although at times unintentional, this singularity versus plurality of pronouns, coupled with gendered indicators, has helped entrench the binary perceptions of gender found in writing which we are now seeking to change.

The Department of Justice of Canada recently provided a series of guidelines on the use of gender-neutral language in a legislative context. These guidelines include as a recommendation the use of the singular they and its other grammatical forms (them, themselves, and their) to refer to indefinite pronouns and singular nouns¹. In addition, dictionaries such as the Oxford English Dictionary (definition²|blog), the Canadian Oxford Dictionary (definition³), the Cambridge Dictionary (definition) and the Merriam-Webster Dictionary (definition|blog) have acknowledged both the acceptability – and, for some, the controversy – of the singular they.

While there seems to be a growing acceptance towards gender inclusive and non-binary pronouns, this post seeks to explore an increasingly acknowledged yet still seemingly paradoxical entity in legal writing: the singular they. This post briefly investigates the use and acceptance or lack thereof of they as a singular pronoun through a review of a limited sample of Canadian legal research, writing, and style guides accessible to the writer. Although current writing practices on gender inclusivity may have since changed since the publication of these titles, this post hopes to assist writers, researchers, librarians, and information professionals by providing a non-exhaustive point-in-time review of Canadian legal writing references and help facilitate a turning point in the journey towards greater inclusivity in legal writing.

The Literature Reviewed (in Reverse Order of Publication)

Edward Berry, Writing Reasons: A Handbook for Judges, 5th ed (Toronto: LexisNexis Canada, 2020).

In the sample of guides reviewed, Writing Reasons seemed to provide the most inclusive perspective in its instruction. It was somewhat refreshing to see a writing handbook for judges as being the most progressive in its recommendations, albeit also the most recently published. The guide contains a section entitled Prejudicial Language and provides a checklist for more inclusive strategies. (p 114-115) “Invite the parties to define their own identity” is first on the list. As an example, Berry notes that some people may prefer the gender neutral Mx. to Mr. or Ms. “Be wary of personal pronouns” is also listed. Here, Berry states that those who don’t identify as male or female may prefer they. Berry notes the acceptance of they as a singular pronoun. However, the alternative of reconstructing the subject as plural, facilitating a more familiar use of they, is also provided. (p 115)

Although subtle, a highlight of this guide is found in one of its appendices. Appendix 2: Additional Resources contains a section called Biased Language. Instead of listing resources to consult, this section contains a brief note reminding writers that “[u]sage changes constantly” and places onus on writers to consult style guides as well as organizations devoted to specific groups or social issues for guidance on language. (p 151)

Neil Guthrie, Guthrie’s Guide to Better Legal Writing, 2nd ed (Toronto: Irwin Law, 2021).

In his book, Guthrie encourages readers to strive for gender-neutrality, or at least balance. (p 44) Guthrie notes that, if the singular they is used, “it should be based on a desire to be inclusive of the transgendered, the gender-fluid, and the gender-questioning”. (p 46) Guthrie does note a dislike for the singular they when used in a lazy fashion and states that his or her is still preferred, at least grammatically. (p 46) However, one conundrum is that the intent behind the use of the singular they may be difficult to attribute to writers unknown to their readers.

In addition to acknowledging the singular they, Guthrie’s Guide to Legal Writing recognizes the possible growing use of gender-neutral neologisms such as ze, ey, or xe. (p 46) It also acknowledges active changes to the spelling of feminine nouns as a way to “decouple” them from masculine nouns that define them (for example, the use of womxn). (p 49-50, and in SlawTips)

Queen’s Law Journal, Canadian Guide to Legal Style, 2nd ed (Toronto: Thomson Reuters Canada, 2019).

Where a generic singular pronoun is required, the latest edition of the Queen’s Law Journal Canadian Guide to Legal Style recommends against the use of they as a generic singular pronoun, noting it as plural in construction. The guide discourages the use of combinations such as s/he or he/she and, as an alternative, recommends alternating between masculine and feminine pronouns where a generic singular pronoun is required. (p 37)

The Canadian Guide to Legal Style provides some writing alternatives to generic singular pronouns. These include pluralizing the noun or subject to allow the use of they, repeating the noun or subject, and reconstructing the sentence such that the generic singular pronoun can be replaced with words like who or one. (p 37-38) Although the combination he/she is discouraged, the guide notes as acceptable the use of the pronoun pair he or she, although this should be done sparingly. (p 38)

Nancy McCormack, John Papadopoulos & Catherine Cotter, The Practical Guide to Canadian Legal Research, 4th ed (Toronto: Carswell, 2015).

The Practical Guide to Canadian Legal Research advocates for the use of gender-neutral language and acknowledges the inherent gender bias in the English language, such as how, historically, the masculine gender was assumed to be the norm in legal writing. (p 456) While it does not provide explicit discussion on the use of the singular they, it does state that the use of plurals and alternating between masculine and feminine pronouns are both acceptable. (p 456-457)

In stating that the use of plurals was acceptable, it was somewhat unclear to this writer whether The Practical Guide to Canadian Legal Research was alluding to the use of the singular they as an alternative to the pronoun pair he or she at the time or the reconstruction of nouns and subjects as plural to facilitate the use of they as a plural pronoun.

Christine Mowat, A Plain-Language Handbook for Legal Writers, 2nd ed (Toronto: Carswell, 2015).

A Plain-Language Handbook for Legal Writers poses the question “Can they be singular?”. (p 53) This guide takes a historical approach and highlights some of the gender-neutral language policy adopted by the Ontario government in the late 1980s for all official publications, including bills and regulations.

Research by the Ontario government referenced in this guide shows they, their, and them as having a long history of use a singulars. Additionally, the use of themself was deemed to be a logical extension of the use of other third person “plural” pronouns as singular and an acceptable replacement for himself, herself, or itself.⁴ (p 53) The guide provides guidelines for using gender-neutral language and suggests that the singular they will gain wider acceptance. It also notes that speakers of American English may resist the development more than speakers of British English, where the indeterminate they is more commonly seen. (p 54)

British Columbia Law Institute, Gender-Free Legal Writing: Managing the Personal Pronouns (July 1998), online: BCLI.

While written over two decades ago, the BCLI report, Gender-Free Legal Writing, was cited by at least two titles reviewed for this blog post. Although the BCLI report does not acknowledge they as a singular pronoun, it does recommend adopting a “gender-free” style of writing, or one that avoids pronouns entirely. (p 2) Part II of the BCLI report provides both structural and generic solutions that avoid the use of gendered singular pronouns. These include moving away from third person singular references, identifying the subject a second time, and eliminating repeated references to the performer of the action or the object of the sentence. (p 4-12)

While the BCLI report does accept use of the he or she (his or her) pronoun formulation, it does acknowledge that this is “the least satisfactory solution” as it is “not truly gender-free”. (p 12)

Other Titles

The following titles were also reviewed for this blog post. No explicit discussions on the singular they were found. However, these titles focus more on legal research, writing, and advocacy as opposed to grammar and style.

Concluding Thoughts

In undertaking this review, I often found myself missing the forest for the trees. Legal writing guides and grammar possess a plethora of rules. While writers, editors, researchers, librarians, and information professionals often turn to these rules for safety, guidance, and affirmation regarding the correctness of their writing, it must be remembered that these rules and structures may be the same ones critiqued for failing to possess the requisite inclusivity for those whose genders are non-binary, undefined, not yet defined, absent, cannot be defined, or refusing to be defined in the first place.

There is an internal conflict ascribable to seeking universal grammatical correctness while ensuring that the language we use is inclusive of all. Are we likely to continue second-guessing ourselves and scouring well-established legal writing and style guides for permission to use more inclusive language? Quite possibly. The legal profession has been critiqued for its traditional nature and writing style. This does not always align with the view that gender may be singular, plural, transitional, evolving, non-existent, or undiscovered within an individual. Although information professionals will continue to hold onto and reference them dearly, it may be time to expect some of our Canadian legal writing and style guides to provide greater clarification and more humanist perspectives on non-binary, gender-inclusive, and gender-diverse language.

Notes:

1. For an alternative perspective on the use of the singular they in legislative drafting, see Paul Salembier, “Is Bad Grammar Good Policy? Legislative Use of the Singular ‘they’” (2015) 36:2 Statute L Rev 175.

2. A subscription to the Oxford English Dictionary is required to access this definition.

3. A subscription to the Canadian Oxford Dictionary is required to access this definition.

4. For more information on this research, please see Donald L Revell, Cornelia Schuh & Michel Moisan, “Themself and Nonsexist Style in Canadian Legislative Drafting” (1994) 10:1 English Today 10.

CALL Research Tips & Tricks: Termium Plus Language Tool / Trucs et astuces de recherche de l’ACBD: outil de terminologie Termium Plus

Sun, 15 May 2022 22:45:43 GMT

Le français suit plus bas.

The CALL blog has started a new regular series of research tips and tricks.

Please share your favourite or coolest strategies with Michel-Adrien Sheppard to have them published on the CALL blog.

Le blogue de l'ACBD a lancé une nouvelle série sur les trucs et astuces de recherche.

SVP partagez vos stratégies les plus intéressantes ou les plus « cool » avec Michel-Adrien Sheppard afin de les faire publier sur le blogue de CALL/ACBD.

Today: TERMIUM Plus (Katie Pelland, Supreme Court of Canada).

Have you ever been unsure of what word to use when communicating about a new or unfamiliar topic? There is a database created by the Government of Canada called TERMIUM Plus, which gives you access to millions of terms in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. You can find terms, abbreviations, definitions and usage examples in a wide range of specialized fields. The data bank is an essential tool for understanding an acronym, checking an official title, finding the equivalent for names of ministries, agencies, departments in the other official language, and much more.

Of particular interest, they have collections of terms to search in various areas of law. Simply click on the drop –down menu under the “In which subject field?” section to select a legal subject to narrow your search.

Recently, as part of the Government of Canada’s efforts to respond to the Clerk of the Privy Council’s 2021 Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity and Inclusion in the Federal Public Service, TERMIUM Plus has made their bilingual Guide on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Terminology publically available online. In this guide, you will find definitions and usage notes for some of the key terms on these topics. It is a living document that updated and improved on a regular basis.

Aujourd'hui: Termium Plus (par Katie Pelland, Cour suprême du Canada).

Avez-vous jamais été incertain quant au mot à utiliser lorsque vous communiquez sur un sujet nouveau ou complètement inconnu ?

Il existe une base de données créé par le gouvernement du Canada appellée TERMIUM Plus, qui vous donne accès à des millions d’expressions en anglais, français, espagnol et portugais.

Vous pouvez trouver des expressions, des abréviations, des définitions et des exemples d’utilisation dans un large éventail de domaines spécialisés. La banque de données est un outil essentiel pour décoder les acronymes, vérifier un titre officiel, trouver l'équivalent des noms des ministères, agences, départements dans l'autre langue officielle, et bien plus encore.

Il est particulièrement intéressant de noter qu'ils proposent des collections d’expressions dans divers domaines du droit. Il suffit de cliquer sur le menu déroulant sous la rubrique "Domaine" pour sélectionner un sujet juridique afin de restreindre votre recherche.

Récemment, dans le cadre des efforts déployés par le gouvernement du Canada pour donner suite à l’Appel à l’action en faveur de la lutte contre le racisme, de l’équité et de l’inclusion dans la fonction publique fédérale lancé par le greffier du Conseil privé en 2021, TERMIUM Plus a rendu public son Guide de la terminologie liée à l’équité, la diversité et l’inclusion bilingue en ligne. Dans ce guide vous trouverez des définitions et des notes d’usage en lien avec certains termes clés dans ce domaine. Ce document évolutif sera mis à jour et amélioré régulièrement.

Update from the Private Law Libraries Special Interest Group

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:36:22 GMT

From time to time, this blog will highlight initiatives, ideas, or activities coming from members, committees or special interest groups (SIGs).

Today: An Update from the Private Law Libraries Special Interest Group (PLL-SIG), by Marnie Bailey, Manager, Knowledge Services at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP in Vancouver.

The PLL-SIG met April 5 for a discussion on what the return to the office looks like for law firm libraries.

Topics included moving more texts to online, continued love of print, moving to Single Sign On, online or in person training of students, and how often people are required to be / are in the office.

There was a wide range of responses for most of the topics, and it was nice to hear that other firms are in similar situations. It was a great discussion with firm librarians from across the country.

The notes will be posted to the PLL-SIG Basecamp site for members of the SIG.

The next PLL-SIG meeting will be during the May 2022 annual CALL conference, and I hope to see many of you there!

CALL Member Article: Visualizing the Landscape of Canadian Law School Journals

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 20:55:00 GMT

CALL member Hannah Steeves, the Instruction & Reference Librarian at the Sir James Dunn Law Library, Dalhousie University (Halifax), recently wrote an article on "Visualizing the Landscape of Canadian Law School Journals". It originally appeared on Slaw.ca on April 6, 2022.

It is reprinted here with permission.

In my role at the Sir James Dunn Law Library, I help facilitate both the creation and dissemination of scholarly knowledge through law journals. As a result, I have developed many questions and curiosities surrounding scholarly publishing practices. While the larger ones require empirical research, a handful seemed easy to answer based on readily available data. Using the information available on the websites of each peer-reviewed law journal affiliated with and published by a Canadian law school, I answered the following questions:

How many peer-reviewed law journals are affiliated with Canadian law schools and published in-house?*
How many of these law journals are primarily student-run?**
How many of these law journals are open access?
How many of these journals follow the Canadian Guide to Legal Citation (the “McGill Guide”)?***
What is the length of an article submission (word count)?
How frequently do these journals publish?
For fun, how many words per year do these journals publish?
Which province publishes the highest volume of articles per year?
Which law school publishes the highest volume of articles per year?

*Not published by a commercial publisher such as Carswell, LexisNexis, Cambridge, Oxford, etc. **Student-run was determined by a statement on the journal’s website specifying student-run or having faculty labelled as participating in only an advisory capacity. ***Any edition. All data was retrieved from the journals’ websites and supplemented with HeinOnline. There are obvious shortcomings in the data I pulled. I did not determine the average word count of a journal article, nor did I include open-access journals published by institutions and organizations that are not affiliated with a Canadian law school. I omitted book reviews and other commentary based on the assumption that other legal scholars more commonly reference articles in subsequent works and courts. I did not cross-reference where each journal was indexed beyond their own website and HeinOnline. These data represent a small, but specific, slice of academic Canadian legal literature.

Question 1: How many peer-reviewed law journals are affiliated with Canadian law schools and published in-house?*

Dal LJ
Dal J Leg Stud
UNBLJ
McGill J Dispute Resolution
Inter Gentes: McGill J Intl L & Leg Pluralism
McGill JL & Health
JSDLP
McGill LJ
Lakehead Law Journal
Wrongful Conviction L Rev
Osgoode Hall LJ
JL & Soc Pol’y
Ottawa L Rev
Queen’s LJ
UTLJ
UT Fac L Rev
Critical Analysis L: An Intl & Interdisciplinary L Rev
JL & Equality
Indigenous LJ
Western J of Leg Studies
Windsor Rev Legal Soc Issues
Windsor YB Access Just
Asper Review
Can J of Human Rights
Man LJ
Sask L Rev
Alta L Rev
UBC L Rev
Can J Fam L
Can J of Comparative & Contemporary L
Appeal

Question 2: How many of these law journals are primarily student-run?

There are many individuals involved with each step of publishing a journal, from peer reviewers to copy editors. However, it is obvious that law students put significant effort into the scholarly publishing of legal literature. Even journals that have editorial boards composed of faculty members typically have student volunteers for source checking and footnote editing. The work law students put into law school journals is a noteworthy contribution to scholarly work in Canada.

Question 3: How many of these law journals are open access (OA)?

Only one journal has article processing charges (APCs). The University of Toronto Law Journal only provides hybrid OA options and “offers authors whose research has been funded by a national, regional, or international research funder … green and gold open access options to comply with research funding requirements.” It is common for public funding agencies to require researchers to publish in OA journals.² And while research suggests that scholars value the principles of open access, they remain motivated by traditional scholarly incentives, including publishing in highly ranked journals that support the path to tenure and promotion.³ Though I believe the intention of funders’ OA requirements is to encourage accessibility and dissemination of scholarly knowledge, I have often wondered if these requirements only strengthen the power wielded by for-profit journals as the public funding is going directly to the journals via the APC.

Question 4: How many of these journals follow the Canadian Guide to Legal Citation (the “McGill Guide”)?

Most of the journals reviewed used theMcGill Guide as their citation guide. Only ~7 per cent did not use McGill or offer it as an option to authors.

Question 5: What is the length of an article submission (word count)?

This graph reflects the maximum word limit for article submissions. The University of New Brunswick Law Journal specifies that “[w]hile there are no preliminary restrictions as to manuscript length, the editorial board reserves the right to set such restrictions as a condition of publication.” The Journal of Law and Equality did not specify. For journals with page limits in their submission guidelines, I used a words-per-page counter to convert the page ranges to word limits based on the average number of words per page.

Methodology for questions 6–9:

First, I checked article submission guidelines for the maximum word limits. I excluded book reviews, case comments, etc., based on the assumption that articles are more likely to be cited by other scholars and relied upon by courts. I checked the average number of volumes and issues per year based on the past 10 years to determine each journal’s publication frequency. I reviewed each journal’s five most recent issues to determine the average number of articles published per issue, then I multiplied the average number of articles per issue by the number of issues published each year. Finally, I multiplied the maximum word limit by the average number of articles published each year.

Question 6: How frequently do these journals publish?

Question 7: For fun, how many words per year do these journals publish?

The UNBLJ and JL & Equality do not provide information on word limits and are not accurately reflected in this graph.

Question 8: Which province publishes the highest volume of articles per year?

Ontario has the potential to produce well over 1.5 million words of peer-reviewed legal literature per year. Further examination of author demographics and the areas of law and legal topics addressed would provide insight into who is writing and what they are writing about.

Question 9: Which law school publishes the highest volume of articles per year?

The University of Manitoba Faculty of Law publishes an impressive amount of legal literature. Specifically, the Manitoba Law Journal states they have five dimensions that contribute to their output of peer-reviewed articles. The term dimension refers to a special topic addressed in each issue. Please note that I do not think that quantity is an indicator of quality. However, identifying journals that produce a significant amount of legal literature and examining their submission guidelines, editorial boards, editorial processes, and policies could provide insight into how to establish an efficient, quality journal. What other interesting things did I notice?

Many journals have expanded their scope beyond peer-reviewed content. Blogs and podcasts are increasingly common, likely due to their ability to distribute informal scholarly knowledge with expediency.
Although most journals are not topical, special issues addressing a theme were common.
None of the journals defined “open access” — they just state that they are OA.

This serves as an introduction to the existing landscape of peer-reviewed law journals published by Canadian law schools. It would also be interesting to review the demographics of authors, the legal areas or topics explored, and subsequent scholarly and court citations. Adding an empirical layer could identify trends regarding submissions and, on a much larger scale, how submission guidelines and editorial processes might impact knowledge creation. ____ The dataset is available here. If you notice any errors, please contact me, and I will make the necessary corrections.

Accessing, Documenting and Preserving Information on Ukraine

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 15:22:56 GMT

CALL member Marcelo Rodriguez, the Foreign, Comparative and International Law Librarian at the University of Arizona Law School in Tucson, Arizona, recently wrote an article on "Accessing, Documenting and Preserving Information on Ukraine". It originally appeared on Slaw.ca on March 30, 2022.

It is republished here with permission of the author.

I teach a class at the University of Arizona College of Law called, Foreign, Comparative and International Legal Research. In my class, I discuss with the students the different ways in which this type of advanced legal research is dependent on constantly moving variables and components.

Beyond a handout of the top five sources to consult, I instead strive to make the students understand that they need to create a research strategy, keep track of changes on foreign and international law, and consult a significant amount of non-legal information. All of this needs to be done while always evaluating sources of information and at times, in languages you’re not fluent in. I briefly touched upon these issues in my previous post on Nicaragua and Haiti.

When it comes to the current Russian invasion of Ukraine, there are three situations which I’m following very closely: accessing trustworthy information, documenting what is happening, and the preservation of information.

As a law librarian, these three situations all have a particular angle related to the law, namely accessing reliable legal and government information during war, documenting atrocities and potential war crimes in order to use this information as evidence in the future, and preservation of legal information in digital format which can be made available to everyone immediately as well as later on.

In this post, I will talk briefly about these three areas and enumerate several sources which can provide further information. As usual, I invite all readers to mention and share other relevant links or sources in the comments section.

Accessing Trustworthy Information

In times of war, accessing information coming from reliable sources becomes literally a question of life or death. However, easily accessible online information in websites, news sources or in any social media platforms becomes a puzzle to decipher and in dire need of evaluation. If you have been following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on any platform, be it blogs, traditional media outlets or social media, you know that the information can be contradictory, incomplete and tainted with misinformation.

Beyond these challenges, there is also the risk of intentional spread of false information or disinformation and propaganda. Oksana Brui, Director of the Ukrainian Library Association alluded to this in a letter to the international librarianship community.

Furthermore, several Ukrainian government websites have been hacked to spread false information to the Ukrainian people. Despite these cyber attacks, the Ukrainian Government official page, and the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine are both using their corresponding Twitter accounts to debunk false information as quickly as possible (i.e. https://twitter.com/Ukraine and https://twitter.com/dsszzi).

Official government publications such as Golos Ukrainy (the Voice of Ukraine), Ofitsiyny Visnyk Ukrainy (Official Reporter of Ukraine) and the Ukrainian Parliament’s legislation database are still functioning despite Russia’s attacks on internet infrastructure and service providers.

As a law librarian, my goal is to empower legal researchers to be able to evaluate sources themselves whether it’s a social media post, news article or any secondary source of information they come across.

This might sound easier said than done. But you’d be surprised how relatively easy it is to fall into the allure of a source that talks about exactly what you were looking for during a fast-changing situation and with emotions running high. I tell our researchers to keep it simple.

Whenever in doubt, ask yourself these three questions: Who? Why? When? First, who is writing this post, tweet, news article or any source? Do they have an expertise on the subject? Are they affiliated to a reputable institution? What gives them the authority to write about the topic on hand? Then, you need to consider why the author or contributor shared this information. And this is usually located in the “about us” or mission section of the website. Are they a company selling products and services? Are they affiliated to a large organization, political party or government? What drives them to share information? This will help you elucidate what are their intentions behind the information they share.

And last but not least, when was this information shared? You must be mindful not only about the date of when the tweet, post or article was written or shared. But also you need to know whether the information they describe is about a current event and if the videos and/or pictures accompanying the text are indeed from that said event.

Documenting Information for Evidence

Documenting information becomes critical when there is a need to provide future evidence of potential war crimes perpetrated during a conflict. There have been mentions of investigations on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by both the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), i.e. ICJ’s Ukraine v. Russian Federation and Statement of the ICC Prosecutor.

Furthermore, public prosecutor’s offices in Germany and Spain have both opened investigations on possible violations of international humanitarian law. In order to find and gather evidence, the Ukrainian Bar Association shared a call for all Ukrainians to use the well-known app, eyeWitness to Atrocities developed by the International Bar Association (IBA) in 2015. Since its inception, eyeWitness to Atrocities app has searched to make gathering evidence accessible to anyone with a smartphone.

Another excellent example of documenting and tracking potential war crimes is the UK-based, Centre for Information Resilience (CIR). They have created the Ukraine Monitoring Map, an open source crowdsourcing initiative to add and validate information as it takes place on the ground. They use geolocating information as well as help from actual Ukrainians in these places to confirm any discrepancies or fill any gaps in the data. This map and the information it has captured so far has helped provide an accurate picture of what’s taking place on the ground and combat misinformation. More than 600 videos or pictures have been collected and shared extensively on social media.

Preserving Information

When it comes to preserving online information, the Internet Archive is an incredibly powerful tool. The Internet Archive through its Archive It feature has been at the forefront of documenting, archiving and preserving online information coming from diverse sources. The Archive It collections are able to catalog information with specific metadata which allows for evaluating sources and information and access it for research. For example, this is exactly what was done to preserve all information concerning the Maidan Revolution and Conflict in Ukraine in 2014.

These days, there are two main Archive It collections of importance to this topic. The first one called War in Ukraine: 2022 aims to archive websites from educational institutions, government agencies as well twitter accounts from important people. The Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University created the second account archiving several websites and social media accounts documenting Russia’s invasion and war on Ukraine.

Another excellent tool from the Internet Archive is its well-known Wayback Machine. At the time of writing, the overwhelming majority, if not all of the Ukrainian court websites are completely inaccessible.

To name a few, the following judicial websites have been completely taken down: Supreme Court, Unified State Register of Court Decisions, High Council of Justice, Kiev Court of Appeal, Administrative Courts and High Court of Arbitration. However, thanks to the Wayback Machine, we are able to access several previous iterations of these websites for consultation and research. For example, we are able to access the websites of those courts and judicial websites which are currently down: Supreme Court, Unified State Register of Court Decisions, High Council of Justice, Kiev Court of Appeal, Administrative Courts and High Court of Arbitration.

Finally, if you’d like to help or donate, I’d highly recommend you to consult these sources:

American Bar Association (ABA): Ukraine Response Project (americanbar.org)
Canadian Bar Association (CBA): Canadian Bar Association - Crisis in Ukraine (cba.org)
Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC): StandWithUkraine campaign - The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) official website
Others: How to provide aid to those in Ukraine - CNN

Update from the Knowledge Management Special Interest Group: Change Management Strategies

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 23:17:46 GMT

From time to time, this blog will highlight initiatives, ideas, or activities coming from members, committees or special interest groups (SIGs).

Today: An Update About Changement Strategies, by Michael McAlpine, Manager, Information, Research & Knowledge at Siskinds (London, Ontario)

The CALL Knowledge Management SIG met on March 29th to discuss change management strategies and project success and failures.

Starting with a review of the Kotter approach to leading change, the group then looked at an example of a knowledge project implementation that had some success and some failure and how it could have been improved through deliberate use of the Kotter model.

Following that the group had an open discussion about changes in their organization. Specifically members shared their experience in implementing and using a ticketing system to coordinate research requests and how these systems worked (or didn’t) as part of enterprise wide ticketing systems.

We also talked about DMS implementations and how roles are changing within organizations. Larger organizations have Change Management departments that are available as a resource enterprise wide while smaller organizations leave change management and planning to project or department managers.

ViMLoC 2022 Mentorship Program for Minority Librarians

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 21:25:43 GMT

The following announcement was distributed on the listserv of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries.

It is reproduced here with permission:

The Visible Minority Librarians of Canada (ViMLoC) Mentorship Program is now accepting applications for the 2022 session! This mentoring session will run from May 2nd to July 1st, 2022. To apply as a mentor or mentee, please fill out the mentor application form or mentee application form.

*** Applications will close on March 31, 2022 ***

About this program

The Visible Minority Librarians of Canada (ViMLoC) recognizes the need to help visible minority librarians, especially early career and new immigrant librarians, develop their professional careers, as well as the need to encourage and guide visible minority library students with career planning. Lack of mentorship is often cited as a challenge among visible minority librarians, and through our mentorship program, we found that small acts of mentorship were able to make an impact on our mentees. Applying for this program will help create a larger network of visible minority librarians and increase our representation in the library profession. The 2022 ViMLoC mentoring program will recruit experienced visible minority librarians as potential mentors, as well as facilitate the matching of potential mentors to mentees. ViMLoC membership is NOT required to participate in this program, however, you are encouraged to sign up for ViMLoC membership. Please visit our mentorship program page for more information.

Should I apply?

This program is open to visible minority librarians at all stages of their career, and visible minority library students. In Canada, the visible minority population consists mainly of the following groups: Chinese, South Asian, Black, Arab, West Asian, Filipino, Southeast Asian, Latin American, Japanese and Korean. Participants with the intersectionality of these backgrounds are welcome to apply. We need mentors with all kinds of experience and skills. In recognition of your contribution to the mentorship program, we would be happy to provide mentors with a reference letter.

Expectations

Applicants to the program are expected:

To commit to the full term of the session;
To keep in touch with their mentorship partner a minimum of twice per month (by email, phone, Zoom or other means of communication upon mutual agreement);
To complete an exit survey (online) at the close of the session.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at vimloc@gmail.com .

Nancy McCormack Emerging Leader Award

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 21:33:16 GMT

Dolores Noga, Manager, Library Services and Knowledge Management at McLennan Ross in Edmonton, is the Chair of the CALL/ACBD Scholarships & Awards Committee.

She would like CALL members to consider applying for the new Nancy McCormack Emerging Leader Award which honours the memory of a fellow CALL member who was the Head Law Librarian at Queen's University in Kingston.

Nancy died in 2019.

The award goes to an association member in good standing who is normally in the first ten years of their law library career and who has demonstrated the qualities embodied by Nancy.

The application deadline is April 1, 2022.

Here is what Dolores asked the blog to share:

The Canadian Association of Law Libraries recently unveiled criteria for the new Nancy McCormack Emerging Leader Award. This is a memorial award, intended to recognize and honour our former colleague, who dedicated considerable time to mentoring and encouraging others in the profession.

Nancy McCormack was an active member of the Association and a committed contributor to the Canadian Law Library Review, preparing book reviews, writing articles, and served as editor and associate editor. She co-wrote The Practical Guide to Canadian Legal Research published in 2010 and revised in 2015, Updating Statutes and Regulations for All Canadian Jurisdictions published in 2012, Introduction to the Law & Legal System of Canada published in 2013, and The Annotated Federal Interpretation Act published in 2016.

Nancy most recently edited the fifth edition of The Dictionary of Canadian Law published in 2020, a task described as ‘Herculean’. She taught Advanced Legal Research and Writing, Torts, and Legal Research and Writing. A search on HeinOnline provides reference to 52 articles written by Nancy.

Nancy held a B.A., M.A., M.L.I.S., J.D., and LL.M. An issue of the Canadian Law Library Review, compiled after Nancy’s passing, provides the following comments from those who worked closely with her and knew her well: “incredibly generous in sharing her experience, knowledge, time”; “cared deeply about the people she taught and mentored”; “kind”; “encouraging”; and “supportive”, as examples.

Nancy was the recipient of the Dennis Marshall Memorial Award for Excellence in Law Librarianship in 2014 and the Michael Silverstein Prize in 2018.

Using Vinyl & Spotify to Understand Legal Information Online

Sun, 20 Feb 2022 18:59:56 GMT

Hannah Steeves, the Instruction & Reference Librarian at the Sir James Dunn Law Library, Dalhousie University (Halifax), recently wrote an article on "Using Vinyl & Spotify to Understand Legal Information Online". It originally appeared on Slaw.ca on February 15, 2022.

Most legal research is done online through a combination of open and subscription databases. Legal information is available at our fingertips through Justice Laws, LEGISinfo, CanLII, Westlaw, Lexis, ProView, SOQUIJ, [insert your preferred database here], and the list goes on. The availability of electronic resources has radically changed—and will continue to change—the way legal professionals conduct research. However, despite my enthusiasm for the improved accessibility and retrievability, I think the lack of engagement that new legal researchers have with print resources creates comprehension issues. The disconnect between a source’s print and electronic formats reduces their understanding of the process used to create the document. Understanding this process helps us understand the organization of information and makes a researcher more efficient.

New legal researchers are often introduced directly to the electronic version of a source without fully understanding how it came to be. For example, a student might learn about legislation and be shown how to trace a legislative history using Justice Laws without ever interacting with the print, bound statutes. They are missing the benefits of seeing the tangible organization of annual, revised, and consolidated statutes. Another example is having a student use ProView without ever flipping through a physical binder and understanding how loose-leaf releases work. Although they know each source is unique, they all present approximately the same online.

Unfortunately, limited class time and COVID-19 have made it nearly impossible to get students into the library to conduct research with print sources. I try to grab print copies of case reporters, volumes of statutes, and loose-leafs to show students in person or on Zoom, but the effect is not the same as engaging with the print source directly. Instead, when I meet with students, I often see ~18 tabs open in their browsers with sites ranging from course materials, Google, CanLII, and their preferred subscription platform. They ask me, “Why does this have to be so complicated?” And they’re right! It does seem complicated, at first glance. If we had created these resources using our modern digital environment, they would be organized differently. Print established the rules, and the digital versions have been bound by them.

When I try to explain why the digital versions might seem unnecessarily complex, but that understanding how to use the print sources will improve their navigation of the digital versions, I use the following analogy.

First, assuming Spotify is the most common music app, I ask students whether they’re more likely to download/stream full albums or singles. Once they’ve answered, I explain that the point of this question is to determine that they understand that a single song is situated within an album—the album is a collection of songs.

Next, I ask if they know why artists produce albums. This one takes a bit of waiting, and in a classroom setting a music aficionado may bring up the concept album (and rightly so!), but usually there’s someone who knows that the standard album is a result of the time limitations set by vinyl, specifically the 33 rpm LP record. (Or maybe they Google it as I’m waiting for an answer—who am I to judge?) With a brief explanation, it becomes clear that vinyl restricted artists to around 44 minutes of playing time, and this explains the standard album format still used today.

The next step is to connect the persistence of the album through various eras of music. The album has survived the evolution of music distribution. Historically, it started with vinyl, but remained through transitions between audio cassette, the CD, through to the mp3. Today, although platforms like Spotify make it easy to release only singles, it is still commonplace to release albums, and we all understand how to navigate Spotify to download/stream singles and albums both. We understand how singles are situated within albums and how to use the information surrounding a single to identify coordinating information such as the artist and album. I try to link this back to citations for revised statutes or a case law reporter. Fortunately, I usually see some heads nod and, eventually, I even get a few students who ask to look at the print.

It’s not perfect, but my intention is to show the connection between tangible, physical forms of information and the digital adaptation. They can’t flip through hyperlinks, but hopefully understanding that the digital is trying to emulate the print’s pages, indexes, and volumes makes their navigation of the online version a bit easier to comprehend.

Going Digital: the Canadian Law Library Review Experience

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 23:54:47 GMT

Alisa Lazear, Manager of Community and Content at the Canadian Legal Information Institute, recently interviewed Susan Barker, current acting editor of the Canadian Law Library Review (CLLR) about taking the publication online. The interview originally appeared on Slaw.ca on January 19, 2022.

While access to legal journals in printed form is still desired, many have transitioned to a purely digital format. But what exactly does moving from print to digital entail? To better understand this process, I asked Susan Barker, retired law librarian from the University of Toronto and current acting editor of the Canadian Law Library Review (CLLR), about her experience when the publication took the leap to online-only in 2015.

1. What were the motivations for CLLR to go purely digital?

When I came on board as editor in 2013, the decision to go digital had been tentatively made by the executive and I was tasked with making it happen. My conjecture is that the executive decided that the time was right to go digital. Our sister law library associations in the U.S. and U.K. had begun to create digital versions of their publications and it made sense for us to keep up. The journal was also in need of a redesign, so it made sense to piggyback the redesign with moving away from print.

2. What were the biggest challenges and opportunities?

Some of the biggest challenges I faced involved logistics and reinvention.

It was important to learn all there was about policies, the publication regime, and what impact the changeover would have on our constituency, our external subscribers, and our advertisers.

Also, the decision to go digital coincided with a change to a new management team. With gaps in information and changes to a number of processes, I had to make decisions without always having the knowledge I needed at hand.

Despite the challenges, there were more opportunities that came with this change.

Budgetary: Going digital meant that the CLLR went from costing thousands of dollars per year for printing and mailing to making a profit.

Exposure: Going digital made it possible for the CLLR to become open access. We now have a broader readership.

Look and feel: Going digital gave us the opportunity to upgrade the look. The cost of printing in colour would have been prohibitive, but these costs didn’t matter in the purely digital environment.

3. What helped you the most during that transition?

What helped me most during the transition was my experience, support from the executive, technology, and institutional knowledge.

Experience: I had already had experience in transitioning the TALL Quarterly to digital.

Support from the executive: The executive was supportive and generally hands off for the practical stuff – like the design, format etc. However, we always made sure we had their backing for major policy decisions, like platforms, and going open access.

Technology: Technology was there and easy to use – using InDesign, the ISSUU platform, and Adobe made the technical part of this transition very straightforward.

Institutional knowledge: There were many long-term members of the editorial board, including two former editors, who were able to advise me and fill me in on the logistics.

4. Do you have any other thoughts about that experience?

One thing that made it easier was that the changes were made incrementally and so we were able to make sure one thing worked before moving on to the next. Step 1 was the redesign in 2013. Then we moved to providing a PDF version while still producing in print. Then the print was discontinued and a PDF link was provided to members on our website and we set up access via ISSUU. The next step was to discontinue the print entirely. Once digital – we were able to go open access, no longer limit our readership to members and paid subscribers (although we only had a few of those) and to adopt a Creative Commons license. Finally, our partnership with CanLII made true open access possible.

***

While this is just one example of a journal going from print to digital, there are some important considerations Susan mentioned that I think can be applied to anyone who might still be contemplating moving online.

What knowledge gaps need to be filled?
- Understanding digital publication best practices. Changes in processes, management, and training.
- An opportunity for reinvention and innovation.
How will the change impact readership?
- Digital publication and open licensing allows for the content to be shared more widely than ever before.
What are the cost implications?
- Digital formats allow for more possibilities and fewer costs in design features (colours, number of pages, multimedia), linking to other resources, and gathering usage metrics, for example.

Whether you prefer the traditional print reading experience, or think print journals are old-fashioned, the reality is that digital formats come with growing possibilities and the journal experience will continue into an increasingly digital future.

Canadian Association of Law Libraries Intervention in Upcoming Supreme Court of Canada Copyright Case

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 22:49:39 GMT

By: Susannah Tredwell, Manager of Library Services at DLA Piper (Canada) LLP and James Bachmann, Instructional Librarian, Law Library, University of British Columbia

Since 1988, when CALL/ACBD’s Copyright Committee was first set up, CALL/ACBD has advocated for its members' interests in the area of copyright.

While the primary focus of CALL/ACBD’s copyright advocacy over the last few years has been on Crown copyright and primary law, CALL/ACBD has also made submissions about such areas as fair dealing and licencing. CALL/ACBD sees this work as not only supporting the needs of its members but also as serving the interests of access to justice as a whole.

Continuing this work, on January 18, 2022 CALL/ACBD, along with Library Futures Institute, will act as an intervener in the Supreme Court of Canada case Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada, et al. v. Entertainment Software Association, et al. Kim Nayyer, CALL/ACBD’s President, and Robert Janes of JFK Law will be representing CALL/ACBD and Library Futures.

This case addresses the question of how the concepts of “communication to the public by telecommunication” and “making available on demand” as used in the Copyright Act should be understood.

The outcome of this case has the potential to significantly impact various library activities, including controlled digital lending and possibly even the simple use of hyperlinks, particularly in light of the limited scope of current library and education exceptions in the Copyright Act.

CALL/ACBD's submitted that the court refrain from broadly construing the terms “making available” and “Communication to the Public by Telecommunication” and that s. 2.4(1.1) of the act ("Communication to the public by telecommunication") does not need to be understood as creating a new right.

You can find CALL/ACBD’s intervener's factum at https://www.scc-csc.ca/WebDocuments-DocumentsWeb/39418/FM050_Intervener_Canadian-Association-Law-Libraries-et-al.pdf. The other factums in this case are available at https://www.scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/info/af-ma-eng.aspx?cas=39418.

CALL/ACBD has acted as an intervener at the Supreme Court of Canada on two other occasions.

In Keatley Surveying Ltd. v. Teranet Inc., which looked at Crown copyright, CALL/ACBD submitted that “s. 12 Crown copyright does not extend to primary sources of law”.

In York University v. Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency ("Access Copyright"), CALL/ACBD submitted that the SCC “should resist the temptation to modify or clarify the existing fair dealing test” stating that the existing test “is a flexible multifactorial test that allows libraries (and other institutions) to tailor access and appropriate copying policies that consider all relevant circumstances.”

CALL/ACBD also made submissions to the 2018 review of the Copyright Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-42: one general submission and one submission focussing on whether copyright subsisted in “primary law”. Kim Nayyer, then co-chair of the Copyright Committee, testified before the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology regarding interlibrary loans, fair dealing, overriding licence provisions, and crown copyright.

Update from the Knowledge Management Special Interest Group: Web Tracking Tools

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 21:51:22 GMT

From time to time, this blog will highlight initiatives, ideas, or activities coming from members, committees or special interest groups (SIGs).

Today: An Update About Web Tracking Tools, by Katie Thomas, Resource and Reference Librarian, Stikeman Elliott LLP (Toronto).

The CALL Knowledge Management SIG had a session on November 30^th that looked at Web Tracking Tools.

There are a lot of website tracking tools out there so it helps to have a guide to get you started.

I based my presentation on the AALL Cool Tools (access only for attendees of American Association of Law Libraries 2021 conference) session where eight trackers were evaluated.

In our session I asked the participants to write down sites they would like to track and they were all different. So, there is a need!

First, what criteria should be used for evaluating?

It depends. Every workplace is different and different things needs to be monitored. However, there are three that stand out.

1. Ease of Use

You don’t want to spend time setting things up and you want to understand WHAT you are setting up

2. Price

A lot of the tools are free and you can continue to have them free forever or, you can pay.
Prices vary depending on functionality.

3. Collaboration

This allows you to work with colleagues tracking the same website. Say, if someone is on vacation.

What to Track?

Any number of things to track. Depends what you want to track! Here’s some that are popular:

Prices (book, software, flights, stocks)
Are they increasing / decreasing

Text tracking
Articles, preprints, legislation, case law, newspapers

Competitors
When does a competitor post commentary on a specific case

Archiving
Like Wayback, but you can customize for the websites you want

Features?

What do you want your tracker to do? Here are the popular features:

Bulk adding of urls into the tracker
Captcha bypass (or I am fed up counting fire hydrants)
Password protected pages
Proxy support, don’t want tracker to get blocked
Tracking multiple elements on one page (there might be pricing data and text you want to capture changes to on the same page)
Notification. Or would you prefer Slack, Discord, mobile
N.B.: Be careful of “quick” and “instant” – understand what these mean (does quick mean within an hour or 5 minutes)
Data export and reports

Summary of web tracking tools (using AALL Cool Tools session as a guide, July 2021)

Committee to Promote Research Looking for New Co-Chair / Le comité pour promouvoir la recherche cherche un.e co-président.e

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 23:14:33 GMT

CALL's Committee to Promote Research is looking for a new co-chair.

This is a great opportunity to expand your leadership skills and give back. New or experienced members are welcome to apply.

Contact Leslie.taylor AT queensu.ca or christine.brown AT ualberta.ca for more.

And since we are on the topic of research, the Committee invites members of CALL to apply for the CALL Research Grant. The application deadline is February 28, 2022.

The Research Grant was established in 1996 to provide members with financial assistance to carry out research in areas of interest to members and to the association.

Please refer to our Committee page for a copy of the application form and to view our collection of past research projects.

Le comité pour promouvoir la recherche de l'ACBD cherche quelqu'un qui voudrait servir comme co-président.e

Il s'agit d'une excellente occasion pour développer vos habiletés en leadership et contribuer à la profession. Que vous soyez nouveau membre ou non de l'association, nous vous invitons à soumettre votre nom.

Contactez Leslie.taylor @ queensu.ca ou christine.brown @ ualberta.ca pour de plus amples renseignements.

Et comme nous parlons justement de recherche, le comité invite les membres de l'association à présenter une demande pour obtenir une bourse de recherche de l'ACBD. La date d'échéance est le 28 février 2022.

La bourse de recherche de l’ACBD a été créée en 1996 afin d’offrir de l’aide financière aux membres pour effectuer des recherches sur des questions présentant un intérêt pour eux et pour l’Association.

Consultez la page du comité pour plus de détails et pour trouver le formulaire de demande de bourse (en anglais seulement).

CALL Research Tips & Tricks: Finding Ministerial Orders / Trucs et astuces de recherche de l’ACBD: trouver les arrêtés ministériels

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 19:55:59 GMT

The CALL blog has started a new regular series of research tips and tricks.

Please share your favourite or coolest strategies with Michel-Adrien Sheppard to have them published on the CALL blog.

Le blogue de l'ACBD a lancé une nouvelle série sur les trucs et astuces de recherche.

SVP partagez vos stratégies les plus intéressantes ou les plus « cool » avec Michel-Adrien Sheppard afin de les faire publier sur le blogue de CALL/ACBD.

Today: Finding Ministerial Orders by Susannah Tredwell, Manager of Library Services, DLA Piper (Canada) LLP in Vancouver (originally published November 24, 2021 on SlawTips.ca)

Ministerial Orders refer to orders “created under the authority granted to a minister under a statute or regulation that are made by a Minister” as opposed to Orders in Council which are issued by the Governor General of Canada or the Lieutenant Governor of a province.

For that reason it’s generally harder to find Ministerial Orders than Orders in Council, although this depends greatly on the province. Some provinces, such as British Columbia, make all their Ministerial Orders available in one place. For other jurisdictions you may have to look specifically at the Ministry’s website to find the order (e.g. Transport Canada provides its orders here: https://tc.canada.ca/en/ministerial-orders-interim-orders-directives-directions-response-letters.)

One thing to keep in mind is that, depending on the jurisdiction, the same number may be used for multiple Ministerial Orders. Drew Yewchuk gives an example in a blog post: “there is an M.O. 20/2020 from the Minister of Environment and Parks and an M.O. 20/2020 from the Minister of Justice.”

(And just to confuse the matter further, both Ministerial Orders and Orders in Council may also be regulations which involves another numbering system.)

Update from the Private Law Libraries Special Interest Group

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 17:51:12 GMT

From time to time, this blog will highlight initiatives, ideas, or activities coming from members, committees or special interest groups (SIGs).

Today: An update from the Private Law Libraries Special Interest Group, by Marnie Bailey, Manager, Knowledge Services, Fasken.

The Private Law Libraries Special Interest Group (PLL-SIG) has had two meetings in the last couple months, focusing on plans for 2022.

We have determined that quarterly meetings work best for members to stay connected with each other, and will have two in person meetings in 2022, and two online discussions. One of the in person meetings will be at the CALL conference, and one will be later in the year.

The PLL-SIG has also created a space on CALL’s Basecamp; current members of the PLL-SIG will receive an email shortly; if you are not a current member of the PLL-SIG, please contact CALL Head Office if you would like to be added to it.

Our Basecamp will host meeting minutes, working documents, discussions and more, and is a repository for all PLL-SIG members to use to work on projects and share ideas.

The PLL-SIG also has a Slack channel, with archived content of previous meetings.

If you have any questions about the PLL-SIG, please contact Marnie Bailey, chair, or attend one of our upcoming meetings.

You don’t need to be a member to attend, and you don’t have to work in a private law library either!

Whether you used to work in one or are just curious about how private law libraries work, ‘guests’ are always welcome!

Marnie.

CARL Inclusion Perspectives Webinar Series: Third Panel Featuring Indigenous Library Colleagues / Série de webinaires sur les perspectives d’inclusion de l’ABRC : Troisième panel mettant en vedette des collègues autochtones du secteur des bibliothèques

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 16:46:15 GMT

Le texte français suit.

CALL's Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization Committee would like to draw your attention to the upcoming webinar organized by the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL).

CARL Inclusion Perspectives Webinar Series: Third Panel Featuring Indigenous Library Colleagues

Date and Time: November 24, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3cSLLridTSyR8AwYKFpt2A

Please note that this event is open to all (not just CARL institutions) and will be recorded and posted to the CARL YouTube account afterwards.

The Canadian Association of Research Libraries’ (CARL) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Working Group is pleased to announce the third in a series of planned webinars on inclusion perspectives, which will feature a panel of Indigenous library colleagues discussing their perspectives on the state of Canadian librarianship and how we can affect change.

This 1.5 hour moderated panel discussion will focus on progress on EDI initiatives to date and goals to strive for in the future. This will be a collaborative future-forward conversation, so please bring your own questions and/or proposed solutions.

In addition to being subject to the CARL Code of Conduct, CARL asks all participants, panelists and organizers to be respectful of what is being shared and in how they ask questions.

In the interest of accessibility, simultaneous translation and captions will be available throughout the session. Additional accommodation requests can also be emailed to Julie Morin, Program Officer at CARL (julie.morin@carl-abrc.ca).

Le comité de la diversité, de l'inclusion et de la décolonisation de l'ACBD aimerait attirer votre attention sur un webinaire qui sera offert bientôt par l'Association des bibliothèques de recherche du Canada (ABRC).

Série de webinaires sur les perspectives d’inclusion de l’ABRC : Troisième panel mettant en vedette des collègues autochtones du secteur des bibliothèques

Date et heure : 24 novembre de 13 h à 14 h 30 HE

Inscription: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3cSLLridTSyR8AwYKFpt2A

Veuillez noter que cet événement est ouvert à tous (pas seulement aux institutions membres de l’ABRC) et sera enregistré et affiché sur le compte YouTube de l’ABRC par la suite.

Le Groupe de travail sur l’équité, la diversité et l’inclusion de l’Association des bibliothèques de recherche du Canada (ABRC) a le plaisir d’annoncer le troisième d’une série de webinaires sur les perspectives d’inclusion, mettant en vedette des collègues autochtones du secteur des bibliothèques qui discuteront de leurs perspectives sur l’état actuel de la bibliothéconomie au Canada et sur les manières de susciter le changement.

Ce panel d’une durée d’une heure et demie traitera des progrès quant aux initiatives actuelles d’équité, de diversité et d’inclusion et aux objectifs pour entrevoir l’avenir. La séance se veut un échange collaboratif tourné vers les solutions; n’hésitez pas à préparer vos questions et à proposer vos solutions.

En plus d’être soumis au Code de conduite de l’ABRC, l’ABRC demande aux membres de l’auditoire, panélistes et membres du comité organisateur de faire preuve de respect de ce qui est partagé et de la façon de poser des questions.

Aux fins d’accessibilité, une traduction simultanée et des sous-titres seront disponibles tout au long de la session. Pour toute demande d’accommodement supplémentaire, veuillez écrire à Julie Morin, agente de programme de l’ABRC (julie.morin@carl-abrc.ca).

Adapting the SALI Legal Taxonomy to the Canadian Environment

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 12:46:33 GMT

From time to time, this blog will highlight initiatives, ideas, or activities coming from members, committees or special interest groups (SIGs).

Today: Adapting the SALI Taxonomy to the Canadian Legal Environment, by Michael McAlpine , Manager, Information, Research & Knowledge at Siskinds (London, Ontario)

On September 28^th, the Knowledge Management Special Interest Group of CALL met to discuss and learn about the Legal Matter Specification Standard developed by the SALI Alliance.

The SALI Alliance (Standards Advancement for the Legal Industry) is a non-profit organization open to all stakeholders in the legal community. Members include law firms, companies, legal service providers, legal industry associations and academic institutions. Founding sponsors are the Legal Marketing Association (LMA) and the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA).

Guest speaker Jim Hannigan spoke about the history of the taxonomy and the current uses of it in the legal industry. Michael McAlpine then discussed the work done by the SALI Canadian Working Group to adapt the taxonomy to the Canadian legal environment. There was a general discussion about the uses of the taxonomy and efforts to implement it in law firms.

First released in 2019, the SALI taxonomy was developed in order to provide a standard method for describing legal matters and associated documents. Version 2.0 was released at the end of 2020 and represented a significant expansion of the code set. Organizations and individuals around the globe continue to contribute to its development and growth.

The SALI taxonomy is extensible and can work in conjunction with other standards (eg, NAICS, UTBMS codes). SALI is an open, free and party neutral that can be used by law firms, vendors and others in the legal industry to ensure matters and documents are described consistently. SALI has been endorsed by several large law firms and by vendors such as Fastcase, NetDocuments and Reynen Court.

Some of the core attributes of the current standard are:

Area of Law: Each matter can be assigned a primary and secondary area of law. Primary areas include topics such as Corporate Law, Constitutional and Human Rights, Personal and Family Law, and Food and Drug Law. Secondary areas are more specific and include topics such as Corporate Governance, Accident Benefits Law, and Labour Law.
Service: The Services attribute is a central feature of the taxonomy. Examples of services are Transaction, Advisory, or Dispute. Services provide more detail to a matter description than just relying solely on Area of Law.
Player Role: The Role attribute is what makes SALI party neutral. Roles include Appellant, Respondent, Acquiror or Acquiree.

Other attributes that can be used to describe a matter or client include Industry, Legal Entity, Location, or Trial Type.

The KM SIG will next meet on November 30^th to discuss website monitoring applications. If you would like an invitation, please contact Michael McAlpine.

Scanning in Courthouse & Law Society Libraries

Sun, 24 Oct 2021 23:13:36 GMT

From time to time, this blog will highlight initiatives, ideas, or activities coming from members, committees or special interest groups (SIGs).

Today: Scanning in Courthouse & Law Society Libraries, by Jenny Thornhill (MSc, MLIS, MSL), Law Librarian, Law Society of Newfoundland & Labrador

The pandemic has forced many libraries, my own included, to examine their service models and be creative in order to continue to provide services despite the lockdowns and other restrictions.

The Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador Law Library (St. John’s, NL) is no different – back in 2020, we closed our doors to in-person services to our members and the public. We continued to offer what we call our remote services (contactless pickup, research and reference in texts and databases, and text scanning, including table of content scans).

Prior to the pandemic the public were permitted to access the print resources only and on-site only, so for the duration of the pandemic they have not been permitted to access the Law Library.

As things have improved, we have opened up to allow in-person access by appointment for our members only (excluding 3 lockdowns). However, we have remained closed to the public in order to comply with government guidelines for the number of persons in indoor spaces.

We traditionally get very few members of the public who actually need to access our legal resources. We find that the majority are in need of legal advice so we refer them to the Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland & Labrador (PLIAN).

As part of our plan for the pandemic, we knew that limiting public access would be somewhat challenging, but we identified alternatives that would be accessible to the public, such as our online resources, to which staff could direct the public.

We already had a section on our website https://lsnl.ca/law-library/links-for-self-represented-litigants/ for SLR’s that had been reviewed by lawyers and approved as appropriate for the public to get answers and aid. This tool and PLIAN have been key resources for Library staff to provide reference services to the public.

Only twice during the pandemic did we get contacted by non-members who felt they really needed to have access to the library resources on-site.

The most recent of these was a member of the public who needed access to a specific text that only we carried in the city. This was a problem as we do not lend our resources to the public, we remain closed to on-site public access due to the current 4^th wave, and we have never provided scanning on behalf of the public (they could come in and make copies for a fee, but we did not copy on their behalf and provide it to them via email).

This situation was resolved by referring her to the Interlibrary Loans department of her local library, but it left me wondering whether other libraries offered a text scanning service via e-mail to the public either as a result of the pandemic or had traditionally offered this service.

I send out a call through the CALL-L listserv and, as I have come to find with this great group, we got a lot of prompt responses.

The chart below is a summary of the results. I found that the majority of libraries who offered a scan service to the public had already been doing so prior to the pandemic, except for Alberta Law Libraries who had allowed the public to access this service during the lockdowns, but no longer.

This helped cement my decision that we would continue to keep our scan service available to our members only.

My thanks again to everyone who responded to this and my other questions over the last year and a half.

Courthouse/Law Libraries – Scanning for the public Summary of Responses

Library Location	Do you offer a scan service from your texts?	If so, do you allow the public to access it during covid?	For the public, do you charge or is it free because of covid?
Hastings & Prince Edward Law Association	We do offer a scan service, but only to the lawyers, Crowns, Judiciary.	No	N/A
Yukon Public Law Library	yes	Yes (pre-existing service)	No charge (cost covered by LSNL)
Nova Scotia Barristers Society	We do offer a scan service, but only to membership.	No	N/A
Welland County Law Association	scan service of textbooks to our membership at no charge	No	N/A
Law Society of P.E.I. Library	Yes	Yes (pre-existing service)	No charge (before or now)
Courthouse Libraries BC	Scanning from a text though, we would consider document delivery – do for members and public	Yes (pre-existing service)	No charge – was a charged service prior to pandemic, charges will resume shortly
Alberta Law Libraries - Calgary	scan for a fee for members of the law society	Public were offered during lockdown – now required to come in and scan	Free during lockdown – now onsite access only
Frontenac Law Association	Free for members	Not open to public	N/A
Law Society of NB	Scan service for members (10%); document delivery	No	N/A
Wellington Law Library	Free for members	Not open to public	N/A
Supreme Court of Canada Law Library	Free for staff	No	N/A

CALL Research Tips & Tricks: Legislative Concordances / Trucs et astuces de recherche de l’ACBD: les concordances législatives

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 23:05:29 GMT

Le français suit plus bas.

The CALL blog has started a new regular series of research tips and tricks.

Please share your favourite or coolest strategies with Michel-Adrien Sheppard to have them published on the CALL blog.

Le blogue de l'ACBD a lancé une nouvelle série sur les trucs et astuces de recherche.

SVP partagez vos stratégies les plus intéressantes ou les plus « cool » avec Michel-Adrien Sheppard afin de les faire publier sur le blogue de CALL/ACBD.

Today: Finding Legislative Concordances (by M-A Sheppard).

Legislative concordances help you compare legislation on the same subject from different jurisdictions.

For example, a concordance might indicate the Manitoba equivalent to Ontario's Family Law Act, section by section.

There are a number of sources to assist you in finding concordances.

Here are two.

Westlaw

From the Westlaw Statutes and Regulations page, there is a link to Legislative Concordances.

There, you will find concordances on a number of topics, such as family or insurance law:

Simply browse to the topic you are researching and you fill find a table listing the equivalent sections in different provincial acts. Here is the list for changing a person's name in family legislation:

Lexis Advance Quicklaw

There is a link to the Tables of Concordance on the Lexis Advance Quicklaw home page.

On the Tables of Concordance page, you will find a number of topics:

Aujourd'hui: Comment trouver des concordances législatives (par M-A Sheppard).

Les concordances législatives vous aident à comparer les lois de différents territoires ou provinces sur le même sujet.

Par exemple, une concordance en droit de la famille vous permet de trouver le texte équivalent dans la loi manitobaine des articles de la Loi sur le droit de la famille de l'Ontario (Family Law Act).

Vous avez plusieurs sources de concordances à votre disposition.

En voici deux.

Westlaw

Vous trouverez un lien aux Concordances législatives sur la page Lois et règlements de Westlaw.

Vous y trouverez de concordances sur plusieurs sujets, comme le droit de la famille ou le droit des assurances:

Parcourez la liste pour trouver un tableau où vous verrez les numéros des articles équivalents dans différentes lois provinciales. Par exemple, voici les articles pour le changement de nom d'une personne:

Lexis Advance Quicklaw

Il y a un lien aux Tableaux comparatifs sur la page d'accueil de Lexis Advance Quicklaw.

Sur la page d'accueil des Tableaux comparatifs, vous trouverez plusieurs domaines de droit:

Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization Committee Events on Truth and Reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples

Wed, 29 Sep 2021 17:42:26 GMT

September 30 has been a significant date in Canada since 2013, when Phyllis Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation shared her story of attending St. Joseph’s Residential School in Williams Lake, BC, for the first time in 1973.

As a youngster, she proudly wore her shiny new orange shirt, only to have it taken from her by the school. Since then, Orange Shirt Day has been a national movement in Canada where people across the country wear orange in honour of Phyllis and other residential school survivors, so that we both recognize and raise awareness of the history and legacies of the Canadian residential school system.

This year’s Orange Shirt Day, September 30, 2021, is also the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.

As part of its mandate, the Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization Committee (DIDC) of CALL/ACBD is committed to fostering awareness and acumen in respect of issues of diversity, inclusion, and decolonization within all sectors of law librarianship and related professions.

Truth and Reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples is a national movement that is not only limited to one day, but is an ongoing effort so that Indigenous Peoples and their rights are recognized, understood and respected by all.

In this spirit, the DIDC, as part of CALL/ACBD, would like to highlight a couple of upcoming opportunities available to all of us to bring together our colleagues in order to honour survivors, their families and communities, and to sadly remember those who didn’t make it home:

On Thursday, September 30, the University of Windsor Law Library will be hosting WAAYDANAA | Now is the Time. The event will be held virtually and is free. Registration is required.
Nadine Hoffman, in coordination with the Academic SIG and the DIDC, is planning a related event on strategies for aspects of Indigenous research to help us better understand legal research in relation to Indigenous Peoples. Stay tuned – format and details to come!

Canadian Law Library Review Looking for an Advertising Manager

Sun, 26 Sep 2021 22:15:42 GMT

Hello.

This is reprinted from the September 2021 issue of In Session, the CALL member bulletin:

There is a great opportunity to join the Canadian Law Library Review (CLLR) editorial board as our Advertising Manager.

The CLLR is the official journal of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries.

We are looking for someone to volunteer to help us solicit advertisements for upcoming issues, coordinate invoicing with our accounting department, and to answer advertiser's questions. Each year the members of the editorial board are also responsible for selecting the Feature Article Award and Student Article Award winners.

Anyone who is familiar with, or who wants to develop relationships with, the various legal publishers would be in a good position to join us.

The time commitment is approximately five hours per issue and there will be three issues per year starting in 2022. We will provide you with an orientation and training period.

If you’re interested in joining CLLR, please contact Susan Barker (Acting Editor) at susan.barker AT utoronto.ca.

New Issue of the Canadian Law Library Review / Nouveau numéro de la Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 19:55:58 GMT

Le texte français suit.

The most recent issue of the Canadian Law Library Review (CLLR) is available online. The CLLR is the official journal of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL). It is an open access publication.

You can browse the regular sections of books reviews, bibliographic notes, local and regional updates, as well as news from the UK, the US and Australia.

And be sure to check out the feature articles:

"COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean: Experts Examining Legal Responses", Michele A. L. Villagran and Marcelo Rodríguez, p. 10:

“Since March 2020, a group of librarians, professors, and legal professionals have been monitoring legal responses to COVID-19 throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Each member of the project is currently following various countries within this region. In this article, the authors will describe how the project was created and highlight the initial challenges in terms of securing and evaluating trustworthy sources of information in the middle of a pandemic. The authors will summarize the legal responses and any disinformation issues within the countries they have been monitoring: Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Peru, Bolivia, and Paraguay. Finally, the article will conclude with the authors enumerating the achievements of the group as well as future plans for the project.”
"Anti-Black Racism Legal Resource Guide", Laura Viselli, p. 16:

“The focus of this guide is to allow users to find legal materials regarding Anti-Black Racism in the Canadian context. Where possible, links to open sources are provided.”

Le numéro le plus récent de la Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit (RCBD) est maintenant disponible en ligne. La RCBD est la revue officielle de l'Association canadienne des bibliothèques de droit. C'est une publication en libre accès.

Vous pouvez consulter les recensions de livres, la chronique bibliographique, les mises à jour locales et régionales de même que les nouvelles des États-Unis, du Royaume-Uni et de l'Australie.

Et ne manquez pas les nouveaux articles de fond:

"COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean: Experts Examining Legal Responses", Michele A. L. Villagran and Marcelo Rodríguez, p. 10:

"Depuis mars 2020, un groupe de bibliothécaires, de professeurs et de professionnels du droit suit les réponses juridiques à la COVID-19 émises dans toute l'Amérique latine et les Caraïbes. Chaque membre du projet suit actuellement divers pays de cette région. Dans cet article, les auteurs décrivent comment le projet a été créé et soulignent les défis initiaux en termes de sécurisation et d'évaluation de sources d'information fiables au milieu d'une pandémie. Les auteurs résument les réponses juridiques et les problèmes de désinformation dans les pays qu'ils ont surveillés : Argentine, Chili, Uruguay, Pérou, Bolivie et Paraguay. Enfin, les auteurs concluent en énumérant les réalisations du groupe ainsi que les plans futurs du projet." [sommaire]
"Anti-Black Racism Legal Resource Guide", Laura Viselli, p. 16:

“L'objectif de ce guide est de permettre aux utilisateurs de trouver des documents juridiques concernant le racisme envers les Noirs dans le contexte canadien. Dans la mesure du possible, des liens vers des sources ouvertes sont fournis.” [sommaire]

CALL Research Tips & Tricks: Read the Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement

Alan Kilpatrick — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 15:13:19 GMT

The CALL blog has started a new regular series of research tips and tricks.

Please share your favourite or coolest strategies with Michel-Adrien Sheppard to have them published on the CALL blog.

Le blogue de l'ACBD a lancé une nouvelle série sur les trucs et astuces de recherche.

SVP partagez vos stratégies les plus intéressantes ou les plus « cool » avec Michel-Adrien Sheppard afin de les faire publier sur le blogue de CALL/ACBD.

Today: Read the Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement

Since 1986 almost all federal Canadian regulations have included a Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement (RIAS).

Why should you read the RIAS? Unlike acts, you generally will not find a discussion of new regulations in Hansard. The RIAS tells you what the rationale was for a given regulation and what it was expected to achieve. A RIAS is usually divided into five sections: issue and objectives; description and rationale; consultation; implementation, enforcement, and service standards; and contact information.

Another benefit of Regulatory Impact Analysis Statements is that they are written for a range of readers. The target readers for the RIAS are “parliamentarians, ministers, TBS officials, members of the legal community, affected parties, and interested members of the public”. As a result, the instructions for writing a RIAS emphasize the use of clear language, stating that it should “be understandable to anyone who may wish to read it.”

The RIAS can be found at the beginning of the draft regulations published in the Canada Gazette Part I and at the end of the regulations published in the Canada Gazette Part II.

York University v Access Copyright, 2021 SCC 32

Kim Nayyer — Sat, 31 Jul 2021 00:01:33 GMT

York University v Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency (Access Copyright), 2021 SCC 32, was released just this morning. CALL/ACBD participated in this appeal, intervening on the question of fair dealing, an important topic for our legal information communities. We encourage all legal information and law library workers to review the reasons for judgment or the Case in Brief. Please also stay tuned for fuller remarks from our Copyight Committee.

This case marked the second occasion CALL/ACBD’s voice was heard in an intervention in Canada's highest court, advocating for fair access to and use of legal information for our wide-ranging communities. I am gratified not only with the ruling, which confirms its prior jurisprudence on this users right, but also that the court and other leading decision-makers are hearing CALL/ACBD's voice.

I congratulate our Copyright Committee for its work on this file. I also thank our pro bono lead counsel, Robert Janes, QC, for sharing his time and expertise. Finally, I wish to take this moment to thank and congratulate Justice Rosalie Abella for her illustrious service to the court and to the legal community in Canada.

CALL Members Interviewed in Podcast on Law Librarians and their Role in Access to Justice

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 13:55:21 GMT

The most recent episode on Legal Skies, a podcast produced by the Law Society of Saskatchewan, is about Law Librarians and their Role in Access to Justice.

It features three prominent CALL members, Alan Kilpatrick, Shaunna Mireau and Kim Nayyer:

"We discuss the important role information professionals (i.e. law librarians) play in the justice system and how they are helping expand public access to legal information. Our guests are Alan Kilpatrick, Co-Director of Legal Resources at the Law Society of Saskatchewan, Shaunna Mireau, Past-President of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries, and Kim Nayyer, Associate Dean of the Cornell Law School and President of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries."

CALL Research Tips & Tricks: Supplements to the Revised Statutes of Canada / Trucs et astuces de recherche de l’ACBD: les suppléments aux Lois révisées du Canada

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 13:40:25 GMT

The CALL blog has started a new regular series of research tips and tricks.

Please share your favourite or coolest strategies with Michel-Adrien Sheppard to have them published on the CALL blog.

Le blogue de l'ACBD a lancé une nouvelle série sur les trucs et astuces de recherche.

SVP partagez vos stratégies les plus intéressantes ou les plus « cool » avec Michel-Adrien Sheppard afin de les faire publier sur le blogue de CALL/ACBD.

Today: What is a Supplement?

By Susannah Tredwell, Manager of Library Services at DLA Piper (Canada) LLP in Vancouver (originally published June 23, 2021 as a SlawTip on the Slaw.ca website):

You will notice that some citations for acts contain the abbreviation “Supp.” (short for “supplement”). An example of this would be “Competition Tribunal Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 19 (2nd Supp.)”. But what does this mean?

The main volumes of R.S.C. 1985 contain acts that came into being before or on December 31, 1984, but R.S.C. 1985 was not brought into force until December 12, 1988. So what happened to all the legislation made between January 1, 1985 and December 11, 1988? If you guessed that they became the supplements to R.S.C. 1985 you would be correct; for example R.S.C. 1985 (1st Supp.) contains the acts that received Royal Assent in 1985 and R.S.C. 1985 (2nd Supp.) contains the acts that received Royal Assent in 1986.

The supplements to R.S.C. 1985 have different in force dates depending on which supplement they are in; the BC Courthouse Libraries has produced a helpful guide to the various in force dates.

You will also find supplements in provincial legislation, e.g. R.S.B.C. 1996 included any acts that had received Royal Assent but had not come into force as of December 31, 1996 (the cut off date for the Revised Statutes) as supplements.

CALL Research Tips & Tricks: Finding Answers to Quebec Legal Questions / Trucs et astuces de recherche de l’ACBD: comment trouver des réponses à des questions sur le droit québécois

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 22:15:36 GMT

Le texte français suit.

The CALL blog has started a new regular series of research tips and tricks.

Please share your favourite or coolest strategies with Michel-Adrien Sheppard to have them published on the CALL blog.

Today: Finding Answers to Quebec Legal Questions

CAIJ is the Centre d’accès à l’information juridique. It is associated with the Barreau du Québec and it runs a network of some 40 libraries in the province’s courthouses.

It also operates the online suite of tools known as JuriBistro:

One of the tools is Questions de recherche - JuriBistro TOPO, a searchable/browsable knowledgebase of more than 5,000 legal research questions in 55 areas of law with the answers provided by CAIJ researchers – for each question, TOPO supplies relevant legislation and commentary.

The material is in French.

For example:

À qui appartient le fardeau de la preuve dans un recours en prescription acquisitive? (burden of proof in cases involving acquisitive prescription under the Quebec Civil Code):

If you are new to an area of research in Quebec civil law, try searching the collection of JuriBistro TOPO questions - it is possible that CAIJ experts have already identified the major sources (laws, cases, textbook sections and pages) on your issue.

Le blogue de l'ACBD a lancé une nouvelle série sur les trucs et astuces de recherche.

SVP partagez vos stratégies les plus intéressantes ou les plus « cool » avec Michel-Adrien Sheppard afin de les faire publier sur le blogue de CALL/ACBD.

Aujourd'hui: comment trouver des réponses à des questions sur le droit québécois

Le CAIJ est le Centre d’accès à l’information juridique qui est associé au Barreau du Québec et exploite un réseau de 40 bibliothèques et points de services dans les palais de justice.

Sa plateforme numérique s'appelle Espace CAIJ avec sa banque d'outils de recherche JuriBistro:

Une des sous-collections est celle des Questions de recherche - JuriBistro TOPO, une banque de connaissances de plus de 5,000 questions de recherche indexées dans quelque 55 domaines de droit. Pour chacune, les chercheurs du CAIJ fournissent les sources législatives et doctrinales utiles.

Par exemple: À qui appartient le fardeau de la preuve dans un recours en prescription acquisitive?

Si vous ne connaissez pas un domaine en droit civil québécois, cherchez dans la collection de questions TOPO - il est possible que les experts du CAIJ aient déjà identifié les sources les plus pertinentes relatives à votre question (lois, jurisprudence et doctrine)

Diversity, Inclusion, & Decolonization Committee Statement on Attack on London, Ontario Muslim Family

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 22:16:17 GMT

CALL's Diversity, Inclusion, & Decolonization Committee is shaken and troubled by the shocking attack on a three generation Muslim family in London, Ontario on June 6, 2021.

Our hearts go out to the 9-year-old survivor, the friends and relatives of the victims, and to the Muslim Community.

Hate has no place in a kind and just society.

Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment run counter to the rights and freedoms Canada represents - the very reason for which many of us and our families came to this land.

This terrorist attack is a reminder that we must do all we can to overcome racism in our community, workplace, and profession.

This senseless act shows that we all need to do our part in building a society that embraces the diversity in each of us and provides for inclusion so that we all have a sense of belonging in a world where equality is not lost.

Five Questions with Alexandra Farolan

Stef Alexandru — Wed, 26 May 2021 16:32:42 GMT

Alexandra Farolan, Library Assistant | Courthouse Libraries BC

1. Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I am currently a Library Information and Technology Diploma student at Langara College. Prior to this, I worked on two certificate programs through the British Columbia Institute of Technology (Office Administrator with Technology and Medical Office Assisting). I worked as a registration and health records clerk for a few years in the hospitals. Managing patient records introduced me to the processes of information preservation and confidentiality which in turn piqued my interest in legislation pertaining to freedom of information. I've also had some personal experiences which have lead to my overall interest in examining opportunities in the legal industry. I generally find knowing more about my rights is empowering and being surrounded professionally in an industry that serves those who advocate and rally for rights is something I am excited to contribute to.

2. How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

I joined CALL in January 2020 so I am definitely still green, but I've found the professional development opportunities and connecting with other members to be incredibly supportive and educational. There are many opportunities here in the association to be a part of and to contribute to. I have really enjoyed being paired up as a mentee in the mentorship program as it has provided me in gaining more insight and perspective on the industry and provides opportunity for professional rapport. Being the Members and Projects Profiles Coordinator has been more challenging than I anticipated and meeting deadlines might be something to work on...In saying that, it has been great to learn and connect a bit more with our members where I otherwise may not have!

3. What was your first library-related job?

Not a job, but I was part of a volunteer program in 2004 to 2005 called Katimavik where people ages 18 to 23 would live with each other and volunteer in the community across three provinces. I had two library volunteer rotations: Bibliothèque Publique De Tracadie-Sheila in Tracadie-Shelia, New Brunswick and the Jasper Municipal Library in Jasper, Alberta. I enjoyed putting the books back on the shelves and seeing what people were reading. I also learned some basic library protocols such as processing materials to send to other branches, checking materials out to clients, and minor repairs. I also worked with a great team at Indigo Books in morning operations from 2018 to 2020. I've been in my role as a library assistant with CLBC for a little over a year which has provided much learning experience in processing and cataloging legal materials and professional development examining important topics including but not limited to, systemic racism, understanding trauma, Indigenous human rights, etc.

4.  What’s one blog, website, or Twitter account that you can’t go one day without checking?

As an information junkie, it is difficult to pick one. Here are a few links currently on rotation:

rightsofchildren.ca https://vimeo.com/courthouselibrary

https://www.eddiemoorejr.com/21daychallenge - "For 21 days, do one action to further your understanding of power, privilege, supremacy, oppression, and equity"

and

Ruby Ibarra - She is a Filipina-American rapper that started a scholarship called Pinays Rising which was created to support fellow Filipina-Americans who demonstrate excellence in arts and/or social activism in pursuing higher education.

5. What are three things on your bucket list?

I'm currently focused on short-term goals so I'll share those: finish reading Oral History on Trial : Recognizing Aboriginal Narratives in the Courts by Bruce Granville Miller, give my car a professional detail job all by myself, and complete my diploma program.

CALL Research Tips & Tricks: Finding Canadian Court Records / Trucs et astuces de recherche de l’ACBD: comment trouver des dossiers des tribunaux canadiens

Wed, 19 May 2021 00:22:42 GMT

The CALL blog has started a new regular series of research tips and tricks.

Please share your favourite or coolest strategies with Michel-Adrien Sheppard to have them published on the CALL blog.

Today: Sources for Finding Canadian Court Records

Members of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries from across the country chipped in recently to compile a list of sources for obtaining court documents from different jurisdictions.

The idea came from Sarah Richmond, Manager of Research Services with the Vancouver law firm Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP.

Meris Bray, Reference Librarian at the University of Windsor Faculty of Law, converted the information into a webpage.

Le blogue de l'ACBD a lancé une nouvelle série sur les trucs et astuces de recherche.

SVP partagez vos stratégies les plus intéressantes ou les plus « cool » avec Michel-Adrien Sheppard afin de les faire publier sur le blogue de CALL/ACBD.

Aujourd'hui: où trouver des dossiers judiciaires des différents tribunaux au Canada

Des membres de l'Association canadienne des bibliothèques de droit de toutes les régions du pays ont mis la main à la pâte récemment pour dresser une liste des sources où il est possible d'obtenir des documents relatifs aux instances judiciaires.

L'idée vient de Sarah Richmond, Gestionnaire des services de la recherche au cabinet vancouvérois Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP.

Meris Bray, bibliothécaire de référence à la Faculté de droit de l'Université de Windsor, a converti toute l'information recueillie en page web.

New Issue of the Canadian Law Library Review / Nouveau numéro de la Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit

Sun, 16 May 2021 13:54:20 GMT

Le texte français suit.

You can browse the regular sections of books reviews, bibliographic notes, local and regional updates, as well as news from the UK, the US and Australia.

And be sure to check out the feature articles:

"The Law Librarian’s Role in Reconciliation", Alexi Fox, p. 11:

“Reconciliation is an effort that must be taken by all professions if the harm that colonization did to the Indigenous Peoples who reside in what is now Canada is to be truly rectified. For the legal profession, an aspect of reconciliation is recognizing Indigenous law as a legitimate source of law alongside common and civil law. Law librarians have their place in this, as they now have the duty to become familiar with the sources of Indigenous law, and how to find them, if they are to support the legal community in taking this step. To do this requires turning current thinking on its head: customs and traditions need to be embraced as valid sources of law, just as statutes and acts are. While finding these sources will require creativity and ingenuity on the part of the law librarian, it is necessary to do so if they are to take an active role in reconciliation.”
"Artificial Intelligence and Access to Justice: A New Frontier for Law Librarians", Laura Viselli, p. 17:

“Artificial Intelligence (AI) has created new tools for legal research and changed the law librarian’s role. In addition, it has been suggested that AI will have a positive effect on Access to Justice (A2J), the lack of which is a significant issue in Canada. Despite this positive viewpoint, biases in systems using AI—be they related to access to resources, user ability, or the inherent biases in data—are likely to perpetuate the digital divide rather than ameliorate it. These biases undermine the ability of the most vulnerable members of society to benefit from A2J tools, despite the fact they are the ones who need them most. Bringing these discussions together demonstrates how law librarians can take their evolving responsibilities and blend their passions for technology and A2J initiatives to ensure these technologies get into the hands of those who are in dire need. Law librarians are among the best suited to stand guard against proponents of AI interventions who will rush to bring products to the market that Canada’s most vulnerable cannot access, afford, or understand. Law librarians can facilitate equitable A2J in Canada using AI by being reliable educators, experienced researchers, meticulous consultants, and relentless advocates for those in most need.”

Vous pouvez consulter les recensions de livres, la chronique bibliographique, les mises à jour locales et régionales de même que les nouvelles des États-Unis, du Royaume-Uni et de l'Australie.

Et ne manquez pas les nouveaux articles de fond:

"The Law Librarian’s Role in Reconciliation", Alexi Fox, p. 11:

“La réconciliation est un effort qui doit être entrepris par toutes les professions si l’on veut, que le tort causé par la colonisation aux peuples autochtones qui résident dans ce qui est aujourd’hui le Canada, soit vraiment réparé. Pour la profession juridique, il s’agit notamment de reconnaître le droit autochtone comme une source légitime de droit, au même titre que la common law et le droit civil. Les bibliothécaires juridiques ont leur place dans ce processus, car ils ont maintenant le devoir de se familiariser avec les sources du droit autochtone et la façon de les trouver, s’ils veulent aider la communauté juridique à franchir cette étape. Pour ce faire, il faut renverser la pensée actuelle : les coutumes et les traditions doivent être considérées comme des sources de droit valables, au même titre que les lois. Trouver ces sources exigera de la créativité et de l’ingéniosité de la part des bibliothécaires juridiques, mais il est nécessaire de le faire s’ils veulent jouer un rôle actif dans la réconciliation.” [sommaire]
"Artificial Intelligence and Access to Justice: A New Frontier for Law Librarians", Laura Viselli, p. 17:

“L’intelligence artificielle (IA) a créé de nouveaux outils pour la recherche juridique et a modifié le rôle du bibliothécaire juridique. De plus, il a été suggéré que l’IA aura un effet positif sur l’accès à la justice (A2J), dont le manque est un problème important au Canada. Malgré ce point de vue positif, les biais des systèmes utilisant l’IA, qu’ils soient liés à l’accès aux ressources, à la capacité de l’utilisateur ou aux biais inhérents aux données, sont susceptibles de perpétuer le fossé numérique plutôt que de l’améliorer. Ces biais sapent la capacité des membres les plus vulnérables de la société à bénéficier des outils de l’A2J, alors qu’ils sont ceux qui en ont le plus besoin. La réunion de ces discussions montre comment les bibliothécaires juridiques peuvent assumer leurs responsabilités en constante évolution et combiner leurs passions pour la technologie et les initiatives d’accès au droit pour s’assurer que ces technologies se retrouvent entre les mains de ceux qui en ont le plus besoin. Les bibliothécaires juridiques sont parmi les mieux placés pour se tenir à l’écart des partisans des interventions de l’IA qui se précipiteront pour mettre sur le marché des produits auxquels les plus vulnérables du Canada ne peuvent avoir accès, qu’ils ne peuvent se permettre ou qu’ils ne peuvent comprendre. Les bibliothécaires de droit peuvent faciliter l’accès équitable à la justice au Canada (aux outils utilisant l’IA) en étant des éducateurs fiables, des chercheurs expérimentés, des consultants méticuleux et des défenseurs acharnés de ceux qui en ont le plus besoin.” [sommaire]

Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization Committee Sessions at 2021 CALL Annual Conference

Tue, 04 May 2021 20:07:38 GMT

By Andrea Black, Research Specialist, Dentons Canada LLP, Montreal / Co-chair, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization Committee

The Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization Committee (DIDC) is pleased to let you know about the many sessions at this year’s virtual CALL/ACBD Conference that relate to issues of diversity, inclusion, and equity.

A pre-conference presentation in French on inclusive language will start off the proceedings: join us for "Formation sur la langue inclusive: le masculin ne l’emporte plus!" by Michaël Lessard and Suzanne Zaccour.

On June 1^st, Val Napoleon will give the keynote on Indigenous legal research. "There Are Lots of Boxes: Engaging with Indigenous Laws Today" will explore legal pluralism and Indigenous intellectual property law.

Later that afternoon, learn how law librarians have been monitoring COVID-19 legal responses in Latin America and the Caribbean with Abby Dos Santos, Jeanette Bulkan, Marcelo Rodriguez, and Yemisi Dina.

On June 3^rd, Avnish Nanda’s keynote, "Law as a Public Space," will explain how democratizing the law can serve the most marginalized in our society.

Next, a panel discussion with Grace Lo, Kathy Fletcher, Ronald E. Wheeler, and Yasmin Sokkar Harker will teach us about bias in legal information through the lenses of Critical Legal Theory and Critical Race Theory.

Rounding off Thursday’s program, Professor Colleen Sheppard will tell us how the pandemic has created systemic discrimination, and what legal remedies are needed to respond to these harms.

DIDC thanks all these speakers for sharing their work on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in law and legal research.

Register for the conference now!

CALL Research Tips & Tricks: Noting Up Specific Paragraphs of Cases / Trucs et astuces de recherche de l’ACBD: le traitement judiciaire de paragraphes spécifiques d'un jugement

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 21:15:28 GMT

The CALL blog has started a new regular series of research tips and tricks.

Please share your favourite or coolest strategies with Michel-Adrien Sheppard to have them published on the CALL blog.

Le blogue de l'ACBD a lancé une nouvelle série sur les trucs et astuces de recherche.

SVP partagez vos stratégies les plus intéressantes ou les plus « cool » avec Michel-Adrien Sheppard afin de les faire publier sur le blogue de CALL/ACBD.

Today: Noting Up Specific Paragraphs of Cases (by Sharona Brookman, Reference Librarian, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto).

Have you ever wanted to find cases that deal with a specific section of a case, but don’t want to look through all the cases that cite your case? Here are some tips to do just that.

CanLII

If you want to note up a particular paragraph on CanLII, look for the text box to the right of the case paragraph that interests you.

The example below is taken from Dunsmuir v. New Brunswick, 2008 SCC 9.

The number in the box on the right (in this case "12") gives the number of cases that cite paragraph 9. Click on the box, and it will open up different functionalities. Click on "Citing documents" it will take you to the list of cases that mention paragraph 9.

JustisOne

JustisOne (also known as vLexJustis) is a huge subscription-based caselaw database that includes Canadian cases and has a feature similar to CanLII for finding cases that cite a specific paragraph of a case. Here’s how to do it:

Click on the settings icon and select Canada as your jurisdiction.
Search for a case, e.g. Rizzo v. Rizzo Shoes Ltd. (Re), [1998] 1 SCR 27, 154DLR 4^th 193.
The case appears on the right side of the screen. The paragraph or paragraphs that are most heavily cited appear on the left side of the screen, along with an option to highlight all quoted passages. In this case, para. 27 is cited most frequently.
Click on “Highlight all quoted passages”. “Displaying quoted passages” now appears on top of the case, along with a “heat map” in varying shades of purple running along the right-hand side of the screen. The darker the shade of purple, the more that paragraph has been cited by other cases.
Scroll down the case until you see the paragraph that interests you. Using paragraph 27 as an example, you’ll see that most of it is highlighted in the darkest shade of purple, as this is the part that has been cited most often.

Left click on any part of this section and a “Quoted in” list of citing cases will come up on the left. You can scroll through all the cases and click on any of them to go to the citing case, with the option of going to the specific paragraph in that case that cites the Rizzo v Rizzo Shoes case.

The list of citing cases includes cases from all the different jurisdictions JustisOne covers. If your subscription doesn’t include a specific jurisdiction you will still be able to see the citation for the case but won’t be able to access it through JustisOne. Links to free sources to the case may be available, for instance to New Zealand cases on the New Zealand Legal Information Institute (NZLII).

Lexis Advance and/or Westlaw Canada

On Lexis Advance Quicklaw and WestlawNext Canada there is no automatic or perfect way to do this, but there’s a partial workaround. Select some consecutive words in the paragraph that are likely to be cited.

The words should be distinct enough so as not to appear exactly in the same way in any other case and short enough that a search engine can handle the search.

Try 5 to 8 words. Then do a phrase search in a full text database. In Westlaw select Cases, use the Advanced Search function and enter the terms in the "This exact phrase" search box.

In Quicklaw select cases, use the Advanced Search function and put quotation marks around the phrase.

With thanks to CanLII's Sarah Sutherland, vLex Justis’s Mary Ibrahim and Ken Fox of the Law Society of Saskatchewan.

New Professionals SIG Article: Library School and Beyond – Job Hunting Tips for New Grads

Sun, 18 Apr 2021 21:45:44 GMT

By Erin Clupp, Research Librarian in Norton Rose Fulbright’s Vancouver office.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully completed library school and are a freshly minted information professional. What is an exciting time in your life can also be overshadowed by what comes next: the dreaded job hunt, heightened by the fact that we are still struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite this being a challenging and unprecedented time to enter the workforce, there are still many exciting opportunities that await you. Here are some tips and words of advice that I hope are helpful and comforting as you navigate through this next phase of your career:

1) Manage your expectations but be kind to yourself

First and foremost, job hunting can really suck. It’s important to acknowledge this and understand there will be periods of frustration, self-doubt, and worry (especially when we have bills to pay). This is normal! Rejection can be painful, and sending applications into that black hole where resumes seem to go can be demoralizing but don’t give up!

When job hunting, be mindful of the following:

As a new grad, you are probably eager and excited to land that first job and start working! Have some patience, the process may take longer than you would like it to be (before and during the interview process).

It is also great to have goals, but realize you may not get your “dream job” right outside the gate. That is fine! Along the way, you may find you don’t have one dream job after all, and that you enjoy doing many types of work.

Resist the urge to compare yourself to others. Some people may seem to have better “luck” or have more apparent success early on. We don’t always know their stories, what their past experiences are or who they may know. Just remember, we are all operating on different timelines and your opportunity will come. It doesn’t make you a failure or unworthy if it takes you a bit longer or if you end up in an area completely different than you originally thought.

While job hunting can become a full time job, don’t forget to take breaks and don’t let it become all-consuming. Focus some energy on your hobbies, personal relationships, and most importantly rest!

2) Beyond the library – be flexible and think outside the box

The information profession is evolving, and while there are still plenty of “traditional” LIS jobs in academic and public library settings, there are increasingly more jobs in special libraries and in larger “information teams” in government, private corporations, and non-profits. When searching for job postings, don’t just focus on the job title, be sure to also read the descriptions and position requirements. Look for buzz words like “information analyst”, “knowledge management”, “content creation”, “competitive intelligence”, “prospect research”, “information architecture”, or “data curation”, all of which use the skills of an LIS professional and are increasingly in demand as businesses recognize the need for improved information governance and user experience.

I know people with LIS backgrounds who work in academic institutions, museums, archives, law firms, government, telecommunications companies, non-profit organizations, healthcare, and international organizations doing a variety of work including research, privacy, information security, instruction, technical writing, and management. Basically any organization that deals with information and people (read: all of them) may have a position that you can apply for. Now is the time to experiment and try new opportunities. Don’t worry about pigeonholing yourself, because you can always leverage your transferable skills and move within industries and organizations.

3) Take a leap – consider a move!

While not possible (or desirable) for some, consider moving to a new city (or country!), especially if you are in a very competitive market and do not have a lot of library experience. When I struggled to find a job after graduating, I ended up taking an amazing opportunity overseas in Qatar. Not only did this give me adventure and a life changing experience, it allowed me to gain some solid work experience quicker than if I stayed in Canada the whole time. When I returned, I found I was more marketable and my application to interview ratio was noticeably higher.

While moving overseas is scary, you can also stay within Canada and still have some great experiences (many of my peers accepted jobs in northern and smaller communities). Remember, if you move away, it doesn’t have to be forever!

4) Networking Building relationships

Our profession is quite small. Chances are, if you look someone up on LinkedIn, you probably have connections in common. Use this to your advantage!

Best way to network? Stay in touch with your peers from library school. Reach out to LIS professionals on LinkedIn who are in jobs you are interested in. See how they got their current gig and if they have any advice or know of specific training available that is helpful for that role. Join a professional association where you will likely meet an array of other new professionals as well as more seasoned pros (often in management roles). You can also look into mentorship programs and alumni associations.

Treat every encounter as a potential lead. Be genuine, but always be polite and courteous as you never know who will end up on the other side of the interview table. Knowing someone may not guarantee you get a position, but it may help secure that all-important interview.

5) Be prepared – do your research!

When sending out applications, think quality over quantity. Avoid firing off generic applications to every post you see. Be discerning, take your time and use those honed research skills to learn more about different roles or industries you are interested in and tailor your application accordingly.

Understand that there are varied requirements and expectations for different industries. For example, academic libraries often require more detailed C.V.’s and have prolonged interview and hiring processes; government applications often require lengthy online questionnaires and testing phases; private companies often prefer shorter resumes and cover letters.

Make your application stand out by showing you’ve done your homework. When applying for a job, research the organization and find out what their mandate is, their history, what their biggest successes are, and who their key players are. When preparing for an interview, find out the names of the interviewers and do some research on their backgrounds. This will show interest and will create conversation points in your interview (remember you are interviewing them too).

Conclusion

Lastly, be patient with yourself and the process. It’s a marathon, not a race and you have your whole career to look forward to. Treat each opportunity as a new stepping stone and learning opportunity and over time you will build a rewarding professional experience for yourself.

While job hunting can sometimes feel gruelling, it doesn’t have to be soul sucking! Make a plan for yourself, stay organized, have a good support system, and prioritize wellness in the process.

Most importantly, if you’re feeling burnt out, take a rest and don’t forget to reward yourself!

Good luck!

Speaker Bio

Erin Clupp is the Research Librarian in Norton Rose Fulbright’s Vancouver office. A self-proclaimed “accidental law librarian”, she previously worked in various archives and records management roles, including the BC Securities Commission, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, the College of the North Atlantic’s campus in Doha, Qatar, and as an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia’s iSchool.

Erin completed her MLIS from the University of Western Ontario in 2014 and has a BA in History and Classical Studies from the University of Ottawa. In addition to being a member of CALL, she is currently Co-Chair of the Program Committee with the Vancouver Association of Law Libraries (VALL). Outside of work, she enjoys dabbling in voice acting and bookbinding, various fitness activities, and drinking copious amounts of coffee.

Diversity Shares: Listen to Learn - Leader Profile of Upcoming CALL President Kim Nayyer in AALL Publication

Sun, 04 Apr 2021 19:36:32 GMT

2021-2022 CALL President Kim Nayyer was the subject of a recent leader profile in On Firmer Ground, the blog of the Private Law Librarians (PLLIP) Special Interest Section of the American Association of Law Libraries.

She was one of 3 panel members on the topic of "Diversity Shares: Listen to Learn" that took place during a PLLIP Diversity Summit.

Excerpt:

Name one thing that you or your team is doing this year to meet the challenges ahead.

The past year has presented some challenges that are new and others that are long-standing but more widely evident or understood. One that I feel most strongly about is the work we are doing to both interrogate and work to dismantle structural exclusion and inequalities—racial, socioeconomic, ability, for example. Structural exclusion and inequalities exist in so many facets of life, domestically and globally too, and we can focus our efforts on those closest to our home and on which our own work centers. Our team is creating learning resources to assist with learning about how structural racism and other forms of exclusion in the legal and justice systems affect or skew the legal information we research and apply in practice. We are developing our collections in ways that amplify voices and perspectives that have not traditionally been centered in legal information, even if substantively valuable. We are assisting faculty in growing their curricular resources in ways that can help them adapt their teaching. We are working to improve communication internally to ensure all members of our workplace recognize their voices matter and their work matters.

CALL Research Tips & Tricks: Law Reform Commission Reports / Trucs et astuces de recherche de l’ACBD: rapports de commission de réforme du droit

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 00:06:29 GMT

The CALL blog has started a new regular series of research tips and tricks.

Please share your favourite or coolest strategies with Michel-Adrien Sheppard to have them published on the CALL blog.

Le blogue de l'ACBD a lancé une nouvelle série sur les trucs et astuces de recherche.

SVP partagez vos stratégies les plus intéressantes ou les plus « cool » avec Michel-Adrien Sheppard afin de les faire publier sur le blogue de CALL/ACBD.

Today: Law Reform Commission Reports - Hidden Treasures for Legal Research (by M-A Sheppard).

Where in-depth legal analysis is required, law reform publications can prove to be an excellent resource.

Law reform commissions are often sponsored by, but are independent from governments. The advantage they have is that they can deal with important public policy issues that are not on the government agenda but may nevertheless require critical analysis and potential reform.

Also, many of the reports provide historical background and you can often find comparative information about how different jurisdictions have responded to an issue.

Recent examples of reports that contain comparative information include:

a Victoria Law Reform Commission [Australia] Consultation Paper on Jurors Who Are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Blind or Have Low Vision - Appendix B provides information about the experience of many other jurisdictions when it comes to different measures to accommodate jurors living with visual or hearing disabilities. These include New Zealand, England and Wales, Scotland, Ireland, the United States, and Canada
a New South Wales Law Reform Commission Paper on publication bans – the document examines the situation in other Australian states, New Zealand as well as England and Wales
the Manitoba Law Reform Commission Final Report on Abandoned Accounts and Missing Money: Establishing a Process for Unclaimed Intangible Personal Property – the report takes a look at British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick
the Alberta Law Reform Institute Final Report on Adverse Possession and Lasting Improvements to Wrong Land – the Appendix includes a "Cross-Jurisdictional Comparison of Adverse Possession in Canada".

Des trésors cachés: les rapports des commissions de réforme du droit (par M-A Sheppard)

Quand vous avez besoin d’une analyse approfondie d’une question, ces publications se révèlent être une excellente source d’information.

Ces commissions sont souvent mises sur pied par les gouvernements mais en demeurent néanmoins indépendantes. Leur grand avantage est de pouvoir se pencher sur des questions importantes de justice ou de politique publique qui ne font pas encore l'objet de l'action gouvernementale mais qui nécessitent une analyse critique ou qui méritent des réformes.

De plus, plusieurs de ces publications offrent une analyse historique d’une question ou adoptent une perspective comparatiste vraiment intéressante.

Voici quelques exemples récents de rapports qui contiennent une dimension comparatiste:

la Commission de réforme du droit de l'état de Victoria en Australie a publié un document de consultation sur les jurés sourds, malentendants, aveugles ou malvoyants - l'annexe B décrit les mesures d'accommodement des jurés avec des déficiences visuelles ou auditives en Nouvelle-Zélande, en Angleterre et au Pays de Galles, en Écosse, en Irlande, aux États-Unis et au Canada
la Commission de réforme du droit de l'état de la Nouvelle-Galles du Sud a publié un rapport sur les ordonnances de non-publication – le document examine la situation dans d'autres états australiens, en Nouvelle-Zélande, et en Angleterre et au Pays de Galles
la Commission de réforme du droit du Manitoba a publié un rapport sur les comptes abandonnés - on jette un regard sur ce qui se passe en Colombie-Britannique, en Alberta, au Québec, en Ontario et au Nouveau-Brunswick
l'Institut de réforme du droit de l'Alberta a publié un rapport sur la question connue sous le nom de Adverse Possession – ["possession acquisitive" en common law] - on peut y trouver une annexe intitulée "Cross-Jurisdictional Comparison of Adverse Possession in Canada".

CALL Research Tips & Tricks: Articles that are tricky to track down / Trucs et astuces de recherche de l’ACBD: articles difficiles à trouver

Sun, 28 Feb 2021 16:37:38 GMT

The CALL blog has started a new regular series of research tips and tricks.

Please share your favourite or coolest strategies with Michel-Adrien Sheppard to have them published on the CALL blog.

Le blogue de l'ACBD a lancé une nouvelle série sur les trucs et astuces de recherche.

SVP partagez vos stratégies les plus intéressantes ou les plus « cool » avec Michel-Adrien Sheppard afin de les faire publier sur le blogue de CALL/ACBD.

Today: Secret Search tips from an Information Sleuth by George Roy, Law Society of Manitoba (originally published February 1, 2021 on the Great LEXpectations blog):

Sometimes an article can be very tricky to track down. It might be from an obscure journal, or maybe from something old enough that no one carries it any more. That may require tracking down a print version hidden away in some library’s archives, but sometimes some creative searching online can provide surprising results.

Limit where you look

Sometimes too much is just as bad as not enough. If you find yourself searching for an article title on a web search engine you may get hundreds or thousands of results. Most of us will scan the first page, and maybe the second, but are quick to give up after that.

A lot of the time, articles will be published as a PDF, so limit your search to that file format by either using the advanced search function

Or use the limiter “filetype” in the search field.

Change where you are looking

Most articles are often published as part of a journal. That means you might limit your search to libraries or sites that have access to that publication. If you separate the article from the journal, you can look in unusual places that have already uploaded or published that article separate from its original publication.

When you browse the search results, try looking at academic websites. Again, you can use the advanced search, or use the limiter “site:” and limit to academic domains such as “.edu.” Sometimes universities publish their syllabi online and will link to any reading or documents for a course. Often they link to paywall sources, but it’s worth a look because when there is no online resource the organization may upload the document itself, or provide alternative sites.

Let someone do the looking for you

Those alternative sites may lead you to sites that may have already compiled or collected documents and journals you are looking for. If I haven’t found the specific article I am looking for, I may try to search by journal issue or volume. Article titles aren’t always indexed so once you’ve narrowed your search, you can widen it again when you’ve found a resource that is more specific to your interest.

There are a few popular sites like SSRN, but I am always stumbling upon other sites that provide other avenues of searching. These can often be open-access, but they may also have a soft paywall that requires signing up, or using a free trial.

Look out

The internet is an amazing resource but just like every other tool, it can be used to harm as well. A lot of sites use your google search to create a link that may look like exactly what you are looking for but may contain a virus or spam. Be careful what you are downloading. Watch for unusual file types such as .exe or suspicious looking sites.

As an information professional I am an advocate for open information, but I am always mindful of copyright restrictions. Fair use allows some leeway when sharing articles and texts, but it may not always be clear where that leeway ends.

Some sites such as Sci-Hub might be a bit of a grey area, and I tend to err on the side of caution, so use reputable sites as much as you can.

Bonus tip

One piece of advice I haven’t used much but is worth a shot is contacting the author directly. Some authors will provide their articles for free upon request. So if they are a contemporary author, try giving them a search on LinkedIn or at their organization.

Of course sometimes no matter how hard you look, you just can’t find what you are looking for. Sometimes you need a fresh pair of eyes. Even if you try thinking outside the box, everyone has their own way of looking at things. So ask someone else to give it a gander, they may be able to see things from a different perspective. They can be colleagues, or professional listservs, or even your friendly library.

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CALL Research Tips & Tricks: Some Foreign Cases on CanLII / Trucs et astuces de recherche de l’ACBD: quelques arrêts étrangers sur CanLII

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 01:48:02 GMT

We all have a few tricks up our sleeve when it comes to performing research. We sometimes share them with clients. And sometimes, we like to use those tricks to wow them.

The CALL blog is starting a new regular series of research tips and tricks. Please share your favourite strategies with Michel-Adrien Sheppard and we will do our best to publish them on this blog.

Nous avons tous nos trucs favoris quand il s'agit de faire de la recherche juridique. Parfois, nous les partageons avec nos clients. Et parfois, nous utilisons ces trucs et astuces pour les épater.

Le blogue de l'ACBD lance aujourd'hui une nouvelle série sur les trucs et astuces de recherche. SVP partagez vos meilleures stratégies avec Michel-Adrien Sheppard. Nous nous ferons un plaisir de les publier ici sur le blogue.

Today: There Are Some Hard to Find Foreign Cases on CanLII by Susannah Tredwell, Manager of Library Services at DLA Piper (Canada) LLP in Vancouver (originally published February 3, 2021 on the Slaw.ca website):

One of CANLII’s lesser known resources is its Foreign reported decisions database which “includes some decisions issued by foreign courts and tribunals and that are of special interest for Canadian law.”

For example, should you be interested in Browne v. Dunn (1893), 6 R. 67 (a decision sufficiently challenging to find online that someone created a dedicated website for it) you can find it on CanLII.

While the collection of foreign decisions is not large, CanLII will on request add cases that are of interest to Canadian legal practitioners.

(And for all your regular British case law needs, there is always BAILII).

Five Questions with Julie Boon

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 20:11:53 GMT

Julie Boon, Reference Librarian | Great Library, Law Society of Ontario, Toronto

1. Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I have an undergraduate honors specialization in history from King’s University College, affiliated with Western University in London, Ontario (where I am from). Going into my undergraduate degree, I certainly did not know what I wanted to do with a history degree, I just hoped that studying something I loved would get me somewhere professionally that I would love too. As luck would have it, it worked!

I didn’t get into the legal information industry right away, and in fact, that wasn’t even on my radar. I was very certain I would be going into public librarianship. I held down a couple of jobs at a couple academic libraries while attending U of T for my master’s in information. During the summer of my first and second year, I worked at the Ministry of Attorney General library. I had never worked in a legal environment before and hadn’t taken a class in law since high school! However, I had some awesome colleagues who helped me along the way and showed me the ropes.

My job at the MAG gave me a sense of how challenging and exciting the legal industry could be and encouraged me to apply for my current job at the Law Society of Ontario’s library – the Great Library – as a reference librarian. Again, I have been incredibly fortunate to meet some really great mentors here, and love working at a job that constantly challenges me to learn new things and create valuable content.

2. How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?

CALL has helped me professionally in that I have met some really, really great people through the organization. Whether it was through the CALL mentorship program or the CALL Conference in 2019, it has given me the opportunity to meet amazing professionals I otherwise may not have crossed paths with. Recently, CALL has acted as a balm to the isolation and disconnect that the pandemic has brought into everyone’s lives in some way. Attending virtual conferences and tutorials has maintained my feeling of connection to the legal industry and its professionals, which has been a huge relief.

3. What was your first library-related job?

While I was attending King’s University College, I applied for a job posting at the London Public Library. I had never worked in a library before, but I had worked at Chapters for a couple of years and knew that I loved being surrounded by books and people who loved books. I was lucky enough to land that position at LPL, and absolutely loved every second I worked there. From then on out, I knew that I would be pursuing a job in library sciences.

4. What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry?

Don’t be intimidated! There is a lot to learn, but it’s kind of great in a lot of ways to be working in an industry where there is so much to know and understand – it never gets boring! Plus, it’s important to remember that even if you don’t remember every legal concept, term or piece of jargon off the top of your head, it doesn’t mean that you’re bad at your job, or not learning quick enough. Far from it! There is a vast ocean of legal information in the world, and even those legal professionals who have worked in the industry for years and years still need refreshers from time to time. Just remember that there are people out there, like your colleagues, who are probably happy to lend a helping hand!

5. What is your greatest professional success?

My greatest professional success would definitely be taking the plunge and entering the legal information industry in the first place. Entering special libraries was not on my horizon mentally, and I wasn’t sure I was cut out for the legal world which I viewed as very big and very scary. Even though I do have those moments of feeling a little overwhelmed over all there is to learn, I’m really proud of myself for putting in the work to become attuned to an industry to which I was completely and utterly new. I’d like to say I’ve done a pretty good job so far and look forward to learning more and improving more as I go forward in my career.

Member Profile nominations and Project Profile ideas are welcome for 2021. Please email Alexandra Farolan at afarolan@courthouselibrary.ca for more information, ideas, and nominations.

Julie Boon, bibliothécaire de référence | Grande bibliothèque, Barreau de l’Ontario, Toronto

1. Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

Je possède un baccalauréat spécialisé en histoire du King’s University College, qui est affilié à l’Université de Western Ontario à London (d’où je suis originaire). Je ne savais pas vraiment ce que je voulais faire avec un diplôme en histoire en commençant mes études. J’espérais juste quand étudiant quelque chose que j’adorais cela me mènerait vers une carrière que j’aimerais aussi. Le hasard fait bien les choses, et ma stratégie a fonctionné!

Je ne me suis pas lancée tout de suite dans l’information juridique et, en fait, ce domaine ne faisait pas partie de mes plans (j’étais sûre que j’allais travailler en bibliothéconomie publique). J’ai occupé quelques emplois dans des bibliothèques universitaires pendant mes études de maîtrise en science de l’information à l’Université de Toronto. Au cours de l’été de mes deux premières années de maîtrise, j’ai travaillé à la bibliothèque du ministère du Procureur général (MPG). Je n’avais jamais travaillé dans un milieu juridique et mon dernier cours en droit remontait au secondaire! Cependant, j’ai eu la chance de travailler aux côtés de collègues formidables qui m’ont aidée en m’apprenant le métier.

Mon travail au MPG m’a ouvert aux possibilités de carrière stimulantes et passionnantes dans le secteur juridique et c’est ce qui m’a poussé à postuler pour l’emploi que j’occupe actuellement à la bibliothèque du Barreau de l’Ontario – la Grande bibliothèque – à titre de bibliothécaire de référence. Encore une fois, j’ai eu l’occasion rêvée de rencontrer des mentors vraiment formidables dans le cadre de mon travail, et j’adore travailler dans un milieu qui me pousse à apprendre de nouvelles choses chaque jour et à créer du contenu intéressant.

2. En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (p. ex. bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

L’ACBD/CALL m’a aidée sur le plan professionnel en me donnant la possibilité de rencontrer des gens remarquables. Que ce soit par l’intermédiaire du programme de mentorat de l’association ou de son congrès annuel en 2019, ces activités m’ont donné l’occasion de rencontrer des professionnels extraordinaires que je n’aurais probablement jamais rencontrés. Récemment, l’ACBD/CALL a agi comme un baume pour rompre l’isolement et la coupure causés par la pandémie que chacun vit différemment. Le fait de participer à des conférences et des formations virtuelles m’a permis de maintenir mon sentiment d’appartenance au secteur juridique et à ses professionnels, ce qui a vraiment fait du bien pour le moral.

3. Quel a été votre premier emploi ou votre premier emploi lié à la bibliothéconomie?

Pendant mes études au King’s University College, j’avais postulé à un poste à la bibliothèque publique de London. Même si je n’avais aucune expérience de travail dans une bibliothèque, j’avais travaillé chez Chapters pendant quelques années et je savais que j’aimais être entourée de livres et de personnes qui adorent les livres. J’ai eu la chance de décrocher ce poste, et j’ai bien aimé chaque seconde de mon expérience. À partir de ce moment-là, je savais que j’allais travailler dans le domaine de la bibliothéconomie.

4. Quel conseil donneriez-vous à quelqu’un qui cherche à percer dans l’industrie de l’information juridique?

Ne vous laissez pas intimider! Même s’il y a beaucoup de choses à apprendre, travailler dans un secteur où il y a tellement de choses à savoir et comprendre est fantastique à bien des égards – on ne s’ennuie jamais! De plus, il est important de se rappeler que même si on ne se souvient pas spontanément de chaque concept, terme ou jargon juridique, cela ne signifie pas que vous n’êtes pas à votre place ou que vous n’apprenez pas assez vite. Loin de là! Le monde regorge d’un vaste océan d’informations juridiques, et même les professionnels juridiques de longue date doivent encore suivre des cours de recyclage de temps à autre. N’oubliez pas qu’il y a des gens, comme vos collègues, qui seraient probablement heureux de vous donner un coup de main!

5. Quelle est votre plus belle réussite professionnelle?

Ma plus belle réussite professionnelle serait sûrement d’avoir fait le saut dans le domaine de l’information juridique. Je ne pensais pas travailler dans les services bibliothécaires spécialisés, et je ne savais pas trop si j’étais faite pour le travail dans le milieu juridique (que je jugeais immense et intimidant). Même si je me sens parfois un peu dépassée par toutes les choses qu’il y a à savoir, je suis très fière d’avoir effectué le travail nécessaire afin de m’adapter à un secteur entièrement nouveau. Je tiens à dire que je me débrouille très bien jusqu’à maintenant et que j’ai hâte d’en apprendre davantage et de m’améliorer au fil de ma carrière.

Nous acceptons les propositions pour les blogues Profil de membres et Profil de projets en 2021. Pour obtenir de plus amples informations ou proposer une idée ou une candidature, n’hésitez pas à envoyer un courriel à Alexandra Farolan (afarolan@courthouselibrary.ca).

GIS des Bibliothèques de droit gouvernementales : Présentation de la bibliothèque de la Cour suprême du Canada

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 16:24:44 GMT

Découvrez le site Web de la Cour suprême du Canada

Krisandra Ivings et Emily Ann Da Silva
Bibliothécaires de référence, Cour suprême du Canada

La Cour suprême du Canada publie une foule de renseignements concernant les dossiers dont elle est saisie sur son site Web public. Nous décrivons, ci-dessous, où vous pourrez trouver des renseignements sur les prochaines audiences, les décisions de la CSC, ainsi que de l’information qui vous permettra d’être à l’affût des activités de la Cour et de vous connecter à la bibliothèque de la CSC.

Est-ce que votre organisation a un site Internet avec du contenu qui pourrait s'avérer utile pour la communauté de recherche juridique? Si oui, veuillez contacter Michel-Adrien Sheppard.

Renseignements sur les dossiers

Au fur et à mesure qu’ils sont disponibles, les renseignements sur chacun des dossiers sont ajoutés à la section du site Web intitulé Dossiers > Renseignements sur les dossiers de la Cour. Effectuez une recherche de dossier au moyen du numéro de registre ou de dossier, du nom d’une des parties ou du numéro de dossier du tribunal dont la décision est portée en appel. En sélectionnant un numéro de dossier, vous pourrez consulter le registre du dossier. En cliquant sur les liens qui se situent du côté gauche, vous obtiendrez de plus amples renseignements sur les parties et les procureurs, ainsi qu’un sommaire du dossier, les mémoires relatifs à la demande d’autorisation d’appel, les mémoires relatifs à l’appel et l’enregistrement de la diffusion Web, s’il est disponible.

Avant l’audition d’un appel

Demandes d’autorisation d’appel

Dans la plupart des cas, il faut présenter une demande d’autorisation d’appel avant que l’appel soit entendu par la CSC. La Cour peut accueillir ou rejeter une telle demande. Les décisions relatives aux demandes d’autorisation d’appel se trouvent sous la rubrique Dossiers > Jugements sur demandes d’autorisation. La fonction de recherche avancée vous permet de trier les demandes selon, entre autres, le ressort, le sujet ou le statut.

Audiences prévues

Une fois qu’une demande d’autorisation d’appel a été accueillie, ou qu’un dossier a obtenu la permission d’être entendu par la CSC d’une autre façon, une date d’audience sera fixée. Le calendrier des prochaines audiences prévues se trouve sous la rubrique Dossiers > Audiences prévues. Sélectionnez l’année et le mois pour consulter la liste des audiences prévues, qui indique si l’audience sera diffusée en direct sur le site Web, ainsi que l’heure de diffusion. Peu de temps avant la tenue de l’audience, un lien vers la diffusion en direct s’affichera dans la colonne intitulée « Diffusion Web ».

Pour de plus amples renseignements sur une audience prévue, cliquez sur le nom du dossier afin de consulter la page des Renseignements sur les dossiers de la Cour.

Après l’audition de l’appel

Une fois que le jugement a été rendu dans le cadre d’un appel, la décision est publiée sur le site Web de la CSC dans les deux langues officielles simultanément. Les décisions se trouvent sous la rubrique Dossiers > Motifs de jugements. Vous pouvez effectuer une recherche de base au moyen de mots clés ou sélectionner Recherche avancée et puis Afficher plus de champs pour de filtres additionnels. Les options de recherche avancée comprennent notamment les suivantes : Référence, Date, Parties, Juges, Sujets.

Créer des alertes

Afin de suivre les nouvelles décisions de la CSC sur un sujet ou un domaine du droit particulier, créez gratuitement un compte lexbox (géré par Lexum) et établissez un fil des alertes qui vous avisera lorsque des arrêts qui correspondent à vos critères de recherche sont publiés. Créez une alerte en entrant vos critères de recherche dans les champs de la page de Recherche avancée, et en cliquant ensuite sur le bouton Veille – nouveaux résultats à partir du menu lexbox et en suivant les directives dans les messages-guides.

La cause en bref

Depuis 2018, un résumé, rédigé dans un langage accessible, de chaque décision rendue par la Cour est préparé par le personnel des communications de la Cour et publié sous la rubrique Dossiers > La cause en bref. Il y a aussi un lien dans le texte intégral de chacune des décisions écrites qui vous dirigera vers « La cause en bref ».

Recueil des arrêts de la Cour

Plusieurs mois après la publication initiale d’une décision, une version officielle imprimée de celle-ci est publiée dans le Recueil des arrêts de la Cour suprême du Canada (RCS) dans les deux langues officielles, côte à côte. Il est aussi possible de consulter les versions numérisées des RCS imprimés remontant à leur création en 1878. Effectuez une recherche ou naviguez dans la base de données de tous les RCS sous la rubrique suivante : Accueil > Dossiers > Décisions et ressources > Recueil des arrêts de la Cour suprême du Canada.

Sources internet citées dans les jugements de la CSC

Les pages Web de sources citées par la CSC dans des jugements rendus de 1998 à 2016 ont été archivées et se trouvent sous la rubrique Bibliothèque > Sources internet citées dans les jugements de la CSC. Depuis 2017, un lien vers une version archivée de chaque source internet est fourni directement à partir de la section « Doctrine et autres documents cités » de chaque jugement.

Restez à l’affût

S’abonner à la liste de diffusion de la CSC

Pour être à l’affût des nouveautés, abonnez-vous à la liste de diffusion de la CSC sous la rubrique Médias > Communiqués, décisions et renseignements sur les dossiers. Ceux et celles qui s’y abonnent reçoivent les communiqués de presse annonçant les prochains jugements sur demandes d’autorisation, les jugements qui seront rendus en appel, et d’importantes mises à jour, telles que des directives de pratique et les modifications apportées aux Règles de la Cour suprême du Canada. Un communiqué de presse est habituellement envoyé quelques jours avant la publication d’un jugement.

Bulletins des procédures

Renseignez-vous sur la date à laquelle de nouveaux dossiers pourraient être entendus par la CSC en consultant les bulletins des procédures hebdomadaires dans la base de données interrogeable qui se trouve sous la rubrique Dossiers > Bulletins des procédures. Les bulletins présentent des renseignements détaillés sur les décisions portant sur des requêtes. Ils comprennent aussi une liste des avis d’appel déposés, des demandes d’autorisation d’appel déposées, des jugements rendus sur les demandes d’autorisation et des avis à l’intention de la profession.

Statistiques et Rétrospective annuelle

Vous trouverez les statistiques annuelles, notamment une répartition, par sujet et par ressort, des demandes d’autorisation d’appel déposées, en consultant le Résumé statistique annuelle et la Rétrospective annuelle sous la rubrique Dossiers > Rétrospective annuelle. Depuis 2018, la Rétrospective annuelle présente un résumé des statistiques, des décisions significatives et des progrès importants survenus à la Cour dans un format attrayant sur le plan visuel et convivial.

La bibliothèque de la Cour suprême du Canada

N’importe qui peut effectuer une recherche à même le catalogue de la bibliothèque de la CSC, qui se trouve sous la rubrique Bibliothèque > Catalogue de la bibliothèque. Le catalogue contient toutes les ressources imprimées de la bibliothèque, ainsi que quelques ressources électroniques. Les coordonnés de la bibliothèque de la CSC, les procédures de prêt entre bibliothèques, et d’autres renseignements encore, se trouvent dans la section Bibliothèque du site Web de la CSC.

Nouveautés à la bibliothèque

Vous pourrez constater quand de nouveaux ouvrages sont ajoutés à la collection de la bibliothèque en consultant la liste de Nouveautés qui se trouve sous Bibliothèque > Nouveautés à la bibliothèque et en vous abonnant à notre liste de diffusion afin de recevoir des mises à jour bimensuelles.

Pour de plus amples renseignements, nous vous encourageons à explorer le site de la CSC, à communiquer avec la bibliothèque ou à participer à une visite guidée à distance de la CSC!

Government Law Libraries SIG Profile: The Supreme Court of Canada Library

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 15:36:45 GMT

Discover the Supreme Court of Canada Website

Krisandra Ivings and Emily Ann Da Silva, Reference Librarians, Supreme Court of Canada

The Supreme Court of Canada publishes a wealth of information about cases coming before it on its public website. Below, we describe where you can find information about upcoming hearings, SCC decisions, staying up to date with the Court, and connecting with the SCC Library.

Does your organization have a public website with content that may be useful to our legal research community? If that is the case, contact Michel-Adrien Sheppard.

Case information

As it becomes available, information about each case is added to the Cases > SCC Case Information section of the website. Search for a case using the docket/case number, name of a party, or file number from the Court appealed from. Selecting a case number will bring you to the case’s docket. Links on the left-hand side provide further details on the parties and counsel, as well as a summary of the case, memorandums of argument on the application for leave to appeal, factums on appeal, and a recording of the webcast when available.

Before an appeal is heard

Applications for leave to appeal

Most cases must apply for leave to appeal before they can be heard by the SCC. The Court can grant or dismiss this application. Decisions on applications for leave to appeal are available under Cases > Judgments in Leave Applications. The advanced search function allows you to filter applications by jurisdiction, subject, status, and more.

Scheduled hearings

Once an application for leave has been granted, or a case is otherwise permitted to be heard by the SCC, a hearing will be scheduled. The upcoming hearing schedule is available under Cases > Scheduled Hearings. Select the year and month to see a list of cases scheduled indicating whether a hearing will be webcast live and when. Shortly before the hearing, a link to the live stream will appear in the ‘Webcast’ column.

For more information on a scheduled case, click on the case name to view the SCC Case Information page.

After the hearing

Once judgment has been rendered in an appeal, the decision is published on the SCC website simultaneously in both official languages. Decisions are available under Cases > Reasons for judgment. Use the basic search to search by keyword or for additional filters, select Advanced Search and then Show more fields. Advanced search options include Citation, Date, Parties, Judges, Subject and more.

Creating alerts

To monitor new SCC decisions on a particular issue or area of law, create a free lexbox account (maintained by Lexum) and set up an alert feed notifying you when cases are published that match your search criteria. Set up an alert by creating a search using the options on the Advanced Search page, then selecting Set up alert feed on the lexbox menu and following the prompts.

Cases in Brief

Beginning in 2018, for each of the Court’s written decisions, a reader-friendly summary is prepared by the Court’s communications staff and published under Cases > Cases in Brief. The “Case in Brief” is also linked to from the full text of each written decision.

Supreme Court Reports

Several months after a decision is first released, an official print version will be published in the Canada Supreme Court Reports (SCRs) in a side-by-side bilingual format. Digitized versions of the print SCRs are available dating back to their inception in 1878. Search or browse the database of all SCRs under Home > Cases > Decisions and Resources > Canada Supreme Court Reports.

Internet Sources Cited in SCC Judgments

An archive of webpages cited in SCC judgments is available for decisions published between 1998 and 2016 under Library > Internet Sources Cited in SCC Judgments. Since 2017, a link to an archived version of each internet source is provided directly from the Authors Cited section of each judgment.

Staying up to date

Joining the SCC mailing list

Stay up to date by subscribing to the SCC mailing list under Media > News Releases, Decisions and Case Information. Subscribers receive news releases announcing upcoming judgments on leave applications, judgments to be rendered on appeal, and important updates such as practice directions and changes to the Supreme Court Rules. A news release is typically sent out a few days before a judgment is published.

Bulletin of Proceedings

Find out when new appeals may be headed to the SCC by consulting the weekly Bulletin of Proceedings in the searchable database found under Cases > Bulletins of Proceedings. The Bulletin provides details about rulings on motions. Bulletins also include a listing of notices of leave to appeal filed, applications for leave to appeal filed, judgments on applications for leave, and notices to the profession.

Statistics and Year in Review

For annual statistics, including a breakdown of leave to appeal applications filed by subject and jurisdiction, consult the annual Statistical Summary and Year in Review under Cases > Year in Review. New since 2018, the Year in Review presents a visually-based, reader-friendly summary of statistics, significant decisions, and important developments at the Court.

The Supreme Court of Canada Library

Anyone can search the SCC Library’s catalogue, available under Library > Library Catalogue. The catalogue contains all of the Library’s print resources and some electronic resources. Contact information for the SCC Library, interlibrary loan procedures, and more are also available under the Library section of the SCC website.

New Library Titles

Find out when new titles are added to the SCC Library’s collection by viewing the New Library Titles list under Library > New Library Titles and subscribing to our mailing list to receive semimonthly updates.

For more information, we encourage you to explore the SCC website, contact the Library, or take a remote tour of the SCC!

Project Profile: Saskatchewan Legal Databases, Relaunched

Sat, 16 Jan 2021 20:55:12 GMT

Saskatchewan Legal Databases, Relaunched

By Alan Kilpatrick

The Law Society of Saskatchewan’s searchable legal information databases were officially relaunched on a modern, mobile-friendly, and cloud-based database platform on Friday, November 20th, concluding a year-long Legal Resources project:

Migrating our valuable data to this modernized database platform will ensure that all Saskatchewanians can continue to enjoy access to the Saskatchewan legal information they need for decades to come. The relaunch is a demonstrable indicator of our commitment to legal information access for all Saskatchewanians. It represents our ongoing investment in our membership, Saskatchewan’s justice system, and legal information access for all in this province.

Forty Years of Innovation

For the past forty years, Saskatchewan legal practitioners, the judiciary, and members of the public have relied on the free, timely, and reliable access to legal information provided by our innovative tools and databases.

Developed by our pioneering Law Society Library staff through the 1980s and 1990s, these databases represent Saskatchewan’s very first instances of legal and technical innovation. Our law library staff saw that Saskatchewan, as a small province, was not being well served by Canada’s commercial legal publishers and that there was a significant delay before our case law became available in commercial sources.

What did they do?

They boldly decided to go ahead and solve the problem themselves by stepping into the role of legal content creator, publisher, and database developer, creating databases to ensure Saskatchewan practitioners and residents could find, access, and use the law they needed. Through their forward-thinking innovation, they created the first online internet case law database created by a law society in Canada. Legal innovation is not new. Law libraries have been doing it for decades.

Why Did We Relaunch the Databases?

Over the past year, your Law Society Legal Resources team has led a major project to migrate these databases and their corresponding datasets to the new platform.

Our existing platform was out of date and we felt it was the right time to migrate our data. We remain firmly committed to providing legal information resources in the latest formats available. Legal information enhancements are not static. They are constantly evolving.

These databases remain incredibly popular throughout the province, with Saskatchewan Cases receiving over 4000 hits a month alone. Why are they so popular? They are extremely powerful tools.

Finally, the over forty years’ worth of structured data and content contained within these databases represents a valuable commodity for the Law Society, its members, and the citizenry of this province.

Member Profile nominations and Project Profile ideas are welcome for 2021. Please email Alexandra Farolan at afarolan@courthouselibrary.ca for more information, ideas, and nominations.

Relance des bases de données juridiques de la Saskatchewan

Par Alan Kilpatrick

Les bases de données juridiques consultables du Barreau de la Saskatchewan ont été officiellement relancées, le 20 novembre dernier, sur une plateforme moderne, adaptée aux appareils mobiles et infonuagique, mettant ainsi fin à un projet de ressources juridiques d’une durée d’un an.

Law Society of Saskatchewan Conduct Review Database (base de données sur les processus d’examen)
Law Society of Saskatchewan Ethics Rulings Database (base de données sur les décisions d’éthique)
Saskatchewan Bills database (base de données sur les projets de loi)
Saskatchewan Cases database (base de données sur la jurisprudence)
Saskatchewan Court of Appeal Sentencing Digest (relevé des sentences de la Cour d’appel)

La migration de nos précieuses données vers cette plateforme de base de données modernisée permettra à la population de la Saskatchewan de continuer à jouir d’un accès à l’information juridique dont ils ont besoin pour les décennies à venir. Cette relance est une preuve réelle de notre engagement envers l’accès à l’information juridique pour tous les Saskatchewanais. Elle représente notre investissement permanent à l’égard de nos membres, du système de justice de la Saskatchewan et de l’accès à l’information juridique pour tous dans cette province.

Quarante ans d’innovation

Depuis 40 ans, les professionnels du droit, le corps judiciaire et les membres du public de la Saskatchewan comptent sur l’accès gratuit, rapide et fiable à l’information juridique fournie par nos bases de données et outils novateurs.

Développées par le personnel de la bibliothèque du Barreau, qui a joué un rôle de pionnier dans les années 1980 et 1990, ces bases de données représentent les tout premiers exemples d’innovation juridique et technique en Saskatchewan. Les employés de notre bibliothèque de droit avaient constaté que la Saskatchewan, en tant que petite province, était mal desservie par les éditeurs juridiques au Canada et que cela prenait beaucoup de temps avant que notre jurisprudence ne soit disponible dans des sources commerciales.

Qu’ont-ils fait?

Ils ont décidé d’agir avec audace et d’aller de l’avant pour résoudre le problème eux-mêmes en jouant le rôle de créateur de contenu juridique, d’éditeur et de développeur de bases de données, en créant des bases de données pour s’assurer que les professionnels du droit et les Saskatchewanais puissent trouver, accéder et utiliser les renseignements liés au droit dont ils avaient besoin. Grâce à leur pensée progressiste et leur esprit novateur, ils ont créé la première base de données de jurisprudence mise en ligne par un barreau au Canada. L’innovation juridique ne date pas d’aujourd’hui. Les bibliothèques de droit le font depuis des décennies.

Pourquoi avons-nous relancé les bases de données?

Au cours de l’année dernière, l’équipe des ressources juridiques du Barreau a entrepris un projet important de migration de ces bases de données et des ensembles de données correspondants vers la nouvelle plateforme.

Notre ancienne plateforme était dépassée et nous avons jugé que c’était le moment opportun de migrer nos données. Nous demeurons fermement engagés à fournir des ressources d’information juridique dans les formats les plus récents. Les améliorations apportées à l’information juridique ne sont pas statiques, elles sont en constante évolution.

Ces bases de données sont très fréquentées par les Saskatchewanais de toutes les régions; d’ailleurs, la base de données sur la jurisprudence reçoit à elle seule plus de 4 000 visites par mois. Pourquoi sont-elles si populaires? Ce sont des outils extrêmement puissants.

Enfin, les données structurées et le contenu de ces bases de données, qui datent de plus de 40 ans, représentent une ressource précieuse pour le Barreau, ses membres et les citoyens de la province.

Peaceful Transfers of Democratic Power and the Power of Information

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 16:59:36 GMT

We express dismay about the disruption to the customary peaceful transfer of power in the United States, our neighbour and home to CALL/ACBD friends and members, including me. We wish them strength and safety during this time.

Our disquiet arises from the observation that the violent actions and events, so shocking and counter to democratic norms, are, at least in part, attributable to widespread dissemination of and reliance on false, misleading, or inaccurate information or disinformation. As leaders of a professional community of legal informational specialists, we are disheartened to observe the extent to which false information about constitutional processes, legal facts, and proposed evidence is shared and then relied on without due attention to accuracy.

We work in legal information. The gathering, curation, and communication of reliable and authoritative legal information are at the heart of our missions. We help our communities to access, understand, and evaluate such information so that they may make informed choices consistent with their beliefs and goals. The enormous scale of the failure we observed causes us concern about the state of our information environment. We observed failings in the communication of publicly available authoritative primary and secondary sources, about legal processes, and about factual information or prospective evidence. We observed failings in the exercise of legal information literacy skills and commitment to reliance on accurate information.

Canada does not stand inoculated to such failings. Although constitutions, processes, and legal information environments differ, disinformation and inadvertent sharing of inaccurate information abound. We, as legal information workers, must meet the rising challenge of finding effective ways to do what we do: gather, curate, and communicate authoritative primary and secondary legal information and educate our communities to receive and evaluate the same with skill and vigour.

Kim Nayyer
Vice-President/President-Elect

Shaunna Mireau, President
Ann Marie Melvie, Past President
Sooin Kim, Secretary
Eve Leung, Treasurer
Kristin Hodgins, Member At Large
Alan Kilpatrick, Member At Large

Winners of 2020 Canadian Law Blog Awards

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 02:00:49 GMT

The winners of the 2020 Canadian Law Blog Awards (known as the Clawbies) were announced right before the New Year.

The Clawbies exist to reward the best and most innovative Canadian blogs, podcasts, videos, legal newsletters, and other forms of online commentary.

The 2020 Fodden Award for the very best in Canadian legal commentary went to the National Self-Represented Litigants Project (NSRLP):

Since its inception in 2013, the NSRLP has won several Clawbies for specific streams of content: their blog, their podcast and self-help resources; this year, we are awarding the NSRLP’s collective body of work with the Fodden Award. The organization’s effort in amplifying the stories and voices of stakeholders involved in the Canadian self-represented litigant phenomenon–from litigants to A2J groups to judges to lawyers–is well deserving of this recognition.

Nominations praised the NSRLP for:

“their continued effort in making the legal system more accessible to SRLs. Their recent primer is an essential tool for SRLs to be better prepared”

“maintaining a current list of court changes nationwide due to COVID-19 ever since shutdowns started!”

“promoting dialogue between self-reps and members of the legal profession. Understanding the ‘other’ side’s experiences and concerns is a very necessary part of resolving the current A2J crisis”

There are awards in many categories, including one for Best Law Library Resources. The winners in that group are:

@greatlibrary Twitter Account
Only on Twitter since March of 2020, the Law Society of Ontario’s Law Library “leads the way with its engaging, effective, and entertaining Twitter account.” This feed shares useful and interesting information, uses photos to great effect, and runs weekly fun facts, legal research tips and more."

Great LEXpectations
The Law Society of Manitoba’s Great Library blog is a one-stop shop for court notices & practice directions, library news & resources, substantive law updates, legislation, legal research tips and local legal community blog posts. An invaluable current awareness tool for Manitoba legal professionals."

Library Boy
For an incredible 15 years now, SCC librarian Michel-Adrien Sheppard has been steadfastly sharing the things well-rounded and well-informed law library folks need to know (aka “law library blogaliciousness”). From conferences to research, statistics to court news, Library Boy captures an astonishingly wide variety of citations related to the library and legal worlds."

The other categories are:

Best Blogs & Commentary
Best Bloggers on a Platform or Group Blog
Best Podcasts
Best Twitter Accounts
Best Innovative Projects
Best Student Projects
Best Multi-Platform Presence
Law & Laughter Awards
2020 Clawbies Hall of Fame Inductees

The Clawbies are organized by Stem Legal, a B.C.-based strategy firm.

Five Questions with Dominique Garingan

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 15:30:00 GMT

Dominique Garingan, Library Manager | Parlee McLaws LLP, Calgary

1. Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

My journey to the legal information profession was unanticipated, to say the least. I started with a BA in communications and a minor in journalism. After working in marketing and research for a few years, I wanted a change and was drawn to working and doing research for public/not-for-profit organizations. I applied for and received my first job in the legal field as a Legal Services Officer for the Legal Aid Society of Alberta. This role required meeting with members of the public; conducting intake procedures; opening and shepherding criminal, family, civil, and immigration matters; and acting as liaison for parties and other legal agencies, social supports, and actors in the court system. Though saddening at times, I loved this job as it was here where I began to appreciate the legal system and learn about how it affected various populations, principally marginalized ones.

After a few years, I went on to work as a member of the judicial staff at the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta. I worked as the Assistant to Case Management Counsel for Calgary, assisting justices, legal counsel, and parties as they went through the Court’s mandated dispute resolution and case management processes. Being able to see and help administer matters from the perspective of the Court was inspiring. It allowed me to appreciate the rich intricacies of legislation and jurisprudence, along with the court’s role in facilitating access to justice and a bringing parties together through a common understanding of the law. Learning about the evolution of the law through new areas of legal development and the intricate variations of legal matters was also something I found very stimulating.

Given these experiences, I decided to take up formal legal education. My intention was not to become a lawyer but to study the subject in more detail. At the time, this did not seem like a very practical motive, but I went through with it. I also wanted justification for extensive travel. This is how I ended up doing a joint advanced entry LL.B. / LL.M degree with the University of Liverpool in England. While doing this degree, I spent two summers at the Hague attending summer courses on public and private international law subjects. These grad student years were a wonderful experience. It was then when I was finally introduced to law libraries, the study of legal information services, and the possibility of pursuing law librarianship as a career. While writing my LL.M. dissertation at home in Calgary, I held various concurrent part-time jobs such as teaching with Bow Valley College and the University of Calgary’s Continuing Education Unit and working at the Calgary Public Library as a Library Experience Facilitator. I loved all these roles as they embodied the importance of continued learning and being part of a larger social and academically-minded community that valued access to and evaluation of information and the process of building knowledge within communities.

After finishing my dissertation, and instead of pursuing articles or the NCA accreditation exams, I applied for my first, formal law library role at Parlee McLaws LLP, a regional corporate/commercial mid-sized firm based in Alberta. Although I did not have a traditional MLIS degree at the time (it was still forthcoming), I did have some legal, judiciary, academic, and library experience, and, to my extreme gratitude, was given the job. The rest is recent history. I feel very elated to have found this profession and to have had such wonderful library and non-library colleagues along the way.

2. How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?

I have been a member of CALL since March of 2019. This is not a long time, compared to many other members. To me, CALL has been an amazing community of legal information professionals that covers almost all current and emerging aspects of the profession. To this day, I find myself reveling at the work of CALL’s various committees and special interest groups.

During my first year, the CALL Mentorship Program was a wonderful opportunity to get to know a long-serving and recognized member of CALL and discuss many facets of the profession. This was a lovely experience. Being a part of the Canadian Law Library Review Editorial Board has provided an avenue for me to keep abreast with current and emerging issues and dialogues in the legal information profession. Working with members of the CALL Vendor Liaison Committee has helped me learn more about legal technology and gain confidence in terms of communicating and engaging with legal publishers and vendors.

Although I have only been to one in-person conference, the CALL Annual Conferences are a wonderful place to meet fellow peers and immerse one’s self in riveting seminars and learning opportunities. I do find my professional life meaningfully enriched by CALL and hope to continue being a member for years to come.

3. What is one thing that has surprised you about the legal information profession?

Although not surprising, I am constantly in awe and amazement of the people I meet or hear of within the profession. I think CALL members continuously embody the different areas and heights in which you can take the profession. Upon joining CALL, I was also pleasantly surprised by the opportunities for collaboration. Reading about members’ projects and accomplishments is always inspiring, and the collective sharing of achievements make them seem like wins for all legal information professionals. To this day, I am still in awe of how the legal information profession is very multi-faceted. Technology, outreach, research, cataloguing, collections development, research, knowledge management, and the scholarship of teaching and learning are just some of the few areas which you can explore within the discipline.

4. Where do you see our industry and/or profession in 10 years?

I truly think that the outlook for the legal information industry is a positive one, and that areas of evolution, especially in legal information technology, are only limited by one’s imagination. I think that much of the legal information profession will depend on what its members decide to do and make of it, as some may be in unique positions to shape their roles and integrate them with emerging areas. It is not difficult to imagine quantitative and qualitative legal data analytics, legal information technology, and AI settling themselves in areas like legal research, dispute resolution, drafting, discovery, and competitive intelligence. Given the collaborative opportunities with other disciplines such as teaching and learning, data science, programming, marketing, publishing, and access to justice, many of the boundaries that used to define the profession may shift and blur at an even greater rate.

Alongside the profession’s evolution, I can also foresee some legal information retrospectives. Championing legal information literacy, access to information, and research ethics will always be pertinent, and one of the characteristics of the legal information profession that resonates with me is the seemingly equal importance of looking back and looking at where things are going. As much as it may seem great to go wild with what the prevalence and ubiquity of legal data and technology can or will be accomplishing ten years from now, I think that those in the profession will always have a duty to critically reflect on the benefits and drawbacks of resulting applications and developments. As a legal information professional, it’s an exciting role to play, being on that edge.

5. What is one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry?

Find and appreciate the beauty and intricacies of the law and stay curious about as many aspects of the legal information profession as you can. :-) Build relationships with and foster genuine caring for the patrons and information consumers served by your organization. Also, reach out to and learn from peers and colleagues. Don’t be afraid to volunteer your help, participate in projects, and learn along the way!

Member Profile nominations and Project Profile ideas are welcome for 2021. Please email Alexandra Farolan at afarolan@courthouselibrary.ca for more information, ideas, and nominations.

1. Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

Mon parcours vers la profession de bibliothécaire juridique était tout à fait insoupçonné. Mes études ont d’abord mené à l’obtention d’un baccalauréat en communication avec une mineure en journalisme. Après avoir travaillé dans le domaine du marketing et des études de marché pendant quelques années, je voulais un changement et j’étais attirée par le travail et la recherche au sein d’un organisme sans but lucratif du secteur public. J’ai obtenu mon premier emploi dans le domaine juridique en tant que responsable des services juridiques pour la Legal Aid Society of Alberta. Mes fonctions consistaient à rencontrer des membres du public, à effectuer des procédures d’admission, à ouvrir et orienter les dossiers en matière d’affaires criminelles, familiales, civiles et d’immigration, ainsi qu’à assurer la liaison entre les parties et les autres organismes juridiques, les services de soutien social et les acteurs du système judiciaire. Même si certaines situations étaient attristantes, j’ai bien aimé ce travail puisque c’est pendant cette période que j’ai commencé à apprécier le système juridique et à apprendre comment il pouvait affecter diverses populations, principalement les marginaux.

Après quelques années, j’ai accepté un poste au sein du personnel judiciaire de la Cour du Banc de la Reine de l’Alberta. J’ai travaillé comme adjointe au service de gestion des dossiers de Calgary, en aidant les juges, les avocats et les parties dans le cadre des processus de règlement des litiges et de gestion des cas mandatés par la Cour. Le fait d’être en mesure de voir et d’aider à gérer les dossiers du point de vue de la Cour a été une source d’inspiration. Cela m’a permis d’apprécier la richesse et la complexité des lois et de la jurisprudence, ainsi que le rôle du tribunal pour faciliter l’accès à la justice et rapprocher les parties grâce à une compréhension commune de la loi. Apprendre à connaître comment le droit a évolué à travers les nouveaux secteurs du droit et les questions juridiques complexes et variées a également été quelque chose que j’ai trouvé très stimulant.

Ces expériences m’ont donné le goût de faire des études en droit. Mon but n’était pas de devenir avocate, mais je voulais approfondir ce domaine. Même si cette raison ne semblait pas très pratique à ce moment-là, je suis allée jusqu’au bout. Je cherchais également à justifier mon long voyage à l’étranger. C’est ainsi que j’ai abouti dans le programme combiné de 1^er cycle et de 2^e cycle en droit à l’Université de Liverpool, en Angleterre. Au cours de ces études, j’ai passé deux étés à La Haye pour suivre des cours d’été en droit international des secteurs privé et public. J’ai vécu une expérience formidable pendant ces années. C’est aussi pendant cette période que j’ai découvert les bibliothèques de droit, les services de l’information juridique et la possibilité de faire carrière en bibliothéconomie juridique. Pendant que je rédigeais ma thèse de maîtrise en droit chez moi, à Calgary, j’ai occupé différents emplois à temps partiel en même temps, comme donner un cours au Bow Valley College et au service d’éducation permanente de l’Université de Calgary, et j’ai travaillé à la bibliothèque publique de Calgary en tant que facilitatrice de l’expérience en bibliothèque. J’ai adoré tous ces rôles puisqu’ils incarnent l’importance de la formation continue et de l’appartenance à une communauté sociale et universitaire plus large qui valorise l’accès à l’information et l’évaluation de cette information, ainsi que le processus de construction du savoir au sein des communautés. Après avoir terminé ma thèse, et au lieu de continuer à rédiger des articles ou de faire l’examen d’agrément du Comité national sur les équivalences des diplômes de droit, j’ai postulé pour mon premier emploi officiel de bibliothécaire juridique chez Parlee McLaws LLP, un cabinet d’avocats de moyenne envergure œuvrant en droit commercial et droit des sociétés en Alberta. Même si je n’avais pas encore de diplôme officiel en bibliothéconomie et science de l’information (l’équivalence du diplôme était encore à venir), j’avais acquis une certaine expérience dans les milieux juridiques, judiciaires, universitaires et de bibliothèques et on m’a confié le poste à mon immense gratitude. Le reste fait partie de l’histoire récente. Je suis ravie d’avoir trouvé cette profession et d’avoir rencontré de formidables collègues bibliothécaires et d’autres domaines tout au long de mon parcours.

2. En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (p. ex. bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

Je suis membre de l’ACBD/CALL depuis mars 2019. Cela ne fait pas très longtemps comparativement à bien d’autres membres. Pour moi, l’ACBD/CALL constitue une merveilleuse communauté de professionnels de l’information juridique qui couvre presque tous les aspects actuels et émergents de la profession. Je suis très contente du travail accompli par les différents comités et groupes d’intérêt spécial de l’association. Au cours de ma première année d’adhésion, le programme de mentorat a été une merveilleuse occasion pour moi de faire la connaissance d’un membre reconnu siégeant à différents comités de l’ACBD/CALL depuis longtemps, et de discuter des nombreuses facettes de la profession. Ce fut une très belle expérience. Faire partie du comité de rédaction de la Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit m’a permis de me tenir au courant des questions et des dialogues actuels et émergents au sein de la profession. Travailler avec les membres du comité de liaison avec les éditeurs de l’ACBD/CALL m’a aussi permis d’en apprendre davantage sur la technologie juridique et de gagner en confiance pour communiquer et établir des liens avec les éditeurs et les fournisseurs juridiques. Même si je n’ai assisté qu’à un seul congrès en personne, le congrès annuel de l’ACBD/CALL représente un excellent événement pour rencontrer des pairs et s’immerger dans des activités de formation et de séminaires fascinants. Je trouve que ma vie professionnelle a été enrichie grâce à l’ACBD/CALL, et je compte continuer à être membre pendant de nombreuses années.

3. Qu’est-ce qui vous a surprise dans le domaine de l’information juridique?

Quoique pas surprenant, je suis toujours impressionnée et pleine d’admiration devant les personnes que je rencontre ou dont j’entends parler au sein de la profession. Je pense que les membres de l’ACBD/CALL incarnent continuellement les différents domaines et les nouveaux sommets où nous pouvons amener la profession. En me joignant à l’association, j’ai également été agréablement surprise par les possibilités de collaboration. La lecture des projets et des réalisations des membres est toujours une source d’inspiration, et le partage collectif des réalisations les fait paraître comme des victoires pour tous les professionnels de l’information juridique. Je suis toujours aussi fascinée par les multiples facettes de la profession de l’information juridique. La technologie, la communication, la recherche, le catalogage, le développement des collections, la gestion du savoir, l’enseignement et l’apprentissage ne sont que quelques-uns des domaines que nous pouvons explorer au sein de cette discipline.

4. Où voyez-vous notre industrie et/ou la profession dans dix ans?

Je pense vraiment que les perspectives du secteur de l’information juridique sont positives et que les domaines d’évolution, en particulier celui des technologies de l’information juridique, ne sont limités que par l’imagination. Je pense qu’une grande partie de cette profession dépendra de ce que ses membres décideront de faire et de l’utilisation qu’ils en feront puisque certains se trouvent dans des postes influents pour redéfinir leur rôle et l’intégrer à des domaines émergents. On peut facilement imaginer que l’analyse quantitative et qualitative des données juridiques, les technologies de l’information juridique et l’IA s’implanteront dans les domaines comme la recherche juridique, le règlement des litiges, la rédaction, la divulgation et l’intelligence concurrentielle. Étant donné les possibilités de collaboration avec d’autres disciplines (p. ex., l’enseignement et l’apprentissage, la science des données, la programmation, le marketing, l’édition et l’accès à la justice), de nombreux champs d’exercice qui définissaient la profession peuvent changer et provoquer un flou à un rythme encore plus rapide.

Parallèlement à l’évolution de la profession, je peux également anticiper un regard rétrospectif sur l’information juridique. Il sera toujours pertinent de défendre les notions de l’information juridique, l’accès à l’information et l’éthique de la recherche. Notamment, l’une des caractéristiques de la profession qui m’interpelle est l’égale importance en apparence de regarder dans le passé et de se demander vers où l’on s’en va. Même si cela peut sembler très intéressant de se laisser aller avec ce que peut accomplir la prévalence et l’omniprésence des données et des technologies juridiques en ce moment ou ce qu’elles pourront accomplir dans dix ans, je pense que les membres de la profession auront toujours le devoir d’examiner de manière critique les avantages et les inconvénients des applications et des développements qui en découlent. En tant que professionnels de l’information juridique, c’est un rôle passionnant à jouer que d’être à l’avant-garde.

5. Quel conseil donneriez-vous à quelqu’un qui cherche à percer dans l’industrie de l’information juridique?

Découvrez et appréciez la beauté et les subtilités du droit et intéressez-vous au plus grand nombre possible de facettes de la profession. :-) Établissez des relations avec les clients et les consommateurs d’informations desservis par votre organisation et ayez véritablement à cœur leurs besoins. Aussi, communiquez avec vos pairs et collègues et apprenez d’eux. N’hésitez pas à offrir votre aide, à participer à des projets et à apprendre en cours de route!

Complete the Courthouse and Law Society SIG Member Survey

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 14:16:12 GMT

The Courthouse and Law Society SIG Committee is conducting a survey which relates to library services and operational plans prior to the pandemic as well as the circumstances surrounding reopening.

The survey results will be the focus during a CLSL SIG meeting early in the new year where we hope to generate discussion offering tips and suggestions for our library environments and “home office space” where appropriate and possible! Prior to the meeting, the survey results will be posted to the CALL/ACBD website under the CLSL SIG.

In order to eliminate duplicate results, we kindly request ONE person from your library complete the survey. The survey will take approximately fifteen minutes to complete and will close at the end of day on January 15, 2021.

COMPLETE THE SURVEY

Nominations Open for 15th Annual Canadian Law Blog Awards / Appel de candidatures pour les 15e prix annuels des meilleurs blogues juridiques canadiens

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 16:37:17 GMT

Le texte français suit.

The nomination period for the 15th annual Clawbies is now open.

The Clawbies, or Canadian Law Blog Awards, exist to reward the best and most innovative Canadian "blogs, podcasts, videos, social accounts, legal newsletters, platform commentary, CanLII Connects, whitepapers, and beyond."

As the website explains:

Nominate up to three digital publications or authors via blog post or tweets (using the hashtag #clawbies2020). Please include a brief explanation of why you think those authors deserve an award!

Nominations will be accepted until the end of day on Friday, December 18th, 2020.

Then stay tuned, because this year’s winners will be announced on New Year’s Eve.

Over the years, quite a few CALL members have been recognized. Among them:

Great LEXpectations (Law Society of Manitoba - Karen Sawatzky)
Legal Sourcery (Law Society of Saskatchewan Library - Alan Kilpatrick, Ken Fox, Melanie Hodges Neufeld)
Robeside Assistance (County of Carleton Law Association - Jennifer Walker, Brenda Lauritzen)
SlawTips (initiative of Slaw.ca - Susannah Tredwell)
CALL for Innovation ("The Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL) partnered with vLex for an exclusive podcast series in which Colin Lachance, interim General Manager of North America for vLex, carried out out brief interviews with CALL / ACBD 2019 conference speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and organizers, about their experience at the May 2019 conference, what’s hot in their world, and their thoughts on the future.")

So don't procrastinate, nominate before the end of the day on Dec. 18th!

La période de mises en candidatures pour les 15e prix annuels Clawbies est maintenant ouverte.

Les Clawbies existent pour reconnaître les meilleures plateformes canadiennes de commentaires juridiques, qu'il s'agisse de blogues, de balados, de vidéos, de comptes sur les réseaux sociaux, de bulletins d'info, de commentaires sur CanLII Connecte, de livres blancs, etc.

Comme membres de la communauté juridique, vous pouvez proposer jusqu'à 3 candidatures (publications numériques ou auteurs) via des billets de blogue ou des gazouillis (en utilisant le mot-clic #clawbies2020).

Le site des Clawbies demande que vous expliquiez brièvement pourquoi vous pensez que ces auteurs ou sites méritent un prix.

Les mises en candidature seront acceptées jusqu'à la fin de la journée du vendredi, 18 décembre 2020.

L'identité des gagnants sera dévoilée la veille du Jour de l'An.

Depuis la création des Clawbies, plusieurs membres de l'ACBD ont obtenu un prix. En voici une liste partielle:

Great LEXpectations (Law Society of Manitoba - Karen Sawatzky)
Legal Sourcery (Law Society of Saskatchewan Library - Alan Kilpatrick, Ken Fox, Melanie Hodges Neufeld)
Robeside Assistance (County of Carleton Law Association - Jennifer Walker, Brenda Lauritzen)
SlawTips (Slaw.ca - Susannah Tredwell)
CALL for Innovation (à la conférence annuelle de l'association en 2019, l'ACBD et Colin Lachance de vLex ont créé une série spéciale de balados avec des organisateurs/trices, des conférenciers/ères et des représentants/es de fournisseurs pour discuter de l'événement, des grandes tendances dans leur secteur et de leur vision de l'avenir)

Alors, n'attendez pas, envoyez vos candidatures avant la fin de la journée du 18 décembre!

Special Meeting Notes

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 14:37:32 GMT

On October 22, members of CALL/ACBD voted in favour of Resolution 2020/1. The Term of office for President of CALL/ACBD is now one year and there is a progression for persons standing for leadership from Vice-President 2 (elected every year) to VP 1 (only elected when VP2 is vacant, as it will be for our February 2021 election) and then to President and finally immediate Past President.

The CALL/ACBD Bylaw will be amended as outlined by the Resolution https://www.callacbd.ca/resources/Documents/Resolution-BylawChanges2020FINAL.pdf

This change is now in effect. Here is a chart of the new terms of office.

Executive Board Position	Term of Office	Responsibilites
1^st Vice President	1 year – Elevated from the position of 2^nd Vice President; acclaimed unless 2^nd VP is vacant	Succeeds to the office of President should that office become vacant. Liaises with groups as appointed by the president including the Bylaws Advisor. Shares liaison duties relating to professional development with 2^nd Vice President. Votes on decisions of the Executive Board.
2^nd Vice President	1 year – elected every year	Liaises with groups as appointed by the president including the Vendor Liaison Committee. Shares liaison duties relating to professional development with 1^st Vice President. Votes on decisions of the Executive Board.
Member-at-Large (2 positions)	2 years – elected every second year	Members at large are appointed to either the Member Services or Publications portfolios. They liaise with their portfolios and vote in decisions of the Executive Board.
Past President	1 year – elevated from the position of President	Liaises with groups as appointed by the president, including the Archivist and Canadian Abridgement Editorial Advisory Board. Manages the Honoured Member nominations process and Chairs the Hugh Lawford Award for Excellence in Legal Publishing.
President	1 year – Elevated from the position of 1^st Vice President; acclaimed unless 1^st VP is vacant	Chairs meetings of the Executive Board and Members. Liaises with sister associations and CFLA. Appoints Committee Chairs. Acts as CEO of CALL/ACBD. Votes only to break a tie.
Secretary	2 years – elected every second year	Responsible for taking minutes at meetings of the Executive Board and the membership as well as notices of meetings. Unless running for office, coordinates elections. Liaises with all Special Interest Groups. Votes on decisions of the board.
Treasurer	2 years – elected every second year	Responsible for the funds of the association, liaising with a financial advisory committee. Votes on decisions of the Executive Board.

For the 2021 Election, the Nominations Committee chaired by Past President, Ann Marie Melvie will be seeking candidates for

1^st VP
2^nd VP
Member at Large (x2)
Secretary
Treasurer

Kim Nayyer will ascend to President of CALL/ACBD and serve a one year term.

Shaunna Mireau will move to the ex-officio position of Past President and serve in that role for one year.

Access to Justice: Join the Trusted Intermediary-Legal Information Network

Sat, 10 Oct 2020 23:05:58 GMT

Many CALL members may have heard of Trusted Intermediary-Legal Information Network (TI-LI Network).

In 2019, the Saskatchewan Access to Legal Information Project (SALI) joined forces with the BC LawMatters Program and the National Self Represented Litigants Project’s Family Law in the Library Project to establish the Network to encourage cooperation between legal information providers in order to enhance access to justice.

Yesterday, the blog of the Vancouver Association of Law Libraries published an invitation calling on law librarians to join the Network that has more than 80 contributors across Canada:

"The organizers recognize that user-centred design, interdisciplinary approaches, and networks are needed to address urgent, complex access to justice problems, especially during these uncertain times. The TI-LI Network thus connects legal information providers from across Canada to exchange information and maximize efficiency by encouraging collaboration and adapting of resources and materials related to legal information provision by trusted intermediaries."

"The justice landscape is changing in response to the current crisis with COVID-19 and TI-LI Network member organizations are creating new responses that are shared with trusted intermediaries to address current needs that have arose as a result of COVID-19."

The next meeting will be held on October 27th. The blog post contains contact information.

There were a number of presentations about the Network at the 2019 annual CALL conference:

Part 1: The Role of Legal Information Providers and Public Libraries in Promoting Access to Justice: Exploring Opportunities and Challenges (Brea Lowenberger, Melanie Hodges Neufeld: "In part 1 of this session, Melanie and Brea will facilitate a macro discussion to set the stage for conversation about establishing a 'National Trusted Intermediaries – Legal Information Network' (TI-LI Network). They will draw on their experience in co-establishing the Saskatchewan Access to Legal Information (SALI) Project to share their observations on the need for a establishing a national network, and invite participants' feedback on this emerging development."
Part 2: The Role of Legal Information Providers and Public Libraries in Promoting Access to Justice: Exploring Opportunities and Challenges (Dayna Cornwall, Megan Smiley): "In part 2 of this session, Dayna and Megan will facilitate a micro discussion on lessons learned in establishing, like the SALI Project, library and legal information projects in Ontario and British Columbia. Dayna will share initial lessons learned in establishing the 'Family Law at the Library', a new project that involves partnering with libraries in the Windsor area, and Megan will share how Courthouse Libraries BC has worked since 2007 with public libraries to enhance public access to legal information in all communities throughout British Columbia."

Law Library Reopening Guide

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 15:49:43 GMT

A small team of members lead by Matthew Renaud put together some guidance on opening a law library with consideration for COVID-19. The guide contains links to public health resources and precedents to assist law librarians working in a variety of settings. We hope that CALL/ACBD Members find it helpful.

Read the Guide

Canadian Association of Law Libraries VP Kim Nayyer Named to Fastcase 50

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 22:59:53 GMT

Kim Nayyer, Vice-President of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries, has been named to the 2020 list of Fastcase 50 legal innovators.

Kim is currently the Edward Cornell Law Librarian and Associate Dean for Library Services, Cornell Law in the state of New York.

“Created in 2011, each year the Fastcase 50 award honors a diverse group of lawyers, legal technologists, policymakers, judges, law librarians, bar association executives, and people from all walks of life. In many cases, honorees are well known, but in many others, the award recognizes people who have made important, but unheralded contributions.”
“ 'Every part of the legal market is changing right now – from law school through every part of the practice,' said Fastcase CEO Ed Walters. 'That change can be daunting or discouraging to many people. And that’s one reason that our team enjoys celebrating the accomplishments of the Fastcase 50. These are people who inspire us by their intelligence, creativity, and leadership. We hope they will inspire others as well, especially during a time of great change for the profession'. ”

Here is what Fastcase published about her:

Fastcase is an American-based provider of electronic versions of U.S. primary law (cases, statutes, regulations, court rules, and constitutions).

Simon Fodden, the founder of Slaw.ca, Canada's preeminent online legal magazine, was recognized as one of the Fastcase 50 in 2014.

Michael Mills, one of the Fastcase 50 in 2012, wrote in 2015 on LinkedIn about how the winners of the previous 5 years had begun to form an ecosystem of innovation:

“They champion transparency—in lawyer/client relations, in government data, policy, and practice, in judicial proceedings, and in legal education. They advocate for access—to the law itself, and to justice. They build structures, systems, and tools for access, quality, economy, and efficiency.”

“They also collaborate. A tour of the five classes found time and again 50’s who are working together across organizations and projects, who influence and inspire one another.” [my emphasis]

Using his company as an example, Mills writes that “from any one person among the Fastcase 250, there are lines linking in many directions to many others.”

That has only become truer with time.

Five Questions with Alan Kilpatrick

Stef Alexandru — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 21:08:23 GMT

Alan Kilpatrick (@Alan_Kilpat, Librarycanuck.com)| Reference Librarian, Law Society of Saskatchewan

1. Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

My journey to legal librarianship was fortuitous. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Vancouver Island University (VIU), I took some time to reflect on what I wanted to do with my life. Throughout my undergraduate degree, I worked weekends and summers as an Army Reservist and part time as a library page at VIU’s library and the Vancouver Island Regional Library. Shortly after graduating from VIU, I spent a year working with the Canadian Forces security effort at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. While this was an amazing experience, I realized it wasn’t the correct career path for me.

Here, the connections I had made with the library world as a page paid off. After speaking with several librarians, I decided that attending Western University’s Master of Library & Information Science program was the right professional move.

At Western, I developed my career goals and identified my professional interests. I gained an interest in reference service, legal research, and government information after a co-op with Transport Canada’s Ottawa Library as a reference librarian. I discovered an interest in copyright law and instruction after an exciting opportunity to research and present on Western Library’s Access Copyright agreement.

Following graduation, I received a summer internship with Saskatchewan’s Legislative Library. During this time, I learned about the Law Society Library. After handing in a resume in 2013, an opportunity presented itself and I haven’t looked back since.

2. How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

CALL membership has been extremely beneficial professionally. When I became a law librarian, CALL connected me to a large professional network and with mentors who helped me develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this industry. Attendance at CALL’s New Law Librarian Institute helped me further develop my knowledge and create a competitive legal information skill set. I frequently contact the colleagues I’ve met through CALL for advice, assistance, and encouragement.

Our association’s annual conference has been a source of wonderful networking opportunities and topnotch professional development. As legal innovation accelerates and legal information resources evolve, our skill set must keep pace. I’m confident CALL will help me do this.

As my career grows, I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve the association through various committees, including being on the Board of Directors for the 2019-2021 term.

3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry?

Network! During CALL’s 2018 conference in Halifax, I was privileged to co-present Taking the ‘Work’ Out of Networking: Build Relationships, Not a Stack of Business Cards with Bronwyn Guiton, Veronica Kollbrand, and Megan Siu. During the presentation, I made five networking suggestions for new and prospective legal information professionals:

It’s never too early to start networking: It’s been valuable at every stage of my career.
Get Active: Joining a professional association is a great way to network.
Network widely and wisely: Don’t limit your networking horizons.
Share your story: We’re all doing interesting things as information professionals. Tell people about it!
Embrace new situations: Networking can be intimidating. Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone.

4. What are three skills/attributes you think legal information professionals need to have?

Act Boldly: Boldly market yourself and boldly reimagine what a library can be.
Embrace Change: Embrace change in the legal information field.
Learn Continuously: Commit yourself to lifelong learning. Integrate what you learn into your professional practice.

5. What are three things on your bucket list?

Explore Cold War history by doing a road trip through Eastern Europe
Restore a 1970s American Motors Corporation (AMC) Gremlin
Travel to India again (I spent the final semester of my Library Science degree on an amazing internship with a literacy organization in Bangalore)

Alan Kilpatrick (@Alan_Kilpat, Librarycanuck.com)| bibliothécaire de référence, Barreau de la Saskatchewan

1. Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégré au secteur de l’information juridique.

Le parcours qui m’a conduit à la bibliothéconomie juridique a été un pur hasard. Après l’obtention de mon baccalauréat ès arts de l’Université de l’île de Vancouver (VIU), j’ai pris du temps pour réfléchir à ce que je voulais faire dans la vie. Au cours de mes études, je travaillais les week-ends et les étés comme réserviste de l’Armée canadienne et à temps partiel comme aide de bibliothèque à la bibliothèque de la VIU et à la bibliothèque régionale de l’île de Vancouver. Peu de temps après l’obtention de mon diplôme, j’ai passé un an à assurer la sécurité avec les Forces armées canadiennes pour les Jeux olympiques de Vancouver de 2010. Même si l’expérience fut extraordinaire, je me suis rendu compte que ça n’était pas la bonne carrière pour moi.

C’est à ce moment-là que les liens que j’avais tissés comme aide dans l’univers de la bibliothéconomie ont été payants. Après avoir parlé à plusieurs bibliothécaires, j’ai décidé que le programme de maîtrise en bibliothéconomie et en sciences de l’information de l’Université Western était la bonne voie professionnelle.

Au cours de mes études, j’ai précisé mes objectifs de carrière et cerné mes intérêts professionnels. Je me suis intéressé aux services de référence, à la recherche juridique et à l’information gouvernementale après avoir fait un stage à la bibliothèque de Transports Canada à Ottawa en tant que bibliothécaire de référence. J’ai découvert un intérêt pour le droit d’auteur et l’enseignement après avoir eu une occasion formidable de faire de la recherche liée à l’entente de l’Université Western avec Access Copyright et de faire une présentation sur ce sujet.

Après l’obtention de ma maîtrise, j’ai effectué un stage d’été à la bibliothèque de l’Assemblée législative de la Saskatchewan. C’est au cours de cette période que j’ai découvert la bibliothèque du Barreau de la Saskatchewan. J’ai envoyé mon c.v. en 2013 pour répondre à une offre d’emploi, et je n’ai jamais regretté cette décision.

2. En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (p. ex. bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

L’adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL m’a été extrêmement bénéfique sur le plan professionnel. Lorsque je suis devenu bibliothécaire juridique, l’association m’a permis d’accéder à un vaste réseau de professionnels et de mentors qui m’ont aidé à améliorer les connaissances et compétences requises pour réussir dans ce domaine. Ma participation à l’Institut pour les nouveaux bibliothécaires de droit m’a permis de perfectionner mes connaissances et d’acquérir des compétences nettement plus aiguisées dans le domaine de l’information juridique. Je contacte souvent des collègues que j’ai rencontrés par l’intermédiaire de l’ACBD/CALL pour obtenir des conseils, de l’aide ou des encouragements.

Le congrès annuel de notre association offre une excellence façon d’établir des contacts et d’obtenir du perfectionnement professionnel de qualité. Il faut maintenir nos compétences à jour pour suivre l’innovation juridique et l’évolution des ressources de renseignements juridiques. Je suis convaincu que l’ACBD/CALL m’aidera à y parvenir.

Tout en cheminant dans ma carrière, je suis reconnaissant d’avoir la possibilité de servir l’association par le biais de divers comités, notamment en siégeant au conseil d’administration pour le mandat de 2019-2021.

3. Quel conseil donneriez-vous à quelqu’un qui cherche à percer dans l’industrie de l’information juridique?

Faites du réseautage! Lors du congrès 2018 de l’ACBD/CALL à Halifax, j’ai eu le privilège de coprésenter la conférence intitulée Taking the ‘Work’ Out of Networking: Build Relationships, Not a Stack of Business Cards avec Bronwyn Guiton, Veronica Kollbrand et Megan Siu. Dans le cadre de cette présentation, j’avais donné cinq conseils de réseautage pour les nouveaux et futurs professionnels de l’information juridique :

Il n’est jamais trop tôt pour commencer à faire du réseautage : connaître des gens m’a été utile à chaque étape de ma carrière.
Soyez actifs : se joindre à une association professionnelle est une excellente façon de se constituer un réseau.
Entretenez beaucoup de contacts de manière intelligente : essayez d’élargir autant que possible vos horizons de réseautage.
Partagez votre histoire : nous faisons tous des choses intéressantes en tant que professionnels de l’information. Parlez-en aux gens!
Adoptez une vision plus large des nouvelles situations qui s’offrent à vous : faire du réseautage peut être intimidant. N’ayez pas peur de sortir de votre zone de confort.

4. Selon vous, quelles sont les trois compétences ou qualités que les professionnels de l’information juridique doivent détenir?

Faire preuve d’audace : mettez vos compétences en valeur et réinventez de façon audacieuse à quoi pourrait ressembler la bibliothèque de demain.
Accueillir le changement : soyez ouverts aux changements dans le domaine de l’information juridique.
Apprendre sans cesse : engagez-vous sur la voie de l’apprentissage continu et intégrez ce que vous apprenez dans votre pratique professionnelle.

5. Quelles sont trois choses que vous aimeriez réaliser avant de mourir?

Explorer l’histoire de la guerre froide en parcourant l’Europe de l’Est en voiture.
Restaurer une automobile American Motors Corporation (AMC) Gremlin des années 1970.
Visiter à nouveau l’Inde (au cours du dernier semestre de mes études en bibliothéconomie, j’ai fait un stage extraordinaire dans un organisme d’alphabétisation à Bangalore).

Open Letter to Membership

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 21:21:11 GMT

Open Letter to CALL/ACBD Membership

The CALL/ACBD Executive Board and the Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization Committee issue this joint statement to express solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement and all who are protesting systemic injustice and racism. Here in Canada, we also see systemic injustice profoundly in the lives of the Indigenous peoples of this land.

We recognize these recent weeks have been difficult, and we know that they have also been deeply painful for some of our friends and members of our community. Not all of us can know the depth of this pain, but we can offer support and efforts to work toward change. We share in the outrage, we echo the demands of peaceful protesters for change, and we underscore our commitment to inclusion and anti-racism.

George Floyd was a human being--a father, a son, a brother, a friend--but he became yet another black man killed by police. The killing of George Floyd was captured on video, and the horror of the manner of his death laid bare the injustices that black Americans endure in daily life. That recording of a terrible, terrible action of now-criminally charged police officers settled doubts some people still held about a larger and widely unseen injustice. Mr. Floyd’s death is a single illustration of a deeply entrenched problem. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery are only the most recent names on a very long list, a list which began 400 years ago.

In Canada, our list of shame includes Colton Boushie, Tina Fontaine, Chief Allan Adam, and the numerous women described in the study of missing and murdered Indigenous women. The list began with the first peoples of this land. Canada is not immune to systemic racism, injustice, and acts of prejudice and racism. When we listen to our membership, we learn that, sadly, neither is our profession nor our Association.

In 2018, CALL/ACBD formalized its Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization Committee to advise the Association on these matters and to work to ensure that we continually do better. The DIDC adopted a mandate to further Resolution 2018/1, by which CALL/ACBD has committed to work “to foster awareness and acumen in respect of issues of diversity, inclusion, and decolonization,” and, through our work and our partnerships and collaborations, to give voice to the diversity of the law library and related professions and of the Canadian population .

We affirm this commitment now. We do not have all the answers and we all have much to learn from each other. Our profession is positioned to listen, to learn, and to work to counter racism. We must continue to foster acumen among our members and in the worlds of the legal information and library professions. We must commit to listen and understand the depths of entrenched and insidious systemic racism in the legal system. We must acknowledge the impact of the cumulation of acts of implicit, unconscious, and single acts of bias and prejudice. And we must identify the intersections of all of these with law and justice and work toward better systems and outcomes.

Since Resolution 2018/1, we have offered our members, partners, and colleagues programming that furthers this mandate. We’ve offered programs on implicit bias; decolonization in legal information; speech, equality and transphobia; designing spaces to further accessibility and inclusion; and others. We believe these efforts are only the beginning.

To accept the status quo of racism through silence and inaction is to be complicit in its perpetuation. To make change in our communities, we must make change in attitudes. We must be proactive; we must use our voices and find ways to put a stop to systemic and unjust discrimination. Each of us can educate ourselves on racism and systemic injustice; can reach out to colleagues and friends to listen or to say support is at hand; can share information through a resource guide or an article; can join in the work of a group in our communities; or can even donate funds to an organization doing needed work. These are but a few ideas. Through our combined efforts, big or small, we can make change.

To further our learning and commitment to action, the DIDC has compiled a living list of resources and action opportunities, listed below and linked on our site. These offer an entry point for those who would like to learn more about systemic racism, or who wish to further inclusion and anti-racism.

Our next step will be to host a collective discussion at the start of a forthcoming Business Meeting to the CALL/ACBD membership. Details will follow in the coming days. We will invite comment on and additions to our list of resources and action opportunities. Members will be welcomed to the DIDC, to create content that addresses discrimination and systemic injustice that affects black, Indigenous, and racialized people in their interfaces with legal information work, the legal system, and our communities.

We recognize we do not have all of the answers. Together we can learn and work to create better paths for improving diversity and inclusion and to make systemic change. We are here to listen, to learn, and to renew our efforts.

CALL/ACBD Board of Directors

Shaunna Mireau (President)
Kristin Hodgins (Member-At-Large)
Yasmin Khan, (Co-Chair - Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization Committee)
Alan Kilpatrick (Member-At-Large)
Sooin Kim (Secretary)
Eve Leung (Treasurer)
Vicki Jay Leung (Co-Chair - Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization Committee)
Ann Marie Melvie (Past President)
Kim Nayyer (Vice President)

Learn and share: A living list of resources and action opportunities

Visit these sites:

● The award-winning “The 1619 Project” the New Times is an important resource to assist with understanding slavery and its continuing legacy in the USA. This legacy in systemic criminal system injustice, persistent racial prejudices, and the impacts of segregation. It was released August 2019, 400 years after the beginning of slavery in what is now the USA. [racism; systemic racism]

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html

● The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Atlanta GA, USA, and its website connects the American Civil Rights Movement to today’s struggle for Global Human Rights. It enables visitors to explore the fundamental rights of all human beings, to inspire and empower ongoing dialogue about human rights in communities. [racism; systemic racism; law and justice]

https://www.civilandhumanrights.org/

● A Collective Impact: Interim report on the inquiry into racial profiling and racial discrimination of Black persons by the Toronto Police Service [racism; systemic racism; law and justice]

http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/public-interest-inquiry-racial-profiling-and-discrimination-toronto-police-service/collective-impact-interim-report-inquiry-racial-profiling-and-racial-discrimination-black

● Final report of the TRC (National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation [racism; systemic racism; law and justice]

https://nctr.ca/map.php

● Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Final Report and information site [racism; systemic racism; law and justice]

https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/

● Black Lives Matter is a leader in anti-Black racism initiatives. Scroll to the end of the website below to check out chapter sites and contact information for Toronto, Vancouver and Waterloo [racism; systemic racism; law and justice]

https://blacklivesmatter.com/chapters/

● Selwyn Pieters and Adrian Roomes, “Data Collection, Race and Justice in Canada: Alchemical Reflections,” 2012 CanLIIDocs 290. (Critical Race Symposium at Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, November 2, 2012.) This study examines attitudes to data collection in interactions of law enforcement and racial minorities. The authors conclude that, while increasing collection and use of hard data on law enforcement interactions with minorities remains important in illuminating the existence of racial discrimination and racial profiling, “deep structural impediments” continue. [racism; systemic racism; law and justice]

https://commentary.canlii.org/w/canlii/2012CanLIIDocs290

Find these books in your local library or bookstore:

● Ibram X. Kendi, How to Be an Antiracist [racism; systemic racism; law and justice; society]

● Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption [systemic racism; law and justice; USA]

● Ta-Nehisi Coates, Between the World and Me [racism; systemic racism; law and justice; society; USA]

● David Chariandy, I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You [racism; society; Canada]

● Robin DiAngelo, White Fragility: Why it’s So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism [racism; society]

● Why I’m No Longer Talking to Write People About Race (Reni Eddo-Lodge) [racism; society]

Donate and share if you can. Suggestions:

● Equal Justice Initiative [systemic racism; law and justice; USA; Cdn accepted]

● National Center for Civil and Human Rights [systemic racism; law and justice; USA; Cdn accepted]

● Color of Change [racism; systemic racism; society; USA; Cdn accepted]

● National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation [racism; systemic racism; law and justice; society; Canada]

● A listing of charitable and non-profit organizations across Canada that provide aid or do work to improve criminal justice systems and outcomes [racism; systemic racism; law and justice; Canada]

https://charityvillage.com/organizations/directory/criminal-justice/

Le conseil exécutif de l’ACBD/CALL et le Comité de la diversité, de l’inclusion et de la décolonisation émet la présente déclaration commune afin d’exprimer leur solidarité avec le mouvement #BlackLivesMatter et les personnes qui manifestent contre l’injustice et le racisme systémiques. Nous constatons également chez nous une injustice systémique profonde qui touche la vie des peuples autochtones du Canada.

Nous sommes conscients que les dernières semaines ont été difficiles, et nous savons qu’elles ont aussi été durement éprouvantes pour des amis et membres de notre communauté. Même si nous ne connaissons pas tous la profondeur de cette douleur, nous pouvons offrir notre soutien et œuvrer en faveur de changements. Nous partageons le sentiment d’indignation, nous réitérons les changements réclamés par les manifestants pacifiques et nous soulignons notre engagement en faveur de l’inclusion et de la lutte contre le racisme.

George Floyd était un être humain – un père, un fils, un frère, un ami –, mais il est devenu un autre Noir tué par la police. Son meurtre a été filmé sur vidéo et l’horreur de sa mort a révélé les injustices que subissent les Noirs américains dans leur vie quotidienne. Cet enregistrement d’un acte atroce commis par des policiers, qui sont maintenant accusés au criminel, a dissipé les doutes que certains avaient encore sur une injustice plus vaste et largement méconnue. La mort de M. Floyd est une illustration unique d’un problème profondément ancré. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor et Ahmaud Arbery ne sont que les derniers noms des victimes parmi une très longue liste qui a commencé il y a 400 ans.

Au Canada, notre liste de la honte comprend Colton Boushie, Tina Fontaine, le chef Allan Adam et les nombreuses femmes décrites dans l’enquête sur les femmes autochtones disparues et assassinées. Cette liste a commencé avec les premiers peuples de ce pays. Le Canada n’est pas à l’abri du racisme systémique, de l’injustice et des actes de préjugés et de racisme. En écoutant nos membres, nous apprenons que, malheureusement, notre profession et notre association n’y échappent pas non plus.

En 2018, l’ACBD/CALL a officialisé la mise sur pied de son Comité de la diversité, de l’inclusion et de la décolonisation (CDID) afin de conseiller l’association sur ces questions et de travailler pour s’assurer que nous faisons toujours mieux. Le CDID a adopté un mandat pour faire avancer la Résolution 2018/1, par laquelle l’ACBD/CALL s’est engagée « à s’efforcer de mieux faire connaître et d’aborder avec finesse les questions liées à la diversité, l’inclusion et la décolonisation », et, par notre travail et nos partenariats et collaborations, à donner une voix à la diversité des bibliothèques de droit, des professions connexes et de la population canadienne.

Nous affirmons cet engagement maintenant. Nous n’avons pas toutes les réponses et nous avons beaucoup à apprendre les uns des autres. Notre profession est bien placée pour écouter, apprendre et travailler pour lutter contre le racisme. Nous devons continuer à encourager la clairvoyance parmi nos membres et dans le monde de l’information juridique et des bibliothèques. Nous devons nous engager à écouter et à comprendre le racisme systémique insidieux profondément enraciné dans le système juridique. Nous devons reconnaître l’impact du cumul des actes implicites ou inconscients et des actes motivés par des préjugés ou partis pris. Et nous devons déterminer les croisements de tous ces éléments avec le droit et la justice et travailler à l’amélioration des systèmes et des résultats.

Depuis la Résolution 2018/1, nous avons proposé à nos membres, partenaires et collègues des programmes pour renforcer ce mandat. Par exemple, nous avons offert des programmes portant sur les préjugés implicites; la décolonisation de l’information juridique; la parole, l’égalité et la transphobie; la conception d’espaces pour favoriser l’accessibilité et l’inclusion, et bien d’autres. Nous sommes convaincus que ces efforts ne sont qu’un début.

Accepter le statu quo du racisme par le silence et l’inaction, c’est de se faire complice de sa perpétuation. Afin de créer des changements dans nos collectivités, nous devons changer les attitudes. Nous devons être proactifs; nous devons utiliser nos voix et trouver des moyens de mettre fin à la discrimination systémique et injuste. Chacun de nous peut s’instruire sur le racisme et l’injustice systémique; peut contacter des collègues et amis pour les écouter ou leur dire qu’ils peuvent compter sur leur soutien; peut partager des informations par le biais d’un guide de ressources ou d’un article; peut participer au travail d’un groupe dans sa communauté; ou peut même faire un don à un organisme qui accomplit le travail nécessaire. Ce ne sont là que quelques idées. C’est grâce à nos efforts conjoints – petits et grands – que nous pouvons faire changer les choses.

Afin d’approfondir nos connaissances et notre engagement à agir, le CDID a dressé une liste à jour de ressources et de possibilités d’action énumérées ci-dessous et dont les liens figurent sur notre site Web. Celles-ci offrent un point de départ pour les personnes qui veulent en savoir plus sur le racisme systémique ou qui souhaitent faire progresser l’inclusion et l’antiracisme.

Notre prochaine étape sera d’organiser une discussion collective au début d’une prochaine réunion d’affaires pour les membres de l’ACBD/CALL. De plus amples informations suivront dans les prochains jours. Nous vous inviterons à nous faire part de vos commentaires et à ajouter des éléments à notre liste de ressources et de possibilités d’action. Les membres seront les bienvenus au sein du CDID afin créer du contenu qui aborde la discrimination et l’injustice systémique touchant les personnes noires, autochtones et racialisées dans leurs liaisons avec le travail d’information juridique, le système juridique et nos communautés.

Nous reconnaissons que nous n’avons pas toutes les réponses. Ensemble, nous pouvons apprendre et travailler à créer de meilleures voies pour améliorer la diversité et l’inclusion et pour apporter des changements systémiques. Nous sommes là pour écouter, apprendre et redoubler nos efforts.

CALL/ACBD Conseil d'administration

Shaunna Mireau (Président)
Kristin Hodgins (membre en général)
Yasmin Khan, (Co-Chair - Comité de la diversité, de l’inclusion et de la décolonisation)
Alan Kilpatrick (membre en général)
Sooin Kim (Secrétaire)
Eve Leung (Trésorière)
Vicki Jay Leung (Co-Chair - Comité de la diversité, de l’inclusion et de la décolonisation)
Ann Marie Melvie (Ancien Président)
Kim Nayyer (Vice Président)

Apprentissage et partage : Une liste à jour de ressources et de possibilités d’action

Visitez ces sites :

● Le projet primé « The 1619 Project » du magazine The New York Times est une ressource importante qui aide à comprendre l’esclavage et l’héritage permanent laissé aux États-Unis. Cet héritage se traduit par l’injustice systémique dans le système de justice pénale, la persistance des préjugés raciaux et les conséquences de la ségrégation. Ce projet évolutif a été publié en août 2019 afin de marquer le 400e anniversaire du début de l’esclavage américain. [racisme; racisme systémique]

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html

● Le National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Atlanta GA, É.-U., et son site Web relie le mouvement des droits civiques aux É.-U. à la lutte actuelle pour les droits de la personne à l’échelle mondiale. Il permet aux visiteurs d’explorer les droits fondamentaux de tous les êtres humains, d’inspirer et de renforcer le dialogue permanent sur les droits de la personne dans les collectivités. [racisme; racisme systémique, droit et justice]

https://www.civilandhumanrights.org/

● Un impact collectif : Rapport provisoire relatif à l’enquête sur le profilage racial et la discrimination envers les personnes noires au sein du service de police de Toronto. [racisme; racisme systémique, droit et justice]

http://www.ohrc.on.ca/fr/enqu%C3%AAte-d%E2%80%99int%C3%A9r%C3%AAt-public-sur-le-profilage-racial-et-la-discrimination-raciale-au-sein-du-service-de/un-impact-collectif-rapport-provisoire-relatif-%C3%A0-lenqu%C3%AAte-sur-le-profilage

● Rapport final du Centre national pour la vérité et la réconciliation [racisme; racisme systémique; droit et justice]

https://nctr.ca/fr/map.php

● Rapport final de l’Enquête nationale sur les femmes et les filles autochtones disparues et assassinées et site Web [racisme; racisme systémique; droit et justice]

https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/fr/final-report/

● Le mouvement Black Lives Matter est un chef de file dans le cadre des initiatives contre le racisme envers les Noirs. Cliquez sur le lien ci-dessous et défilez la page d’accueil jusqu’à la fin pour consulter les sites des divers chapitres ainsi que les coordonnées des personnes à contacter à Toronto, Vancouver et Waterloo [racisme; racisme systémique; droit et justice].

https://blacklivesmatter.com/chapters/

● Selwyn Pieters et Adrian Roomes, Data Collection, Race and Justice in Canada: Alchemical Reflections, 2012 CanLIIDocs 290. (Symposium sur les enjeux raciaux, Faculté de droit Osgoode Hall à Toronto, le 2 novembre 2012). Cette étude examine les attitudes à l’égard de la collecte de données dans les interactions entre les forces de l’ordre et les minorités raciales. Les auteurs concluent que même si l’augmentation de la collecte de données et de l’utilisation de données concrètes portant sur les interactions entre les forces de l’ordre et les minorités demeure importante pour mettre en lumière l’existence de la discrimination raciale et du profilage racial, de « profonds obstacles structurels » subsistent. [racisme; racisme systémique, droit et justice]

https://commentary.canlii.org/w/canlii/2012CanLIIDocs290

Trouvez ces livres dans une bibliothèque ou une librairie de votre localité :

● Ibram X. Kendi, How to Be an Antiracist [racisme; racisme systémique; droit et justice; société]

● Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption [racisme systémique; droit et justice; É.-U.]

● Ta-Nehisi Coates, Between the World and Me [racisme; racisme systémique; droit et justice; société; É.-U.]

● David Chariandy, I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You [racisme; société; Canada]

● Robin DiAngelo, White Fragility: Why it’s So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism [racisme; société]

● Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race (Reni Eddo-Lodge) [racisme; société]

Faites un don et partagez si vous le pouvez. Suggestions :

● Equal Justice Initiative [racisme systémique; droit et justice; É.-U.; accepte les dons du Canada]

● National Center for Civil and Human Rights [racisme systémique; droit et justice; É.-U.; accepte les dons du Canada]

● Color of Change [racisme; racisme systémique; société; É.-U.; accepte les dons du Canada]

● Centre national pour la vérité et la réconciliation [racisme; racisme systémique; droit et justice; société; Canada]

● Le site Web présente une liste d’organismes de bienfaisance et à but non lucratif au Canada qui fournissent de l’aide ou travaillent à améliorer les systèmes de justice pénale et leurs résultats [racisme; racisme systémique; droit et justice; Canada]

https://charityvillage.com/organizations/directory/criminal-justice/

Government SIG Covid-19 Resources

Thu, 21 May 2020 19:33:42 GMT

[posted on behalf of Martha Murphy]

The Government SIG has prepared a collective list of resources offering information on COVID-19. Canadian sources include library guides, government, legislation, courts, legal and academic communities.

Honourable mention goes to University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, University of Toronto, and York for their LibGuide pathfinders.

Please also see Michel-Adrien Sheppard May blog post on Ideas on Reopening Libraries Post Covid-19 and the April post on Covid-19 Resources

If you would like to add to the list and keep it updated, please contact Martha Murphy.

Libraries and Reopening

CALL Blog Post - Ideas on Reopening Libraries Post Covid-19

ALA - Reopening Archives, Libraries and Museums (REALM) Information Hub Covid-19

ALA - Pandemic Preparedness Tools Publications Resources for Libraries

AccessOLA - 2020 Pandemic Planning Information Guide

Oregon State Library - Covid-19 Library Policies and Services

Legal

American Bar Association – ABA Committee on Disaster Response and Preparedness - Disaster Resources for Lawyers & Law Firms

Canadian Bar Association – COVID-19 Resource Hub

Canadian Lawyers Magazine - Covid-19 and the Courts

CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario) - COVID-19: Updates on the law and legal services

Federation of Law Societies of Canada – Covid-19 Timeline of Provincial Law Societies

The Lawyer’s Daily – COVID-19 Updates

Lawyers’ Professional Indemnity Company (LAWPRO) – PracticePro - Covid-19 Articles & Resources

Lexis Practice Advisor - Coronavirus Guidance for Canada (free Coronavirus document kit)

McCarthy Tetrault - Covid-19 Emergency Measures Tracker

NSRLP (National Self-Represented Litigants Project) - COVID-19 Resources

Ontario Bar Association – COVID-19 Action Centre

Thomson Reuters - Taxnet Pro COVID-19 Canadian Tax Updates

Thomson Reuters - COVID-19 Resource Centre

Federal

Government of Canada - Coronavirus disease Covid-19

Justice Canada - Government of Canada’s response to COVID-19

Library of Parliament - HillNotes

University of Toronto - Canadian Government Information Covid-19 by Sam-chin Li

UBC Libraries Government of Canada Publications - Covid-19 Research Guides

University of Ottawa - Repository of Canadian COVID-19 Emergency Orders by Craig Forcese

Provincial

Alberta

Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta - Covid-19

University of Calgary Libraries - Covid-19 3 LibGuides with Free Resources

Alberta Court of Appeal News

Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench News

Alberta Provincial Court News

Alberta Provincial Court COVID-19 Court Information

Alberta Open Government Publications (for Ministerial Orders)

Alberta Orders in Council (recent OICs posted up front)

Alberta Government Legislative Assembly Bills

Alberta Government COVID-19 Info for Albertans

Alberta Law Libraries Updates (Legislative News)

The Lawyer’s Daily – News

Law Society of Alberta – COVID-19 Updates

Canada Bar Association – Alberta Branch – COVID-19 Updates

British Columbia

Law Society of British Columbia - Covid Response

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia - Covid-19 Legislative Updates

British Columbia Government - Response to Covid-19

City of Vancouver - Covid-19 Dashboard

Courts of BC Notices and Updates - Covid Update

Manitoba

Law Society of Manitoba - Covid-19 Updates

Legislative Assembly of Manitoba - Covid-19

Government of Manitoba - Covid-19 Updates

City of Winnipeg - Covid-19 Updates

Manitoba Courts Notices and Updates - Covid-19

New Brunswick

Law Society of New Brunswick - Covid-19

Government of New Brunswick - Covid-19 Resources

City of Fredericton - Covid-19 Resources

New Brunswick Courts Notices and Updates - Covid-19

Newfoundland & Labrador

Law Society of Newfoundland & Labrador - Information Regarding Covid-19

House of Assembly of Newfoundland & Labrador - Covid-19

Government of Newfoundland & Labrador - Life with Covid-19

City of St. John’s - Covid-19

Courts - Covid-19 Operational Plan

Northwest Territories & Nunavut

Law Society of Northwest Territories - Updates

Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories - News Releases

Government of Northwest Territories - Covid-19 Response

City of Yellowknife - Covid-19

Courts - NWT Response to Covid-19

Law Society of Nunavut - Covid-19

Legislative Assembly of Nunavut - News Releases Covid-19

Government of Nunavut - Covid-19 Response

City Iqaluit - Covid-19 Updates

Nunavut Courts - Updates

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Barrister’s Society - Covid-19 FAQ’s and Updates

Nova Scotia Legislature - News and Notices Covid-19

Government of Nova - Response to Covid-19

City of Halifax - Covid-19

Courts - Covid-19 Preventive Measures

Ontario

York University Osgoode Hall Law Library - COVID-19 and the law by Sharona Brookman

University of Toronto - Canadian Government Information Covid-19 by Sam-chin Li

Law Society of Ontario - LSO COVID-19 Response

Government of Ontario - Emergency status on COVID-19

City of Toronto - COVID-19: Orders, Directives & Bylaws

Ontario Courts:

Ontario Court of Justice - COVID-19 Notices and Updates

Superior Court of Justice - Notices and Orders – COVID-19

Court of Appeal for Ontario - Practice Directions and Notices regarding COVID-19

Prince Edward Island

Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island – Covid-19 News Release

Law Society of Prince Edward Island - Covid-19 Updates

Government of Prince Edward Island – Covid-19 Resources

City of Charlottetown - Covid-19 Updates

Courts of Prince Edward Island - Covid-19 Letter and Resources

Quebec

Barreau du Quebec - Covid-19 FAQ’s

Government of Quebec - Covid-19

Montreal - Covid-19

Courts of Quebec - Covid-19 Notices

Saskatchewan

Law Society of Saskatchewan - Preparing for Covid-19

Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan - Covid-19 Updates and Resources

Government of Saskatchewan - Covid-19 Resources

Courts of Saskatchewan Notices and Updates - Courts Covid-19 Response

City of Regina - Covid-19 Resources

Yukon

Law Society of Yukon - Covid-19 Resources

Legislative Assembly of Yukon - News Releases

Government of Yukon - Information about Covid-19

City of Whitehorse - Covid-19

Courts - Covid-19

Ideas on Reopening Libraries Post-Covid

Wed, 20 May 2020 20:14:39 GMT

Not the easiest topic to cover.

No one really knows when law libraries in different cities or jurisdictions will be reopening or under what conditions.

Will physical access be restricted? Will all returned materials have to be quarantined? Will most of your staff continue working from home or will we all return wearing masks and gloves? Will elevators be no-go zones? Will space need to be redesigned to eliminate cubicles and open offices? What about air conditioning during muggy summer and fall days? And washroom surfaces? Reference counter surfaces? Table surfaces? Shelf surfaces? Surfaces, surfaces everywhere. And all those doors and those buttons to push to access restricted areas.

Here are a few ideas and sources to help you start thinking about "reopening the library".

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) has created a webpage devoted to COVID-19 and the Global Library Field.

One of the sections is about the reopening of libraries:

"Most examples so far focus on a phased approach, with new services, activities and parts of the library only resumed when this can happen safely, with some associating the shift from one phase to the next to wider progress in tackling the pandemic, while others are more cautious in setting dates. As the Australian Library and Information Association has set out ... a useful approach is to start by assessing risk, then developing plans, and only then setting timings for resuming different services. It may also be the case, of course, that partner organisations are not yet open, which will also have an impact."

"Broadly, the library field has warned against any rush to re-open physical buildings. Furthermore, given uncertainty about how the situation will develop, it is possible that stricter rules will need to be implemented subsequently, and so the possibility of returning to lock-down should be borne in mind (indeed, West Virginia recommends continuing to work from home one day a week so that the habit is not lost). At the end of this section, you will find a selection of plans already established."

You may also want to check out the IFLA blog for posts on library reopening. Two recent texts cover the debate:

Now and Next: What a Post-COVID World May Bring for Libraries (April 6, 2020)
Advoc8: Now and Next Part 2 – What Might a Library Advocacy Agenda for the Post-Pandemic World Look Like? (April 21, 2020)

NELLCO, a law library consortium based in the North East United States, has published results from a survey it recently conducted concerning the response of academic law libraries to the COVID-19 pandemic. One section covers reopening plans.

OCLC and other organizations in the United States have launched REALM, a research partnership to share information on best practices for the Reopening of Archives, Libraries and Museums. It will have a specific emphasis on the handling of materials and workflows:

"This research collaboration will provide information on how long the virus survives on surfaces and how—or if—materials can be handled to mitigate exposure."

"To achieve these goals, the partnership is initiating work on several fronts:

Collect, review, and summarize authoritative research that applies to materials commonly found in the collections and facilities of archives, libraries, and museums
Ongoing consultation and engagement with a project steering committee, working groups, and other subject matter experts from archives, libraries, and museums
Laboratory testing of how COVID-19 interacts with a selection of materials commonly found in archives, libraries, and museums; and identifying methods of handling and remediation
Synthesize the above inputs into toolkit resources that support reopening and operational considerations
Share project information and toolkit resources through the project website and amplified by member associations and support organizations that serve archives, libraries, and/or museums."

The New York Law Institute wrote recently about Reimagining the Law Library in the Time of COVID-19. It defines guidelines for returning to work:

1. The library will operate with a minimal crew

2. Hygiene and virus prevention protocols will be established

3. Access for library patrons will be phased in

4. Social Distancing will be practiced among Staff

5. New delivery protocols will be put in place

6. Mail will be Resumed

7. Patrons will be advised of precautions and protocols

The article also provides links to many other reopening plans elsewhere.

The Australian Library and Information Association has developed a Checklist for reopening libraries which is very practical:

"In practical terms, there will need to be a greater focus on the safe handling of items for borrowing and display. The Institute of Museum and Library Services, OCLC and Battelle in the US are collaborating to develop an evidence-based approach to safe reopening practices, providing information about how to handle materials, training and cleaning in libraries."

"The International Federation of Library Associations is also gathering information about the strategies that libraries around the world are taking, as they plan to reopen their libraries."

"Each library will have its own plans for reopening, depending on the sector and the specific needs of the library’s community, but the checklist provides a practical framework which outlines major considerations that library managers should be addressing, when planning to reopen their library."

And I leave you with thoughts from David Whelan, Director, Legal Information & the Great Library, Law Society of Ontario. In an April 14, 2020 blog post entitled The Things We Leave Behind he thinks about what he "might do with a clean slate" post-pandemic.

Five Questions with Mary-Jo Petsche

Stef Alexandru — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 23:54:14 GMT

Mary-Jo Petsche, Executive Director | Welland County Law Association

1. Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I took an indirect path to the legal industry. I had a diploma in recording engineering and job prospects were slim so I found a job in banking to pay the rent. I stayed in that job for 7 years until one day the bank announced they were making significant changes to employment contracts and gave employees the choice to stay or take a retraining package. I thought, this is my chance to go to college and finally do something that I love. Sheridan College had an excellent Library and Information Technician program and I graduated in 1997. Honestly, I was never really interested in a traditional library setting as I wanted to work in corporate. I worked at Micromedia in Toronto and also as a knowledge management consultant for a few years at Nortel. The crash and burn of Nortel in the early 2000s had me looking for a library job closer to home as I had two young children and did not want to commute to Toronto anymore. As luck would have it, I was scanning the FIS Jobsite one day and found the LIT posting for the Welland County Law Association and the deadline to apply was that very day! I knew nothing about the law but was confident that I could manage the library and I figured the “law stuff” would be a nice challenge. Nineteen years later I am still employed at the R. Boak Burns Law Library at the WCLA and love my job.

2. How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

I’ve been a CALL member for 19 years and I have benefitted so much from the association. I was encouraged to get involved in the association early on and I’m grateful for the opportunity. I’ve volunteered on committees and also had the opportunity to sit on the CPC for the Winnipeg conference and most recently the 2020 conference. That was a real eye opener to see all the planning and hard work that is involved with the conference. Networking helps build this community of people that you can lean on. There are so many talented, smart and engaging professionals in CALL who have helped me over the years. Lastly, the scholarships available for continuing education help support growth and enhance our professional development. I’ve taken advantage of these scholarships over the years and I’m so grateful to the association for their support.

3. What are three things on your bucket list?

Hike the Camino
Learn to play the cello
Visit Austria

4. What are three skills/attributes you think legal information professionals need to have?

The ability to be creative and manage change.
Time management is a must no matter if you work in a solo library or as a team.
Keep up with technology and identify the need for new or emerging technology.

5. What was your first job or your first library-related job?
My first job was picking cherries on a fruit farm at the age of 12…that was hard work!

1. Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

J’ai emprunté une voie indirecte pour parvenir au secteur juridique. J’avais un diplôme en enregistrement audio et vidéo, mais comme les perspectives d’emploi étaient minces je travaillais dans le secteur bancaire pour payer le loyer. J’occupais mon poste depuis sept ans lorsque la banque a annoncé qu’elle apportait des modifications importantes aux contrats de travail et qu’elle offrait aux employés la possibilité de rester ou de suivre une formation de recyclage professionnel. Je me suis dit que c’était l’occasion pour moi de faire des études postsecondaires et de faire enfin quelque chose que j’aimais. Le Collège Sheridan proposait un excellent programme en technique de bibliothéconomie et d’information, et j’ai obtenu mon diplôme en 1997. Honnêtement, je n’ai jamais vraiment été intéressée par le cadre traditionnel d’une bibliothèque, car je voulais travailler en entreprise. J’ai travaillé chez Micromedia à Toronto et aussi comme consultant en gestion du savoir pendant quelques années chez Nortel. Lorsque les choses ont commencé à dégringoler chez Nortel, au début des années 2000, j’ai commencé à chercher un emploi dans une bibliothèque plus proche de chez moi, car j’avais deux jeunes enfants et ne voulais plus faire le long trajet entre la maison et le travail à Toronto. Comme par hasard, je suis tombée sur l’offre d’emploi de la Welland County Law Association alors que je consultais le site d’emploi FIS, mais la date limite pour postuler était cette journée-là! Même si je ne connaissais rien au droit, j’avais confiance en mes capacités de pouvoir gérer la bibliothèque, et je me suis dit que ce secteur serait un beau défi. Dix-neuf ans plus tard, je travaille toujours à la bibliothèque de droit R. Boak Burns de la WCLA et j’adore mon métier.

2. En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (p. ex. bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

Je suis membre de l’ACBD depuis 19 ans et j’ai grandement tiré profit de l’association. Dès le début, on m’a encouragée à m’impliquer dans l’association et je suis reconnaissante de ces possibilités qui m’ont été données. J’ai siégé à plusieurs comités à titre de bénévole et j’ai également eu la chance de faire partie des comités de planification du congrès de Winnipeg ainsi que de celui de 2020. Cela m’a réellement ouvert les yeux sur toutes les choses qu’il faut planifier et le travail énorme à accomplir pour la tenue du congrès. Les activités de réseautage permettent de bâtir une communauté de personnes sur laquelle on peut s’appuyer. Il y a tellement de professionnels talentueux, intelligents et engagés au sein de l’ACBD qui m’ont aidée au fil des ans. Enfin, les bourses offertes dans le cadre de la formation continue contribuent à notre épanouissement et à notre perfectionnement professionnel. J’ai eu l’occasion de profiter de ces bourses au fil des ans et je remercie grandement l’association pour son soutien.

3. Quelles sont trois choses que vous aimeriez réaliser avant de mourir?

Faire les chemins de Compostelle à pied.
Apprendre à jouer du violoncelle.
Visiter l’Autriche.

4. Selon vous, quelles sont les trois compétences ou qualités que les professionnels de l’information juridique doivent détenir?

La capacité de faire preuve de créativité et d’adaptation au changement.
Bien gérer son temps est indispensable, qu’on travaille en solo ou en équipe.
Se tenir au fait des progrès technologiques et déterminer ses besoins en matière de nouvelle technologie.

5. Quel a été votre premier emploi ou votre premier emploi lié à la bibliothéconomie?

Mon premier emploi a été cueilleuse de cerises dans un verger à l’âge de 12 ans, et c’était un travail vraiment difficile!

News Update from CanLII

Alan Kilpatrick — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 14:30:49 GMT

By Alisa Lazear

Since last spring, a great number of updates and resources have been added to CanLII. To make sure you’re up to date on recent developments, here’s more about what’s new on CanLII.

⚖️ Primary Law

Beginning with the addition of the decisions from DLRs in 2016, CanLII continues to do historical scanning projects to increase the scope of our caselaw collection. Here are the results of some of those projects over the past year:

● Thanks to the Law Foundation of New Brunswick, we now have primary law covering 50 years for the province of New Brunswick. The annual statutes database now goes back to the Revised Statutes of New Brunswick of 1973. We also added 7,000 decisions published in the New Brunswick Reports between 1969 and 2016 that were missing from CanLII and that have been cited in the CanLII database.

● Over 8,000 cases from the Western Weekly Reports (WWR) were added to CanLII last Spring, bringing in a collection of significant cases from courts in the western provinces.

● We also added over 9,500 decisions from the Manitoba Reports as part of a project funded by the Manitoba Law Foundation.

● Last fall, we also announced that we had added the annual statutes for Alberta, from 1906 to present as part of a project funded by the Alberta Law Foundation.

We are grateful for all the support we have received to continue to improve the availability of primary law!

Commentary

Many developments have been happening in this area for CanLII. CanLII’s commentary section continues to grow with resources written by authors from various backgrounds. Since the launch of the CanLII Author’s Program, we have received submissions from lawyers, legal scholars, and graduate students in law, who see the value in open legal commentary. Have a look at the new layout of our CanLII Authors Program page to learn more, or you can explore what’s already on CanLII here. To help you find the commentary you need, an additional filter feature was added to CanLII to search commentary by subject area.

Thanks to the County of Carleton Law Association (CCLA), we have started offering access to conference proceedings in addition to law reviews, books, articles, newsletters, and reports. Read on to learn more about recent updates to commentary that have been added to CanLII.

Journals

Below is a list of journals added since last spring. You can see the full list of journals on our website here.

- Asper Review of International Business and Trade Law

- Canadian Arbitration and Mediation Journal

- Canadian Labour and Employment Law Journal

- Dalhousie Law Journal

- Journal of Commonwealth Law

- Journal of Law & Equality

- Lakehead Law Journal

- Laws | An Open Access Journal from MDPI

- Les Cahiers de droit

- Osgoode Hall Law Journal

- Revue de Droit de l'Université de Montréal

- Revue québécoise de droit international

- Saskatchewan Law Review

- Windsor Review of Legal and Social Issues

The Windsor Review of Legal and Social Issues, run by law students at the University of Windsor Faculty of Law, recently decided to shift to an Open Access publishing model. We were very pleased to be invited to their Open Access launch event to celebrate this milestone and are happy that they chose to include their work on the CanLII platform.

We are also grateful to the number of university presses that have published legal scholarship under Creative Commons (CC) licenses, allowing platforms like CanLII to share this content with a wide audience. We encourage content creators to follow the lead of these university presses and consider whether making public legal scholarship openly accessible through avenues like Creative Commons licensing is right for them.

Books

Last November, we announced a new collaboration with Slaw.ca. Based on CanLII search queries, Slaw.ca stood out as a centre of writing covering legal topics of interest to CanLII users. We then published a collection of ebooks of selected content from Slaw.ca in CanLII’s commentary section.

You can search through CanLII’s entire book collection here, which includes new additions such as JP Boyd on Family Law and the latest update of the eText on Wrongful Dismissal by Lancaster House.

Reports and papers from several other organizations

Since our last update, a number of additional organizations have shared their reports and papers with us:

- Alberta Law Reform Institute

- Canadian Centre for Elder Law (a division of BC Law Institute)

- Canadian Conference on Personal Property Security Law

- Canadian Forum on Civil Justice

- Canadian Human Rights Commission

- Environmental Law Centre of Alberta

- Government of the Northwest Territories – Department of Justice

- Justice & Law Reform Institute of Nova Scotia

- Law Reform Commission of British Columbia

- Vanier Institute of the Family

CanLII Connects:

Last spring, we were pleased to announce the completion of the integration of CanLII Connects entries into search results on CanLII.org. When you conduct a search on CanLII, you are able to get results of content from CanLII Connects. Now, this important source of case commentary is more findable and better integrated through tools like CanLII’s note up feature than before.

We are grateful to the writers on CanLII Connects who make it faster and easier for legal professionals and the public to access high-quality legal commentary on Canadian court decisions. If you have professional competence in legal analysis and would like to join CanLII Connects to share your insights, we encourage you to register here.

Other News:

If you have been spending time on CanLII since last spring, you will probably have noticed that CanLII underwent a website refresh. Thanks to the feedback from our users and the help of the Lexum team, we got a new look to help improve your CanLII experience.

More recently, we’ve come up with some new features for conducting efficient legal research that include decision highlights, paragraph-level note-ups, and “decision intensity” indicators represented by blue jalapenos.

Thanks to a motivated working group formed through the Canadian Association of Law Libraries, we have received instructional materials in the form of videos and handouts to assist users on how to use CanLII. You can find these helpful resources in the footer menu on the CanLII site under “CanLII Guides.”

Earlier this month, CanLII was thrilled to announce the winner for the inaugural Martin Felsky Award, a contest celebrating excellence in Canadian open legal commentary on the subjects of legal research and legal technology. This year’s award went to Lee-Ann Conrod for her article titled “Smart Devices in Criminal Investigations: How Section 8 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Can Better Protect Privacy in the Search of Technology and Seizure of Information”, originally published in the University of Victoria Faculty of Law student-run and open access journal APPEAL: Review Of Current Law And Law Reform.

We are also happy to welcome Anqi Shen, CanLII’s Community Manager. Anqi has been helping us build engagement through CanLII’s social media and blog since last fall. Her skill and experience have proven to be a great asset to CanLII and we’re excited to continue working with her this year.

The updates don’t end here! Make sure to follow our newly redesigned blog for the latest CanLII news.

COVID-19 Resources for Libraries / Ressources sur la COVID-19 pour les bibliothèques

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 22:45:51 GMT

There are so many sources of information out there about the COVID-19 pandemic that it can be hard to figure out what is useful.

Here are good places to follow library-related and law-related news.

Lawyer’s Daily COVID-19 Updates - LexisNexis has opened up access to regular updates about COVID-19: "This listing will continue to be updated with the newest items posted on top. Users can also use the Search box at the top of the page and set real-time news alerts for any keyword, including COVID-19, to be informed when new content is published."

Dossier COVID -19 (CAIJ - Centre d'accès à l'information juridique, the network of courthouse libraries associated with the Barreau du Québec): "Dans le cadre de la pandémie causée par la maladie à coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), notre équipe a regroupé l’information juridique pertinente afin de vous accompagner en télétravail. L’information est organisée par domaines de droit et sera régulièrement enrichie. Vous y trouverez notamment de l’information en matière de force majeure, de santé, de travail et emploi, de faillite et insolvabilité et de droit public et administratif."

Canadian Lawyer Magazine Daily Court Updates - available from a link on the home page each day – "Courts across Canada are taking extraordinary measures to control the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19. Below is a roundup of actions courts are taking across the country."

Repository of Canadian COVID-19 Emergency Orders (Craig Forcese, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa)

COVID-19: Emergency Measures Tracker (McCarthy Tetrault LLP): "In light of the outbreak of COVID-19, our team is closely monitoring updates from governments across Canada as they respond to the pandemic. The following summarizes the emergency measures that have been imposed in each jurisdiction. We will continue to update this summary as further measures are introduced across the country."

Remote Courts Worldwide (hosted by the Society for Computers and Law, funded by the UK LawTech Delivery Panel, and supported by Her Majesty's Courts & Tribunals Service): "As the coronavirus pandemic spreads and courts around the world are closing, this website is designed to help the global community of justice workers - judges, lawyers, court officials, litigants, court technologists - to share their experiences of 'remote' alternatives to traditional court hearings.

To ensure ongoing access to justice, governments and judiciaries are rapidly introducing various forms of 'remote court' - audio hearings (largely by telephone), video hearings (for example, by Skype and Zoom), and paper hearings (decisions delivered on the basis of paper submissions). At remarkable speed, new methods and techniques are being developed. However, there is a danger that the wheel is being reinvented and that there is unnecessary duplication of effort across the world. In response, this site offers a systematic way of remote-court innovators and people who work in the justice system to exchange news of operational systems, as well as of plans, ideas, policies, protocols, techniques, and safeguards. By using this site, justice workers can learn from one another's successes and disappointments. "

So far, the website has contributions from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the US, Singapore, Ireland and others.

Reports From the Congressional Research Service and Legislative Research Organizations in Australia, Canada, EU, and UK (US-based infoDOCKET website): includes links to COVID-19-related reports from the Congressional Research Service in Washington, the Parliamentary Library in Australia, the Library of Parliament in Ottawa, the European Parliament Research Service and the House of Commons Library in the United Kingdom. The page is updated several times a week.

Parliamentary research services papers on COVID-19 (Iain Watt, IFLAPARL - Library and Research Services for Parliaments Section of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) - the search in English language sources for "coronavirus OR covid-19 OR covid" for global selected sources today produces more than 1300 results, all of them from parliamentary research services.

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Resources for Libraries (Librarianship.ca): The post is regularly updated and contains links to government websites (public health authorities), the World Health Organization, links for libraries, updates about upcoming library conferences, and access to free full-text articles from medical and scientific publishers.

COVID-19 and the Global Library Field (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions): "The information and resources below are provided on a non-exhaustive basis but will be updated regularly. It is based on publicly available information, and that submitted to updates@ifla.org. We welcome additional ideas, references, suggestions and corrections to this address." The page is divided into sections on the following topics - Understanding COVID-19 and its spread ; Library closures around the world; Managing different approaches to restrictions; Staying safe at home and work; Providing services remotely; Managing remote working; Reassigning library resources; Actions by Associations, National Libraries and Library Partners.

Libraries and COVID-19: International News Roundup (infoDOCKET website, regularly updated): "On this page we’re curating a small collection of resources with news, information, and resources about how libraries around the world are dealing with COVID-19. Included on this page is a collection of direct links to operations information for several national libraries."

Publisher Access Changes, COVID-19 (maintained by librarians at Bryant University, Rhode Island)

Coronavirus – Accès à des ressources documentaires additionnelles (Biblothèques de l'Université de Montréal): "Plusieurs éditeurs et fournisseurs de ressources électroniques normalement payantes et non accessibles à la communauté UdeM débloquent présentement les accès pour soutenir les efforts des établissements d’enseignement. Ci-dessous des liens pertinents (...) Les offres et modes d’accès aux documents varient grandement d’un fournisseur à l’autre : accès complet ou partiel à des collections; accès en lecture seulement (pas de téléchargement de PDF); inscription requise de l'institution pour accéder au contenu; période de déblocage variée; etc."

Canadian University ILL Services - COVID-19: explains what ILL services are still running and which are shut down.

Project Profile: Editing the Canadian Law Library Review/Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit

Stef Alexandru — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 23:37:59 GMT

version française ci-dessous.

Project Profile: Editing the Canadian Law Library Review/Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit

Nikki Tanner, Reference/Instruction Librarian | Gerard V. La Forest Law Library, University of New Brunswick and Editor, Canadian Law Library Review

1.       What is the mandate of the CLLR?

Canadian Law Library Review/Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit is the official publication of CALL/ACBD. We publish news, developments, articles, reports, and reviews of interest to legal information specialists in Canada and abroad. We also publish surveys and statistical reviews prepared by CALL/ACBD’s various committees and special interest groups; updates from smaller, regional law library groups; and the proceedings of our annual conference.

2.       What are your responsibilities as the editor in chief of the Canadian Law Library Review?

For every issue, column editors and feature article editors send me their content in Word files, which I edit, then send to my associate editor for another edit. When she is finished, I give them another read and then send the files to our liaison at the CALL/ACBD head office. He takes care of translation and sends the files to our designer. Once the designer has compiled the content into a PDF draft of the issue, my associate editor and I do another round of proofreading and ensure that the layout isn’t wonky (weird spaces, no space where it should be, etc.). Then, I do 2–4 more passes on the PDF until I’m satisfied. I’ve always loved editing and read grammar books for fun, so I almost always find tiny mistakes to fix, but eventually I have to cut myself off and let it go into the world, otherwise we’d never have an issue!

I also write a letter from the editor for each issue, and that’s the hardest part of the whole process sometimes. It can be difficult to think of something new to say four times a year! Luckily, we publish fantastic and engaging feature articles, so I can draw from those.

Other than the copy editing, I do two reports per year for the executive, prepare a yearly budget, recruit new people for the editorial board when necessary, and think of ideas to improve or add columns. I have a few ideas, some of which our editor emerita/associate editor, Susan Barker, handed down to me. So far they have mostly been plans and not yet action, but I am working to carve out the time needed to follow through.

3.       What skills have you or are you developing through your work?
One of the biggest things I’ve had to learn is to let things go. In university, I picked apart my papers several times before passing them in, and if given the chance I’d spend my life rereading each issue. But I’ve learned that perfectionism isn’t my friend, so I’ve calmed down a bit (even though what I wrote above doesn’t necessarily show it).

I’ve also learned to trust my instincts more. I’m still a new law librarian, having started at Dalhousie in September 2015 and moving to UNB in July 2016. So I’ve had to deal with imposter syndrome a lot, but I’ve gotten better.

4.       What lessons have you learned?

I covered this a bit above, but I also learned not to worry if I don’t know something. I mentioned learning to trust my instincts, but I also had to trust that it was okay to not know or understand something and to just ask questions. After all, I’m constantly telling my students to come to me immediately if they can’t find something and not to suffer through hitting research walls, so I learned to take my own advice.

5.       What challenges have you encountered?

The most challenging aspect is the time it takes to edit and produce an issue, coupled with the fact that when I’m at work I’m on reference duty all day, every day (my office is in the library, not out back, and my door is always open to students). It can be tough to get things done during the school year; the summer is much better as there aren’t as many students around.
Another challenge has been keeping up with all the little things the editor does that I’m often unaware of until they come up (i.e., the first time I had to prepare a budget or November report). Luckily, I have Susan Barker to help with all that fun stuff.

6. Do you have tips for library professionals considering getting involved in editorial work? Why might someone want to be involved?

I suggest learning more about writing, grammar, and punctuation. You’ll learn by doing, but it helps to know these things beforehand. Also, read articles, essays, professional blog posts, etc., to get a feel for how to organize content and strengthen arguments. And please, memorize your McGill Guide!

Being involved with CLLR keeps you on the cutting edge of what’s happening in the law library world in Canada and beyond. I know that I’ve personally learned a lot over the years from the great content provided by our amazing editorial team, without whom I’d be lost. Depending on what you’re in charge of, you’ll learn about new research (features editor), new books (book review editors), what colleagues are doing in different parts of the country (local and regional updates editor), the latest research being published elsewhere (bibliographic notes editor), and new research products and tools (advertising manager). You’ll also form relationships with legal information specialists and librarians from all over the country. And it looks great on your CV!

If you’re interested in joining the CLLR team, keep your eyes open for calls for volunteers on the CALL-L listserv. Or, you can contact me and I’ll keep you in mind when we have an opening. I became editor by reaching out to Susan Barker when she was running the show to see if there were any openings on the editorial board. I had previous publishing experience, so she brought me on as associate editor with the plan to transition into editor the following year. So don’t hesitate to reach out!

Profil de projet: La rédaction de la Canadian Law Library Review/Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit

Nikki Tanner, bibliothécaire de référence | Bibliothèque de droit Gerard V. La Forest, Université du Nouveau-Brunswick et Rédactrice en Chef, Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit

1. Quel est le mandat de la RCBD?

La Canadian Law Library Review/Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit est la publication officielle de l’ACBD/CALL. Nous publions des nouvelles, des récents développements, des articles, des rapports et des études susceptibles d’intéresser les spécialistes de l’information juridique au Canada et à l’étranger. Nous publions également des enquêtes et des études statistiques préparées par les différents comités et groupes d’intérêt spécial de l’ACBD/CALL, des nouvelles des groupes régionales de bibliothèques de droit ainsi que les actes de notre congrès annuel.

2. Quelles sont vos responsabilités en tant que rédactrice en chef de la RCBD?

Pour chacun des numéros publiés, les équipes de rédaction des chroniques et des articles de fond m’envoient les textes en fichiers Word afin que je les révise. J’achemine ensuite les fichiers à ma rédactrice adjointe pour une deuxième révision. Une fois qu’elle a terminé, je fais une dernière lecture et j’envoie les fichiers à notre agent de liaison au bureau de l’ACBD/CALL. Ce dernier s’occupe de faire traduire les textes et envoie les fichiers à notre graphiste. Une fois que le visuel est conçu, la première ébauche est sauvegardée en format PDF. Mon adjointe et moi procédons à une correction d’épreuves afin de nous assurer que la mise en page est exempte de coquilles (p. ex., espaces bizarres ou manquantes). Ensuite, je peux relire de deux à quatre fois la version PDF jusqu’à ce que je sois satisfaite. Comme j’ai toujours adoré lire des livres de grammaire et rédiger pour le plaisir, je trouve presque toujours des petites coquilles à corriger. Mais je dois éventuellement m’arrêter et accepter de sortir le numéro, sinon nous n’aurions jamais de revue!

Je rédige également un mot de la rédaction pour chaque numéro, et cela se révèle parfois la partie la plus difficile de tout le processus. Ce n’est pas facile de penser à quelque chose de nouveau à dire quatre fois par année! Heureusement, comme nous publions des articles de fond intéressants et formidables je peux m’en inspirer.

Outre mes tâches de révision, je rédige deux rapports par année pour le conseil exécutif, je prépare un budget annuel, je recrute de nouvelles personnes pour le comité de rédaction, s’il y a lieu, et je réfléchis à des façons d’améliorer les chroniques ou en ajouter. J’ai déjà quelques petites idées, dont certaines m’ont été transmises par notre rédactrice émérite et rédactrice adjointe Susan Barker. Ces projets sont encore au stade de planification, mais j’essaie de trouver le temps nécessaire pour y donner suite.

3.       Quelles compétences avez-vous acquises ou améliorées dans le cadre de votre travail?

L’une des principales choses que j’ai dû apprendre est de lâcher prise. Lorsque j’étais étudiante à l’université, je décortiquais mes travaux plusieurs fois avant de les remettre. Et si on me donnait l’occasion maintenant, je passerais ma vie à relire chaque numéro. Mais j’ai appris que le perfectionnisme est plutôt mon ennemi, alors je me suis un peu calmée (même si ce que j’ai écrit ci-dessus ne semble pas forcément le démontrer).

J’ai aussi appris à faire davantage confiance à mon instinct. Je suis encore une nouvelle bibliothécaire de droit, ayant commencé à travailler à l’Université Dalhousie en septembre 2015, puis à l’UNB depuis juillet 2016. J’ai donc dû surmonter le syndrome de l’imposteur à plusieurs reprises, mais je m’améliore.

4.       Quelles leçons avez-vous tirées de votre expérience?

J’ai déjà abordé un peu ce sujet plus haut, mais j’ai aussi appris à ne pas m’en faire si je ne sais pas quelque chose. J’ai mentionné que j’avais appris à me fier à mon instinct, mais j’ai aussi dû me convaincre qu’il est acceptable de ne pas comprendre ou savoir quelque chose et de se contenter de poser des questions. Après tout, je dis continuellement à mes étudiants de venir me voir immédiatement s’ils ne trouvent pas quelque chose plutôt que d’attendre de frapper un mur, alors j’ai appris à suivre mes propres conseils.

5.       Quelles sont les difficultés auxquelles vous avez dû faire face?

L’aspect le plus difficile est de trouver le temps qu’il faut pour réviser et produire un numéro, car lorsque je suis au travail, je dois offrir des services de référence en tout temps (mon bureau est dans la bibliothèque, non pas dans un recoin, et ma porte est toujours ouverte aux étudiants). C’est parfois difficile d’accomplir des choses pendant les semestres d’automne et d’hiver, mais c’est plus facile l’été parce qu’il y a moins d’étudiants dans les parages.

Un autre défi est de me familiariser avec toutes les petites choses que je dois faire dans mes fonctions et que j’ignore jusqu’à ce qu’elles se pointent (comme la première fois où j’ai dû préparer un budget ou le rapport de novembre). Heureusement, je peux compter sur Susan Barker pour m’aider à faire toutes ces choses amusantes.

6.       Avez-vous des conseils à donner aux professionnels en bibliothéconomie qui aimeraient s’impliquer dans des travaux de rédaction? Pourquoi une personne voudrait-elle s’impliquer?

Je suggère d’en apprendre davantage sur les mécanismes de rédaction et les règles de grammaire et de ponctuation. Même si on apprend par la pratique, il est utile de connaître ces notions avant. Je recommande aussi de lire des articles, des essais et des billets de blogue professionnel pour comprendre comment on peut organiser le contenu et renforcer les arguments. Et surtout, il ne faut pas oublier de mémoriser le guide McGill!

En s’impliquant dans la RCBD, cela permet de rester à l’affût de ce qui se passe dans le monde des bibliothèques de droit au Canada et à l’étranger. Je sais que j’ai personnellement beaucoup appris au fil des ans grâce à l’excellent contenu fourni par notre formidable équipe de rédaction, sans qui je serais perdue. Selon les responsabilités exercées, on apprend à connaître les nouvelles recherches (rédaction des chroniques), les nouveaux ouvrages (rédaction des comptes rendus de lecture), ce que font nos collègues dans les différentes régions du pays (rédaction des nouvelles régionales), les dernières recherches publiées ailleurs (rédaction des chroniques bibliographiques) et les nouveaux produits et outils de recherche (responsable de la publicité). Cela permet également de nouer des relations avec des spécialistes de l’information juridique et des bibliothécaires de tout le pays. De plus, ça paraît très bien sur un curriculum vitae!

Si vous souhaitez vous joindre à l’équipe de la RCBD, surveillez l’appel aux bénévoles dans la liste de discussion CALL-L. Vous pouvez aussi me contacter afin que je vous tienne au courant des postes qui peuvent s’ouvrir. Je suis devenue rédactrice en chef en contactant Susan Barker lorsqu’elle dirigeait l’équipe afin de savoir s’il y avait des postes vacants au sein du comité de rédaction. Comme j’avais déjà de l’expérience dans le domaine, elle m’a offert le poste de rédactrice adjointe en vue de prendre les rênes de son poste l’année suivante. N’hésitez donc pas à nous contacter!

Important Notice About the 58th Annual Canadian Association of Law Libraries Conference

Alan Kilpatrick — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 19:06:19 GMT

Every year we look forward to our annual conference as an important time to connect, share and learn together. We are facing a unique global challenge with the introduction of the COVID-19 pandemic, sparking alarming global public health concerns.

After very careful consideration, we have decided to postpone our annual conference to a later date in the year to ensure we do our part to limit the spread of this virus, and to accommodate those who are facing current and anticipated travel restrictions prohibiting their attendance. We want to ensure we are able to continue our tradition of connecting, sharing and learning together, but at a time that is safe to do so. We have made this decision factoring in the on-going uncertainty around COVID-19 and its potential impacts on the health and safety of the participants, exhibitors, speakers, and the local host community.

We would like to offer our sincerest gratitude for your commitment in participating in the 2020 CALL/ACBD Conference. If you have already registered, your registration will be automatically transferred to our conference in the Fall. The new date will be announced shortly. If you are unable to attend the new conference date, please reach out to CALL’s National Office for information on obtaining a refund.

CALL/ACBD sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. However, during this unprecedented time, delay of the annual national conference is a mitigation strategy to potentially reduce the impact of a national outbreak and prioritize the safety of our conference participants and crucial healthcare workforce. We also trust that postponing the conference will permit more of our delegates to be able to attend the conference to share their exciting and important work.

We understand some may have already made airline bookings to attend the conference. Air Canada and Westjet are offering some limited opportunities to change flights. If you have trip cancellation insurance, it may cover you in the event of a business meeting postponement; if you did not purchase trip cancellation insurance, we would encourage you to check with your credit card company as you may have coverage through them, depending on the card.

We are most grateful for your understanding, and please do not hesitate to be in touch with our National Office with any questions or concerns.

Many Thanks,

Shaunna Mireau

CALL/ACBD President

CALL/ACBD Statement on COVID-19 and our Annual Conference

Alan Kilpatrick — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 19:54:36 GMT

Canadians are concerned about COVID-19. The virus responsible for COVID-19 is having a serious impact on individuals who contract it, on reactive world markets, and increasingly on travel.

Every year the CALL/ABCD Conference is an important time to connect, share and learn together. A lot of planning goes into this important industry event and it is a critical component to our member value proposition. Given the COVID-19 virus and its rising media profile, we felt compelled to update you as to how it may impact our Conference event.

For starters, the health, safety and comfort of our members and guests is the top priority at all of our events. No matter the operating environment, we consistently review our procedures to make sure we are doing all we can so that you may enjoy the meaningful networking and professional development that events do provide.

Registration is open for the 2020 CALL/ACBD Conference taking place in Hamilton, Ontario on May 24-27 and the event is scheduled to take place as planned. As a reminder, CALL/ACBD awards the Eunice Beeson Memorial Travel Fund to assist CALL/ACBD members who wish to attend the conference but, for financial reasons, are unable to do so. Bursaries are provided to cover travel expenses and/or accommodation. Applications are due to Sooin Kim by April 17.

Registration is also open for the 2020 New Law Librarians' Institute taking place at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton on June 16-19 and the event is scheduled to take place as planned.

There are currently no federal or provincial restrictions in place to prevent meetings and travel in Canada due to COVID-19 and there are no confirmed cases in Hamilton. The city of Hamilton publicly states that the risk of getting COVID-19 in Hamilton is low. The Public Health Agency of Canada has also assessed the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as low for Canada. Nevertheless, CALL/ABCD is working closely with all our event partners to create an environment conducive for the connecting, sharing and learning that is the spirit of our Conference and we look forward to welcoming you in Hamilton.

Should there be any need to update you further we will do so again directly. We respect that many are getting information from a variety of sources but if you have any questions or specific concerns please contact CALL/ACBD National Office at 647-346-8723 x 1.

Thank you,

Shaunna Mireau
CALL/ACBD President

Five Questions with Iain Sinclair

Stef Alexandru — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 19:18:46 GMT

version française ci-dessous.

Iain Sinclair, Knowledge Manager | Stewart McKelvey

1. Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I did an undergraduate degree at the University of King’s College in my hometown of Halifax, majoring in political science and economics. After working and travelling for a few years, I enrolled at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. Following graduation, I worked for a few years at a law firm on Bay Street, but eventually decided that private practice was not the life for me. I had worked in university libraries throughout my undergraduate degree, as well as at Nova Scotia’s Provincial Library prior to law school, and really enjoyed the library environment. So I decided to go back to school to obtain a library degree, which I completed at the University of Sheffield. I then worked at the Patrick Power Library at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax for about a year when a friend advised me of a library position at Stewart McKelvey in Saint John. I was keen to put my legal training to use in a library environment so applied for the position and was successful. I’ve been with Stewart McKelvey for over 21 years now.

2. How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

As a solo librarian and the only private law firm librarian in New Brunswick, I was very fortunate to have Cyndi Murphy as a colleague and mentor from our Halifax office. She had ensured that the firm’s job description for my position included funding for membership in CALL and attendance at the annual CALL conferences. My first CALL conference was the site of the 2020 conference - Hamilton - and I met people there who I am still in touch with today, both on a professional and personal level. CALL has been vital in allowing me to develop a contact network of fellow legal information professionals. This network has allowed me to achieve a performance standard at my work that would not otherwise have been possible. In addition to the personal contacts I have made through CALL, attendance and participation at the annual conference has greatly contributed to my professional development. Volunteering for a variety of positions with CALL over the years, including various special interest groups, committees, and the CALL executive, has also contributed enormously to my understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of our profession.

3. What’s one blog, website, or Twitter account that you can’t go one day without checking?

www.theguardian.com. A wonderful non-paywalled news source.

4. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry?

Join and participate in CALL! It will provide you with multiple avenues to learn about the profession (e.g. through the mentorship program and the New Law Librarians’ Institute) and to make contacts in the industry.

5. What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I have a petanque court in my back yard. A word of advice – if you purchase petanque balls in France, don’t try to bring them back with you in your carry-on luggage!

Iain Sinclair, Gestionnaire des Connaissances | Stewart McKelvey

1. Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégré au secteur de l’information juridique.

J’ai fait mes études à l’Université de King’s College, dans ma ville natale de Halifax, où j’ai obtenu un baccalauréat en économie et en sciences politiques. Après avoir travaillé et voyagé pendant quelques années, je me suis inscrit à la Faculté de droit de l’Université de Toronto. Une fois mon diplôme en poche, j’ai travaillé pendant quelques années dans un cabinet d’avocats sur Bay Street. Cependant, je me suis rendu compte que la pratique privée n’était pas une vie qui me convenait. Au cours de mes études de premier cycle, j’avais travaillé dans des bibliothèques universitaires ainsi qu’à la Bibliothèque provinciale de la Nouvelle-Écosse avant d’entrer à la faculté de droit et j’aimais beaucoup ce milieu. J’ai donc décidé de retourner aux études pour obtenir un diplôme en bibliothéconomie de l’Université de Sheffield. Je travaillais à la bibliothèque Patrick Power de l’Université Saint Mary’s, à Halifax, depuis près d’un an lorsqu’un ami m’a informé qu’un poste de bibliothécaire était ouvert à la bibliothèque du cabinet d’avocats Stewart McKelvey à Saint John. Comme je souhaitais mettre ma formation juridique en pratique dans un milieu de bibliothèque, j’ai postulé et j’ai décroché l’emploi. Je travaille maintenant chez Stewart McKelvey depuis plus de 21 ans.

2. En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (p. ex. bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

En tant que seul bibliothécaire où je travaille et seul bibliothécaire de droit en cabinet privé au Nouveau-Brunswick, j’ai eu la chance de pouvoir compter sur Cyndi Murphy, une collègue et mentor qui travaille à notre bureau de Halifax. Elle avait veillé à ce que la description d’emploi de mon poste comprenne le paiement de l’adhésion à l’ACBD et des frais de participation au congrès annuel par le cabinet. Le premier congrès de l’ACBD auquel j’ai assisté était à Hamilton, où se déroulera le congrès 2020, et j’y ai rencontré des gens avec qui je suis toujours en contact aujourd’hui, tant sur le plan professionnel que personnel. L’ACBD m’a été indispensable pour établir un réseau de contacts avec d’autres professionnels de l’information juridique. Ce réseau m’a permis de répondre à des critères de rendement dans mon travail qui autrement auraient été hors d’atteinte. En plus des liens personnels tissés grâce à l’ACBD, ma participation aux congrès annuels m’a grandement aidé à me perfectionner sur le plan professionnel. Les divers postes de bénévolat occupés à l’ACBD, notamment au sein de divers groupes d’intérêt spécial, de comités et du conseil d’administration, ont aussi énormément contribué à ma compréhension et mon appréciation de notre profession et au plaisir d’exercer ce métier.

3. Quel est le blogue, le site Web ou le compte Twitter dont vous ne pouvez vous passer pendant une journée?

Le site www.theguardian.com qui est une merveilleuse source d’information gratuite.

4. Quel conseil donneriez-vous à quelqu’un qui cherche à percer dans l’industrie de l’information juridique?

Adhérez à l’ACBD et participez aux activités! L’association vous fournira de multiples occasions pour vous familiariser avec la profession (par l’entremise du programme de mentorat et de l’Institut pour les nouveaux bibliothécaires de droit par exemple) et faire des contacts dans le domaine.

5. Qu’est-ce que les gens seraient surpris de savoir de vous?

J’ai un terrain de pétanque dans ma cour. Un petit conseil : si vous achetez des boules de pétanque en France, n’essayez pas de les ramener dans votre bagage à main!

CALL/ACBD Twitter Chat: February 19th at 1:00PM EST

Alan Kilpatrick — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 16:49:29 GMT

“Ask the question.” That was a phrase often heard at morning leadership meetings (AKA coffee with my admin colleagues) at my former law firm. Asking the question was intended to mean that we shouldn’t assume that others in the firm noticed the same problems that we did. It is a call to collaborate, ideate, and create solutions as a team. On February 19 at 1 PM EST the @CALLACBD Executive Board will be asking the question, quite a few questions actually, using a Twitter Chat with the hashtag #CALLACBDCHAT.

This format will allow for broad participation. All you need to participate is a Twitter account. If you choose to observe rather than having your say (I hope you will chime in), you do not need an account, just follow the conversation here.

For those who haven’t participated in a Twitter Chat, the process is straightforward. The @CALLACBD account will pose some questions that will have the #CALLACBDCHAT hashtag and a question number, i.e. Q1. Anyone can chime in with answers using a corresponding answer number; A1 and include #CALLACBDCHAT and any other hashtags you wish. We expect that the questions will be asked over one hour but the conversation may continue past that time. I will be chiming in from my account @smireau.

The goal of this Twitter Chat is to engage this community in thinking about legal information specialists and how to increase awareness and relevance of CALL/ACBD. We want more people in our conversation about legal information so that we have engaging discussions, valuable knowledge sharing and fresh and interesting ideas to bring to our organizations. The CALL/ACBD Executive Board is exploring the big existential questions – who are we and why are we here? Think of this as a dinner party where you can participate in every conversation in the room.

To give you an idea of the input we are interested in, here is one of the questions that we will ask:

The objects of CALL/ACBD are currently:

1. To promote law librarianship, to develop and increase the usefulness of Canadian law libraries, and to foster a spirit of co-operation among them.

2. To provide a forum for meetings of persons engaged or interested in law library work and to encourage professional self-development.

3. To co-operate with other organizations which tend to promote the objects of the Association or the interests of its members.

Should these be altered?

As I said, big existential questions. I hope that you will join in!

Shaunna Mireau
smireau@gmail.com

Project Profile: Law Clerk Exit Interviews with the Supreme Court of Canada Library

Stef Alexandru — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 17:56:40 GMT

version française ci-dessous.

Project Profile: Law Clerk Exit Interviews with the Supreme Court of Canada Library

Krisandra Ivings, Reference Librarian | Supreme Court of Canada

The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) Library serves all of the organization’s employees, but its largest user group has consistently been the Court’s group of 36 law clerks. In past years, the Library has endeavoured to collect feedback from law clerks by asking departing clerks to fill out a short exit survey. This year, to supplement the survey, I asked to conduct in-person exit interviews with selected law clerks to gather more qualitative feedback on library services.

The Court’s two reference librarians, myself and a colleague, conducted interviews with a total of 9 law clerks. In conjunction with the Manager of Reference & Research, we selected the law clerks to be interviewed, aiming to gather feedback from a group which represented gender, racial, language, and geographical diversity, as well as different law schools and judicial chambers. We also looked to interview some clerks who used the library frequently, and some who did not.

I performed the English-language interviews with law clerks (5 interviews), while my colleague performed interviews in French (4 interviews). Using our combined notes, I produced a report summarizing all of the feedback we received, which was then circulated to library staff and upper management.

Though we had created a list of potential questions beforehand, interviews were very open-ended and we encouraged the clerks to direct the discussion. The feedback we gathered from these exit interviews has proved extremely valuable. Not only did we gather important feedback about our existing products and services, but law clerks enthusiastically brainstormed ideas for new or improved procedures and products. They also shared many positive comments about the library staff, services, and collections. Personally, I also found the process a great opportunity to learn about the work demands and process of the law clerks, and this has allowed me to better understand how the library fits in and can facilitate their work at the Court.

The interviews required only minimal funding (we offered to purchase coffee for each of the clerks interviewed), but of course, projects like this require a significant investment of staff hours. Recognizing that many libraries may not be able to spare the staff time required, I would encourage collecting user feedback through interviews, and particularly exit interviews, whenever possible. In our case, we were able to collect meaningful qualitative data and brainstorm ideas with our primary client group, improving our services for all our users. We are excited to repeat the exercise again in 2020, and to potentially reach out to permanent staff from other branches for interviews in the future.

Profil de projet : Entrevues de départ réalisées auprès d’auxiliaires juridiques de la bibliothèque de la Cour suprême du Canada

Krisandra Ivings, bibliothécaire de référence | Cour suprême du Canada

La bibliothèque de la Cour suprême du Canada (CSC) dessert tous les employés de l’organisation, mais son principal groupe d’usagers a toujours été celui des 36 auxiliaires juridiques de la Cour. Au cours des dernières années, le personnel de la bibliothèque a entrepris de recueillir des commentaires auprès des auxiliaires qui quittaient leur poste en leur demandant de remplir un court questionnaire de départ. Cette année, en complément de ce questionnaire, j’ai demandé de mener des entrevues de départ en personne auprès d’auxiliaires sélectionnés afin de recueillir des commentaires plus poussés sur les services offerts par la bibliothèque.

Une collègue et moi, les deux bibliothécaires de référence de la Cour, avons donc mené des entrevues auprès de neuf auxiliaires juridiques. En collaboration avec le gestionnaire, Référence et recherche, nous avons sélectionné des auxiliaires à interroger pour recueillir des commentaires auprès d’un groupe représentant la diversité hommes-femmes, raciale, linguistique et géographique de même que différents tribunaux judiciaires et facultés de droit. Nous cherchions également à interroger des auxiliaires qui utilisaient fréquemment la bibliothèque et d’autres qui n’utilisaient pas nos services.

J’ai effectué les entrevues en anglais (5 entrevues) tandis que ma collègue a effectué les entrevues en français (4 entrevues). J’ai ensuite réuni nos notes afin de rédiger un rapport résumant les commentaires recueillis. Ce rapport a ensuite été distribué au personnel de la bibliothèque et à la haute direction.

Même si nous avions dressé une liste de questions au préalable, les entrevues étaient non directives et les auxiliaires étaient invités à orienter la discussion. Les commentaires recueillis lors de ces entrevues de départ se sont avérés très utiles. Outre les informations importantes recueillies sur nos produits et services existants, les auxiliaires ont participé avec enthousiasme à l’échange d’idées pour améliorer les procédures et produits ou trouver de nouvelles solutions. Ils ont également fait part de nombreux commentaires positifs à l’égard du personnel, des services et des collections de la bibliothèque. Personnellement, j’ai également trouvé que cette démarche était une excellente occasion d’en apprendre davantage sur les fonctions et le processus de travail des auxiliaires juridiques. Cela m’a permis de mieux comprendre la place de la bibliothèque dans leur travail, et comment nous pourrions faciliter leurs tâches à la Cour.

Même si les entrevues n’ont pas coûté grand-chose (nous avons offert l’achat d’un café aux auxiliaires interrogés), un tel projet nécessite évidemment un grand investissement de temps de la part du personnel. Je suis consciente que de nombreuses bibliothèques pourraient ne pas être en mesure d’investir du précieux temps de personnel, mais j’encourage la collecte des commentaires auprès des usagers au moyen d’entretiens, et notamment d’entrevues de départ, chaque fois que cela est possible. En ce qui nous concerne, ce projet nous a permis de recueillir des données qualitatives pertinentes et de trouver de nouvelles idées avec l’aide de notre principal groupe de clients, ce qui nous a permis d’améliorer nos services pour tous nos usagers. Nous sommes enthousiastes à l’idée de refaire cet exercice en 2020 et de rejoindre éventuellement le personnel permanent d’autres divisions afin de mener des entrevues.

2019 CALL Conference Podcast Series Wins A Clawbie Award

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 17:49:33 GMT

The winners of the 2019 Canadian Law Blog Awards (known as the Clawbies) were announced a little while ago over the holidays.

The Fodden Award 2019 for the very best in Canadian legal commentary went to the Supreme Advocacy Newsletter:

"A veritable institution in the Canadian legal community, readers come for the Supreme Court of Canada case news and stay for the Last Word. Eugene Meehan and his team have been generously sharing their expertise with an enjoyable side of miscellany since the mid ‘90s. The newsletter represents an impressive commitment to free and open sharing of legal knowledge—the true hallmark of any Fodden Award winner."

Two sites were recognized as the Best Law Library Resource:

"O’Faolain
There’s really only one word—stellar—to describe David Whelan’s blog, where he writes first-person reflections on law libraries and technology. From the nominations: “One of the most useful sites where I learn things to move forward with my work.”
CALL for Innovation Podcast
Colin Lachance recorded this series of interviews at the 2019 CALL/ACBD conference in partnership with vLex—we think this is probably the first-ever Canadian law library podcast! More please!"

There were awards in many other categories.

The Clawbies are organized by Stem Legal, a B.C.-based strategy firm.

Five Questions with Allan Chan

Stef Alexandru — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 17:44:29 GMT

version française ci-dessous.

Allan Chan, Law Librarian | Fillmore Riley

1. Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I started as a shelver for the University of Manitoba Libraries during my undergrad and worked my way up to a Library Assistant 1, 2 and 3. I then completed my MLS at Emporia State University. Upon graduation, I was a medical librarian for the U of M and Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. I then took a position as the Occupational Health Librarian for the University of Calgary before moving back to Winnipeg to take on the position of Law Librarian at Fillmore Riley LLP. This was a completely new world for me but with the support of the firm and a few legal research courses from the University of Toronto, I was able to fully immerse myself.

2. How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

When I first took the position of Law Librarian, CALL and specifically the listserv were very helpful in guiding me to succeed. I was also a participant at the first ever New Law Librarians Institute in 2011 at the University of Western Ontario which was spearheaded by John Sadler. CALL was able to provide me with a grant from the Education Reserve Fund and the James D. Lang Memorial Scholarship to aid me in my attendance. This was a great learning experience and really gave me a solid foundation in my career.

3. Who is your favourite library professional—living or dead, real or fictional?

Living: Ada Ducas – Head of the University of Manitoba Health Libraries. Ada treated everyone with the same amount of respect no matter what position you held. A fabulous mentor who always made time for everyone. She was relentless when it came to accomplishing goals for the Health Libraries and really taught me how to be a professional early on in my career. She was actually the one who lit a fire under me to become a librarian.

Fictional: Jocasta Nu – Chief Librarian of the Jedi Archives. She controlled access to the contents of the Holocron Vault and helped Jedis find information in the archives. A Jedi librarian, how cool is that?

4. What was your first job or your first library-related job?

I think I was 8 years old when I took my collection of books at home and added due date cards and card pockets to all my books. Friends of mine were always over and wanted to borrow my books so I made my own collection of library books for them. My first real paid library job of course was a shelver at the Elizabeth Dafoe Library. I actually think starting on the very bottom rung of the library world and climbing up each rung of the ladder helped me understand the library as a user, staff member and library professional.

5. What are three things on your bucket list?

1) To create an open source library for hip hop culture and streetwear.

2) To visit every NHL rink in the league.

3) To build an RWB Porsche.

Allan Chan, Bibliothécaire juridique | Fillmore Riley

1. Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégré au secteur de l’information juridique.

Pendant mes études de premier cycle, j’ai commencé comme commis dans diverses bibliothèques de l’Université du Manitoba, puis j’ai gravi les échelons pour devenir bibliothécaire adjoint (classes 1, 2 et 3). J’ai ensuite fait une maîtrise en bibliothéconomie et sciences de l’information à l’Emporia State University. Une fois mon diplôme en poche, j’ai travaillé comme bibliothécaire aux dossiers médicaux à l’Université du Manitoba et à l’Office régional de la santé de Winnipeg. Par la suite, j’ai accepté un poste de bibliothécaire en santé du travail à l’Université de Calgary avant de revenir à Winnipeg pour occuper le poste de bibliothécaire juridique au sein du cabinet Fillmore Riley LLP. Même si le monde juridique était tout à fait nouveau pour moi, je me suis pleinement immergé dans le milieu grâce à l’appui du personnel au sein du cabinet et en suivant quelques cours de recherche juridique à l’Université de Toronto.

2. En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (p. ex. bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

Lorsque j’ai commencé comme bibliothécaire juridique, l’ACBD et notamment la liste de discussion électronique m’ont grandement aidé à avoir du succès. J’ai également participé au tout premier Institut pour les nouveaux bibliothécaires de droit en 2011 à l’Université Western Ontario, qui était dirigé par John Sadler. J’ai pu recevoir une bourse du Fonds de réserve pour l’éducation ainsi qu’une bourse commémorative James D. Lang de l’ACBD pour me permettre d’assister à cet événement. Ce fut une expérience d’apprentissage très enrichissante qui m’a vraiment donné une base solide pour poursuivre ma carrière.

3. Qui est votre professionnel de la bibliothéconomie favori, qu’il soit vivant ou décédé, réel ou fictif?

Une bibliothécaire vivante : Ada Ducas, directrice des bibliothèques de la santé de l’Université du Manitoba. Ada traitait tout le monde avec le même respect, peu importe le poste qu’on occupait. Elle était une formidable mentore qui avait toujours bien assez de temps pour tout le monde. Elle ne ménageait aucun effort pour atteindre les objectifs des bibliothèques de la santé, et m’a vraiment appris à être professionnel au début de ma carrière. En fait, c’est elle qui éveilla chez moi la passion pour devenir bibliothécaire.

Une bibliothécaire fictive : Jocasta Nu, bibliothécaire en chef des Archives Jedi. Son rôle consistait à contrôler l’accès à la crypte des holocrons et à aider les Jedi en quête d’informations dans les archives. Une bibliothécaire Jedi, c’est très cool!

4. Quel a été votre premier emploi ou votre premier emploi lié à la bibliothéconomie?

Je crois que j’avais 8 ans lorsque j’ai fabriqué des pochettes, que j’ai ajoutées dans tous mes livres à la maison, et des cartes pour les dates de retour. Comme mes amis venaient toujours chez moi pour emprunter mes livres, j’ai créé ma propre collection de livres pour eux. Mon premier véritable emploi rémunéré dans ce domaine consistait à mettre les livres sur les rayons à la bibliothèque Elizabeth Dafoe. Je pense vraiment que le fait d’avoir commencé au bas de l’échelle et d’avoir gravi les échelons dans l’univers de la bibliothéconomie m’a aidé à comprendre les bibliothèques en tant qu’utilisateur, employé et bibliothécaire.

5. Quelles sont trois choses que vous aimeriez réaliser avant de mourir?

1) Créer un centre de documentation de source ouverte sur la culture hip-hop et le streetwear.

2) Visiter toutes les patinoires de la LNH.

3) Construire une Porsche RWB.

Presentations Available from Government Information Day East 2019

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 17:24:05 GMT

The SLA Toronto chapter and the Toronto Reference Library hosted the Government Information Day (East) 2019 on Thursday, November 28, 2019.

The event was devoted to the use, production, preservation, and access of government information.

Among the presenters were CALL members Emily Benton (University of Ottawa) and Erica Anderson (Legislative Assembly of Ontario).

The presentations are now online.

Topics covered included:

Library of Parliament’s digitization and preservation projects
Canadian Municipal Collection: A digitization project
Scholars Portal Government Documents Projects
Post-depository: Project Update
The Legislative Library of Ontario's digital repository: Overview, challenges, future initiatives
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario’s website – The recent redesign of ola.org and upcoming enhancements
ISBNs: Us and You and the Future
Communicating Value Through Strategic Alignment
Serving Ontario’s New Parliament: Outreach Strategies
Copyright and Public Sector Information: A Comparative Study
Canadian Collective Print Preservation Strategy (CCPPS) Working Group: Overview of Activities
Making Government Data Accessible: Discoverability, Availability and Usability

Five Questions with Andrea Black

Stef Alexandru — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 17:29:58 GMT

version française ci-dessous.

Andrea Black | Research Specialist, Dentons Canada

1. Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I got a BA, worked for a couple of years, and then decided to try law school. I really enjoyed the program at the University of Manitoba’s Robson Hall, but I realized early on that I didn’t feel cut out to be a lawyer. I didn’t want to quit, so I researched my options (as a future librarian should) and happily discovered that law librarianship is a thing! To get a taste of the profession, I got a (fantastic) summer job at the Manitoba Legislative Library. At the time, Manitoba didn’t have a graduate library studies program, so when I finished my law degree, I moved to Montreal to attend McGill. As a MLIS student, I applied for and landed a part-time job at Dentons (then Fraser Milner Casgrain). A full-time position happened to open up just as I was graduating, and I’ve been here ever since.

2. How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

I was fortunate to get to attend a CALL conference in Winnipeg, my hometown, a few years ago, and I join CALL webinars regularly to further my professional development. I’ve had the opportunity to dip my toes into publishing with a couple of book reviews in the Canadian Law Library Review, CALL’s official journal. I’ve been able to get involved with the library community by serving on the Hugh Lawford Award Committee, and I’ve co-hosted a CALL education visit. The CALL-L listserv is a constant source of information and inspiration.

3. What is one thing that’s surprised you about the legal information profession?

I’ve been surprised at how much corporate research I’ve ended up doing: I never would have expected to look forward to delving into a company’s annual reports, but I do!

I’ve probably been most surprised by how much legal and government information is not available electronically, and how much of it is not available to the public. Even as wonderful people and organizations work hard to scan that material and make it available, it’s getting harder and harder to track other items down as governments close departmental libraries, as libraries restrict their inter-library loans, and as budget cuts everywhere force us all to weed our collections of older, less-used items.

4. What are three skills/attributes you think legal information professionals need to have?

The combined ability to work well under pressure and to manage expectations. Lawyers want everything yesterday. You have to balance speed with quality research, and be able to withstand the pressure to deliver results instantly, which is rarely possible.

Related, the ability to triage one’s workflow – to prioritize and re-prioritize on the spot.

Finally, the ability to think outside the box. We’re fortunate to get all kinds of interesting questions, some of which can only be answered with truly creative, and sometimes collaborative, research.

5. What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I’m a very quiet and reserved person, so you wouldn’t think I spend six weekends a year in costume, running around in the woods with a latex axe. I attend a wonderfully creative medieval-fantasy LARP (live action role-play game). It’s improved my confidence while leading me to new crafts involving costuming and props, and it turns out fighting monsters and trying to save the world is great stress relief.

Andrea Black, Spécialiste de la recherche, Dentons Canada

1. Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

Après avoir obtenu mon baccalauréat, j’ai travaillé pendant quelques années. Ensuite, j’ai décidé de retourner aux études pour essayer le droit. Même si j’aimais bien le programme à la Faculté de droit Robson Hall de l’Université du Manitoba, j’ai vite compris qu’être avocate n’était pas ma tasse de thé. Comme je ne voulais pas abandonner mes études, j’ai fait des recherches pour voir qu’elles étaient mes options (comme devrait le faire toute bibliothécaire en devenir), et c’est avec une grande joie que j’ai découvert que la bibliothéconomie juridique existait! Question d’avoir un avant-goût de la profession, j’ai déniché un emploi d’été (fantastique) à la Bibliothèque de l’Assemblée législative du Manitoba. Étant donné qu’il n’y avait pas de programme d’études supérieures en bibliothéconomie dans la province à l’époque, j’ai déménagé à Montréal pour étudier à McGill une fois diplômée en droit. À titre d’étudiante à la maîtrise en bibliothéconomie et science de l’information, j’ai décroché un emploi à temps partiel chez Fraser Milner Casgrain (maintenant Dentons). Un poste à temps plein est devenu vacant au moment de terminer mes études, et je suis ici depuis.

2. En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (p. ex. bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

Il y a quelques années, j’ai eu la chance d’assister à un congrès de l’ACBD dans ma ville natale à Winnipeg, et je participe régulièrement à des webinaires de l’ACBD afin de me perfectionner. J’ai eu l’occasion de tâter le terrain dans le domaine de l’édition en rédigeant quelques critiques de livres dans la Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit, la revue officielle de l’ACBD. Je m’implique au sein de la collectivité des bibliothécaires en siégeant au comité du Prix d’excellence Hugh Lawford et j’ai coanimé une visite de l’ACBD dans un établissement d’enseignement. La liste de discussion électronique CALL-L est une source constante d’information et d’inspiration.

3. Qu’est-ce qui vous a surpris dans le domaine de l’information juridique?

J’ai été étonnée de constater le volume de recherches effectuées pour les entreprises. Je n’aurais jamais cru avoir aussi hâte d’éplucher les rapports annuels d’une entreprise, mais c’est ce que je fais!

Je suis abasourdie par le fait notamment que beaucoup d’informations juridiques et de renseignements gouvernementaux ne sont pas accessibles en ligne, et que ces documents sont très peu accessibles au public. Malgré les organismes et les gens formidables qui travaillent fort pour numériser les documents et les rendre accessibles, il devient de plus en plus difficile de retracer d’autres documents à mesure que les gouvernements ferment les bibliothèques ministérielles, que les bibliothèques limitent les prêts entre bibliothèques et que les compressions budgétaires nous obligent à éliminer nos collections de vieux livres moins utilisés.

4. Selon vous, quelles sont les trois compétences ou qualités que les professionnels de l’information juridique doivent détenir?

La capacité de travailler efficacement sous pression tout en gérant les attentes, car les avocats veulent tout avoir hier. Vous devez trouver un équilibre entre la rapidité et la qualité de la recherche, et être capable de résister à la pression d’obtenir des résultats instantanément, ce qui est rarement possible.

Dans le même ordre d’idées, la capacité de trier votre flux de travail, c’est-à-dire d’établir des priorités et de redéfinir les priorités sur-le-champ.

Enfin, la capacité de penser différemment. Nous avons la chance de nous faire poser toutes sortes de questions intéressantes qui ne peuvent trouver réponse qu’en faisant preuve d’une grande créativité, et parfois de collaboration, dans la recherche.

5. Qu’est-ce que les gens seraient surpris de savoir de vous?

Comme je suis une personne très réservée et tranquille, il est difficile d’imaginer que je passe six week-ends par année avec un costume à courir dans les bois en brandissant une hache en latex. En fait, je participe à des événements dans un univers médiéval empreint de fantaisie (jeux de rôle de grandeur nature) qui sont merveilleusement créatifs. Ces événements m’ont permis de renforcer ma confiance et m’ont amené à découvrir l’artisanat en créant des costumes et des accessoires. Et il s’avère que combattre des monstres et essayer de sauver le monde constituent d’excellents moyens de réduire le stress!

New UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning Book on Prison Libraries

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 17:07:04 GMT

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning has published the first UNESCO publication on prison libraries, highlighting their contribution to the personal development and education of incarcerated adults and young people:

"This publication explores the extent to which prison authorities fulfil their societal mandate to rehabilitate and reintegrate inmates by enabling them to use prison libraries to pursue their right to education."

"Reading and using a prison library can open up a world beyond prison bars, allowing prisoners to forget for a time the harsh reality of prison life and empower them to choose their own reading materials in an otherwise extremely restrictive and regulated environment. Providing access to relevant books and information in various languages, including easy reading materials, is crucial for prisoners’ personal development."

"This publication takes a closer look at selected examples of prison library systems around the world, outlining best practice and possible challenges, thus demonstrating their transformative potential as informational, educational, cultural and recreational meeting and learning spaces."

The open access e-book was launched at the most recent conference in August of the International Federation of Library Associations that took place in Athens, Greece.

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) is located in Hamburg, Germany. It promotes and supports lifelong learning with a focus on adult learning, continuing education, literacy and non-formal basic education.

It is a body of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Government Information in Canada

Martha Murphy — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 18:08:10 GMT

In the last few years, there have been alarm bells in the information professional community over the loss of stewardship and access to Canadian government information. Information professionals look to federal and provincial governments, universities and colleges to provide access to government publications; yet there are still missing publications regardless of format. There has been a response among academics, librarians, archivists and other stakeholders with interests in publications to identify gaps and preservation in collections.

Government Information Day is one such response to the loss of stewardship and access to Canadian government information. The forum is a one day free event to "learn and share about the use, production, preservation and access of government information." Government Information Day East will be held on November 28^th at the Toronto Reference Library.

CALL members are encouraged to read the recently published book, Government Information in Canada, Access and Stewardship, Edited by Amanda Wakaruk and Sam-chin Li to understand the magnitude of the issues facing the perilous preservation of government documents. The book is divided into three parts, part one gives historical overviews of Federal, LAC, Commissions and Tribunals; part two provides provincial landscape and part three gives collaborative stewardship solutions.

CALL member Amanda Wakaruk and co-editor Sam-chin Li have certainly answered the siren call as to the state of government information in Canada. Other CALL members contributing to the book are Caron Rollins and Martha Murphy.

The book is available in paperback and also as an Open Access PDF, which is available for download from University of Alberta Press website. Webpage for the book includes reviews and the table of contents. The page is here Government Information in Canada

This post is written on behalf of Government SIG

Five Questions with Fiona Chiu

Stef Alexandru — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 20:52:09 GMT

version française ci-dessous.

Fiona Chiu, Librarian | Librarian, Courthouse Libraries BC

1. Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I have an MLIS from the University of British Columbia. After I graduated, I worked as a librarian in rehabilitation sciences. The aspect I enjoyed most about the role was being involved in supporting both the public and a professional community – connecting the public to health information while supporting clinicians in evidence-based practice. The role at Courthouse Libraries is similarly positioned – to help the public as well as the legal community in finding and using legal information. So when I came across the opportunity to work there, I was very excited to opt for the position and apply my work experience in a new capacity.

2. How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

I had the wonderful opportunity to attend my first CALL conference in Edmonton earlier this year. It enabled me to meet many other legal information professionals in person from across the province, including other fellow courthouse librarians! Thank you to everyone who made it such a positive experience for me. As a new law librarian, the icebreaker and new professionals’ special interest group events made me feel especially welcomed into the CALL community to learn new skills and network.

3. What are three things on your bucket list?

Help build a library in a developing country
Complete a multi-day hike on a different continent
Go aurora hunting

4. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry?

Invite a legal information professional out for a coffee to learn all about their role and how they broke into the industry.

5. Who is your favourite library professional—living or dead, real or fictional?

Mr. Morris Lessmore from the short animated film, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. The film reminds me how impactful curated books and stories can be and centres on his life which he devotes to his love of books and to maintaining a library filled with flying ones. If you have 15 minutes to spare, I definitely recommend watching it!

Fiona Chiu, Bibliothécaire, bibliothèques des palais de justice de la C.-B.

1. Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

Je suis titulaire d’une maîtrise en bibliothéconomie et science de l’information de l’Université de la Colombie-Britannique. Après l’obtention de mon diplôme, j’ai travaillé comme bibliothécaire dans le domaine des sciences de la réadaptation. Ce que j’aimais le plus dans ce travail était d’apporter mon appui au public et aux professionnels, c’est-à-dire en aidant le public à trouver de l’information sur la santé tout en soutenant les cliniciens dans l’application de pratiques fondées sur des données probantes. Mon rôle aux bibliothèques des palais de justice est semblable, dans le sens que j’aide le public et les membres de la communauté juridique à trouver et à utiliser des renseignements juridiques. Lorsqu’une occasion s’est présentée pour y travailler, j’étais très heureuse d’accepter le poste et d’appliquer mon expérience professionnelle dans de nouvelles fonctions.

2. En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (p. ex. bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

J’ai eu la merveilleuse occasion d’assister à mon premier congrès de l’ACBD, à Edmonton, plus tôt cette année. Cet événement m’a permis de rencontrer de nombreux professionnels de l’information juridique de diverses régions de la province, y compris d’autres bibliothécaires de palais de justice! Je tiens à remercier tous ceux et celles qui m’ont permis de vivre une expérience très positive. En tant que nouvelle bibliothécaire de droit, j’ai été accueillie à bras ouverts par la communauté de l’ACBD lors des activités brise-glace et du Groupe d’intérêt spécial des nouveaux professionnels au cours desquelles j’ai pu acquérir de nouvelles compétences et établir de nouveaux contacts.

3. Quelles sont trois choses que vous aimeriez réaliser avant de mourir?

Aider à construire une bibliothèque dans un pays en développement.
Faire une randonnée pédestre de plusieurs jours sur un autre continent.
Partir à la chasse aux aurores boréales.

4. Quel conseil donneriez-vous à quelqu’un qui cherche à percer dans l’industrie de l’information juridique?

Invitez un professionnel ou une professionnelle de l’information juridique à prendre un café pour en apprendre davantage sur ses fonctions et la façon dont cette personne a fait sa place dans ce domaine.

5. Qui est votre professionnel de la bibliothéconomie favori, qu’il soit vivant ou décédé, réel ou fictif?

M. Morris Lessmore dans le court métrage d’animation The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. Le film me rappelle l’impact que peuvent avoir les livres et les histoires dont il est le conservateur et relate sa vie qu’il consacre à son amour des livres et à la gestion d’une bibliothèque remplie de livres volants. Si vous avez une quinzaine de minutes devant vous, je vous recommande fortement de le regarder!

Supreme Court of Canada Ruling on Crown Copyright

Thu, 26 Sep 2019 16:34:57 GMT

Earlier today, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) released its decision in the Keatley Surveying Ltd. v. Teranet Inc. case.

The case involved the idea of copyright owned by the Crown (essentially, the federal or provincial/territorial governments). Section 12 of the federal Copyright Act states that the Crown has copyright in what it prepares or publishes or where it directs or controls what someone else prepares or publishes.

According to the plain language Case in Brief summary prepared by the SCC:

"Ontario has an electronic land registry system. The land registry is a database about all properties in the province. It says who owns (or has other rights to) each one. The database contains many kinds of documents, including plans of survey (...)"
"The electronic land registry system is run by a company called Teranet, which helped create it. Teranet paid independent surveyors to help build the database and provide plans of survey. A regulation says that all plans added to the land registry become property of the Crown (that is, of the Ontario government). Surveyors bring plans of survey to the land registry office to be included. When they do, Teranet makes copies of the plans available electronically. Teranet does all of this on Ontario’s behalf."
"Keatley Surveying, a land survey company, launched a class action in 2007 (...) It said the surveyors (not the Crown) had copyright in the plans of survey they had created. It said Teranet was therefore infringing the land surveyors’ copyright by storing and copying plans of survey. It said the Crown should only get copyright in works that it created itself (or where it ordered or controlled creation by someone else). Teranet argued that the Crown should get copyright in everything it published. In 2016, a judge said Ontario owned the copyright and said Keatley Surveying’s class action couldn’t go forward. The Court of Appeal agreed."

"All the judges at the Supreme Court agreed that Ontario owned the copyright in the plans of survey."

The Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL) had intervener status in the case in front of the SCC.

This means that representatives of the Association got to argue in front of the Justices at the hearing in March 2019.

CALL's factum, which was highly critical of s.12 and of Crown copyright, is available on the SCC website.

2019 Canadian Library Assessment Workshop in Late October / Atelier des bibliothèques canadiennes sur l’évaluation fin octobre 2019

Fri, 30 Aug 2019 20:27:17 GMT

Le texte français suit plus bas.

The Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) is organizing the 2019 Canadian Library Assessment Workshop (CLAW) in Windsor, Ontario from October 22nd to 24th, 2019.

The event consists in a series of practical workshops providing attendees with effective methods, tools, and techniques for library assessment.

The final program and registration are now available.

Programs and presentations from earlier CLAW events are available on the CARL website.

L'Association des bibliothèques de recherche du Canada (ABRC) organise l'Atelier des bibliothèques canadiennes sur l’évaluation 2019 qui aura lieu à Windsor en Ontario du 22 au 24 octobre prochains.

Cet événement intéressera tous les bibliothécaires universitaires et de recherche qui participent à l’évaluation. Les participants tireront de l’atelier des idées concrètes et pratiques qu’ils pourront mettre en œuvre dans leur bibliothèque.

Le programme final et les modalités d'inscription sont maintenant disponibles en ligne.

Le programme de même que les présentations des ateliers antérieurs peuvent être consultés sur le site de l'ABRC.

CALL Conference Podcast Series / Série de podcasts de la conférence ACBD

Sun, 28 Jul 2019 21:59:08 GMT

CALL partnered with Colin Lachance, manager with legal information vendor vLex, for a series of eleven (11) podcast interviews at the recent annual conference of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries in Edmonton in late May 2019.

The interviews were conducted with conference speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and organizers, and dealt with their experience at the May 2019 conference, what’s hot in their world, and their thoughts on the future.

L'ACBD a coopéré avec Colin Lachance, gestionnaire chez l'éditeur d'information juridique vLex, pour une série de onze (11) entrevues en format podcast enregistrées à la plus récente conférence annuelle de l'association qui a eu lieu à Edmonton à la fin du mois de mai 2019.

Les entrevues avec des conférenciers, des exposants, des commanditaires et des organisateurs ont traité de leurs expériences à la conférence d'Edmonton, de ce qui retient l'attention dans leur milieu et de leurs réflexions sur l'avenir.

CALL 2018 Library Staff Salary Survey

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 17:43:17 GMT

CALL and TALL (Toronto Association of Law Libraries) recently published a joint 2018 salary survey:

This present survey was carried out in the autumn of 2018 and the data collected in November 2018.

The analysis is based on 537 invitees, of whom 222 responded, with an invitee response rate of 41.34%.

The analysis looked at many data points. Examples include salary crossed with variables such as region, gender, library type, patron size, experience, and job title.

The average respondent to the survey is a woman who has worked in the profession for 16.5 years, at a firm with a patron population of between 101-200 and earns $78,894 /yr.

Five Questions with Louise Hamel

Stef Alexandru — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 19:08:49 GMT

version française ci-dessous.

Louise Hamel, Manager, Judicial Library Services | Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General

1. Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I have always wanted to work in libraries since I was a little girl going to the bookmobile. I wore down the staff at our local branch asking when there might be a job and got my first job as a library page just shy of my 12^th birthday. I have a Bachelor of Science (psychology and anthropology) and I am definitely not in the profession because I liked English. The attraction and pleasure in going to work each day is about connecting, facilitating and empowering people – to the right resource, finding the answer or discovering something new.

Since I worked in libraries all through high school and university I wanted to do something different, so I joined CUSO (Canada’s peace corps) and was posted to Nigeria to set up a community college library. I landed into a traditional job but in a unique cultural and exotic location. This was my first professional librarian position and it took all I had learned from colleagues and experiences to date to talk knowledgably about library buildings issues, designing library furnishings, teach a library science course, and work with staff who only spoke Hausa. The College Principal’s task for me was to create a library similar to the Ottawa university library in the 1980s. It was a challenge as there were months without electricity or electricity only in the morning and evening, etc. and a fractured infrastructure where money flow was periodic. For example, I worked 8 months without salary until the government changed. When I left this position, the library building was completed, networks and contracts were in place for library materials and a photocopier was on order.

2. How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

I came to the legal library profession after a 13-year stint at the Addiction Research Foundation library. I relied heavily on CALL/ACBD colleagues for advice and assistance in developing the legal research skills. I was fortunate that the Great library staff were so generous with their time and support as well as the library staff I joined. The judicial librarian network was always there for me to tap into when I was dealing with issues that straddled the judicial independence fine line.

I used grants to attend the conferences. I took advantage of continuing education courses to build up the network and knowledge base. Working on committees connected me to legal professionals in the different milieus which is so important for the document delivery role and expanding skills.

3. What are three things on your bucket list?

Travel – I have so many places I hope to visit, and I will be crossing one off the list this fall with a trip to India and Oman.

Learning French so that I can support my children in developing that language skill in their kids. I think learning a second language makes one more tolerant and accepting of diversity.

Painting – I am going to try both oil and water colour. Don’t look for me at an art show; I am doing it strictly for creative release.

4. What’s your greatest professional success?

I was taken by surprise by the Denis Marshall Memorial Award which is a career highlight; however, up until that moment my career is bookended by two amazing professional successes. I was part of the national conference planning committee for the Nigeria Law Association held at the University of Jos in 1982. The committee was comprised of some amazing Canadian colleagues and an American to deliver a conference modeled on Canadian/American style conference with a vendor exhibition. It is quite an experience to plan and to decide on speakers and exhibitors in a country when there is no phone network and no online services! I am ending my career on another high note and feel great professional success in managing a network of judicial libraries and supporting a diverse user group and connecting with a variety of stakeholders. Managing a myriad of relationships has been rewarding.

5. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry?

Continue with the learning – take a coding course, business writing, budgeting and website development course during the first few years of your career. These added skills, if you do not already have them, will round out your skill set that is a passport to all types of jobs. Stay open to new experiences and opportunities.

Louise Hamel, Directrice, Services des bibliothèques juridiques | ministère du Procureur général de l’Ontario

1. Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

Depuis que j’étais une toute petite fille qui se rendait au bibliobus, j’ai toujours rêvé de travailler dans une bibliothèque. Je passais mon temps à demander au personnel de la bibliothèque de mon quartier s’il y avait un emploi pour moi bientôt, et j’ai décroché mon premier travail comme aide de bibliothèque juste avant d’avoir 12 ans. Je détiens un baccalauréat ès sciences (psychologie et anthropologie), et je ne suis vraiment pas dans la profession parce que j’aimais l’anglais. Ce qui m’anime dans mon travail quotidiennement, c’est de pouvoir me rapprocher des gens en les aidant et en leur donnant des outils pour trouver la bonne ressource ou la réponse ou même découvrir quelque chose de nouveau.

Puisque j’avais travaillé dans des bibliothèques depuis le secondaire jusqu’à l’université, je voulais faire quelque chose de différent après mes études. J’ai donc joint CUSO (le Service universitaire canadien outre-mer) et j’ai été affecté au Nigeria afin de mettre sur pied une bibliothèque dans un collège communautaire. Même si mon travail était plutôt traditionnel, la culture et les lieux étaient uniques et exotiques. Comme il s’agissait de mon premier poste à titre de bibliothécaire professionnelle, j’ai dû recourir à tout ce que j’avais appris au contact de collègues et de mes expériences afin de parler savamment de questions concernant les bâtiments abritant une bibliothèque et la conception de mobilier de bibliothèque, de donner un cours de bibliothéconomie et de travailler avec du personnel qui ne parlait que le haoussa. Le directeur du collège m’avait donné comme mandat de mettre en place une bibliothèque semblable à celle de l’Université d’Ottawa dans les années 1980. Le défi était de taille, car nous pouvions passer des mois sans électricité ou avec un peu de courant le matin et le soir, les infrastructures étaient délabrées et l’argent était plutôt versé de manière sporadique. Par exemple, il m’est arrivé de travailler sans être payée pendant huit mois jusqu’à ce qu’un nouveau gouvernement soit formé. Lorsque j’ai quitté ce poste, la construction de la bibliothèque était terminée, les réseaux et les contrats étaient en place pour les livres de la bibliothèque et un photocopieur avait été commandé.

2. En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (p. ex. bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

J’ai choisi la profession de bibliothécaire juridique après avoir passé treize ans à la bibliothèque de la Fondation de la recherche sur la toxicomanie. J’ai eu beaucoup d’aide et de conseils de la part de collègues de l’ACBD/CALL afin d’améliorer mes compétences en matière de recherche juridique. J’ai eu la chance de compter sur les employés de la Grande bibliothèque au Barreau de l’Ontario, qui m’ont donné généreusement de leur temps et de leur soutien, de même que sur le personnel de la bibliothèque où je travaille. Le réseau des bibliothécaires de droit a toujours été là pour moi lorsque j’étais aux prises avec des questions chevauchant la ligne mince de l’indépendance judiciaire.

J’ai utilisé des bourses pour assister aux congrès annuels et j’ai profité des cours de perfectionnement pour bâtir un réseau et élargir mes connaissances. Le fait de siéger à des comités m’a permis de rencontrer des professionnels du droit de différents milieux, dont nous nous devons de connaître pour fournir des services d’information ou de recherche et pour élargir nos compétences.

3. Quelles sont trois choses que vous aimeriez réaliser avant de mourir?

J’aimerais voyager. Il y a beaucoup d’endroits que j’aimerais visiter. D’ailleurs, j’en rayerai deux de ma liste cet automne en visitant l’Inde et le Sultanat d’Oman.

J’aimerais apprendre le français pour aider mes enfants qui souhaitent que leurs enfants parlent français. Je pense que l’apprentissage d’une deuxième langue rend les gens plus tolérants et plus ouverts à la diversité.

J’aimerais faire de la peinture et essayer de peindre des huiles et des aquarelles. Toutefois, ne me cherchez pas dans une exposition, car ce loisir ne me servira qu’à libérer mon potentiel créatif.

4. Quelle est votre plus belle réussite professionnelle?

J’ai été stupéfaite de recevoir la Bourse commémorative Denis Marshall, qui est un moment fort de ma carrière. Cependant, jusqu’à ce moment-là, ma carrière comptait deux réalisations marquantes. J’ai fait partie du comité de planification du congrès national de la Nigeria Law Association tenu à l’University of Jos en 1982. Le comité, qui était composé de remarquables collègues canadiens et d’un Américain, avait pour mandat d’organiser un congrès de type nord-américain comptant une exposition d’éditeurs et de fournisseurs. Devoir planifier un congrès et choisir les conférenciers et les exposants dans un pays où il n’y avait pas de réseau téléphonique ni de services en ligne fut une expérience très particulière! Je termine également ma carrière en beauté en ayant le sentiment d’avoir réussi sur le plan professionnel en gérant un réseau de bibliothèques juridiques, en offrant du soutien à différents groupes d’utilisateurs et en établissant des liens avec divers intervenants. Pouvoir gérer une multitude de relations est enrichissant.

5. Quel conseil donneriez-vous à quelqu’un qui cherche à percer dans l’industrie de l’information juridique?

Continuez d’apprendre en suivant un cours de codage, de rédaction d’affaires, de préparation de budgets et de conception de sites Web au début de votre carrière. Ces compétences supplémentaires, si vous ne les possédez pas déjà, vous permettront d’accroître vos compétences tout en vous ouvrant la porte à tous les types d’emplois. Soyez ouverts aux nouvelles expériences et possibilités.

Library World Reactions to House of Commons Report on Statutory Review of the Copyright Act

Sun, 23 Jun 2019 22:05:38 GMT

Earlier this month, the House of Commons Standing Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology published its report on the Statutory Review of the Copyright Act:

"Section 92 of the Copyright Act (the Act) provides that the Act must be reviewed every five years by a parliamentary committee. On 13 December 2017, the House of Commons designated its Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (the Committee) to conduct the review. The Committee held 52 meetings, heard 263 witnesses, collected 192 briefs, and received more than 6,000 emails and other correspondence (...)

"The fruit of over ten meetings of deliberations, this Committee’s report covers a broad range of topics. They include the protection of traditional and cultural expressions, term extension, computer-generated works, artist’s resale rights, fair dealing, safe harbour provisions, perceptual disability provisions, online piracy, proceedings before the Copyright Board of Canada, and the statutory review process itself. After reporting on a few legal developments of the last seven years, the report addresses these topics in turn under six sections: Statutory Review, Indigenous Matters, Rights, Exceptions, Enforcement, and the Collective Administration of Rights."

"The report makes 36 recommendations. They include recommendations aiming at reducing the opaqueness of Canadian copyright law, notably by gathering authoritative information on its impact on Canadian creators and creative industries, increasing the transparency of the collective administration of rights, and simplifying the Act. The Committee recommends improving the bargaining power of Canadian creators by granting them a termination right while mitigating the impact of such a right on the commercial exploitation of copyright. It also proposes to sensibly update enforcement mechanisms, starting with statutory damages for rights-holders and collective societies. The recommendations address site-blocking proposals and their potential impact on the form and function of Internet, and assert that online service providers such as Google and Facebook must fully comply with the Act to the benefit of both rights-holders and users. The report also proposes to move forward to protect traditional and cultural expressions, vitally informed by the testimony of Indigenous witnesses."

On June 11, the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) issued a statement on the report that applauds the Committee's work for its "reasoned analysis and balanced conclusions":

"The report includes 36 recommendations, many of which reflect the positions put forward by CARL and our member institutions in their briefs and appearances before Committee. Notable highlights for the research library community include:

Amending the fair dealing exception so that allowable purposes are illustrative rather than exhaustive (...);

Applying open licences to Canadian Government works (...);

Facilitating the use of a work or other subject matter for the purpose of informational analysis (i.e. text and data mining) (...)

Opposing the extension of copyright as required as part of the USMCA but, in the event that it is ratified by all parties, recommending both a registration system and a reversion right to counteract some of the disadvantages of term extension (...);

Engaging in comprehensive consultations with 'Indigenous groups, experts and others on the protection of traditional arts and cultural expressions in the context of Reconciliation' (...);

Prioritizing means for ensuring that works are made available in accessible formats to benefit persons with a perceptual disability (...)"

On June 14, the Canadian Federation of Libraries Associations was generally positive about the report, with some cautionary words:

"With regards to fair dealing, CFLA-FCAB appreciates the following:

The recommendation to make the list of fair dealing purposes illustrative rather than exhaustive (Rec. 18).
The recognition there is insufficient evidence linking the decline in publishers’ revenue to the addition of education for fair dealing.
The recommendation to extend the timeline for the review of educational fair dealing, (Rec. 17); however, CFLA-FCAB believes it will take more than three years to obtain new and authoritative information and to observe the effects of new legal developments."

"About Indigenous Knowledge, CFLA-FCAB:

• Applauds the emphasis on Indigenous Knowledge and the requirement for recognition and protection in Canadian law, both within the Copyright Act and beyond (Rec. 5).
• Is concerned that Rec. 5 introduces new terms (“traditional arts and cultural expressions”) rather than the terms Traditional Knowledge (TK) and Traditional Cultural Expressions (TCE) that are defined and understood in the global context.
• Recommends a firm commitment to timelines and adequate resources for the recommended consultation with Indigenous groups, experts and stakeholders.
• CFLA-FCAB would have preferred the recommendation to first recognize and affirm Indigenous ownership over their own knowledge, and subsequently recommend consultation, including support for the development and implementation of protocols to share and protect Indigenous Knowledge."

The Librarianship.ca website has compiled a comparison of GLAM Sector Recommendations vs Committee Recommendations. GLAM stands for Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums.

Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Sun, 09 Jun 2019 22:13:33 GMT

Last Monday, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls released its final report at a public ceremony in Gatineau, Quebec.

One of the supplementary reports explains the legal reasoning behind the Inquiry's declaration that the disproportionate levels of violence suffered by Indigenous women and girls in Canada can be considered a form of "race-based genocide (...) empowered by colonial structures, evidenced notably by the Indian Act, the Sixties Scoop, residential schools and breaches of human and Indigenous rights, leading directly to the current increased rates of violence, death, and suicide in Indigenous populations".

Among its findings, the report stated that Indigenous women and girls are 12 times more likely to be murdered or to go missing than members of any other demographic group in Canada.

After more than 3 years of meetings and gathering testimony, the Inquiry made 231 calls for action to government, institutions and the larger Canadian public to help address endemic levels of violence directed at Indigenous women and girls and what the report calls 2SLGBTQQIA (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual) people.

The website of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has condensed the calls for action for easier understanding.

On the topic of the inquiry, the Bora Laskin Law Library at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law recently announced a new collection of documents about the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada:

"This collection of documents brings together reports, press statements, and various other documents that shed light on the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada. This collection was developed by the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action and has been subsequently expanded on by the Bora Laskin Law Library at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. ...

I. Civil Society Reports
II. Government Reports
III. Secondary Resources
IV. United Nations Documents
V. Inter-American Commission on Human Rights Documents"

Five Questions with Marnie Bailey

Stef Alexandru — Wed, 15 May 2019 18:26:49 GMT

version française ci-dessous.

Marnie Bailey, Knowledge Services Librarian | Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

1. Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I took a gap year that turned into a gap decade. J I wanted to go back to university, part-time, and the only course available on the night I had free was ‘Introduction to Linguistics’ at the downtown Simon Fraser University campus. I loved the course, and the professor encouraged me to continue in the department. I ended up with a triple major of Linguistics, Anthropology and Sociology, as to me the three are very inter-related. As I was about to graduate, with no idea what to do next, a friend’s mom, who was a librarian with Vancouver Public Library at the time, suggested I apply to the MLIS program at UBC, as she thought I would enjoy it. And I did! One of my favourite courses was the Legal Information course, which was taught by Teresa Gleave. When the firm she was working at had an opening, I jumped at it, and here I am, nine years later!

2. How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

I just joined CALL this year, so I am looking forward to becoming an active member and attending my very first CALL conference this May!

3. What was your first job or your first library-related job?

I graduated from the then School of Library and Archival Studies in December 2003, and I applied for everything! I had an interview with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) in January and got the job! I was responsible for: cataloguing the library, some of which dated back to the first Vancouver Whistler Olympic Bid in the 1970’s; creating a thesaurus; records management; reference question on: Games history, City of Vancouver history, general research; assisting with the development of two intranets; and finally, transferring the VANOC records to the City of Vancouver Archives. As the 20^th person hired, and one of the final five employees, I was privileged to see VANOC grow to 25,000 (including volunteers), met some amazing people from all over the world, and learned so much about so many different aspects of project management. It was a fantastic ‘first’ job!

4. What’s your greatest professional success?

We had an articling student a few years ago who didn’t summer with us, and for the first few weeks of training, he sat with his arms crossed, paying attention to everything but the training going on around him. After a lot of patience and coaching, by the time his articles were complete he was the biggest user of the library, and would sing our praises to everyone with whom he came in contact. His turnabout is definitely a proud moment in my career!

5. How would you spend 24 hours of uninterrupted time to yourself?

Sleep! Then hit the beach (it is a sunny 24 hours, right?) with a novel and read in the sun / nap in the sun. Make myself an amazing dinner that no one else in my house likes to eat, and binge-watch my favourite “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” episodes.

Marnie Bailey, Bibliothécaire des services liés au savoir | Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

1. Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l'information juridique.

J’avais pris une année sabbatique qui s’est transformée en une décennie sabbatique. J Lorsque j’ai voulu retourner à l’université à temps partiel, le seul cours offert le soir où j’étais libre était un cours d’introduction à la linguistique au campus du centre-ville de l’Université Simon Fraser. Comme j’avais bien aimé ce cours, le professeur m’avait encouragée à suivre d’autres cours à la faculté. J’ai terminé mon bac avec une triple majeure en linguistique, en anthropologie et en sociologie, car je pense que ces trois domaines sont étroitement liés. Alors que j’approchais de la fin de mes études, et que je n’avais aucune idée de ce que je voulais faire, la mère d’une amie, qui était bibliothécaire à la bibliothèque publique de Vancouver, m’avait suggéré de m’inscrire à la maîtrise en bibliothéconomie et en science de l’information à l’Université de la Colombie-Britannique (UBC), car elle pensait que ce programme pourrait me plaire. J’ai adoré ce programme, et l’un de mes cours préférés était le cours d’information juridique donné par Teresa Gleave. Lorsqu’un poste est devenu vacant au cabinet d’avocats pour lequel elle travaillait, j’ai sauté sur l’occasion, et me voilà neuf ans plus tard!

2. En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (p. ex. bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

Je viens d’adhérer à l’ACBD cette année, alors j’ai hâte de participer activement et d’assister à mon premier congrès en mai!

3. Quel a été votre premier emploi ou votre premier emploi lié à la bibliothéconomie?

Lorsque j’ai obtenu mon diplôme de la School of Library and Archival Studies de l’UBC, j’ai postulé pour tous les emplois! En janvier, le Comité d’organisation des Jeux olympiques et paralympiques d’hiver de 2010 à Vancouver (COVAN) m’appelait pour une entrevue, et j'ai décroché le poste! J’avais les responsabilités de faire le catalogage de la bibliothèque, dont certains documents remontaient à la première candidature de Vancouver-Whistler dans les années 1970, de créer un thésaurus, d’effectuer la gestion des dossiers, d’établir les questions de référence (p. ex., l’histoire des Jeux, l’histoire de la ville de Vancouver, la recherche générale), d’aider au développement de deux intranets, et de transférer les documents du COVAN aux archives de la ville de Vancouver. En tant que 20^e personne embauchée, et parmi les cinq employés en poste à la fin, j’ai eu le privilège de voir le nombre de personnes travaillant pour le COVAN passer à 25 000 (incluant les bénévoles), de rencontrer des gens extraordinaires de tous les coins du monde et d’apprendre un tas de choses sur différents aspects de la gestion de projet. Ce fut un « premier » emploi formidable!

4. Quelle est votre plus belle réussite professionnelle?

Il y a quelques années, notre cabinet avait accueilli un stagiaire en droit. Ce dernier s’était croisé les bras pendant les premières semaines en portant attention à tout autour de lui, sauf à la formation qu’on lui donnait. Grâce à notre patience et notre encadrement, il était le plus grand utilisateur de la bibliothèque à la fin de son stage et vantait nos mérites auprès de tout le monde. Cette volte-face constitue assurément un moment de grande fierté dans ma carrière!

5. Comment passeriez-vous 24 heures consécutives juste pour vous?

Je dormirais! Ensuite, je me rendrais à la plage (c’est bien 24 heures de soleil, non?) en apportant un roman. Je lirais et je ferais une sieste sous un soleil radieux. Je me cuisinerais un délicieux repas que personne n’aime manger à la maison, et je regarderais en rafale mes épisodes préférés de Buffy contre les vampires.

Five Questions with Josette McEachern

Stef Alexandru — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 17:37:39 GMT

version française ci-dessous.

Josette McEachern, Library manager | Field Law

1. Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I have a Library Technician diploma from what is now MacEwan University. After my first year of library school I worked for the provincial museum library and the following summer I worked for the provincial Historic Sites Service. Those two summers were great work experience! The work was so interesting and varied. After graduation I went where the jobs were and did two years in an elementary school library. The people were great and grades K-3 are endlessly entertaining and fun to serve! But I did miss the special library work environment and I applied for a law firm, technician position and got it. I recall in my interview I said, “Even though I haven’t worked in a law library, as far as technical services go, I feel confident about the job description but to be honest, if someone asked me a reference question I really wouldn’t know how to answer it” and the Librarian said, “Don’t worry, you wouldn’t be asked to answer reference questions.” Oh, how things change! Turns out, within the first month I worked there the 3 reference librarians all left to pursue other things and boy did I learn a LOT about legal reference in a short time! Librarians are enormously helpful people and I received a ton of help from the Edmonton courthouse library staff, the late and great Jane Parkinson and her co-workers at another law firm, the U of A Weir Law Library librarians. Of course there was no Internet back then so I would spend hours on the phone with anyone who would talk to me, asking questions and figuring things out. I held down the fort for 8 months until a new Head Librarian was hired and it turned out to be a great learning experience!

2. How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

If you work in a law library you have to be connected to CALL – it’s the source of all intel! The contacts you make at conferences and the conversations you have are a great opportunity to learn what people, more creative and clever than yourself, are doing. The conference sessions are always informative and I’m grateful for the many, convenient webinars throughout the year. And it’s CALL – so it’s specific to Canadian law & legal issues. I also want to encourage everyone to think about the many awards and grants CALL provides. On two occasions I was able to receive funding from the Eunice Beeson Memorial Travel Fund to attend conferences. Sometimes we think we won’t qualify or somehow aren’t worthy of applying for these things but CALL thinks you are worthy and wants you to apply – that’s why they offer these scholarships and awards. You can do it!

3. What are three things on your bucket list?

When I retire I really want to write a mystery novel. Not to be published although, that’s easy enough these days with all the self-publishing options. But just to go through the process to see if I can actually complete a novel. Starting one is super easy. Finishing one and being happy with it is something else altogether! I’m not much of a world traveller but I HAVE to get to Iceland one of these days. I’m afraid of heights – I can’t even look at someone up high without getting sweaty hands! But I dream of riding in a hot-air balloon. I literally have a recurring dream of being tossed around by the wind in a hot-air balloon and it’s not scary – it’s fun! So I think I want to do it but … I don’t know… How long would it take to get to Iceland in a hot-air balloon?

4. What is one thing that’s surprised you about the legal information profession?

I know people will roll their eyes at this and say ‘Really??’ but publishers are surprisingly receptive to hearing what we think about their products and taking suggestions for improvement. They can’t and don’t always do what we ask and there are many reasons why that is, but sometimes they do implement suggestions we make. I remember learning early in my career, “ask and you shall receive”. It isn’t really that straight-forward but I do find that if you talk to your rep and explain an issue you’re having or talk to the vendor leaders who attend the CALL conference you can make progress. You don’t necessarily get everything you want in an immediate response but I find they do listen and do want to work with us on achievable goals.

5. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry?

I think having some level of IT/computer skills is a great asset because you need to be able to converse with the IT folks in order to advance Library goals or solve Library IT issues. In law firms, having a business background or competitive intelligence research skills is and will become an increasingly valued asset.

Josette McEachern, Gestionnaire de bibliothèque | Field Law

1. Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

Je détiens un diplôme en techniques de la documentation de l’établissement d’enseignement qui se nomme aujourd’hui l’Université MacEwan. Après ma première année d’études, j’ai travaillé pendant l’été à la bibliothèque du musée provincial. L’été suivant, j’ai décroché un emploi au Service des lieux historiques provinciaux. Ces deux expériences de travail ont été très enrichissantes, car les tâches étaient intéressantes et variées. Une fois mon diplôme en poche, je me suis orientée vers le secteur où il y avait du travail à l’époque et j’ai travaillé deux ans dans une bibliothèque d’école primaire. Les gens étaient formidables et les élèves de la maternelle à la 3^e année étaient toujours divertissants et agréables à servir! Cependant, le milieu de travail dans une bibliothèque spécialisée me manquait. J’ai donc postulé pour un poste de technicienne en documentation dans un cabinet d’avocats et je l’ai décroché. Je me souviens d’avoir dit ceci en entrevue : « Même si je n’ai pas travaillé dans une bibliothèque de droit, j’ai confiance en mes capacités techniques pour satisfaire aux exigences de la description de tâches. Toutefois, pour être honnête, si on me posait une question de référence, je ne saurai trop quoi répondre. » La bibliothécaire m’avait répondu : « Ne vous inquiétez pas, on ne vous demandera pas de répondre à des questions de référence. » Eh bien, comme les choses peuvent changer! Au cours de mon premier mois d’emploi, les trois bibliothécaires de référence ont quitté le cabinet afin d’entreprendre une nouvelle carrière. J’ai donc dû en apprendre ÉNORMÉMENT en peu de temps sur la référence juridique! Étant donné que les bibliothécaires sont des personnes très serviables, j’ai reçu beaucoup d’aide de la part du personnel de la bibliothèque du palais de justice d’Edmonton, de l’admirable et regrettée Jane Parkinson et de ses collègues dans un autre cabinet d’avocats ainsi que des bibliothécaires de la bibliothèque de droit J.A. Weir de l’Université de l’Alberta. Évidemment, comme l’Internet n’existait pas à l’époque, je passais des heures au téléphone avec quiconque voulait bien répondre à mes questions afin que je puisse parvenir à comprendre les choses. J’avais réussi à tenir le coup pendant huit mois avant qu’une nouvelle bibliothécaire en chef soit embauchée, et cette expérience d’apprentissage s’est avérée fort enrichissante!

2. En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (p. ex. bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

Si vous travaillez dans une bibliothèque de droit, vous devez faire partie de l’ACBD/CALL, car l’association est la source pour obtenir tous les renseignements! Les précieux contacts établis lors des congrès et les conversations engagées avec d’autres bibliothécaires permettent d’en apprendre beaucoup sur ce que font des gens plus créatifs et plus futés que nous. Les séances et les ateliers de congrès sont toujours enrichissants, et je remercie l’association pour la tenue de nombreux webinaires pratiques tout au long de l’année. De plus, comme tous ces événements sont organisés par l’association, l’information est spécifiquement liée au droit canadien et aux questions juridiques. Je voudrais aussi encourager tous les membres à profiter des bourses et des prix offerts par l’ACBD/CALL. J’ai pu bénéficier à deux reprises d’une bourse commémorative de voyage Eunice Beeson pour assister à des congrès. Parfois, on pense ne pas être admissible ou ne pas mériter de postuler pour ces bourses. Cependant, l’ACBD/CALL estime que vous le méritez et souhaite recevoir vos candidatures. C’est la raison pour laquelle l’association offre ces bourses et ces prix. Par conséquent, n’hésitez pas à présenter votre candidature!

3. Quelles sont trois choses que vous aimeriez réaliser avant de mourir?

À ma retraite, je veux vraiment écrire un roman policier. Je ne tiens pas à ce qu’il soit publié, même si c’est assez facile à faire de nos jours avec toutes les possibilités d’autoédition. Je veux simplement passer à travers tout le processus et voir si je peux réellement terminer l’écriture d’un roman. Il est super facile de commencer l’écriture, mais terminer et être satisfait du résultat est une tout autre affaire! Je ne suis pas une grande voyageuse, mais JE VEUX aller en Islande un jour. Je rêve aussi de m’envoler dans une montgolfière, même si je souffre de vertige — je suis incapable de regarder une personne haut perchée sans avoir les mains moites. D’ailleurs, je fais souvent le même rêve où j’ai le sentiment d’être ballottée de tous côtés par le vent dans une montgolfière et cela n’est pas terrifiant du tout, c’est même amusant! Donc, je pense que je veux le faire, mais j’hésite. Au fait, combien de temps faudrait-il pour se rendre en Islande en montgolfière?

4. Qu’est-ce qui vous a surpris dans le domaine de l’information juridique?

Je sais que les gens sourcilleront en lisant ces lignes, mais les éditeurs sont étonnamment réceptifs à savoir ce que nous pensons de leurs produits et à tenir compte de nos suggestions pour les améliorer. Évidemment, pour de nombreuses raisons, ils ne peuvent pas et ne font pas toujours ce que nous leur demandons, mais il arrive parfois qu’ils donnent suite à nos suggestions. Je me souviens d’avoir appris très tôt dans ma carrière le proverbe « Demandez et vous recevrez ». Même si cela n’est pas toujours si simple, j’ai constaté que lorsque je parle au représentant pour lui expliquer un problème auquel je fais face ou aux responsables des maisons d’édition présents au congrès de l’ACBD/CALL, je peux faire avancer les choses. Je n’obtiens pas nécessairement la réponse voulue, mais je trouve qu’ils écoutent et qu’ils souhaitent travailler avec nous sur des objectifs réalisables.

5. Quel conseil donneriez-vous à quelqu’un qui cherche à percer dans l’industrie de l’information juridique?

Je pense qu’avoir un certain degré de compétences en technologies de l’information constitue un excellent atout, car vous devez être capable de discuter avec l’équipe des TI afin d’atteindre les objectifs fixés par la bibliothèque ou de résoudre des problèmes informatiques. Dans les cabinets d’avocats, avoir une formation dans le domaine des affaires ou des compétences en recherches de veille concurrentielle est un atout de plus en plus prisé.

Five Questions with Alisa Lazear

Stef Alexandru — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 00:02:10 GMT

version française ci-dessous.

Alisa Lazear, Manager, Community & Content | Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII)

1. Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

My educational background includes a B.A. Honours in psychology from Carleton University and a Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of British Columbia. During my MLIS degree I took a wide variety of courses. One in particular was the Legal Information Sources and Services class. Having had no legal background prior to this course, I found it a meaningful and exciting challenge.

I worked a number of co-op positions during my MLIS degree from a small marine science library on the west coast of Vancouver Island to the federal institution of Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa. Despite the difference in these positions, I continuously found myself drawn to work involving laws, regulations, and legal information.

These experiences, along with my coursework, helped me in my application for a Young Canada Works internship position at the Diana M. Priestly Law Library at the University of Victoria where I was able to expand on my knowledge of legal information.

2. How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

While working as an intern law librarian at the Diana M Priestly Law Library, I applied for the Eunice Beason Memorial grant. This grant enabled me to attend last year’s CALL conference in Halifax.

The conference provided me with wonderful and stimulating opportunities to meet many law librarians and legal information professionals in person. I am grateful for these contacts and for feeling so welcomed into the CALL community.

3. What are three things on your bucket list?

There are so many! Here are a few that came to mind:

Do a stand up comedy set in French
Swim a 10k race
Get over my fear of spiders

4. What was your first job or your first library-related job?

While completing my undergraduate degree at Carleton University, I also worked at the MacOdrum Library as a stacks student assistant. This was my first library position and, without knowing it at the time, would determine my career path.

I met incredible people who shared an excitement for learning new things and who would become my lifelong friends. I also befriended the head librarian at the time, who encouraged me to pursue a library degree. Looking back, I remember being very inspired by the projects that they were implementing at the library.

5. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry?

One piece of advice I would share was given to me by Caron Rollins at the UVic Law Library. She told me to always try something new when on the reference desk or working with a student. I would also advise this to any new legal information professionals working with clients or library patrons as it forces you to rethink the basics of legal research practice, build on your skills, and find innovative solutions.

Alisa Lazear, Gestionnaire de communauté et des contenus | Institut canadien d’information juridique (CanLII)

1. Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l'information juridique.

Je détiens un baccalauréat spécialisé en psychologie de l’Université Carleton et une maîtrise en bibliothéconomie et en sciences de l’information de l’Université de la Colombie-Britannique. Au cours de mes études à la maîtrise, j’ai suivi une panoplie de cours dont, notamment, un cours portant sur les sources et les services d’information juridique. Comme je n’avais aucun bagage juridique, j’ai trouvé le défi intéressant et passionnant.

J’ai également eu l’occasion d’acquérir de l’expérience dans le cadre de mes stages effectués dans une petite bibliothèque des sciences maritimes sur la côte ouest de l’île de Vancouver et à Bibliothèque et Archives Canada, une institution fédérale à Ottawa. Malgré le contraste entre ces deux postes, je me sentais toujours attirée par le travail touchant aux lois, aux réglementations et à l’information juridique.

Ces expériences et mes cours m’ont permis de postuler comme stagiaire du programme Jeunesse Canada au travail à la bibliothèque de droit Diana M. Priestly de l’Université de Victoria, où j’ai pu approfondir mes connaissances en information juridique.

2. En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (p. ex. bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

Pendant mon stage à la bibliothèque de droit Diana M Priestly, j’ai présenté ma candidature pour l’obtention d’une bourse commémorative de voyage Eunice Beeson . Cette bourse m’a permis d’assister au congrès de l’ACBD/CALL qui avait lieu à Halifax l’an dernier.

J’ai eu l’occasion de faire de merveilleuses rencontres stimulantes en échangeant avec de nombreux bibliothécaires de droit et professionnels de l’information juridique. Je remercie l’association de m’avoir permis d’établir ces contacts, et je me suis sentie réellement bien accueillie au sein de la communauté de l’ACBD/CALL.

3. Quelles sont trois choses que vous aimeriez réaliser avant de mourir?

Il y a trop choses! En voici quelques-unes qui me viennent à l’esprit :

Faire un monologue comique en français.
Nager un 10 km.
Vaincre ma peur des araignées.

4. Quel a été votre premier emploi ou votre premier emploi lié à la bibliothéconomie?

Pendant mes études de premier cycle à l’Université Carleton, j’ai également travaillé comme aide-étudiante au classement des livres à la bibliothèque MacOdrum. C’était mon premier emploi dans une bibliothèque et je ne savais pas à ce moment-là que ce poste déterminerait mon choix de carrière.

J’ai rencontré des gens formidables qui manifestaient un véritable enthousiasme pour apprendre de nouvelles choses, et ceux-ci sont devenus des amis pour la vie. Je me suis également liée d’amitié avec la bibliothécaire en chef à cette époque, et c’est elle qui m'a encouragée à poursuivre des études en bibliothéconomie. Avec le recul, je me souviens d’avoir été très inspirée par les projets réalisés par le personnel de la bibliothèque.

5. Quel conseil donneriez-vous à quelqu’un qui cherche à percer dans l’industrie de l’information juridique?

Un conseil que j’aimerais partager, et qui m’a été donné par Caron Rollins de la bibliothèque de droit de l’Université de Victoria, est de toujours essayer quelque chose de nouveau lorsqu’on travaille au bureau des renseignements ou avec un étudiant. Je donnerai également ce conseil à tout nouveau professionnel de l’information juridique travaillant avec des clients ou des usagers de la bibliothèque, car cela vous oblige à réfléchir aux éléments de base de la pratique en recherche juridique, à renforcer vos compétences et à trouver des solutions novatrices.

Project Profile: Project managing a database of regulatory requirements for an enterprise client

Stef Alexandru — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 17:02:08 GMT

version française ci-dessous.

This month's project profile involves project management.

Project managing a database of regulatory requirements for an enterprise client

Victoria Baranow, Project Manager—Regulatory Compliance | Norton Rose Fulbright Canada

1. Please describe the project in which you are involved and its goals.

I am currently involved in a global project for one of the firm’s enterprise clients. We are creating a database of regulatory requirements found in legislation and in the documentation of other regulatory-type bodies for about 40 jurisdictions. These are requirements to which our client must adhere in order to be considered in ‘good standing’. It is an absolutely massive project. Our database currently has nearly 30,000 entries, of which more than 17,200 entries impose requirements upon our client.

2. What is your role?

I am the project manager. I coordinate the work for the project within the firm and serve as the single point of contact for nearly all communication between the client and our firm and by extension, all external firms and other offices involved. Internally I handle resourcing, documenting the project, flag risks, and try to keep everyone on track. When new clients are proposed for the same work I provide the scoping–how many hours are expected for the work and by which people.

3. What challenges have you encountered?

Being under resourced from the project management side, partly from underestimating the work involved generally but also due to complications that have arisen. From about a month into the project until now it is ‘normal’ for me to have a 55 hour work week, and it has risen above that. There have been several days staying at the firm working with the lawyers until 11 pm in order to meet a submission deadline of our Canadian content, and a few times working until 2 or 3 am at home when coordinating the content of other jurisdictions. Time zones have a huge impact here – we ended up working very closely with our Hong Kong office and it was often much easier to make progress if I worked in the evenings, which were their mornings. Nonetheless, our client and Toronto team are very much in the EST time zone even during our work with Hong Kong.

Other challenges were typical in any large project: law firm politics, budgets, resourcing for the legal work (lawyers often have many files to juggle), and difficulties with ‘vendors’ (external counsel in other jurisdictions). We also had a number of scope challenges/scope creep to deal with, and a client with very high expectations for out-of-scope work.

4. What is the timeline for this project? (i.e. long term or short term)

This is a long term project that started in January 2018. I started in my role in late March 2018. We are still going and expect that there will be other clients interested in the product over time.

5. Do you have any tips for library professionals who may be considering a similar project?

One of the more unique and valuable skills/knowledge that I brought to this project was an understanding of how legislation is updated where lawyers tended or assumed ideas about ease of finding legislation, updating it, and how governments make it available to the public. Extreme organization on my part has been key–keeping on top of emails and filing emails no longer relevant has been a large part of that. Diplomatic communication is also a skill that needs to be honed–this is important both for clients and internal stakeholders (partners). You have to be willing and confident enough to speak up in meetings and note red flags or risks as they come up, without upsetting anyone. In client meetings, there is a delicate balance of maintaining client relationships while also protecting the firm when being asked to do something or agreeing to out of scope work or work that presents a risk to the project. Partners rely on you to give them the facts and raise issues, but their own personalities and firm politics play a part as well. To be successful in this kind of client-facing role, you need to practice direct, but diplomatic communication.

Projet de gestion d’une base de données contenant des exigences réglementaires pour une entreprise cliente

Victoria Baranow, gestionnaire de projet – conformité réglementaire | Norton Rose Fulbright Canada

1. Décrivez-nous le projet auquel vous collaborez ainsi que ses objectifs.

Je collabore actuellement à un projet mondial pour le compte d’une entreprise cliente de notre cabinet. Nous travaillons à la création d’une base de données sur les exigences réglementaires qui figurent dans la législation et la documentation d’autres organismes de réglementation provenant d’une quarantaine de pays. Il s’agit d’exigences auxquelles notre client doit se conformer pour qu’il soit considéré « en règle ». C’est un projet de très grande envergure. Notre base de données contient actuellement près de 30 000 entrées, dont plus de 17 200 sont des exigences auxquelles doit satisfaire notre client.

2. Quel est votre rôle?

J’occupe les fonctions de gestionnaire de projet. Je coordonne les travaux du projet au sein du cabinet et j’agis à titre de point de contact unique pour pratiquement toutes les communications entre le client et notre cabinet et, par extension, toutes les entreprises externes et les autres bureaux concernés. À l’interne, je gère les ressources, je documente les aspects du projet, je signale les risques et j’essaie de garder tout le monde sur la bonne voie. Lorsque le même type de travail est proposé à de nouveaux clients, c’est moi qui définis la portée du projet; c’est-à-dire le nombre d’heures prévues pour le travail et les personnes affectées aux tâches.

3. Quels sont les défis que vous avez eu à relever?

Le manque de ressources du point de vue de la gestion du projet, qui est attribuable en partie à une sous-estimation du travail habituellement requis, mais aussi à cause de complications qui sont survenues. Depuis pratiquement le premier mois du projet jusqu’à présent, il est « normal » de travailler 55 heures par semaine ou même plus. J’ai passé plusieurs journées à travailler avec les avocats jusqu’à 23 h afin de respecter la date limite de soumission de notre contenu canadien, et j’ai travaillé à l’occasion jusqu’à 2 ou 3 heures du matin chez moi pour coordonner le contenu d’autres pays. Les fuseaux horaires ont une incidence énorme ici. Nous avons dû travailler en étroite collaboration avec notre bureau de Hong Kong, et il était souvent beaucoup plus facile de faire des progrès lorsque je travaillais le soir, qui était le matin là-bas. Néanmoins, notre client et l’équipe de Toronto sont tous deux situés dans le fuseau horaire de l’Est même lorsque nous travaillons avec Hong Kong.

Les autres défis étaient sensiblement courants à tout projet d’envergure : les politiques des cabinets d’avocats, les budgets, l’affectation des ressources juridiques (les avocats doivent souvent jongler avec de nombreux dossiers) et les difficultés avec les « fournisseurs » (les conseillers externes dans d’autres pays). Nous avons également eu à composer avec des difficultés liées aux paramètres du projet et avec un client ayant des attentes très élevées pour des activités qui étaient hors de la portée du projet.

4. Quel est l’échéancier de ce projet? (C’est-à-dire à long terme ou à court terme)

Il s’agit d’un projet à long terme qui a débuté en janvier 2018 et je suis entrée en fonction à la fin du mois de mars. Le projet est toujours en cours et nous nous attendons à ce que d’autres clients s’intéressent au produit avec le temps.

5. Quels conseils donneriez-vous aux professionnels en bibliothéconomie qui envisageraient de réaliser un projet semblable?

L’une des plus précieuses compétences et connaissances que j’ai apportées à ce projet a été ma compréhension de la façon dont la législation est mise à jour – contrairement aux avocats qui ont tendance à croire ou pensent que la recherche de lois et la mise à jour se font facilement – et de savoir comment les gouvernements mettent ces documents à la disposition du public. Une très bonne organisation de ma part a été cruciale. Par exemple, m’assurer de bien gérer les courriels et de classer ceux qui ne sont plus pertinents font beaucoup partie de mon travail. La communication diplomatique constitue également une compétence à peaufiner; c’est une aptitude importante à détenir envers les clients et les intervenants internes (les partenaires). Vous devez être suffisamment prêt pour oser prendre la parole lors de réunions et soulever les problèmes ou les risques au fur et à mesure qu’ils se présentent sans vexer quiconque. Lors de réunions avec les clients, il y a un équilibre délicat à maintenir entre les relations avec la clientèle et la protection du cabinet; par exemple, un client peut vous demander de faire des activités en dehors de la portée du projet ou présentant un risque. Bien que les partenaires comptent sur vous pour leur donner les faits et soulever des problèmes, leur personnalité et les politiques des cabinets jouent également un rôle. Pour réussir dans ce poste d’interaction avec la clientèle, vous devez pratiquer la communication directe tout en faisant preuve de diplomatie.

Five Questions with Jacob Ericson

Stef Alexandru — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 18:49:26 GMT

version française ci-dessous.
Jacob Ericson, Legal Information Specialist | Stewart McKelvey

1. Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I got my bachelors of liberal arts in Medieval Studies from the University of Virginia. I’ve always had a love for history and literature. I also had a background in photography, so when I saw a job advertisement for a position in the rare books library at UVa for a student with photography skills, I immediately applied. I worked for Digitization Services at the University of Virginia for three years scanning materials from the rare books collection, including maps, old World War II posters, and even a few cuneiform tablets! I loved that job, so when it came time for me to graduate, I asked my supervisor what I needed to work in a rare books collection full time. She suggested I get an MLIS. At the time I was also considering law school, as the law had always been something I was interested in studying. I ended up deciding to pursue an MLIS at Dalhousie University, and there I took a course on Legal Information. The legal information profession is the perfect melding of my interests, so the rest, you could say, is history.

2. How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

I’ve only been a member in good standing of CALL for a year but it has already had a profound impact on my career. First, I attended this year’s CALL conference in Halifax and had an amazing time. I met a lot of amazing people, including a group of my peers in the New Professionals Special Interest Group. Connecting with a group of newer law librarians, whose stories and experiences were similar to my own, helped me feel far more at home in my chosen profession. After the conference I also attended the New Law Librarians Institute (“NLLI”), which is organized by CALL. The NLLI, which was held in Calgary this year, is designed to help supplement new law librarians’ legal knowledge so that they can better serve their clients. I attended many courses, taught by law professors and librarians, which provided me with a lot of technical legal information that I’ve found incredibly helpful in my job at Stewart McKelvey.

3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry?

The biggest piece of advice I can give to any prospective law librarian is to network. While pursuing my MLIS, I heard time and time again that networking was the key to success as a librarian, and my experiences after graduation have definitely proved that point. While you are looking for a job, networking helps you make connections and get your name out there. This can lead to job offers, advice, and support. After you get your first job as a law librarian, networking remains important. Those same connections that helped me apply for, and get, my first job are now my colleagues, and I reach out to them frequently for help and advice. Networking doesn’t have to be hard either. Some of my favourite networking experiences involved a bunch of people in a pub drinking beer. It isn’t painful unless you make it that way! CALL is an amazing resource for networking. Between the listservs, Special Interest Groups, and the annual conference there are many resources available to get you connected to what is a surprisingly tight knit group of professionals Canada-wide.

4. Who is your favourite library professional—living or dead, real or fictional?

I would have to say that Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer is my favourite fictional library professional. I can probably owe my interest in librarianship, at least somewhat, to the portrayal of the profession in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Giles was stuffy, traditional, and somewhat boring at first glance, but he was also a heroic figure who trained and fought alongside Buffy as she faced the forces of darkness. Any time a new enemy appeared, Buffy, Giles, and the rest of the gang always started their fight by doing research in the library. This show taught me how important well executed research is to solving a problem. Dozens of episodes showed that with a little research and preparation, even the most impossible situations can suddenly become trivial. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and the character of Giles, showed a young me that there is magic to information if you only know how to find and correctly use it.

5. Where do you see our industry and/or profession in 10 years?

Our profession is slowly catching up to the rest of the information world by becoming more digital. Fields such as Health Information have been relying on digital information for years, whereas the legal information field is only now starting to catch up. The way law firms function is changing as well, as more firms push for environmentally responsible footprints and shrinking office spaces. This reduced space means a reduced physical library collection, but we are still relied upon to provide the same quality of service as ever. Therefore, digital resources and technology are becoming not only assets but necessities. There is a lot of room in this growing focus on technology for librarians to assert their worth. A lot of my responsibilities at Stewart McKelvey don’t involve what would be traditionally seen as a “library work.” I do research, and yes I even shelve books, but I also spend a large percentage of my time doing knowledge management and crunching numbers in Excel. At the end of the day, our jobs as librarians aren’t as custodians of books, but as “masters” of information. That’s what the title of our degree really means. We understand information, and we are living in what is often being coined as the “Information Age.” As long as we continue to leverage our experience, our profession should continue to be, not only relevant, but crucial.

Jacob Ericson, Spécialiste de l’information juridique | Stewart McKelvey

1. Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégré au secteur de l’information juridique.

J’ai obtenu mon baccalauréat en arts libéraux, études médiévales, de l’Université de Virginie. J’ai toujours été passionné par l’histoire et la littérature. J’avais aussi une formation en photographie. Alors que j’étais aux études, j’ai vu une offre d’emploi pour un poste d’étudiant à la bibliothèque de livres rares de l’UVa qui demandait des compétences en photographie. J’ai immédiatement postulé et j’ai travaillé pendant trois ans aux services de numérisation de l’Université de Virginie à numériser des documents de la collection de livres rares, notamment des cartes, de vieilles affiches de la Seconde Guerre mondiale et même quelques tablettes cunéiformes! Comme j’adorais ce travail, j’ai demandé à ma superviseure ce que je devais faire pour travailler dans le domaine des collections de livres rares à temps plein une fois mon diplôme en poche. Elle m’a suggéré d’obtenir une maîtrise en bibliothéconomie et en science de l’information. À l’époque, je pensais aussi poursuivre mes études en droit puisque ce domaine m’intéressait depuis longtemps. J’ai finalement choisi de faire une maîtrise en bibliothéconomie et en science de l’information à l’Université Dalhousie au cours de laquelle j’ai suivi un cours en information juridique. La profession de l’information juridique correspond parfaitement à mes centres intérêt. Et voilà pour la petite histoire.

2. En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (p. ex. bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

Je suis membre en règle de l’ACBD depuis seulement un an, mais cela a déjà eu un grand impact sur ma carrière. Tout d’abord, j’ai assisté au congrès annuel de l’ACBD à Halifax où j’ai vécu une expérience formidable. J’ai rencontré un tas de gens extraordinaires et des collègues faisant partie du Groupe d’intérêt spécial des nouveaux professionnels. Le fait d’établir des liens avec un groupe de nouveaux bibliothécaires juridiques, dont les histoires et les expériences personnelles étaient semblables aux miennes, m’a permis de me sentir beaucoup plus à l’aise dans la profession que j’ai choisie. Après ce congrès, j’ai également participé à l’Institut pour les nouveaux bibliothécaires de droit (NILL) organisé par l’ACBD. Le NLLI, qui avait lieu à Calgary cette année, vise à compléter les connaissances juridiques des nouveaux bibliothécaires juridiques afin qu’ils puissent mieux servir leurs clients. J’ai suivi de nombreux cours donnés par des professeurs de droit et des bibliothécaires juridiques, ce qui m’a permis d’acquérir une foule de connaissances techniques et juridiques qui me sont extrêmement utiles dans mon travail chez Stewart McKelvey.

3. Quel conseil donneriez-vous à quelqu’un qui cherche à percer dans l’industrie de l’information juridique?

Le meilleur conseil je peux donner à tout futur bibliothécaire juridique est de faire du réseautage. Lors de mes études à la maîtrise, j’ai très souvent entendu dire que le réseautage était la clé du succès lorsqu’on est bibliothécaire, et mes expériences après l’obtention de mon diplôme en sont la preuve manifeste. Lorsque vous êtes à la recherche d’un emploi, le réseautage vous aide à tisser des liens et à faire circuler votre nom. Cette démarche peut entraîner des offres d’emploi, des conseils et du soutien. Après avoir décroché votre premier emploi comme bibliothécaire juridique, il est important de continuer à faire du réseautage. Les personnes qui m’ont aidé à postuler pour mon premier emploi sont maintenant mes collègues, et je les contacte souvent pour leur demander de l’aide ou des conseils. Le réseautage ne devrait pas non plus être une corvée. Certaines de mes expériences de réseautage préférées ont lieu dans un pub où les personnes discutent en buvant une bière. Ce n’est pas difficile si vous ne compliquez pas les choses! L’ACBD est une ressource incroyable pour le réseautage. Entre les serveurs de listes, les groupes d’intérêt spécial et le congrès annuel, de nombreuses ressources sont disponibles pour que vous puissiez rencontrer un groupe de professionnels étonnamment bien uni partout au Canada.

4. Qui est votre professionnel de la bibliothéconomie favori, qu’il soit vivant ou décédé, réel ou fictif?

Je dirais que Rupert Giles, dans la série télévisée Buffy contre les vampires, est mon bibliothécaire fictif favori. Je dois probablement mon intérêt pour la bibliothéconomie, au moins quelque peu, à la représentation de la profession dans cette série fantastique. À première vue, Giles avait l’air coincé, conservateur et un peu plate, mais il était également une figure héroïque qui s’entraînait avec Buffy et se battait à ses côtés contre les forces des ténèbres. Chaque fois qu’un nouvel ennemi faisait son apparition, Buffy, Giles et toute la clique commençaient toujours leur combat en faisant des recherches à la bibliothèque. Cette série m’a appris à quel point une recherche bien menée est indispensable pour résoudre un problème. Des dizaines d’épisodes ont montré qu’avec un peu de recherche et de préparation, même les situations les plus impossibles peuvent soudainement devenir insignifiantes. Buffy contre les vampires et le personnage de Giles m’ont montré, alors que j’étais tout jeune, que l’information peut être magique si vous savez comment la trouver et l’utiliser correctement.

5. Où voyez-vous notre industrie ou la profession dans dix ans?

Notre profession rattrape lentement le reste du monde de l’information en s’ouvrant davantage à la numérisation. Les domaines comme l’information sur la santé reposent sur l’information numérique depuis des années, alors que le domaine de l’information juridique commence tout juste à les rattraper. La façon de faire des cabinets d’avocats évolue également à mesure qu’ils sont de plus en plus nombreux à vouloir adopter une approche écoresponsable et réduire les espaces de travail. La réduction de l’espace signifie que les collections physiques des bibliothèques doivent aussi être réduites. Cependant, nous devons toujours offrir la même qualité de service. Par conséquent, la technologie et les ressources numériques deviennent non seulement des actifs, mais aussi des besoins essentiels. L’intérêt grandissant accordé à la technologie offre de grandes possibilités aux bibliothécaires pour faire valoir leur efficacité. Une grande partie de mes responsabilités chez Stewart McKelvey n’ont rien à voir avec ce que l’on considère conventionnellement comme du « travail de bibliothécaire ». Je fais de la recherche et, oui, je classe des livres, mais je passe aussi une grande partie de mon temps à faire de la gestion du savoir et à effectuer des calculs dans Excel. En fin de compte, notre travail comme bibliothécaire ne consiste pas à être des gardiens de livres, mais plutôt à être des « maîtres » de l’information. C’est ce que le titre de notre diplôme signifie réellement. Nous comprenons l’information et nous vivons dans ce que l’on qualifie souvent comme « l’ère de l’information ». Tant que nous continuerons à miser sur notre expérience, notre profession devrait rester non seulement pertinente, mais aussi indispensable.

Five Questions with Kirsten Clement

Stef Alexandru — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 18:46:03 GMT

version française ci-dessous.
Kirsten Clement, Research Librarian | Library of Parliament

1. Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

My undergraduate studies kind of belie the fact that I have always had a lot of interests: I double majored in archaeology and anthropology and double minored in French and geography. I really wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do after my BA – I thought about continuing to pursue academia, or going to teacher’s college, but nothing really felt quite right. I learned in my fourth year that I was being offered an Ontario Graduate Scholarship worth $15,000 to pursue any graduate degree I wished, so I began looking around for programs that felt like they would pull together my various interests and love of research into something that could translate into a career. I narrowed it down to a Masters of Journalism or a Masters of Library and Information Science, and ultimately chose the latter – something for which I am very grateful, in hindsight!

After completing my MLIS, I worked for a number of years in public libraries, most notably as the Young Adult Librarian at Brantford Public Library. After the birth of my first son, I elected not to return to work for a few years. I had a second son and enjoyed being a stay at home mom to them, while continuing to pursue freelance work in the library field as a long-distance teacher and occasional course author for courses offered through the Southern Ontario Library service.

My family situation abruptly changed in 2014, and I found myself in a position of needing to be back in the workforce as soon as possible. I applied to a variety of jobs in the library field and was fortunate enough to land a role as the Law Librarian for the Hamilton Law Association. Despite my lack of legal librarianship background, the Executive Director saw something in me and took a chance. I quickly fell in love with the law and with all aspects of legal librarianship and have not looked back!

In 2017, for personal reasons, my sons and I planned to move to Ottawa, and I began applying for jobs there. When I came across a posting for research librarians with the Library of Parliament, it literally sounded like my dream job! After a long series of assorted testing, vetting, interviews and second language tests, I was thrilled to be hired and began my work with the Library in July 2017. I am currently assigned to the Justice and National Security section, which allows me to use and further hone my skills as a law librarian.

2. How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

In 2016, I had the opportunity to attend the New Law Librarians Institute at the University of Ottawa. It was a phenomenal experience for me both in terms of professional development and networking and it really opened my eyes to the many types of environments where law librarians work. I found it provided an excellent grounding both in many substantive aspects of the law and in terms of legal librarianship skills development, and it really made me feel more confident in the way I approached my job. I have stayed connected with a number of people I met through NLLI and am even co-chairing the National Capital Association of Law Librarians (NCALL) with one of them, a law librarian at the Supreme Court, this year!

I also had the chance to attend my first CALL conference in Halifax this past May, which was also an inspiring and engaging learning opportunity and a real chance to almost get an even broader aerial view of trends and issues in the legal information profession.

3. What was your first job or your first library-related job?

The summer after my second year of university, I was looking for a summer job. I went to this job connect place in downtown Hamilton and was flipping through a binder of opportunities. There was one that was a Summer Reading Program worker with Hamilton Public Library, which looked really interesting, but I was disappointed to see that I had missed the application deadline by one day. I did up a resume for it anyway, not expecting anything, and applied for some other jobs too. I heard nothing and, feeling the pressure to find SOME work, ended up taking a job washing windows – which was awful, since I am not a fan of ladders! After I had been at that job one week, and was feeling pretty down about it all, I got a call out of the blue from a manager at HPL saying that one of their candidates for the Summer Reading Program workers had backed out and even though I had applied late, was I interested? I quit the window washing gig that afternoon and started with HPL the following Monday! It was a fantastic experience and definitely a game changer for me – I went back to university in the fall and got a part-time job at the University library, all of which ultimately contributed to my decision to do my MLIS.

4. What is one thing that’s surprised you about the legal information profession?

Because my start was in public libraries, I think for a while that was where I figured I would stay – by default, almost. Certainly, back when I was a recent MLIS grad, law librarianship wasn’t really on my radar, despite the one law libraries course I took in the course of the degree. The law seemed like something huge and intimidating – and those who worked in the law seemed likewise intimidating (we all know the lawyer stereotypes!). What has consistently surprised and impressed me is how tremendously collaborative this profession is. My interactions with other law librarians and with lawyers and other legal experts over the past few years have been virtually categorically positive, constructive, and helpful. Whether through conferences, associations or listservs, legal information professionals are so willing to contribute to each other’s development and to help each other out. It extends beyond law librarians, too: in my job, there are frequently very short, intense deadlines, and being able to reach out to a colleague in another part of the country for court documents, a legal analyst down the hall for their thoughts on how to approach a question, or counsel on case that is of interest to a parliamentary committee for a key piece of information, I have found a real team mentality to working in the law that has surprised me and continues to impress me. I hope I am able to actively contribute to that collaboration too.

5. What are three things on your bucket list?

I was born in the Australian Outback (to Canadian parents – my dad was doing his PhD at the University of Queensland at the time) and we came back to Canada permanently when I was just under two years old. I have never been back. One day I want to go and see the town where I was born as well as other parts of Australia!

My primary hobby outside of work and family is running. I have been a runner since I was 11 years old, mostly a recreational one after the days of high school cross country, but then I got into marathoning about six years ago and just fell in love with it. In 2015, I qualified for the Boston Marathon, which I ran in 2016. It was an experience like no other, and it left me hungry to re-qualify and go back one day! I would also love to experience some marathons in other countries and other parts of Canada.

My biggest bucket list item is to raise strong, happy, confident kids who aren’t afraid to work hard, love hard, and chase down their dreams. I have two amazing sons (7 and 9) and two amazing stepdaughters (9 and 11) and the greatest privilege in my life is getting to witness and hopefully positively inspire the people they are becoming!

Kirsten Clement, Bibliothécaire de recherche | Bibliothèque du Parlement

1. Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l'information juridique.

Mes études de premier cycle ne cachent pas vraiment le fait que je me suis toujours intéressée à une multitude de choses. Je détiens une double majeure en archéologie et en anthropologie et une double mineure en français et en géographie. Comme je n’avais aucune idée de ce que je voulais faire après mon baccalauréat, je me suis dit que je pourrais poursuivre une carrière universitaire ou faire une formation en enseignement, mais je n’étais pas réellement convaincue. Au cours de ma quatrième année de baccalauréat, j’ai appris qu’on m’offrait une bourse d’études supérieures de l’Ontario d’une valeur de 15 000 $ afin de poursuivre un programme d’études de mon choix. J’ai donc commencé à examiner les programmes qui conciliaient mes différents intérêts et ma passion pour la recherche et qui pourraient se traduire par une carrière. Après avoir procédé par élimination, mes deux possibilités étaient une maîtrise en journalisme ou une maîtrise en bibliothéconomie et en sciences de l’information. J’ai opté pour la dernière et, en rétrospective, je suis très reconnaissante d’avoir choisi ce domaine!

Après l’obtention de ma maîtrise, j’ai travaillé pendant plusieurs années dans des bibliothèques publiques, notamment en tant que bibliothécaire pour les jeunes adultes à la bibliothèque municipale de Brantford. Après la naissance de mon premier fils, j’ai décidé de ne pas retourner au travail avant quelques années. J’ai eu un deuxième garçon et j’aimais bien rester à la maison pour m’occuper de mes enfants tout en continuant à travailler à la pige dans le domaine de la bibliothéconomie, à titre d’enseignante de formation à distance et occasionnellement de conceptrice de cours offerts par les Services des bibliothèques de l’Ontario Sud.

Ma situation familiale a ensuite brusquement changé en 2014, et je me suis retrouvée dans un contexte où je devais réintégrer le marché du travail le plus rapidement possible. J’ai postulé pour différents emplois en bibliothéconomie et j’ai eu la chance de décrocher un poste de bibliothécaire juridique pour la Hamilton Law Association. Malgré mon manque d’expérience en bibliothéconomie juridique, la directrice générale avait vu quelque chose en moi et décida de prendre un risque. J’ai rapidement été séduite par le droit et tous les aspects de la bibliothéconomie juridique, et je n’ai jamais eu de regrets!

En 2017, j’ai envisagé de déménager à Ottawa avec mes fils pour des raisons personnelles et j’ai commencé à postuler pour des emplois. Lorsque je suis tombée sur l’offre pour le poste de bibliothécaire de recherche à la Bibliothèque du Parlement, cela me paraissait littéralement comme mon emploi de rêve! Après une longue série de tests, de sélections, d’entrevues et d’examens d’évaluation de langue seconde, j’étais très heureuse d’obtenir le poste et j’ai commencé à y travailler en juillet 2017. Je suis actuellement affecté à la division Justice et sécurité nationale, ce qui me permet d’utiliser et de perfectionner mes compétences en tant que bibliothécaire juridique.

2. En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (p. ex. bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

En 2016, j’ai eu l’occasion d’assister à l’Institut pour les nouveaux bibliothécaires de droit (NLLI) à l’Université d’Ottawa. L’expérience a été phénoménale pour moi sur le plan du perfectionnement professionnel et du réseautage, et cela m’a vraiment ouvert les yeux quant aux nombreux milieux dans lesquels évoluent les bibliothécaires de droit. Cette formation m’a permis d’acquérir une base solide sur les nombreux aspects essentiels du droit et de perfectionner mes compétences en bibliothéconomie juridique. Cette expérience m’a aussi permis d’acquérir une plus grande confiance dans la façon d’aborder mon travail. Je suis restée en contact avec quelques personnes que j’ai rencontrées lors cet événement, et je suis même coprésidente de l’Association des bibliothécaires de droit de la capitale nationale cette année avec une de ces personnes, une bibliothécaire de droit à la Cour suprême!

J’ai également eu la chance de prendre part à mon premier congrès de l’ACBD à Halifax, en mai dernier. Ce fut une occasion d’apprentissage inspirante et stimulante et une grande opportunité pour obtenir une perspective encore plus vaste des tendances et des problèmes de la profession en information juridique.

3. Quel a été votre premier emploi ou votre premier emploi lié à la bibliothéconomie?

Je me suis mise à la recherche d’un emploi au cours de l’été après ma deuxième année d’université. Je me suis rendue dans un service de Connexion Emploi au centre-ville de Hamilton et j’ai parcouru un cartable contenant de nombreuses offres d’emplois. Parmi ces offres, celle d’un(e) préposé(e) pour le programme de lecture d’été à la bibliothèque municipale de Hamilton me semblait très intéressante, mais j’étais déçue de constater que j’avais raté d’une journée la date limite pour l’envoi des demandes d’emploi. J’ai tout de même envoyé mon c.v. sans rien attendre, et j’ai postulé pour d’autres emplois. Comme je n’avais pas de nouvelles et que je ressentais une CERTAINE urgence de me trouver un emploi, j’ai fini par accepter un emploi de laveuse de vitres – ce qui était un travail atroce puisque je ne suis pas une adepte des échelles! Après une semaine au travail où je me sentais plutôt malheureuse, j’ai reçu un appel inattendu de la part d’un responsable de la bibliothèque municipale pour m’informer qu’un des candidats retenus pour le programme de lecture d’été s’était désisté et pour savoir si le poste m’intéressait même si j’avais postulé en retard. J’ai quitté mon emploi de laveuse de vitres l’après-midi même, et j’ai commencé à travailler à la bibliothèque le lundi suivant! L’expérience a été fantastique et a indéniablement changé la donne pour moi – je suis retournée à l’université à l’automne et j’ai trouvé un emploi à temps partiel à la bibliothèque de l’université. Tous ces facteurs ont finalement pesé dans ma décision de faire une maîtrise.

4. Qu’est-ce qui vous a surpris dans le domaine de l’information juridique?

Étant donné que j’avais fait mes débuts dans les bibliothèques publiques, je pensais rester dans ce milieu, du moins presque par défaut. Certes, en tant que jeune diplômée de maîtrise, la bibliothéconomie juridique ne faisait pas partie de mes intérêts même si j’avais suivi un cours sur les bibliothèques de droit pendant mes études. Le droit m’apparaissait comme un milieu immense et intimidant, et les personnes qui travaillaient dans ce domaine semblaient également intimidantes (on connaît tous les clichés sur les avocats!). Je suis toujours surprise et impressionnée par la grande collaboration qui règne au sein de cette profession. Mes échanges avec des bibliothécaires de droit, des avocats et d’autres experts juridiques au cours des dernières années ont été presque complètement positifs, constructifs et utiles. Que ce soit par le biais de conférences, d’associations ou de listes de diffusion, les professionnels de l’information juridique sont toujours prêts à contribuer au développement de chacun et à s’entraider. Cela va aussi bien au-delà des bibliothécaires de droit. Dans le cadre de mon travail, les délais sont souvent très courts et intenses. Il m’arrive de contacter un collègue dans une autre région du pays pour obtenir des documents judiciaires, un analyste juridique près de mon bureau pour connaître son point de vue sur la façon d’aborder une question ou un avocat pour obtenir un renseignement important sur un dossier auquel s’intéresse un comité parlementaire. Je trouve qu’il y a véritablement une mentalité d’équipe dans le travail associé au droit. Cette collaboration m’a surprise et ne cesse de m’impressionner. J’espère que je pourrai également contribuer activement à cette collaboration.

5. Quelles sont trois choses que vous aimeriez faire avant de mourir?

Je suis née dans l’Outback australien (de parents canadiens; mon père faisait un doctorat à l’Université du Queensland à l’époque) et ma famille est revenue au Canada pour y vivre de façon permanente alors que j’avais à peine deux ans. Je n’y suis jamais retournée. J’aimerais bien y retourner un jour pour voir la ville où je suis née et aussi visiter d’autres régions de l’Australie!

En dehors du travail et de la famille, mon passe-temps principal est la course à pied. Je pratique ce sport depuis l'âge de 11 ans, surtout de façon récréative depuis le secondaire où je courais sur l’équipe de cross-country. Cependant, je me suis mise à la distance de marathon depuis environ six ans et je suis devenue une adepte. Je me suis qualifiée pour le marathon de Boston en 2015, et j’y ai participé en 2016. Ce fut une expérience exceptionnelle, et j’ai l’envie de me qualifier à nouveau pour le refaire un jour! J’aimerais aussi faire des marathons dans d’autres pays et ailleurs au Canada.

Ma plus grande priorité est d’élever des enfants forts, heureux et sûrs d’eux qui n’ont pas peur de travailler dur, d’aimer sans fin et de poursuivre leurs rêves. J’ai deux fils extraordinaires (7 et 9 ans) et deux belles-filles extraordinaires (9 et 11 ans), et le plus grand privilège dans ma vie est de les voir grandir et de pouvoir les inspirer de manière positive!

Five Questions with Katie Cuyler

Stef Alexandru — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 16:42:36 GMT

version française ci-dessous.

Katie Cuyler, Public Services & Government Information Librarian | University of Alberta

1. Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I have a BA in Political Science and an MI, both from U of T. I have always been interested in politics, government, and the law. I even took the LSAT after my first degree and was in the process of applying for law schools, when I realized I was more interested in the research and information side of government and law, and decided to get my Masters in Library Science instead.

During my MI, I did a practicum placement at Bennett Jones doing competitive intelligence and when I graduated they offered me a full-time position, which I happily accepted. After a few years at Bennett Jones, I made the move into academic librarianship as a Law and Government Information Librarian at the University of Alberta, and the rest is, as they say, history.

2. How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

CALL has helped me professionally by connecting me with an invaluable network of law librarians and professionals, and by giving me the opportunity to practice and expand my skills through speaking and volunteering on committees. Also, at my first CALL conference, as a new grad, I won an eReader, which was some pretty awesome, new technology at the time.

3. What are three skills/attributes you think legal information professionals need to have?

Curiosity: I think all information professionals with innate curiosity thrive in tackling the diverse questions and projects we handle day-to-day.
Interest in the law/legal system/government: Specifically, the ability to see how this – sometimes mundane and jargon-laden–information impacts society and people’s lives.
Confidence: There is a lot of teaching and training involved, there is the possibility of big personalities… But, also the confidence to be comfortable with not having an answer but being willing to figure it out.

4. Who is your favourite library professional—living or dead, real or fictional?

My elementary school librarian. She had a way of individually connecting with and empowering students, which I didn’t realize had meant so much to me until later in life. I try as much as I can to approach my work with the same goal of connection and empowerment.

5. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry?

Network and volunteer with professional associations. It introduces you to people you may end up working with, gives you hands on experience/knowledge in the field, and allows you to build your resume so you can break that cycle of not being able to get any experience because you don’t have any experience.

Katie Cuyler, Bibliothécaire des services publics et de l’information gouvernementale | Université de l’Alberta

1. Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

Je détiens un baccalauréat en sciences politiques et une maîtrise en sciences de l’information de l’Université de Toronto. Je m’intéresse depuis longtemps à la politique, aux questions d’ordre gouvernemental et au droit. J’ai même fait l’examen LSAT après l’obtention de mon baccalauréat en vue de m’inscrire à la faculté de droit. Toutefois, je me suis rendu compte que j’étais plus intéressée par le domaine de la recherche et de l’information sur les plans juridique et gouvernemental alors j’ai décidé de faire une maîtrise en bibliothéconomie.

Dans le cadre de mon programme d’études, j’ai effectué un stage au cabinet d’avocats Bennett Jones pour y faire de la veille concurrentielle. Ensuite, lorsque j’ai obtenu mon diplôme, on m’a offert un poste à temps plein que j’ai accepté avec joie. Après quelques années au sein de ce cabinet, je me suis orientée vers la bibliothéconomie universitaire pour devenir bibliothécaire d’information juridique et gouvernementale à l’Université de l’Alberta, et le reste appartient pour ainsi dire à l’histoire.

2. En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (p. ex. bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

L’ACBD m’a aidé sur le plan professionnel en me permettant d’établir un réseau précieux de bibliothécaires et de professionnels juridiques, et en me donnant l’occasion d’améliorer mes aptitudes et d’élargir mes compétences en faisant des exposés et du bénévolat au sein de divers comités. De plus, lors de ma première participation au congrès de l’ACBD en tant que nouvelle diplômée, j’ai gagné une liseuse numérique, qui était une nouvelle technologie plutôt impressionnante à l’époque.

3. Selon vous, quelles sont les trois compétences ou qualités que les professionnels de l’information juridique doivent détenir?

La curiosité : Je pense que tous les professionnels de l’information qui sont curieux s’épanouissent dans la résolution de divers problèmes et projets auxquels ils sont confrontés au quotidien.
L’intérêt pour le droit, le système juridique et le gouvernement : Plus précisément, la capacité de voir comment cette information, parfois banale et alourdie de jargon, a un impact sur la société et la vie des gens.
La confiance : Les tâches touchent beaucoup à l’enseignement et à la formation, et il est possible qu’on rencontre des gens avec une forte personnalité. Il faut aussi acquérir de l’assurance pour être à l’aise avec le fait de ne pas avoir de réponse, mais d’être disposé à la trouver.

4. Qui est votre professionnel de la bibliothéconomie favori, qu’il soit vivant ou décédé, réel ou fictif?

La bibliothécaire de mon école primaire. Elle avait une façon de communiquer avec chacun des élèves et de leur donner de l’autonomie. Ce n’est que plus tard dans ma vie que je me suis rendu compte de l’influence qu’elle avait eue sur moi. J’essaie le plus possible d’aborder mon travail avec ce même objectif de communication et d’autonomisation.

5. Quel conseil donneriez-vous à quelqu’un qui cherche à percer dans l’industrie de l’information juridique?

Établir des contacts et faire du bénévolat auprès d’associations professionnelles. Cela vous permet de rencontrer des personnes avec lesquelles vous pourriez éventuellement travailler, de tirer une expérience pratique et des connaissances dans le domaine, ainsi que d’étoffer votre c.v. pour briser le cycle de ne pas pouvoir acquérir de l’expérience parce que vous n’avez pas d’expérience.

Five Questions with Allyssa McFadyen

Stef Alexandru — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 11:00:00 GMT

version française ci-dessous.

Allyssa McFadyen, Legal Information Professional | Manitoba Law Library

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

After I graduated high school, I attended the University of Winnipeg for a History degree but after my first year I decided that university was not for me. I looked into college programs at Red River College, and that’s when I found the Library and Information Technology program. I entered the program in 2016, and graduated in June of 2018. At the end of my first year, I came across a job posting for a summer student position at the Manitoba Law Library. I applied, and got it. Little did I know that it would turn into a full time position.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

As a student member I joined the New Professionals SIG, attended webinars to gain more insight to the profession, used the research resource list and I plan on attending conferences in the future. I’m also looking into applying for a scholarship in the new year to help with courses I am interested in taking to further my education.

This October I will be returning to Red River College to present to the second year Library and Information Technology students about CALL/ACBD and careers in law libraries.

What was your first job or your first library-related job?

My first job was at Tim Hortons. I worked there for 6 years and made my way up to a supervisor position and I still use the skills I have gained from that experience in my everyday life. Part of the reason I was hired at the Manitoba Law Library was because of my supervisory experience at Tim Hortons, which showed that I had good leadership abilities, and was capable of self-direction. Good customer service and problem solving skills are an asset to any position.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry?

Be prepared to ask a lot of questions!

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I do not like asking questions, but in this field you have to and I’m slowly becoming more comfortable with it.

Allyssa McFadyen, Professionnelle en information juridique, bibliothèque de droit du Manitoba

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

Après l’obtention de mon diplôme d’études secondaires, je me suis inscrite en histoire à l’Université de Winnipeg, mais après ma première année j’ai décidé que la vie universitaire ne me convenait pas. J’ai commencé à regarder les programmes d’études offerts au Collège Red River et j’ai découvert le programme de technologie de l’information et de bibliothéconomie. J’ai entrepris le programme en 2016 et j’ai obtenu mon diplôme en juin 2018. À la fin de ma première année d’études, je suis tombée sur une offre d’emploi d’été pour les étudiants à la bibliothèque de droit du Manitoba. J’ai posé ma candidature et j’ai décroché le poste. J’étais loin de me douter que ce poste deviendrait un poste à temps plein.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (p. ex. bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

En tant que membre étudiante, je me suis jointe au GIS pour les nouveaux professionnels, j’ai assisté à des webinaires pour mieux comprendre la profession, j’ai utilisé la liste de ressources pour la recherche et je compte assister aux prochains congrès annuels. J’envisage également la possibilité de présenter une demande de bourse l’an prochain pour m’aider à suivre des cours de perfectionnement qui m’intéressent.

En octobre, je retournerai au Collège Red River pour parler de l’ACBD/CALL et des possibilités de carrière dans les bibliothèques de droit aux étudiants de deuxième année du programme de technologie de l’information et de bibliothéconomie.

Quel a été votre premier emploi ou votre premier emploi lié à la bibliothéconomie?

Mon premier emploi a été dans un Tim Hortons. J’y ai travaillé pendant six ans et j’ai gravi les échelons jusqu’au poste de superviseuse. Les compétences acquises au cours de cette expérience me sont toujours utiles dans mon quotidien. L’une des raisons de mon embauche à la bibliothèque de droit du Manitoba est attribuable à mon expérience de supervision chez Tim Hortons, qui démontrait mes bonnes capacités de leadership et d’autonomie. De bonnes compétences liées au service à la clientèle et à la résolution de problèmes sont un atout pour n’importe quel emploi.

Quel conseil donneriez-vous à quelqu’un qui cherche à percer dans l’industrie de l’information juridique?

N’hésitez pas à poser beaucoup de questions.

Qu’est-ce que les gens seraient surpris de savoir de vous?

Je n’aime pas poser de questions. Toutefois, comme ce domaine l’exige, je me sens peu à peu plus à l’aise de le faire.

CALL Member Daniel Boyer Recognized as Advocate Emeritus by Quebec Bar / Daniel Boyer de l'ACBD reçoit la distinction Avocat émérite du Barreau du Québec

Fri, 14 Sep 2018 13:42:47 GMT

Le français suit plus bas.

CALL member Daniel Boyer, Wainwright Librarian and Head of the Nahum Gelber Law Library at McGill University, has been awarded the Advocatus Emeritus (Ad. E.) title from the Barreau du Québec.

The Advocatus Emeritus title is awarded to members of the Bar who have distinguished themselves through a remarkable career, outstanding contributions to the profession, or constructive community work.

Bravo!

Un des nos membres Me Daniel Boyer, bibliothécaire Wainwright et bibliothécaire en chef de la Bibliothèque de droit Nahum Gelber à l'Université McGill, recevra la distinction d’avocat émérite du Barreau du Québec.

La distinction Avocat émérite est décernée à des membres du Barreau qui se sont distingués par l'excellence de leur parcours professionnel, par leur contribution exceptionnelle à la profession ou encore par leur rayonnement dans leur milieu social et communautaire.

Bravo!

2018 SLA Salary Survey available for pre-order

Wed, 15 Aug 2018 13:41:55 GMT

The Special Libraries Association (SLA) is conducting a salary survey this year (last one was done in 2012). The survey covers both Canada and the US and the report will be released by the end of 2018.

You can pre-order a copy of the survey. Note the non-member price is $199 USD; the pre-sale price is only available to SLA members.

CALL Members on Social Media / Membres de l'ACBD sur les réseaux sociaux

Sun, 15 Jul 2018 19:01:19 GMT

Here are just a few examples of what members and "friends" of CALL have been up to in recent weeks on social media. I describe friends as non-members of CALL who either follow us on the CALL listserv or who have attended a CALL event.

Vous trouverez ci-dessous quelques exemples de ce que font les membres et "amis" de l'ACBD depuis quelques semaines sur les réseaux sociaux. Les amis sont des non-membres qui nous suivent sur la liste de discussion CALL-L ou qui ont déjà assisté à une activité de l'association.

Margo Jeske (University of Ottawa) - @MargoJeske - tweeted about the 26th National Teach-In Kit produced by AALL. It includes hand-outs for legal research instruction on different topics. It is a good way of seeing what law librarians in the United States are doing. Elle a également tweeté un lien à un article paru dans Le Devoir qui explique comment Les universitaires abandonnent le livre au profit des revues en ligne.
Tim Knight (Osgoode Hall) - @freemoth - tweeted about "Codify", a very promising tool to "Find and track all Canadian legislation."
Alan Kilpatrick (Law Society of Saskatchewan) blogged about Indigenous law resources.
Greg Lambert, President of AALL and a speaker at the CALL 2018 annual conference - @glambert - tweeted about the launch of his new podcast The Geek in Review.
Jennifer McNenly (Fasken Martineau DuMoulin) - @mcnenlyj - tweeted a link to The 101 Most Useful Websites on the Internet. And on LinkedIn she shared an article about a US survey on library and knowledge professionals. It appears that AI, analytics, CI and KM are the most interesting trends.
Sarah Sutherland (CanLII) - @parallaxinfo - tweeted a link to a report on the problems self-represented litigants have in getting access to simple documents such as court transcripts
Daniel Boyer (McGill University) posted an article about the Michigan Guidelines on International Refugee Protection on the blog of the International Association of Law Libraries
Kristin Hodgins (Legal Services Branch, BC Government) - @kristinhodgins - tweeted a link to the new and improved UK Hansard which now has British parliamentary debates going back to 1803.
Karen Sawatzky (Law Society of Manitoba) - @karensawatzky - tweeted a link to a Law Society of BC mini documentary on the racism that Indigenous lawyers and law students face within the legal profession.
And I wrote a blog post on Slaw.ca about Resources on US Supreme Court Nominee Brett M. Kavanaugh.

Build Bridges and Broaden Your Reach

Alan Kilpatrick — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 15:19:59 GMT

This talk was presented at the 2018 Canadian Association of Law Libraries Conference as part of a breakout panel presentation: “Taking the ‘Work’ Out of Networking: Build Relationships, Not a Stack of Business Cards.”

It’s never too early to start networking. It’s been valuable at every stage of my career.

Networking helped me identify my professional interests and led me to law librarianship. During my MLIS degree at Western, I wasn’t sure which area of librarianship to pursue. I gained career insight by joining a variety of student groups, such as the Progressive Librarians’ Guild (PLG) and Canadian Library Association (CLA) student chapters. I also took advantage of conference student rates and attended diverse conferences such as the Ontario Library Association (OLA) conference and the Association of Records Managers and Administrators (ARMA) conference, and by connecting with the wide range of librarians I met at Western. For example, through the PLG I discovered an interest in the law and its intersection with librarianship. Through a student position at a campus library where I had a supportive supervisor, I found I enjoyed providing reference services.

During my career as a law librarian, networking has become even more valuable. Through the Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL), I’ve connected with like minded professionals. I regularly contact colleagues met through CALL to ask for advice, help answering reference and research questions, and about professional development. Entering my fifth year of law librarianship, I’ve begun looking at other law librarians in the profession to see how they’ve developed their careers and what paths they’ve taken to get where they are. This has motivated me in my own professional development.

Recently, I’ve begun to notice that many of the professional opportunities I’ve been fortunate to participate in arose through networking. It’s never too early to start networking. Don’t put it off. It’s worth it.

Get Active. Joining a professional association is a great way to network. As a new law librarian, joining CALL and the Saskatchewan Library Association (SLA) connected me with similar professionals and provided networking opportunities at conferences and social events.

Do more than join. Volunteer for an association. Attending conferences where you don’t know anyone can feel awkward. I certainly felt so. Volunteering eliminates that awkwardness and enhances your networking. I found that volunteering, with social media during the CALL conference and as a technology volunteer during the SLA conference provided me with plenty of opportunities to speak with other attendees, presenters, and vendors.

Join a committee to get the most out of professional association networking. I’ve participated in the CALL Vendor Liaison Committee and currently chair the Website Editorial Board. I’ve sat on the SLA board for the past two years. Participating in committees gave me the opportunity to connect with association members on a smaller scale, provided a safe and welcoming environment to practice my networking skills, and has resulted in some of the most gratifying professional experiences I’ve had.

Here’s an important point. Don’t commit yourself to every volunteer or committee opportunity you’re approached about. Don’t be afraid to say no and don’t spread yourself too thin. As a profession, we’re too keen to take on more than we should. This can lead to burn out which can only harm your professional reputation. In all your professional endeavors, networking or otherwise, strive to maintain work life balance.

Network widely and wisely. Don’t limit your networking horizons.

I’ve endeavored to practice networking every day since becoming a law librarian. I decided to join the Saskatchewan Library Association (SLA) for the opportunity to practice networking. As a law librarian, I wasn’t sure if I had much in common with the public librarians that largely make up SLA. What I’ve found is that networking widely among the information profession, even among non-law librarians, has led to some unexpected and fruitful partnerships I hadn’t anticipated.

Attending SLA events connected me with a diverse group of librarians and allowed me to form several mutually beneficial relationships. For example, I often call on the unique expertise of the Legislative Library for help answering complex legislative questions. Joining forces in this way has enabled me to serve my users more effectively. Chatting with public librarians in SLA led to the recognition that unmet legal needs exist among the public. This, in part, inspired one of our library’s most promising partnerships, the Saskatchewan Access to Legal Information Project.

Networking isn’t limited to something you do with librarians. We know that in-person contact with our users is decreasing as the services we provide increasingly occur online. We need to get out of the library, become visible, and network with our stakeholders to remain successful in the future.

Attend stakeholder conferences in addition to library conferences. We’ve hosted a booth, and occasionally presented, at the Canadian Bar Association Saskatchewan Branch Mid-Winter Meeting for the past five years. Attending has allowed us to learn more about our user’s information needs and how to better serve them. It’s been an opportunity to educate our stakeholders about the library’s value and potential. Attending has increased my visibility as a law librarian and the relationships I have with lawyers. Most importantly, it’s increased the visibility and reputation of our library.

Share your story. We’re all doing interesting things in our libraries and as library professionals. Tell people about it! Fellow librarians can learn from your experiences, ideas, and lessons learned. This can lead to new connections and partnerships. Sharing your story among stakeholders will educate them about your library’s value.

There are many ways to share your story. I’ve found Twitter and blogs to be among the most effective. Twitter allowed me to begin reaching out and sharing my story. I strategically used Twitter to identify law librarians and stakeholders I wanted to learn from and connect with. For example, I recall following Michel-Adrien Sheppard and Connie Crosby long before I met them in-person. I knew they were people I wanted to connect with.

Twitter’s character count does limit the ability to tell a story. I found that connecting Twitter to a blog results in a great way to tell, and then broadcast, your story. Write a blog post that tells an aspect of your story: a professional accomplishment, a new workplace initiative, or a library project. Then, tweet it strategically. Include a link to your post and the Twitter handles of those you want to share the story with. It takes time. Eventually, it does pay off and results in real world connections.

This is what we’ve done with Legal Sourcery, our Law Society Library blog. For example, I’ve written dozens of blog posts about the potential of law libraries to improve access to legal information and then shared them via my Twitter account. I strategically targeted other libraries and legal stakeholders throughout the province. Eventually, someone from the University of Saskatchewan’s Law School read the posts and approached our library to learn more about how libraries could help with regards to access to legal information. This, in part, has grown into some of the most exiting partnerships my library participates in today.

Embrace new situations. Networking can be intimidating. Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. Networking confidence is something that will naturally develop over time. This has been my approach for many of my professional firsts: the first shift on the reference desk, the first networking event, the first conference presentation, the first time chairing a committee, and so on. Embrace new situations that come your way despite any fears you may have. You never know where they’ll lead to.

To recap, my five networking points are: It’s never to early to start networking, get active, network widely and wisely, share your story, and embrace new situations.

Thank you. Please feel free to contact me at alan.kilpatrick@lawsociety.sk.ca or on Twitter if you have any questions.

Five Questions with Kate Greene Stanhope

Martha Murphy — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 19:28:33 GMT

Kate Greene Stanhope, ‎Manager, Information Services | ‎McInnes Cooper

Chair, Conference Planning Committee, Halifax 2018

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I have an LLB from Dalhousie Law School and an MLIS from Dalhousie School of Information Management. I pursued a career that combined the skills and knowledge I had acquired. Law librarianship and legal information management were a natural fit

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

I was fortunate to receive the Diana M Priestly scholarship while attending library school, and attended my first CALL conference in Victoria to collect it.

I continue to be grateful for the knowledge sharing that occurs daily amongst CALL members. I have benefitted from the advice of CALL-eagues on many occasions over the years, on topics ranging from navigating law firm mergers to sole sourcing to legal research services

What’s one blog, website, or Twitter account that you can’t go one day without checking?

Jordan Furlong’s twitter feed: @jordan_law21 and his blog: law21.ca. His insight into the current state of and challenges facing the legal market are invaluable. The 2018 Conference Planning Committee is thrilled he will participate in CALL 2018.

What’s one change in the profession or industry that has been a challenge for you?

The consolidation of the legal publishing industry presents challenges on an ongoing basis.

What was your first job or your first library-related job?

My first job was in retail when I was a teenager. The value of experience dealing with the public is underestimated, in my opinion. My first library job(s) were at U of T’s Bora Laskin Law Library and with the library at the Toronto office of Osler’s. I split my time between both during my practicum placements.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry?

Be a problem solver and a shameless self-promoter.

Library Space Renovation at County of Carleton Law Association

Martha Murphy — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 18:02:41 GMT

Our second blog post on member projects is on library space planning from weeding and moving the collection to renovating and designing. You can follow Jennifer Walker on Twitter to see the pictures and updates! @JenWalker613

Project Profile: Library Space Renovation at County of Carleton Law Association

Jennifer Walker
Head Librarian, County of Carleton Law Association

The County of Carleton Law Association (CCLA) has provided a library for Ottawa’s lawyers since 1888. Over the years, the CCLA has grown to also provide a lounge, CPD programing, social events, and advocacy for the legal community. All of this takes place from their location within the Ottawa Courthouse.

The CCLA space hadn’t seen any significant renovations since the current courthouse opened in 1986, despite increasing numbers of staff and services, and a wildly changing legal research landscape. To renovate, the CCLA needed to mostly self-fund the project. Approximately eight years from when planning started, renovations finally began in January 2018.

The newly renovated space will have 40% less print materials than before. What it lacks in books, however, it makes up for in what lawyers want: space. With two training rooms, two meeting rooms, a lounge, work space, more public computers, and a fully accessible washroom, the renovations should address the work, study, education, and collaboration needs of its clients. It also provides improved staff facilities, and a better work flow for all library users.

Clearing out a library after 30 years was a challenge. Library operations were shut down in December 2017 for staff to organize, weed the collection, and then see everything but a handful of books off to storage. Library staff remain on site during this phased project; in the summer, they’ll move to the newly renovated half of the space, while the current lounge (and future lounge / multi-purpose rooms) is renovated. It’s been an interesting experience to “camp out” in a temporary combination library and lounge, but more so it’s been exciting to see progress after so long in the planning stages.

Renovations are expected to be completed later this year. The new space should be bright, modern, and fit for purpose for a library in 2018 and beyond.

Notre deuxième billet sur les projets de membres porte sur l’aménagement d’une bibliothèque — de l’épuration et le déplacement de la collection, à la conception jusqu’aux rénovations. Suivez Jennifer Walker sur Twitter pour voir les photos et connaître les dernières nouvelles! @JenWalker613

Profil de projet : La rénovation de l’espace de la bibliothèque de l’Association du Barreau du Comté de Carleton

Jennifer Walker
Bibliothécaire en chef, Association du Barreau du Comté de Carleton

Depuis 1888, l’Association du Barreau du Comté de Carleton (ABCC) met une bibliothèque à la disposition des avocats d’Ottawa. Au fil des ans, l’ABCC a pris de l’ampleur afin d’offrir un salon, des programmes de formation continue, des activités sociales et des services de représentation à la communauté juridique. Tout cela est regroupé sous un même toit au palais de justice d’Ottawa.

Les locaux qu’occupe l’ABCC n’ont subi aucune rénovation importante depuis l’ouverture du palais de justice en 1986, malgré l’augmentation du nombre d’employés et de services, et l’évolution incroyable de la recherche juridique. Toutefois, pour faire des rénovations, l’ABCC devait financer elle-même le projet. Les travaux de rénovation ont finalement été amorcés en janvier 2018, près de huit ans après avoir commencé la planification.

Une fois que les locaux auront été rénovés, la bibliothèque comptera moins de documents imprimés qu’avant, soit une réduction de 40 %. Ce qui manquera en livres sera largement compensé par ce que veulent les avocats : des locaux. Le nouvel aménagement comprendra deux salles de formation, deux salles de réunion, un salon, un espace de travail, un plus grand nombre d’ordinateurs publics et une toilette accessible aux fauteuils roulants afin de répondre aux besoins de la clientèle en matière de travail, d’étude, de formation et de collaboration. Les installations destinées au personnel et l’efficacité du déroulement du travail des utilisateurs de la bibliothèque seront également améliorées.

Évidemment, vider une bibliothèque après 30 ans de service a été un défi de taille. Les activités de la bibliothèque ont été fermées en décembre 2017 afin que le personnel puisse s’organiser, épurer la collection et voir à l’entreposage des livres, à l’exception de quelques-uns. Le personnel de la bibliothèque est sur les lieux pendant les phases de ce projet. Au cours de l’été, les employés déménageront dans la moitié de l’espace nouvellement rénové, alors que le salon actuel sera rénové pour accueillir un nouveau salon et des salles polyvalentes. Bien que cette expérience de « camping », qui conjugue temporairement une bibliothèque et un salon, se révèle plutôt intéressante, ce qui est encore plus excitant c’est de voir l’avancement du projet après ces longues étapes de planification.

Les rénovations devraient se terminer plus tard cette année. Les nouveaux locaux seront lumineux, modernes et adaptés aux besoins d’une bibliothèque en 2018 et pour les années à venir.

Legal Sourcery: Four Years On

Martha Murphy — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 17:25:16 GMT

version française ci-dessous.

As part of the member profiles theme ~ we are extending to include member projects as a way to inspire others who are contemplating similar projects. For the inaugural post Alan Kilpatrick will highlight the very successful Legal Sourcery blog. The blog started out as a way to market and connect with library users and is now a 3 time National Clawbies winner!

Legal Sourcery: Four Years On

By Alan Kilpatrick, Reference Librarian,

Law Society of Saskatchewan

Can you provide some background on Legal Sourcery?

On March 12, 2014, the Law Society of Saskatchewan Library launched the Legal Sourcery blog. The blog was an effort to better promote the library, market the library’s services and resources, and develop stronger connections with lawyers and the public. Four years later, Legal Sourcery has exceeded our expectations. With almost 1500 posts and 240,000 views, the blog has been awarded three Canadian Law Blog Awards (Clawbies) in 2014, 2015, and 2017. It has helped raise the profile of the library both within the Law Society and throughout Saskatchewan’s legal community, shape a visible and reenergised library brand, and position the library at the centre of legal information initiatives in the province.

How did you choose the name Legal Sourcery?

Coming up with the name was a collaborative endeavour. Our entire library team participated in brainstorming blog names. Our goal was to create a clever name that represented who we are, what we do, and the value we offer. The names we considered included Collawboration, Lawstronauts, Gopher Law, and Wind Chill. Ken Fox, our Saskatoon librarian, aptly suggested Legal Sourcery during the discussion. The team voted and decided on Ken’s suggestion. While legal resources are what the library provides, legal sourcery is the expertise, capability, and value we bring to legal information services. It’s the esoteric skill we use to help lawyers and the public navigate the depths of the legal resources jungle.

Why did you choose Wordpress?

We decided on using WordPress after investigating the various blogging platforms available. WordPress is an excellent option for blogging. It requires little knowledge of coding, features professional templates, and is simple to use. It’s free and allows the user to join the blogosphere within minutes.

How do you monitor the number of posts and the content by contributors?

Our aim has always been to publish at least one new post daily in order to attract and retain readers. To meet this output, we designated one library team member, Kelly Chiu, to become the blog’s coordinator. Kelly ensures the blog is discussed at staff meetings, maintains a blog queue with content for the upcoming week, and prompts us when additional posts are required. Without a coordinator, Legal Sourcery would not have succeeded.

Our Director of Legal Resources, Melanie Hodges Neufeld, maintains oversight and approves all posts before they are published. She works hard to attract guest contributors for the blog from the Law Society, the Saskatchewan legal community, and external organizations

Since first launching Legal Sourcery, the entire library team has committed to writing regular posts on top of our assigned duties. Traditionally, library staff have written the majority of posts that appear on the blog. However, this is now changing as the number of guest contributors has increased in recent years.

What challenges have you encountered?

Creating and maintaining quality content with a limited pool of writers is inevitably challenging. Attracting guest contributors is key to combating blog burnout and fatigue. Initially, we found it difficult to attract guest contributors or to convince people it was worth their time to write for a blog. As Legal Sourcery has achieved more popularity and recognition, it has become easier to attract guest contributors. Thankfully, this has reduced the burden on library staff to produce daily posts.

What are your most popular posts?

A few facts and figures from Legal Sourcery:

Total views to date: 238 791
Total posts to date: 1458
Legal Sourcery’s first post: Welcome to Our Blog!
Legal Sourcery’s top post: Cross Referencing Footnotes in Word, April 29, 2014 (25126 views)

What are your future plans for Legal Sourcery?

At first, our goal with Legal Sourcery was to advertise the resources, projects, and expertise the library offered, in one central place, to Saskatchewan’s legal community. However, over the past four years Legal Sourcery has evolved into the central hub for all legal news relevant to the Law Society, lawyers, and the public in Saskatchewan. The 2017 Clawbies panel explained:

The pride of the Law Society of Saskatchewan, Legal Sourcery continued its top-quality blogging in 2017 with a steady stream of useful content … While strictly speaking a library blog, this really could be seen as the go-to source for Saskatchewan legal news.

The blog now regularly disseminates information about the Law Society, legislative updates, news and events relevant to lawyers, free legal clinics, and content from external organizations like CanLII. For the past two years, Legal Sourcery has been proud to serve as the official blog of Saskatchewan’s annual Access to Justice Week.

We intend to continue this evolution and to promote Legal Sourcery as the premier source of legal information in Saskatchewan. Stay tuned for future developments.

Do you have any advice for aspiring bloggers?

Here are some tips for aspiring legal information bloggers:

Think about your goals and audience. Understanding your goals and who you are attempting to reach will shape your blog’s development.
Coming up with content for posts is not difficult. Follow lawyers and legal information professionals on social media, the blogosphere, and listservs. What you learn can be repurposed into blog posts. Take the time to write about the interesting things you are working on.
Promote your blog on social media and via word of mouth. I often let our users know about the blog during conversations at the reference desk and refer to it while responding to research enquiries.
Common sense is key. Keep posts professional, pay attention to spelling, and be cautious when writing about controversial issues. Always consider how a blog post will reflect on your larger organization.

Dans le cadre de la rubrique Portrait d’un de nos membres, nous avons élargi le thème afin d’y inclure des projets de membres qui pourraient inspirer d’autres membres qui envisagent de lancer des projets similaires. À l’occasion du premier article, Alan Kilpatrick met en lumière l’excellent blogue nommé Legal Sourcery. Ce qui a commencé comme un blogue afin de promouvoir la bibliothèque et d’établir un lien avec les usagers a depuis remporté le prix Clawbies à trois reprises!

Legal Sourcery : quatre ans après

Par Alan Kilpatrick, bibliothécaire de référence, Barreau de la Saskatchewan

Pouvez-vous nous donner quelques renseignements généraux sur Legal Sourcery?

La bibliothèque du Barreau de la Saskatchewan a lancé le blogue Legal Sourcery le 12 mars 2014. Le blogue visait à mieux promouvoir la bibliothèque, à commercialiser ses services et ses ressources et à tisser des liens plus solides avec les avocats et le public. Quatre ans plus tard, le blogue a dépassé nos attentes. Il compte près de 1 500 billets et 240 000 visites, et a été lauréat d’un prix Clawbies (Canadian Law Blog Awards) en 2014, 2015 et 2017. Ces prix sont décernés annuellement aux blogues juridiques canadiens qui se sont démarqués. Le blogue a permis de rehausser l’image de la bibliothèque tant au sein du Barreau que de la communauté juridique de toute la Saskatchewan, de redynamiser la marque de la bibliothèque et la rendre visible, et de positionner la bibliothèque au cœur des initiatives en matière d’information juridique dans la province.

Comment avez-vous choisi le nom Legal Sourcery?

Trouver le nom a été le fruit d’un effort de collaboration. Toute l’équipe de la bibliothèque a participé à une séance de remue-méninges. Nous voulions créer un nom original qui représentait à la fois qui nous sommes, ce que nous faisons et la valeur que nous offrons. Parmi les noms envisagés, il y a eu Collawboration, Lawstronauts, Gopher Law et Wind Chill. Au cours d’une discussion, Ken Fox, notre bibliothécaire de Saskatoon, a astucieusement proposé Legal Sourcery. L’équipe a voté et a choisi la proposition de Ken. Alors que la bibliothèque offre des ressources juridiques, le blogue représente l’expertise, la capacité et la valeur que nous apportons aux services de l’information juridique. Le nom reflète la compétence ésotérique que nous employons pour aider les avocats et le grand public à naviguer dans l’épaisse jungle des ressources juridiques.

Pourquoi avez-vous choisi Wordpress?

Nous avons décidé d'utiliser WordPress après avoir examiné diverses plateformes sur le marché. WordPress est une excellente solution pour bloguer. La plateforme nécessite peu de connaissances de codage, offre de nombreux modèles professionnels et est simple à utiliser. Elle est aussi gratuite et permet à l’utilisateur de joindre la blogosphère en quelques minutes.

Comment contrôlez-vous le nombre de billets et le contenu des collaborateurs?

Nous avons toujours eu comme objectif de publier au moins un nouveau billet par jour afin d'attirer et de fidéliser les lecteurs. Pour ce faire, nous avons nommé un membre de l’équipe de la bibliothèque, Kelly Chiu, à titre de coordonnatrice du blogue. Kelly s'assure de mettre toute question liée au blogue à l’ordre du jour des réunions du personnel, elle maintient une file d’attente de billets pour la semaine à venir, et nous avise lorsqu’elle a besoin de billets supplémentaires. Nous n’aurions pas réussi à maintenir Legal Sourcery sans ce poste de coordonnatrice.

Notre directrice des ressources juridiques, Melanie Hodges Neufeld, assure la supervision et approuve tous les billets avant leur publication. Elle travaille fort pour attirer des auteurs invités du Barreau, de la communauté juridique de la Saskatchewan et d’organismes externes.

Depuis le lancement du blogue, toute l’équipe de la bibliothèque s’est engagée à rédiger régulièrement des billets, en plus de nos tâches régulières. Traditionnellement, la majorité des billets qui apparaissent sur le blogue ont été rédigés par le personnel de la bibliothèque. Cependant, la situation est en train de changer puisque le nombre d’auteurs invités s’est accru depuis les dernières années.

Quels sont les défis que vous avez eu à relever?

La création et le maintien de contenus de qualité avec un bassin limité d'auteurs constituent inévitablement des défis. C’est pourquoi il est indispensable d’attirer des auteurs invités pour contrer l’épuisement et la fatigue attribuables au blogue. Au début, nous avions de la difficulté à attirer des auteurs invités ou de convaincre les gens que le temps consacré à la rédaction d’un billet en valait la peine. À mesure que le blogue gagnait en popularité et reconnaissance, il est devenu plus facile d’attirer des auteurs. Heureusement, cela a permis d’alléger le fardeau imposé au personnel de la bibliothèque pour produire des billets quotidiennement.

Quels sont vos billets les plus populaires?

Voici quelques faits et chiffres sur le blogue Legal Sourcery :

Nombre de visites depuis le début : 238 791
Nombre de billets depuis le début : 1458
Premier billet affiché sur Legal Sourcery : Welcome to Our Blog!
Meilleur billet de Legal Sourcery : Cross Referencing Footnotes in Word, 29 avril 2014 (25 126 visites)

Quels sont vos plans pour l’avenir de Legal Sourcery?

Initialement, nous voulions que le blogue devienne un guichet unique pour la promotion des ressources, de l’expertise et des projets offerts par la bibliothèque auprès de la communauté juridique de la Saskatchewan. Cependant, au cours des quatre dernières années, le blogue est devenu le noyau central pour tous les renseignements juridiques pertinents du Barreau, des avocats et des gens de la Saskatchewan. Voici ce que le jury des prix Clawbies 2017 a dit à propos de notre blogue :

Faisant la fierté du Barreau de la Saskatchewan, Legal Sourcery a continué de publier des billets de grande qualité en 2017 avec un flux constant de contenu utile... Même s’il s’agit essentiellement d’un blogue de bibliothèque, il pourrait vraiment être perçu comme la source incontournable de nouvelles juridiques en Saskatchewan.

À présent, le blogue diffuse régulièrement des informations sur le Barreau, des mises à jour législatives, des nouvelles et des événements pertinents pour les avocats et les cliniques d’aide juridique gratuites ainsi que du contenu d'organismes externes comme CanLII. Depuis deux ans, Legal Sourcery est fier d’agir comme le blogue officiel de la Semaine de l’accès à la justice, un événement annuel en Saskatchewan.

Nous avons l'intention de poursuivre cette évolution et de promouvoir Legal Sourcery en tant que principale source d'information juridique en Saskatchewan. Surveillez les projets à venir!

Quels conseils donneriez-vous aux blogueurs en herbe?

Voici quelques conseils pour les nouveaux blogueurs en matière d’information juridique :

Réfléchissez à vos objectifs et votre public. Le fait de comprendre vos objectifs et votre public cible vous guidera dans l’élaboration de votre blogue.
Il n’est pas difficile de trouver du contenu pour rédiger des billets. Suivez les avocats et les professionnels de l'information juridique sur les médias sociaux, dans la blogosphère et par l’entremise de serveurs de listes. Ce que vous apprenez pourrait être réutilisé et adapté dans un billet de blogue. Prenez le temps d'écrire à propos de sujets intéressants de votre travail.
Faites la promotion de votre blogue sur les médias sociaux et par le bouche-à-oreille. Je parle souvent de notre blogue aux usagers qui viennent au bureau de référence et je le mentionne en répondant à leurs demandes de renseignements.
Le gros bon sens est essentiel. Assurez-vous que les billets sont professionnels, faites attention à l'orthographe, et soyez prudent lorsque vous écrivez sur des sujets controversés. Prenez toujours en compte l’impact que pourrait avoir un billet sur l’ensemble de votre organisation.

Five Questions with Meg Carruth

Martha Murphy — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 20:19:33 GMT

version française ci-dessous.

Meg Carruth, Research Librarian | Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

When I completed my MLIS at the University of Western Ontario I began a summer student position with the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). During that time, l learned a great deal, met a number of interesting people in the legal profession and was inspired by how this community holds specialized knowledge yet has such varied opportunities to pursue. Recently, I joined the Ontario Legislative Assembly Library and Research Services team as a Finance and Public Administration Librarian. I have an entirely different role that has been challenging and rewarding and I’m very excited to be a part of this team!

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

I am fairly new to CALL but so far have been grateful for the learning and networking opportunities it has afforded me. My first introduction to CALL was at the New Law Librarians Institute (NLLI) at uOttawa. My NLLI experience gave me the chance to dabble, ask questions, and better understand the specialized skills required of legal information professionals.

Additionally, so many CALL members have been generous to me in the early years of my career. It’s a very inviting network, be it my NLLI peers or industry veterans. I am currently participating in the Mentor/Mentee program and have benefited greatly from the guidance and encouragement I’ve received.

Who is your favourite library professional—living or dead, real or fictional?

Irma Pince of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry ~

I like to imagine that Irma Pince has seriously advocated for the retention and preservation of the Forbidden Books section. Under her stewardship, the collection even survived the Umbridge administration. There are countless times when Hermione, Harry and Ron have relied on text to unravel mysteries and save the day. Irma is possibly the true hero of Hogwarts!

What was your first job or your first library-related job?

While completing my MLIS at the University of Western Ontario, I had the opportunity to co-op with the Global Affairs Canada library. In addition to providing research services to diplomats and ambassadors, the library offered services to a staff comprised of policy experts and lawyers.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry

It’s important to stay on top of current affairs. Political developments inform the work of legal professionals regardless of role in all sectors be it the public service, firms, or academia. Additionally, being an informed person is a helpful attribute when networking or interviewing. It sets you apart as someone who can engage on many topics with demonstrable interests that are outside but relevant to work. Admittedly, I’ve struggled with this but have found that listening to the radio/podcasts, such as the Agenda and NPR Politics, while doing chores or commuting helps.

Meg Carruth, bibliothécaire de recherche | Assemblée législative de l’Ontario

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l'information juridique.

Lorsque j'ai terminé ma maîtrise en bibliothéconomie à l'Université de Western Ontario, j'ai travaillé comme étudiante pendant l’été à la Commission des valeurs mobilières de l'Ontario (CVMO). Au cours de cet emploi, j'ai appris beaucoup de choses, j’ai rencontré des gens très intéressants au sein de la profession juridique, et j’ai été inspirée par la façon dont cette communauté détenait des connaissances spécialisées, mais que le domaine comprenait une grande diversité d’emplois. Récemment, j'ai joint l'équipe des services de bibliothèque et de recherche de l'Assemblée législative de l'Ontario en tant que bibliothécaire des finances et de l'administration publique. J’occupe un rôle entièrement différent qui est à la fois stimulant et gratifiant, et je suis ravie de faire partie de cette équipe!

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (p. ex. bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

Cela ne fait longtemps que je suis membre de l’ACBD, mais jusqu'à présent j’ai bien apprécié les possibilités d'apprentissage et de réseautage qui m’ont été offertes.

Mon premier contact avec l’ACBD s’est fait dans le cadre de l’Institut pour les nouveaux bibliothécaires de droit (NLLI) à l’Université d'Ottawa. Cette expérience m'a donné la chance d’aborder le domaine, de poser des questions et de mieux comprendre les compétences spécialisées requises par les professionnels de l'information juridique.

De plus, beaucoup de membres de l’ACBD ont été généreux envers moi dans les premières années de ma carrière. C’est un réseau très ouvert, que ce soient les pairs du NLLI ou les vétérans de l'industrie. Je participe actuellement au programme de mentorat et je profite grandement des conseils et des encouragements donnés.

Qui est votre professionnel de la bibliothéconomie favori, qu’il soit vivant ou décédé, réel ou fictif?

Irma Pince, la bibliothécaire de l'école de sorcellerie de Poudlard.

J'aime m’imaginer qu'elle a sérieusement plaidé en faveur de la conservation et la préservation de la section des livres interdits. Sous sa gouverne, la collection a même survécu au joug d’Ombrage. Hermione, Harry et Ron ont dû consulter maintes fois des ouvrages pour percer les mystères et sauver la situation. Irma est probablement la véritable héroïne de Poudlard!

Quel a été votre premier emploi ou votre premier emploi lié à la bibliothéconomie?

Lors de mes études de maîtrise en bibliothéconomie à l'Université de Western Ontario, j'ai eu l'occasion de faire un stage à la bibliothèque du ministère Affaires mondiales Canada. En plus de fournir des services de recherche aux diplomates et aux ambassadeurs, la bibliothèque offre des services au personnel qui est composé d'experts en politique et d’avocats.

Quel conseil donneriez-vous à quelqu'un qui cherche à percer dans l'industrie de l'information juridique?

Il est important de se tenir au fait de l'actualité. Les événements politiques éclairent le travail des professionnels du domaine juridique, quel que soit leur rôle dans tous les secteurs qu'il s'agisse de la fonction publique, des entreprises privées ou des universités. Par ailleurs, être une personne informée est une qualité utile pour établir des contacts ou passer des entrevues. Cela permet de vous démarquer comme une personne qui peut échanger sur divers sujets en démontrant des intérêts qui sont en dehors du travail, mais pertinents. Je dois avouer que j’ai eu de la difficulté avec cela, mais j'ai trouvé qu’écouter la radio ou un balado en vaquant aux tâches domestiques ou en me rendant au travail m’aidait à rester à l’affût de l’actualité.

Five Questions with Nathalie Bélanger

Martha Murphy — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 18:41:06 GMT

Nathalie Bélanger, Chief of Law library at Université de Montréal

Le texte français suit ci-dessous.

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry?

I took a different career path than most of my colleagues. I started as a jurist working in insurance and professional liability law.

I received a Bachelor of Law and then a Master of Notarial Law from Université de Montréal before becoming a member of the Chambre des notaires du Québec. For my colleagues from the rest of Canada, note that under Quebec’s civil law tradition, we have two legal professions (lawyer and notary). Students take the same academic path at the undergraduate level (Bachelor of Law), after which future lawyers go to Bar school (École du Barreau) and then do an internship, while future notaries obtain their Master of Notarial Law and then do an internship.

As a young notary, I had the opportunity to manage an office’s mini documentation centre and organize the internal documents. I then accepted a job as knowledge manager in a law firm. This was before knowledge management was well known in Canada. I was working in close collaboration with research lawyers, paralegals, law librarians and library technicians. This inspired me to pursue a Master of Information Studies, which I did from 1999 to 2004 at McGill University while continuing to work at the law firm full time.

The path was laid to become a law librarian, especially in a law firm. I climbed the ladder in three national firms, becoming Director of Information and Library Services at Stikeman Elliot’s Montréal office, then Director of Digital Content at the Centre d’accès à l’information juridique.

Then, under the mistaken impression that there was nothing left to learn in the legal world, I spent two years as chief librarian in two of Montréal’s public libraries. I learned a great deal and enjoyed the experience, but I missed the legal field.

So, I went back. For nearly two years now, I have been chief of the Université de Montréal’s law library, a position that lets me apply my library experience as well as my legal knowledge.

In short, I started my career in law and then entered the world of law libraries. It was not the path I had expected, but it suits me very well. If I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing!

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?

My CALL membership has been very useful since early on in my career, namely the ongoing training, annual conferences and some of the webinars. Networking is also an undeniable advantage, because it helps me get to know colleagues from all across Canada. My local law library association (MALL) provides the same advantages, but in a more limited scope, within the Montréal area. CALL has a broader reach, which can be great for finding resources or sharing good practices. I recommend that all new law librarians join CALL and get actively involved.

What are the three skills/attributes you think legal information professionals need to have?

I would say they need to be 1) adaptable/flexible, 2) proactive and 3) versatile.

Adaptable, because we live in a changing world. The librarian profession is among those that have changed the most in the last 20 years and there are still many changes to come. We have to adapt to how these changes affect our tasks as well as our service and work environment. Also, since our service is often seen more as a cost centre than an income generator, we are often hit with budget cuts. We have to constantly use our creativity and imagination to adapt and remain flexible in our service offer, while making do with often limited means.

Legal information professionals have to be proactive because in our profession, much more than others, we always need to position ourselves strategically in the organizations we serve. Sadly, we are often overlooked or underutilized. We need to be proactive to promote ourselves and our skills. Because our entourage is not likely to think of us first for a project or new initiative, we should volunteer for projects our skills will benefit. IT teams are always automatically involved in new projects. That’s not the case for our profession, even though our contribution, knowledge and expertise can be significant assets. We need to learn how to position ourselves as participants and key players in new initiatives (knowledge management, business intelligence, research data management, open access publishing, project management, document management, etc.).

Finally, it is important to be versatile, especially when working in small organizations or small teams. We have to carry out all sorts of different tasks: management, research, reference work, marketing, promotion of our services, technical work, technological work, project planning and more. Librarians have to be able to diversify their skills to do well in various aspects of their work.

For those who still think our work is boring and lacking in challenges, I invite you to spend a week in our shoes!

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

There are two things people would be surprised to know about me, but they are personal, not professional:

First, I’ve always had a passion for Poland, even though I don’t have any Polish roots. This interest even led me to learn Polish.

I am also a skilled canner. Fall is my favourite season because I get to preserve the best of the harvest by canning, pickling and stewing fruits and vegetables, making sauces and more. On weekends, my kitchen looks like a canning factory!

Nathalie Belanger, Chef de bibliothèque Bibliothèque de droitt Université de Montréal

Parlez-nous un peu de votre formation et comment vous êtes entré dans l'industrie de l'information juridique?

Personnellement, j’ai procédé à l’inverse de la plupart de mes collègues. J’ai d’abord débuté ma carrière en tant que juriste par la pratique du droit en droit des assurances et de de la responsabilité professionnelle.

J’ai fait des études de baccalauréat en droit à l’Université de Montréal puis j’ai fait la maitrise en droit notarial à la même université pour ensuite devenir membre de la Chambre des notaires du Québec. Pour mes collègues du reste du Canada, je tiens à préciser qu’au Québec en raison de la tradition de droit civil, nous avons deux professions juridiques soit les avocats et les notaires qui partagent le même cheminement académique pour le premier cycle universitaire soit le baccalauréat en droit. Les futurs avocats font ensuite l’école du Barreau puis le stage et les futurs notaires font la maitrise en droit notarial puis un stage.

Dans le cadre de mon travail de jeune notaire, j’ai eu l’opportunité de gérer le mini centre de documentation du bureau et de procéder à l’organisation de la documentation interne puis j’ai obtenu un poste de gestionnaire du savoir dans un cabinet d’avocats. Il s’agissait en fait d’un poste de gestionnaire du savoir alors que ce terme était encore peu reconnu au Canada. À ce moment, je travaillais en étroite collaboration avec les avocats recherchistes, les para juristes et les bibliothécaires ou techniciens en documentation. Cela m’a incité à entreprendre ma maitrise en sciences de l’information. Je l’ai effectuée de 1999 à 2004 à l’Université McGill tout en continuant à travailler à temps complet au cabinet.

Ma voie était déjà toute tracée pour occuper un poste de bibliothécaire dans le milieu juridique et plus spécialement dans un cabinet d’avocats. J’ai travaillé dans 3 différents cabinets nationaux dans lesquels j’ai gravi les échelons pour finalement me retrouver directrice des services de l’information et bibliothèque au bureau de Montréal de Stikeman Elliott puis finalement au Centre d’accès à l’information juridique à titre de directrice des contenus numériques.

Puis, ayant la fausse impression que j’avais fait le tour du jardin dans le monde juridique, j’ai occupé pendant 2 ans un poste de chef de bibliothèque dans deux bibliothèques publiques de la Ville de Montréal. J’ai bien appris et aimé mon expérience, mais cela m’a permis de constater que le domaine juridique me manquait.

Donc, depuis près de deux ans, je suis revenue dans le domaine juridique en tant que chef de la Bibliothèque de droit à l’Université de Montréal. Ainsi, je suis à même de mettre à profit mon expérience dans les bibliothèques et mes connaissances en droit.

En résumé, j’ai commencé ma carrière en droit et puis j’y ai intégré le monde des bibliothèques juridiques. Il s’agit d’un parcours un peu accidentel, mais qui me convient tout à fait. Si c’était à refaire, je ferais le même parcours!

Comment est-ce que le fait d'être impliqué dans CALL vous a aidé professionnellement?

Mon membership à CALL m’a apporté beaucoup dès le début de ma carrière au niveau de la formation continue notamment par ma participation aux conférences annuelles, puis par ma participation à certains webinaires. Le réseautage constitue aussi un avantage indéniable, car cela me permet de connaitre des collègues de partout au Canada. Mon association locale de bibliothèques de droit (MALL) me permet de maintenir les mêmes avantages mais dans le cercle plus restreint de Montréal. CALL m’offre une ouverture plus large, ce qui peut être parfois fort utile pour l’obtention de ressources ou pour le partage de bonnes pratiques. Je recommanderais à tout nouveau bibliothécaire œuvrant dans le domaine juridique de devenir membre de CALL et de s’y impliquer activement.

Quelles sont les trois compétences / attributs que les professionnels de l'information juridique doivent posséder?

Je dirais 1) l’adaptabilité / flexibilité, 2) la proactivité et 3) la polyvalence.

L’adaptabilité, car le monde est changeant. La profession de bibliothécaire est certainement une des professions qui a le plus évolué depuis les 20 dernières années et les changements à venir seront encore nombreux. Il faut savoir nous adapter à ces changements de nos tâches mais aussi du milieu que nous desservons et dans lequel nous évoluons. Par ailleurs, notre service étant bien souvent perçu davantage comme un centre de couts que comme une unité génératrice de revenus, nous sommes souvent les victimes de coupures et nous avons constamment à faire preuve de créativité ou d’imagination pour nous adapter et être flexible dans notre offre de services et ce, tout en tenant compte de nos moyens souvent limités.

La proactivité, car notre profession a, plus que bien d’autres, le besoin constant de bien se positionner au sein des organisations dans lesquelles nous évoluons. Nous sommes malheureusement bien souvent méconnus ou sous-utilisés. Il faut donc développer une proactivité nous menant à faire notre autopromotion. Il ne faut pas hésiter à lever notre main pour nous impliquer dans un projet pour lequel notre apport peut être plus que bénéfique. Notre entourage pensera bien peu souvent à nous d’emblée pour une implication dans un projet ou nouvelle initiative. Je peux juste vous parler en comparaison de l’équipe des TI qui est d’emblée partie prenante de tout projet. Tel n’est pas le cas pour notre profession, alors que notre apport, nos connaissances et notre expertise peuvent être riches à plusieurs égards dans un projet. Il faut donc apprendre à savoir se positionner comme partie prenante et joueur clé dans les nouvelles initiatives (gestion du savoir, intelligence d’affaires, gestion des données de recherche, publication en libre accès, gestion de projet, gestion documentaire, etc.)

La polyvalence parce que bien souvent, surtout lorsque nous travaillons au sein de petites organisations ou de petites équipes, nous avons à effectuer des tâches de diverses natures : de la gestion, de la recherche et du travail de référence, du marketing et autopromotion de nos services, du travail technique, du travail à saveur technologique, de la planification de projets, etc. Ainsi, le bibliothécaire doit être en mesure de diversifier ses habiletés afin de pouvoir bien performer dans divers aspects de sa tâche. Pour ceux qui pensent encore que notre travail est ennuyant et dépourvu de défis, il faudrait venir passer une semaine dans nos souliers!

Qu'est-ce que les gens seraient surpris de savoir de vous?

Il y a véritablement deux choses assez surprenantes à mon sujet, mais il s’agit d’aspects personnels et non professionnels :

D’abord, depuis toujours, j’ai une passion pour la Pologne et ce, sans avoir de racines familiales polonaises. Je pousse même la passion jusqu’à tenter d’apprendre à parler le polonais.

Aussi, je suis une adepte de la mise en conserve. Pour moi, l’automne est ma saison favorite, car je peux profiter des récoltes et faire de la mise en conserve de légumes, fruits, marinades, compotes, sauces, etc. Les fins de semaine, ma cuisine ressemble à une usine de mise en conserve.

Law Society of Saskatchewan Legal Sourcery Blog Wins "Best Law Library Blog" 2017 Award

Mon, 08 Jan 2018 16:13:17 GMT

The winners of the 2017 Canadian Law Blog Awards (known as the Clawbies) were announced just before New Year's Day.

The Best Law Library Blog award went to Legal Sourcery maintained by the Law Society of Saskatchewan. Three (3) CALL members regularly contribute post to the site: Ken Fox, Melanie Hodges Neufeld, and Alan Kilpatrick. Congratulations!

The prize for Best Canadian Law Blog went to Cowling Legal, which the organizers describe as a blog that "combines sharp insights into the Canadian litigation landscape and timely commentary on vital social issues with terrific writing and a unique personal style".

There were awards in many other categories.

The Clawbies are organized by Stem Legal, a B.C.-based strategy firm.

Five Questions with Anne Matthewman

Martha Murphy — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 16:05:52 GMT

Anne C. Matthewman, Chief Law Librarian & Assoc. University Librarian | Sir James Dunn Law Library, University of Dalhousie

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry

I attended the University of Windsor, (Hons B.A. in English and History), and the University of Western Ontario, (MLS). As I was finishing my undergraduate degree I was not sure what to do next but I did know I did not want to go to teachers’ college which my parents had suggested. A friend mentioned library school and that seemed like an feasible idea. When I graduated I got a part-time job at the Essex law Association in Windsor. They had never had a librarian before and I talked myself into a fulltime job. While I was there, I did an M.A. in English at the University of Windsor. I had a brief stint in the public library system and then returned to law libraries with the Toronto Lawyers Association and then the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

I think it was mostly the continuing education opportunities which led to networking which then led to being asked to serve on committees and the Executive Board. I learned a lot about the profession and being a professional from the examples of others. The Annual Conferences and workshops (both for CALL/ACBD and AALL) increased my knowledge level considerably. As the profession has evolved, being involved with Associations helped me move along with all the new developments and changes. I would never have accomplished these things on my own.

What was your first job or your first library-related job?

It was both my first job and my first library-related job. I worked as a page at the John Richardson Children’s Library in Windsor, Ontario during high school. Another page at the same library was Gail Brown, a fellow CALL/ACBD member. We also lived across the street from one another but went to different schools. What I remember most about that job was the endless mending of children’s books.

What are three skills/attributes you think legal information professionals need to have?

An ability and desire for continuous learning - often on the fly - as we are frequently asked research questions about things we know very little about. Fortunately, we know how to find out! When I first started out in a one-person library I learned a lot about the law from loose-leaf filing.

Diplomacy – We deal with people in all aspects of legal education and practice. Many of them are in a stressful situation and you have to judge how best to approach the interaction with them.

Organizational and prioritization skills – There are often several projects going on at once and we are continually interacting with people (see above). We must be able to triage reference and research questions along with administrative work and other obligations. Sometimes you need to drop everything to help someone find an answer and other times you can judge that the question is not so urgent and deal with it later.

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I am a terrible cook and left to my own devices I just throw something together so I do not starve. Fortunately, I am surrounded by family and friends who know their way around a kitchen. Whenever my husband goes away he leaves the freezer full of things I can defrost and reheat.

Five Questions with Danielle Brosseau

Martha Murphy — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 20:13:49 GMT

Danielle Brosseau, Library Manager| Harper Grey LLP, Vancouver BC

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I completed a Bachelor of Arts in French and History at McMaster University in Hamilton, then travelled to France for a year to study French at CILEC (Centre International de Langue et Civilisation), and participate in the au-pair program. When it was time to get a job after my European adventure I quickly realized I needed to go back to school, and so made my way to the Burlington Public Library to do some research! While sitting next to the Reference collection, wondering how all the materials got there, and thinking how interesting it would be to collect and organize all this stuff, I realized I was a librarian-to-be! I applied to the Faculty of Information Studies (FIS) at the University of Toronto and haven’t looked back since.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

At FIS, it wasn’t long before I was introduced to a vast network of peers and mentors from diverse areas of expertise, interest, and practice. Many generous volunteers came forward, helping me navigate a route to career success while introducing me to the value of networking. Being involved in a professional association like CALL is like being part of a huge support network where there’s always someone to talk to from Vancouver to Halifax, and all the places in-between, not to mention all the fun to be had with an amazingly talented group of professionals!

What’s one blog, website, or Twitter account that you can’t go one day without checking?

Our neighbours to the south also benefit from a vibrant, sharing community, and I have also enjoyed and benefited from my membership in the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) throughout my career. These days, I love getting my daily dose of KnowItAALL!, an eNewsletter, delivered straight to my inbox every weekday morning highlighting legal information, industry trends, law, technology, library, and career development topics. It’s now available to non-members, sign up now!

Where do you see our industry and/or profession in 10 years?

It’s difficult to look 10 years into the future when change and innovation is happening so fast every day, but I think a lot about the future of libraries in the digital age. Especially in law where people so often identify libraries with physical books, the proliferation of digital information and communication technologies has many speculating whether libraries are obsolete. What is our role and responsibility as we continue to expand our online services and adopt new legal technology to add value to our collections and services? Information access has always been a core value of the library profession, and will continue to force libraries to both take on new roles and perform traditional roles in new ways.

Who is your favourite library professional—living or dead, real or fictional?

I don’t get out to the movies as much as I used to with young children at home, but when a bad cold hit a few weeks ago I turned to Netflix to catch up on a few movies I had missed. I stumbled upon the 2016 film based on the Marvel Comics superhero Doctor Strange, and of course loved the scene where Strange visits the library for a book, only to be warned by the librarian about what happens if he steals the book: be killed before leaving the building. I always enjoy encountering fictional libraries and librarians in movies and books. We are currently reading the Harry Potter books with the kids at bedtime, and I especially look forward to reliving moments at Hogwarts Library with Madam Irma Pince. What’s your favourite fictional library and who’s your favourite fictional librarian?

CALL Members on Social Media / Membres de l'ACBD sur les médias sociaux

Wed, 01 Nov 2017 20:19:09 GMT

Svetlana Kochkina (McGill University) blogged about a new exhibition at her library in honour of Professor Paul-André Crépeau (1926-2011) who was instrumental in the decades-long efforts to reform and rewrite Quebec’s Civil Code.
Notre ami Luc Marceau (UQAM) - @bibjurUQAM - a tweeté un lien à un article qui explique que le dépôt institutionnel en libre accès de l'UQAM a connu la plus forte croissance au Québec depuis 2014.
Alan Kilpatrick (Law Society of Saskatchewan) wrote on his Library Canuck blog about the Canadian Bar Association’s many practice-related tools, including online guides (“Toolkits”), Practice Links focussing on work/life balance, mental health, and networking skills, and CBA sections and forums.
Daniel Boyer (McGill University) posted an announcement of the formation of the Inaugural Board of Editors for the International Journal of Legal Information on the blog of the International Association of Law Libraries.
Sarah Sutherland (CanLII) wrote an article on Slaw.ca about Revisiting the Case for Project Management in Legal Practice.
Susannah Tredwell (DLA Piper (Canada) LLP) wrote on the blog of the Vancouver Association of Law Libraries about a petition asking the Government of Canada to make publicly available government works part of the public domain.
Kristin Hodgins‏ (BC Attorney General) - @kristinhodgins – retweeted a link to a blog post from the British ICLR on judges who tweet. The ICLR is the publisher of the official series of the Law Reports.
And I might as well promote my own blogging efforts – I wrote a blog post in mid-October about a Symposium at the Supreme Court of Canada on the future of the court. There is a link to the webcast of the entire event if you are in the mood to enjoy the full 8-and-a-half hour long legalapalooza!

Five Questions with Megan Siu

Martha Murphy — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 19:03:42 GMT

Megan Siu, Community Development & Education Specialist, Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta (CPLEA)

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I am a new professional in the field of law librarianship with 3 years of professional library experience under my belt. I received a BA in Sociology and Psychology from the University of Alberta in 2013 and an MLIS from the University of Western Ontario in 2014.

I have an older brother with intellectual and developmental disabilities who is very near and dear to my heart. Almost all my life, I’ve been exposed to the policies, laws, and regulations that impact how he lives his life. When I had to start thinking about what I wanted to do career-wise, law was definitely on my mind, but I wasn’t entirely sure about how I wanted to pursue it. During the summer of my first year in university, it was pretty tough to find a job. With a bit of desperation, I pulled up a list of law firms and other law-related bodies in Edmonton and reached out to them about any opportunities they had. Unfortunately, I didn’t end up finding anything for that summer, but I received a tip about a part-time library assistant position at the courthouse during the regular school year. That fall, I started working for the Alberta Law Libraries in Edmonton and it is still one of my favourite places of employment to date. Near the end of my undergraduate degree, a mentor suggested that I apply for library school. After finding out that such a thing existed, I jumped at the opportunity and spent the following year working towards my MLIS at Western University in London, Ontario.

While I was in library school, I tried to keep my options open and diversified the courses I was taking and even found a part-time job at an academic library. However, when I graduated, my heart was still set on law libraries. Shortly after moving back to Edmonton, I started my first professional library job as the solo librarian for a mid-sized law firm in Edmonton where I worked for a year and a half. I am now employed by CPLEA, a not-for-profit organization that aims to help vulnerable communities understand their legal rights and responsibilities through public legal education and I’m loving every minute of it!

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

While I was exposed to CALL/ACBD through the student branch at the University of Western Ontario, I really started becoming familiar with the Association when I started my first law librarian job. Being a solo librarian is hard, especially when you’re new to the profession and don’t have anyone to show you the ropes. I was the only person in the office with a library background, so making informed decisions and proving my worth was quite challenging at times. CALL/ACBD has supplied me with many official and unofficial mentors, who I am eternally grateful for. These mentors have provided me with much support, which has continued to help me grow and test my potential. I also feel so fortunate to have received the Eunice Beeson Memorial Travel Fund to assist my attendance at the CALL/ACBD Annual Conference, where I learned from and networked with esteemed law librarians and legal information professionals from across Canada. I appreciate the diverse set of internal committees and special interest groups – I’m currently involved with the Membership Development Committee, Webinar Sub-Committee, and New Professionals SIG. I’m very excited to be spending the next 2 years co-chairing the 2019 CALL/ACBD Conference Planning Committee alongside my fellow co-chair and mentor, Josette McEachern and working with the rest of our Edmonton superstar crew!

What are three things on your bucket list?

I would like to visit every province and territory in Canada at least once and I’m getting there. I just have Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory, Nunavut, Newfoundland and Labrador to go!
My late maternal grandfather was an oil paint artist and art professor in Hong Kong and the Philippines. I would really like to visit some of the places that my grandfather painted to really take in his artwork and see how the landscapes have changed over time.
I’m very new to gardening, but there is something so satisfying about literally harvesting the fruits of your labour. So far, I’ve grown a single cherry tomato plant on my balcony. I’d like to branch out to other produce!

What’s one change in the profession or industry you’ve embraced?

The versatility of the MLIS degree! As technology advances, so does the entire field of library and information science. People with MLIS degrees aren’t all necessarily traditional librarians anymore. Nowadays, in addition to traditional librarians in the streams of public, academic, and special libraries, librarians are information managers, project managers, records managers, knowledge managers, information specialists, researchers, and more!

What are three skills/attributes you think legal information professionals need to have?

Receptive – to learning and to new ideas
Communicative – to clientele, colleagues, and higher-ups and in various formats
Willing to advocate – for the profession and for colleagues (both new and experienced)

CALL Members on Social Media / Membres de l'ACBD sur les médias sociaux

Mon, 11 Sep 2017 15:58:20 GMT

Here are just a few examples of what members and "friends" of CALL have been up to in recent weeks on social media.

I describe friends as non-members of CALL who either follow us on the CALL listserv or who have attended a CALL event.

Vous trouverez ci-dessous quelques exemples de ce que font les membres et "amis" de l'ACBD depuis quelques semaines sur les réseaux sociaux.

Les amis sont des non-membres qui nous suivent sur la liste de discussion CALL-L ou qui ont déjà assisté à une activité de l'association.

Sarah Sutherland (Canadian Legal Information Institute) wrote a column on Slaw.ca on What Do We Mean When We Talk About Legal Research?
Stéphanie Pham-Dang (Université de Montréal) a retweeté le texte du professeur Han-Ru Zhou sur la longue histoire d’enseignement du droit constitutionnel à la faculté de droit de cette institution: Le droit constitutionnel à la Faculté, d'hier à aujourd'hui.
Alan Kilpatrick (Law Society of Saskatchewan) wrote on his Library Canuck blog about a Canada-wide legislative research primer produced by the Vancouver Law Library Association.
Daniel Boyer (McGill University) drew attention to a post on the International Association of Law Libraries website about the upcoming 25th Annual Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot whose goal is to promote understanding of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods.
Jennifer Walker (Carleton County Law Association) wrote about the New Filter Option in WestlawNext Canada on the CCLA blog Robeside Assistance.
Megan Siu (Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta) drew my attention to the newest issue of LawNow, the CPLEA’s publication. The Sept/Oct 2017 issue is about wills & estates.
Olivier Charbonneau (Université Concordia / conférencier CALL/ACBD en 2007) explique dans un billet publié sur son blogue Culturelibre.ca Pourquoi je vais m’exclure du recours collectif de Copibec c. l’Université Laval.

Five Questions with Ann Marie Melvie

Thu, 24 Aug 2017 13:47:32 GMT

Ann Marie Melvie
Court of Appeal for Saskatchewan (Regina) ; President, Canadian Association of Law Libraries

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

Right after high school, I attended the University of Saskatchewan and obtained a Bachelor of Education degree. Soon afterwards, I got the idea that working in a library might be an interesting thing to do, so I enrolled in the Library Technician course at the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology in Saskatoon. My first job as a library tech was at Robertson Stromberg, a large law firm in the city. I was hired as the assistant to a lawyer who also had her Masters in Library and Information Studies. I’ll always be grateful for everything she taught me about law librarianship. Two years after I started at the firm, she left to pursue employment elsewhere, and I was left in charge of the library. Thank goodness for Peta Bates, the librarian at the Law Society Library, and luckily for me, my mentor! I am grateful for her time and for all the knowledge she passed on to me. Both of these fine librarians encouraged me to join and take an active part in CALL/ACBD.

I enjoyed my job at the law firm, but after eight years, it was time to move on. I went to Brandon, Manitoba, to work in the Assiniboine Community College Library. I liked working in an educational institution, but soon found that I missed working with what I know – legal materials. There were lawyers on staff who taught courses in the Business division of the college. Whenever they needed assistance in the library, I would practically lunge at the counter to help them. The librarian at the College encouraged me to think about obtaining my Master’s degree. I’m not sure if she saw promise in me, or if she was just tired of working with me, but three years later, I moved to Edmonton, Alberta, to pursue my MLIS.

During my second year of library school, I found out that the Court of Appeal for Saskatchewan was looking for a librarian. I applied for the job, was interviewed, and started the job right after graduation. That was sixteen years ago, and I’ve been at the Court ever since!

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

CALL/ACBD has been an important aspect of my continuing education as a law librarian in all of the ways you mentioned. I distinctly remember a presentation made to my library school class at the University of Alberta. I don’t recall who spoke to us, but she told us how important it is for librarians/information professionals to become involved in a professional association. I knew what she said was true, because I had had the chance to be involved in CALL/ACBD when I worked at the law firm.

Like many other professions, ours is one that is constantly evolving. There’s no better way to keep up than by attending conferences, participating in webinars, and by getting to know colleagues who work in various parts of Canada and around the world! The educational sessions at the conferences have been a tremendous help to me. The webinars are an excellent way to keep up with what is happening in our profession. And the networking has been invaluable!

During my second year of library school, I was thrilled to be chosen as the recipient of the Diana M. Priestly Memorial Scholarship, which is intended to support professional development in our field. I still remember opening the envelope that contained the cheque for $2500! It helped me so much during that year of school.

What’s one change in the profession or industry you’ve embraced?

Free, open access to legal information! Be it to the wealth of legal information on CanLII, BAILII, and AustLII, to open access journals such as the Canadian Bar Review, to having free online access to such things as the Citation Guide for the Courts of Saskatchewan (a shameless plug here), free access to legal information is a powerful thing!

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry?

Be open to whatever career opportunities come your way. You may have in mind that you want to work in a particular type of law library, but be open to working in other types of law libraries that you may not have considered. You may be pleasantly surprised!

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

When I was a child, I lived for three years in Ngaoundéré, Cameroon, Africa. One of my favourite memories is sitting in a mango tree with my friends, eating delicious mangos, with the juice dripping down my arms. Then one day, I fell out of a mango tree! Want to know what happened next? Ask me to tell you the story when I see you at the 2018 CALL/ACBD annual conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia (another shameless plug)!

Reaction to Last Month's Federal Court Decision on York University Fair Dealing

Thu, 03 Aug 2017 16:53:38 GMT

Last month, York University lost a case in Federal Court of Canada in its legal dispute with the collective licensing agency Access Copyright.

Access Copyright had sued the school, alleging it had been improperly reproducing and authorizing the copying of protected works.

The university argued that any portion of protected materials copied for course packs was covered by the “fair dealing” provisions of Canadian copyright legislation as interpreted by the Supreme Court of Canada and thus exempt from copyright fees.

York announced this week that it would appeal the ruling.

Reaction to the decision includes:

Court Decision a Big Win for Creators and Publishers (Access Copyright, July 12, 2017)
Ignoring the Supreme Court: Federal Court Judge Hands Access Copyright Fair Dealing Victory (blog post by Michael Geist, University of Ottawa, July 13, 2017)
Access Copyright v York University (Fair Dealing in Education blog, July 13, 2017)
Access Copyright v. York U – And All Eyes Over to York U for What's Next (Excess Copyright blog, July 14, 2017)
The Federal Court of Canada Puts the “Fair” in the Copyright Act’s “Fair Dealing” Exceptions (McInnes Cooper analysis on CanLII Connects, July 18, 2017)
Court Ruling on York's Copyright Infringements a Win for Canadian Creators (Macdonald-Laurier Institute, July 18, 2017)
Students Deeply Concerned With Federal Court Ruling Against York University (Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, July 18, 2017)
Access Copyright v York University (Ontario Library Association analysis, July 19, 2017)
The York University Case: Crisis in Copyright Law (BoyneClarke LLP blog, July 21, 2017)
Access Copyright v. York University: An Anatomy of a Predictable But Avoidable Loss (Ariel Katz blog, July 26, 2017)
Why Fair Dealing is Not Destroying Canadian Publishing (Michael Geist blog, July 27, 2017)

Ken Fox — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 21:29:07 GMT

I guess we all breathed a sigh of relief in 2012. The Supreme Court of Canada issued a pentalogy of judgments reinforcing the notion of fair dealing as a users’ right and Parliament passed a copyright amendment that elucidated fair dealing and added a few modern exceptions.

So, having gone through all that, fair dealing and the balance between the rights of the copyright holder and those of the user should be a done deal – from 2012 onward it’s just a matter of applying the law, right?

Nope.

Not according to Dr. Michael Geist, Law Professor at University of Ottawa and renowned expert in copyright law. Dr. Geist gave a plenary talk at the 2017 CALL/ACBD Conference in Ottawa, and issued a wake-up call to anyone who feels complacent that copyright matters were settled in 2012.

They may only get bigger. The online world has enabled and expanded the creation of works in which copyright may subsist, and has greatly accelerated the means to reproduce and distribute these works. The fair dealing interpretation arising from the SCC’s decision in CCH v. LSUC is also obscured in the increasingly contractual arena of online licensing.

The current field of battle is section 92 of the Copyright Act, which mandates a Parliamentary review of the legislation to begin no later than November 2017. So far, the efforts have been one-sided. Slide after slide after slide of Dr. Geist’s presentation showed his review of the active and early efforts of rights holders to redirect the review away from the 2012 outcomes.

Fair dealing has been characterized as having turned into a “free for all” policy in what Geist describes as a fake panic. Notably, he pointed to lobbyists on behalf of segments of the publishing industry blaming fair dealing applications for declining sales, despite the variety of ways the education sector obtains materials, which includes consortia database licensing, open access, transactional licensing, and de minimis (copying so minimal that a fair use analysis is not warranted), as well as book purchases and fair dealing.

Geist outlined a basic laundry list of reforms. For example, prefacing the list of fair dealing exceptions in section 29 with the phrase “such as” would make the exception open-ended, like the “fair use” provision in paragraph 107 of the US Copyright Law, Title 17 of the US Code. Geist also proposes a clear exception to the anti-circumvention provisions around technological protection measures (TPMs aka “digital locks”), as the government proposed in 2012, but never delivered. TPMs make many activities that would be legal with analog technology illegal in the digital realm. The proposed exception would legalise circumventing a TPM for purposes that are otherwise legal.

The relationship between contract law and copyright law should be further explored. If fair dealing continues to be considered a user’s right, what is this right’s interaction with a license agreement? This question becomes increasingly important as we access more and more of our content by way of online licensing agreements.

For Crown Copyright, Geist would like to see more open-ended licensing for non-commercial use – or even better, abolish Crown Copyright altogether.

But for the most part, Geist advocates for a defensive position against challenges to balanced copyright. He opposes, for example, the notion that Canada is a “piracy haven,” and needs to institute a notice-&-takedown system to replace our internationally-lauded notice-&-notice system. Aside from a few uncertainties noted above, Canada’s current law seems to strike an effective balance between the rights of industry and users. Therefore, he envisions the review as a benchmarking exercise, to assess the progress of cultural industries under the current legislative regime, rather than an occasion for a major overhaul.

Geist ended his presentation with a reminder that the fight for balanced copyright is not over, and that thus far, very few have spoken out on behalf of user’s rights, or even argued for maintaining the current balance. As such, he calls for CALL/ACBD members to add their ideas, evidence and voice to the debate.

2012 was not the end, it was the beginning.

If you would like to be involved in the review process, please contact copyright committee co-chair Kim Nayyer or Ken Fox.

A version of this piece was posted June 14, 2017 on Legal Sourcery.

Social Media Updates from CALL Members

Sat, 15 Jul 2017 18:34:45 GMT

Here are just a few examples of what members and "friends" of CALL have been up to in recent weeks on social media.

I describe friends as non-members of CALL who either follow us on the CALL listserv or who have attended a CALL event.

Mandy Ostick (Norton Rose Fulbright) - @mostick - tweeted a link to the article A New Era for Managing and Finding Experience in Large Law Firms
Megan Siu (Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta) - @megscellany - tweeted a link to the Edmonton Law Library Association's 15th Annual HeadStart training program
Tim Knight (Osgoode Hall Law School) - @freemoth - tweeted a link to an article on Artificial Intelligence as Disruptor
Tim also wrote a June 26 article on Slaw.ca called Be Aware, Be Very Aware - it describes a recent podcast interview with “an expert on how technology hijacks our psychological vulnerabilities”
Jennifer McNenly (Fasken Martineau DuMoulin) - @mcnenlyj - tweeted a link to an article entitled New ‘Lexis Answers’ Brings Artificial Intelligence to Lexis Advance
Jennifer also tweeted a link to an article on Creating and Using RSS in a Post-RSS World
Karen Sawatzky (Law Society of Manitoba - LSM ) - @karensawatzky - tweeted a link to an article on the LSM library website about a Manitoba Court of Appeal decision that contained a significant analysis of what constitutes a delay in court proceedings
Colin Lachance (CEO of Compass) -‏ @ColinLachance - and Kim Nayyer (University of Victoria) - @kimnayyer - both tweeted a link to the list of the 2017 FastCase 50 legal visionaries and innovators (3 are Canadians)
Martha Murphy (Ontario Workplace Tribunals Library) - @mmurphy18 - tweeted a link to a National post article York U. loses legal battle over copyright fees after court rejects fair use argument

Policy Options Magazine Series on Reviewing Copyright Policy / Revue Options Politiques - Série sur la politique du droit d'auteur

Thu, 29 Jun 2017 13:49:16 GMT

Le texte français suit ci-dessous.

Policy Options, a publication of the Montreal-based Institute for Research on Public Policy, is taking a closer look this month at Reviewing Canadian Copyright Policy as the Canadian government prepares for a mandatory legislative review of the Copyright Act that starts later this year.

"Reforming the Copyright Act was a tough slog the last time around, a balancing act for policy-makers and legislators, who heard from wildly different perspectives on what would be best for consumers, creators, and the businesses that deal with original work. Five years have passed, and the time has come for the required review of the Act. Our contributors, writing from multiple vantage points, offer their analyses of the current state of the copyright regime in Canada, what should be changed, and what should be left alone."

One of the articles is Libraries and the copyright (balancing) act by Victoria Owen. Owen is the chair of the Canadian Federation of Library Associations’ Copyright Committee.

Options politiques, la revue de l'Institut de recherche en politiques publiques basé à Montréal, publie une série d'articles intitulée Repenser la politique canadienne sur le droit d’auteur quelques mois avant que le gouvernement fédéral n'entame l'examen périodique obligatoire de la Loi sur le droit d'auteur.

"La dernière révision de la Loi sur le droit d’auteur n’a pas été de tout repos, imposant aux décideurs et aux législateurs de trouver le juste équilibre entre des avis très divergents sur les meilleurs intérêts des consommateurs, des créateurs et des entreprises touchés par l’épineuse question des œuvres originales. C’était il y a cinq ans, et revoici déjà le moment de réexaminer la Loi. Les collaborateurs d’Options politiques, qui soutiennent eux-mêmes différents points de vue, analysent le régime actuel du droit d’auteur, les dispositions qu’il faut conserver et les changements à mettre en œuvre."

Un des articles est Libraries and the copyright (balancing) act par Victoria Owen. Owen est la présidente du Comité sur le droit d’auteur de la Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques.

CALL Members on Social Media

Tue, 13 Jun 2017 20:23:55 GMT

As usual, members and friends of CALL have been busy on social media in recent weeks.

I describe friends as non-members of CALL who either follow us on the CALL listserv or who have attended a CALL event.

Here are a few examples:

Jennifer Walker (Carleton County Law Association) wrote on the Robeside Assistance blog about Federated Searching on WestlawNext Canada
Susannah Tredwell (DLA Piper (Canada) LLP) blogged on the VALL (Vancouver Association of Law Libraries) website about a survey relating to GALLOP, the Government and Legislative Libraries Online Publications portal created a few years ago by the Association of Parliamentary Libraries in Canada.
She also blogged about University of Alberta Copyright Librarian Amanda Wakaruk’s petition to the House of Commons to fix Crown copyright
Elim Wong (UBC) -‏ @UBCLawLib - retweeted an item about the digitization of British Columbia Sessional papers
Colin Lachance (CEO of Compass) -‏ @ColinLachance - tweeted a link to a CBA National article about Compass, his new Canadian legal research platform that took over Maritime Law Book and formed an alliance with vLex, a Barcelona and Miami-based legal publisher and California-based Justia
Alan Kilpatrick (Law Society of Saskatchewan) wrote on the Legal Sourcery blog about the Saskatchewan Access to Legal Information Project (SALI), “a new partnership among urban, rural, and remote libraries, justice industry stakeholders, and community organizations, working to advance access to justice for Saskatchewan residents”.
He also wrote about A Primer to Legislative Research Across the Provinces and Territories, a Canada-wide legislative research primer published recently by VALL
Sarah Sutherland‏ (CanLII) - @parallaxinfo - tweeted a link to David Whelan’s article Gatekeeper to a Thousand Gates that wonders whether libraries license too many things, and whether the experience stops library users from using them. She also published an article on Slaw.ca entitled Quantifying the Value of Legal Information
Notre ami Luc Marceau (UQAM) - @bibjurUQAM - a tweeté un lien au site de l’Assemblée nationale du Québec où l’on peut trouver un nouveau guide sur l'évolution du Code civil du Québec depuis 1865: “On y trouve les principales modifications législatives qui y ont été apportées. Pour chacune d'entre elles, le cheminement législatif détaillé est présenté, de même que les documents s'y rapportant (projets de loi (bills), débats parlementaires, lois sanctionnées, mémoires soumis en commission parlementaire, etc.).”
Il a également tweeté un lien à un article dans La Presse La justice sur des roulettes qui traite d’une initiative montréalaise d’accès à la justice qui utilise un “cabinet mobile [qui] va se promener cet été à Montréal pour offrir des consultations d’avocats et de notaires gratuites – et confidentielles.”

Master List of Competencies for Information Professionals

Wed, 24 May 2017 22:24:55 GMT

The website Librarianship.ca has compiled a list of Competencies for Information Professionals developed by associations and other professional bodies.

The list breaks down into many categories, including:

Academic Librarianship
Archives
Assessment
Collections Management
Data Management
Government Librarianship
Information / Document / Records Management
Law Librarianship
Library Technicians
Metadata and Cataloguing
Reference and Information Services
Scholarly Communications

The Canadian Association of Law Libraries in recent years has prepared two documents on what it calls Professional Development Pathways:

Implementing CALL/ACBD Professional Development Pathways:
"The Canadian Association of Law Libraries, through the Professional Development Committee, will make best efforts to provide a broad array of professional development opportunities that are designed to build members’ knowledge and skill in the following areas:
- Collection Development, Cataloguing, Metadata and Information Organization
- Information Technology
- Instruction
- Knowledge Management
- Leadership, Management and Professionalism
- Reference and Research Services
- Substantive Law"
CALL/ACBD Professional Development Pathways (list of competencies)

Social Media Updates from CALL Members & Friends

Tue, 16 May 2017 16:13:32 GMT

Here are just a few examples of what members and friends of CALL have been up to in recent days on social media.

I describe friends as non-members of CALL who either follow us on the CALL listserv or who have attended a CALL event.

If you want to read what people were tweeting about the recent CALL 2017 conference in Ottawa, you can click on the #callacbd2017 hashtag.
Stéphanie Pham-Dang (Université de Montréal) @Steph_Pham_Dang tweeted a link to the pre-print of the article Journal publishers’ Big Deals: Are they worth it? in her institution's repository
Notre ami Luc Marceau (UQAM) @bibjurUQAM a tweeté un lien à un article sur les classes inversées ("flipped classroom") Utiliser les techniques de la classe inversée pour enrichir les initiations à Zotero
Jennifer McNenly (Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP) @mcnenlyj tweeted a link to an article written by David Whelan (Law Society of Upper Canada) on One law librarian's approach, tips to negotiations, for new librarians
Melanie Hodges Neufeld (Law Society of Saskatchewan) wrote about mental health week in a series of recent blog posts (link to the latest one)
Svetlana Kochkina (McGill) @McGillLawLibrar tweeted about Indigenous Canada, a MOOC that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada
Kim Nayyer (UVic) @kimnayyer and Kristin Hodgins (Justice BC) @kristinhodgins were tweeting the other day about organizing a panel at next year's CALL conference on failure and leadership

The Latest on CALL Members and Friends on Social Media

Wed, 03 May 2017 22:57:14 GMT

Members of CALL and friends of the association are busy as ever tweeting, blogging and posting on Facebook.

Here are a few examples of what they have been thinking about in the past few days.

Mandy Ostick (Norton Rose Fulbright) tweeted about the Slaw.ca article Professional Development Galore! dealing with continuing education opportunities (hello CALL 2017 conference!)
Sarah Sutherland (CanLII) tweeted about the Globe and Mail article Statscan to phase in changes to crime-reporting protocols in wake of Unfounded investigation
Svetlana Kochkina (McGill) posted a link on Facebook to a report written by the Law Library of Congress in Washington on the Decriminalization of Narcotics
Megan Siu (Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta) tweeted about the New Librarians Symposium being held at Ryerson University in Toronto on June 22, 2017
Jennifer Walker (Carleton Country Law Association) blogged about divorce Canadian style pre-1968 (many divorces before that year were granted by private acts of the Parliament of Canada which were then printed in the annual statutes for all to see)
Colin Lachance, the legal tech entrepreneur and former CEO of CanLII who has presented many times at CALL conferences, tweeted a link to Mobile and Web-Based Legal Apps: Opportunities, Risks and Information Gaps, a forthcoming paper by 3 University of Ottawa profs
Stéphanie Pham-Dang (Université de Montréal), who will be attending the CALL 2017 conference as a first-timer if I am correct, tweeted a link to the Special issue of the Review of Constitutional Studies on the Crown in the 21st Century
Luc Marceau who follows us on the CALL-L listserv (UQAM) tweeted a link to an article in that Montreal university's official publication that deals with the fallout from the 2016 Supreme Court of Canada Jordan decision on trial delays
And since I am here, I must as well toot my own horn and link to an article on my blog: Internet Archive Wins Webby Lifetime Achievement Award

What CALL Members Have Been Doing on Social Media

Wed, 26 Apr 2017 16:02:09 GMT

A few weeks ago, I asked CALL members & friends of CALL who blog, Facebook and/or tweet if the website could reuse or mention what you were up to.

You have been busy this week. Here are a few examples of what's online:

Sarah Sutherland (CanLII) tweeted a link to The Legal Profession’s Resistance To Evidence In Addressing Access To Justice
Jennifer McNenly (Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP) tweeted a link to Why do one third of Knowledge Managers have no KM skills?
Luc Marceau who follows us on the CALL-L listserv (UQAM) tweeted a link to the super cool new website of Québec's National Assembly
Julie Nadalini (Farris LLP) highlighted the CALL/ACBD New Professionals SIG - Early Career Advice Survey 2017 on the VALL blog
Svetlana Kochkina (McGill) wrote a Facebook post about the seven McGill Law students and alumni who have been drafted to clerk at the Supreme Court of Canada in 2018 with a link to the article
Louis Mirando (Osgoode) asks on Slaw.ca Would a Ryerson Law School Need a Law Library?

Five Ontario Universities in Shared Last Print Copy Repository Project

Wed, 19 Apr 2017 18:58:10 GMT

Five university libraries in Ontario (at the University of Ottawa, the University of Western Ontario, Queen's, University of Toronto, and McMaster) are participating in the Keep@Downsview partnership, which is a shared last print copy repository project:

"The project, called Keep@Downsview, aims to consolidate and rationalize low-use print materials held by the partner libraries and ensure long-term preservation of these important scholarly materials in Ontario, while still providing access via document delivery and ILL. In doing so, each of the partner institutions demonstrates its commitment to the stewardship of print collections for future generations while repurposing valuable space on campus. This paper describes the background, rationale, challenges, and lessons learned for this unique Canadian project that leveraged funding from the province of Ontario, the University of Toronto‘s high density preservation facility at Downsview, and the commitment of all partners to preserve the scholarly record in Ontario (...)

"(...) the five libraries also quickly established the goals of the project and agreed to four key principles:

The project strives to save costs while maintaining access to a principal research collection by sharing in the responsibility of storing and maintaining one shared preservation print copy at the Downsview facility.

The project includes both journals and monographs.

All materials in Downsview are low-demand materials, as determined by the participating institutions.

All institutions share ownership of the materials they transfer. "

[Original article published in Serials Review. An open access version was made available on the Western University institutional repository]

There has been some discussion (but maybe less action) in relation to the idea of a "last print copy repository" in the specific case of legal materials, as can be seen in these two Slaw.ca articles written in recent years by CALL/ACBD members:

Where Will Old, Expensive, or Unexpected Legal Information Come From When Libraries All Downsize Together? Sarah Sutherland, December 12, 2013
Preservation Week: Pass It On! , Louis Mirando, April 28, 2015

Where Can I Find an English Translation of Cases in French?

Thu, 06 Apr 2017 16:33:09 GMT

This appears to be a frequent question asked by CALL members on the CALL-L listserv.

The SOQUIJ blog has a post about that very topic today. It describes the Translated decisions service of SOQUIJ, the Société québécoise d'information juridique, the Crown corporation in charge of publishing Québec court and tribunal decisions.

These are unofficial English translations of selected judgments of the Court of Appeal of Quebec, the Superior Court of Quebec, the Court of Quebec, the Human Rights Tribunal, and the Professions Tribunal.

Some rulings are chosen for their "pan-Canadian" value, in other words for their importance in areas of law that are relevant anywhere in Canada such as criminal or bankruptcy law.

Others that deal with purely provincial matters are selected if they apply legal principles similar to those from the common law tradition. And then there are translations of judgments that attracted media attention even if the issues raised have little equivalent outside of civil law.

Slaw Article on Law Librarians' Contributions to Legal Research Products

Sun, 02 Apr 2017 18:34:31 GMT

CALL member Sarah Sutherland wrote a few days ago on Slaw.ca about the many contributions Canadian law librarians have made over the years to the creation of some of our most important legal research tools.

In particular, she reminds readers of how law librarians (through CALL) pretty much saved the Canadian Abridgment, a commercial product.

They were also instrumental in the founding of the Index to Canadian Legal Literature, another commercial product.

But in the context of the multiplication of new publishing platforms for legal information (e.g. CanLII Connects, scholarly blogs) and questions about access to justice, Sutherland does ask about

"the wisdom of CALL members contributing free labour to a commercial product that is not available to many of the people who most need access to legal information (...)"

And, as she writes, could it be that what makes us really awesome at our jobs may actually hinder the development and flourishing of new platforms?:

"As part of their professional ethos, law librarians (and to some degree librarians generally) have looked to certain markers of authority and quality in information sources that these sources may not have: famous authors, bibliographic access points such as indexes and tables of contents, authoritative publishers, and professional editing. This may lead them to undermine these new sources that have so much potential to make the Canadian legal information landscape more accessible."

Sutherland mentions such products or projects as Clicklaw Wikibooks (Courthouse Library of British Columbia) and Osgoode Digital Commons (Osgoode Law School Library) as examples of valuable new contributions to the dissemination of legal information.

According to Sutherland, it should not be one or the other (expensive online subscription databases that lock out "average" citizens vs. free online resources for the masses).

Of course, the big question is: where will the money come from for new sustainable publishing endeavours that are high quality, accessible and cheap?

Gary Rodrigues, who has extensive senior level experience in the Canadian legal information publishing, offers one intriguing suggestion in the comments section below Sutherland's article.

CALL/ACBD letter responding to issue: Federal print version of Statutes of Canada

Wed, 29 Mar 2017 17:32:54 GMT

A signed copy of the following letter from CALL/ACBD President Connie Crosby has been sent today to The Honourable Judy M. Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada, with a copy to Deputy Minister Marie Lemay and selected other stakeholders, urging them to take care before eliminating the print version of the Statutes of Canada. An offer of feedback and guidance from our members has also been extended.

First Edition of Halsbury’s Laws of England Digitized / Numérisation de la première édition de Halsbury's Laws of England

Fri, 24 Mar 2017 15:20:19 GMT

Le texte français suit.

CALL member Alan Kilpatrick blogged a few days ago about the digitization of the first ever edition of Halsbury's Laws of England by the University of Toronto Robarts Library.

The entire work has been made available for free. This is a great tool for anyone needing to do historical legal research.

As Kilpatrick writes, the work is:

"a comprehensive and popular legal encyclopedia covering all areas of English law (...) published for over a century and (...) currently in its fifth edition."

"For some, the first edition of Halsburys constitutes a benchmark for Canadian (...) law. Fortunately, you can now access the first edition of this seminal encyclopedia, originally published from 1907 to 1917 across 31 volumes, right on your desktop."

[Source: Legal Sourcery, the blog of the Law Society of Saskatchewan Library]

Alan Kilpatrick , un de nos membres ici à l'ACBD, a publié un billet de blogue il y a quelques jours qui traite de la numérisation de la toute première édition de Halsbury's Laws of England par la bibliothèque Robarts de l'Université de Toronto.

Le texte intégral de l'ouvrage est disponible gratuitement en ligne. Il s'agit d'un formidable outil pour quiconque doit effectuer des recherches sur l'histoire du droit.

Comme l'explique Kilpatrick, l'ouvrage est une:

"encyclopédie juridique exhaustive et populaire couvrant tous les domaines du droit anglais (...) publiée depuis plus d'un siècle et maintenant dans sa cinquième edition."

"Pour certains, la première edition de Halsbury's constitue une référence en droit canadien (...) Heureusement, vous pouvez maintenant avoir accès directement sur votre écran à la première edition de cette encyclopédie phare publiée pour la première fois entre 1907 et 1917 en 31 volumes." [trad. libre Michel-Adrien Sheppard]

[Source: Legal Sourcery, le blogue de la bibliothèque de la Law Society of Saskatchewan]

Library Journal's Movers and Shakers 2017

Thu, 23 Mar 2017 15:49:24 GMT

Library Journal has released its 2017 list of Library Movers and Shakers:

"Now in its 16th year, LJ’s Movers & Shakers provides an annual snapshot of the transformative work being done by those in libraries of all types and sizes and across the field. At a time when individual and collective actions matter more than ever, the 52 people profiled here reflect the outsize impact librarians can have through the services and programs they deliver, their deep community connections and collaborations with partner organizations, and their one-on-one interactions with patrons."

Winners were chosen in the following categories:

Change agents
Innovators
Advocates
Educatotrs
Digital developers
Community builders

Among this year's winners is Colette Poitras, Public Services Manager, Northern Lights Regional Library System (NLLS) in Elk Point, Alberta.

Poitras, a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, has worked on introducing indigenous programs into local libraries:

"Poitras has provided cultural awareness training to the NLLS board and staff and has brought staff to First Nation pow-wows and Treaty Days celebrations, where they connected with tribal officials and community members, resulting in an arrangement to provide remote services to another First Nation reserve and Métis settlement, with more in the works. She also facilitated a history 'Learning Day' at the First Nations–owned and operated Blue Quills University, formerly a residential school, and has purchased culturally appropriate library materials."

The publication provides a map of all the Movers and Shakers from 2002 to 2017. Over the years, quite a few Canadians have been recognized as "Movers and Shakers".

Quebec Legal Info Service CAIJ Now Has Commentary From 29 Law Firms

Fri, 10 Mar 2017 17:15:44 GMT

CAIJ, the Centre d'accès à l'information juridique (the network of courthouse law libraries associated with the Québec Bar Association), has signed resource sharing agreements with many major law firms in Québec that make their legal commentary freely available on the organization's website.

This week, CAIJ announced that it will now feature texts written by lawyers from the firm of McCarthy Tétrault. This means there are 29 law firms that share material with CAIJ in English and French.

Their material will be added to a collection that already includes full-text commentary and textbooks including the Développements récents (annual reviews of areas of law), the Collection de droit (Bar School materials), proceedings of the annual Quebec Bar Association congresses, a growing number of treatises from publisher Wilson & Lafleur, numerous annotated acts, case law, and a list of thousands of legal questions with their corresponding answers.

Readers may also be familiar with similar initiatives such as CanLII Connects that allows publishers, law firms and academics to share commentary on cases and legislation on the CanLII website funded by Canada’s provincial and territorial law societies.

As well, sites such as Fee Fie Foe Firm and Lexology allow searchers to find material published by law firms.

[Cross-posted to Slaw.ca]

Michel-Adrien Sheppard
Supreme Court of Canada

Law Library Training on YouTube

Fri, 03 Mar 2017 20:57:07 GMT

Last week, we hosted a focus group at my place of work to ask staff lawyers what they thought of our library reference services.

One of the questions had to do with our ongoing program of "Tips and Tricks" training sessions.

Once a month, we organize quick 15-20 minute meetings where we show how to research a topic (public international law, Quebec Civil Code, criminal law, UN Treaties, etc.).

We demo databases or websites online and have a nice, clean, readable PDF handout for attendees. We also publish all our training PDFs on our library Intranet. We have a few dozen topical handouts so far.

But the lawyers at the focus group became very excited when one attendee suddently suggested that everything be available on demand in audiovisual format, a sort of "library Netflix".

And lo and behold, today I came across the YouTube channel created by the Education and Reference Department of the Boston College Law Library.

Like: wow!

Is anyone aware of Canadian law libraries using YouTube for training purposes? Or other A/V tools?

Michel-Adrien Sheppard
Supreme Court of Canada

Five Questions with Yasmin Khan

Fri, 16 Dec 2016 16:04:26 GMT

Yasmin Khan
Head Librarian
City of Toronto Legal Services Library

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I've been working in libraries since grade school. It started with volunteering in the library in junior high and then working at the circulation desks in my high school and undergraduate libraries. It wasn't until I reached second year of undergrad and went to a career fair that learned about the Master of Information Studies (MISt) at the University of Toronto (U of T). After I completed a BA Honours in English, I was accepted into the MISt program at U of T, a two year program. In my first year of the program, I obtained a summer position at the Department of Justice law library in the Ontario Regional Office in Toronto. I worked there part-time throughout my second year as part of the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP). The part-time position at the Department of Justice then evolved into a permanent full-time reference librarian position after I graduated. I worked at the Department of Justice until 2008. When the opportunity to work at the City of Toronto Legal Library as their Head Librarian became available, I moved there and I’ve been in that position since 2008.

In my current position, my role has expanded to include knowledge management, and I am responsible for developing our Portal to include practice pages and precedent databases. However, I wanted to specialize in knowledge management, so I decided to pursue higher education once again. I graduated from the Information and Knowledge Strategy Program at Columbia University in December 2015. This was a rigorous 16 month program offered by the School of Professional Studies at Columbia University. I was awarded an Innovation Scholarship and profiled in an article from the faculty. The program opened up new horizons for me to think about knowledge services, management and leadership, emerging technology and new ways to collaborate with various stakeholders (such as lawyers, students, and IT), and how to develop greater alignment with senior management.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

CALL is a diverse network of legal information professionals. I have learned so much from individual members and from serving on various committees over the years. The CALL Conference is a great forum to engage in the discussion of issues and opportunities within our profession as well as learn about new technology that has the promise to make legal practice even better.

What’s one blog, website, or Twitter account that you can’t go one day without checking?

I can't pick one source! The Slaw blog has excellent coverage for legal practice and technology and is a go-to source. However, the variety of aggregated LinkedIn posts that link to or summarize new articles and publications are quite good too.

Where do you see our industry and/or profession in 10 years?

I think legal information professionals have an opportunity to facilitate innovation and change by helping lawyers work with new technology or building new tools that enhance legal research.

What’s one change in the profession or industry you’ve embraced?

I'm actively following the emerging legal start-up culture in Toronto and following how technology is looking to disrupt current business models.

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

Je travaille dans les bibliothèques depuis ma jeunesse. J'ai commencé à faire du bénévolat à la bibliothèque à l'école intermédiaire, puis j'ai travaillé au bureau des prêts de la bibliothèque de mon école secondaire et de mon université. Ce n'est qu'à la deuxième année de mes études de premier cycle universitaire que j'ai assisté à un salon des carrières où j'ai appris l'existence du programme de maîtrise en sciences de l'information à l'Université de Toronto. Après avoir obtenu mon baccalauréat avec spécialisation en anglais, j'ai été acceptée dans ce programme d'une durée de deux ans. Au cours de la première année, j'ai décroché un poste d'été à la bibliothèque de droit du ministère de la Justice, au Bureau régional de l'Ontario, à Toronto. J'ai continué d'y travailler à temps partiel tout au long de ma deuxième année dans le cadre du Programme fédéral d'expérience de travail étudiant (PFETE). Mon poste à temps partiel au ministère de la Justice est devenu, une fois mon diplôme obtenu, un poste permanent à temps plein de bibliothécaire de référence. J'ai travaillé au Ministère jusqu'en 2008. Lorsque l'occasion s'est présentée de travailler pour la bibliothèque de droit de la Ville de Toronto, le poste de bibliothécaire en chef s'étant libéré, je l'ai saisie, et j'occupe ce poste depuis 2008.

Mon rôle s'est élargi au fil du temps pour inclure la gestion des connaissances, et je suis chargée de la mise sur pied de notre portail, qui comprendra des pages sur la pratique et des bases de données jurisprudentielles. Cependant, comme je voulais me spécialiser dans la gestion des connaissances, j'ai décidé de retourner à l'école pour faire d'autres études supérieures. En décembre 2015, j'ai obtenu mon diplôme du programme de stratégie en matière d'information et de connaissances à l'Université Columbia. Il s'agissait d'un programme rigoureux de 16 mois offert par l'École des études professionnelles de cette université. On m'a remis une bourse d'innovation et mon profil a été publié dans un article de la faculté. Le programme m'a ouvert de nouveaux horizons dans ma façon de concevoir les services relatifs aux connaissances, la gestion et le leadership ainsi que les technologies émergentes, et il m'a offert de nouvelles manières de collaborer avec divers intervenants (comme des avocats, des étudiants et des spécialistes des TI) et de mieux être en phase avec la haute direction.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (par ex. : bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

L'ACBD est un réseau diversifié de professionnels de l'information juridique. J'ai tellement appris auprès de certains membres et lorsque j'ai siégé à divers comités au fil des ans. Le congrès de l'ACBD est une tribune fantastique pour discuter des problématiques et des possibilités qui touchent notre profession et pour en apprendre sur les nouvelles technologies prometteuses qui pourraient bien améliorer encore davantage la pratique juridique.

Y a-t-il un blogue, un site Web ou un compte Twitter que vous ne pouvez pas négliger de consulter tous les jours?

Je ne saurais n'en choisir qu'un! Le blogue Slaw est un incontournable et traite à fond de la pratique juridique et de la technologie. En revanche, il y a aussi une variété de billets regroupés dans LinkedIn qui résument de nouveaux articles ou de nouvelles publications ou qui y mènent et qui sont plutôt bien.

Où voyez-vous notre industrie ou notre profession dans dix ans?

Je crois que les professionnels de l'information juridique ont l'occasion de faciliter l'innovation et le changement en aidant les avocats à travailler avec les nouvelles technologies ou en créant de nouveaux outils qui améliorent la recherche juridique.

Y a-t-il un changement relatif à la profession ou à l’industrie auquel vous vous êtes adaptée?

Je surveille activement la culture émergente de nouveaux cabinets de droit à Toronto et la manière dont la technologie s'apprête à ébranler les modèles d'affaires actuels.

Five Questions with Linda Keddy

Wed, 16 Nov 2016 15:51:58 GMT

Linda Keddy
Director of Research
Pink Larkin

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I received my undergraduate degree from the University of New Brunswick. Job prospects weren’t good for a political science major so I got a job with the Fredericton Public Library as a reference assistant and loved it immediately. It was like a treasure hunt for the right information every day. After two years, I decided I wanted to get my professional degree and went to Dalhousie for my master’s degree in library science. I had no real intention of becoming a law librarian, but my first job was at the Dalhousie Law Library as a cataloguer. It wasn’t my first choice of positions as I wanted more interaction with library users but it helped me learn the subject area, and I found it fascinating. Then I transferred to a reference and computer research training librarian position. I taught the first version of QL to students, lawyers, and judges. From there, I went to the Barristers Library as their first full-time law librarian and then to a private law firm. There I got to see the results of my research, to be part of the team that won or lost the case. I still do this work, and every day is still a treasure hunt. Yes there are budgets, and loose-leaf problems, and frustrating lawyers; but I can still say, after all these years, that my work is challenging and rewarding.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

I went to my first CALL conference in 1979, and it opened a door to a network of colleagues from all types of law libraries. Everyone was so nice to me, and it gave me contacts that I have kept for my entire professional career. I go to the CALL conference every year because meeting other law librarians and publishers in person is one of the most important ways I keep current. Over the years, I have also served on CALL committees and the Executive, and this has shown me what a small organization can do with volunteers. CALL is the center for professionals from different types of law libraries; it is where we find common ground.

What are three things on your bucket list?

As to my bucket list, it changes. I think most of my list now is personal and probably involves golf, which is boring to most of you. I will say I am going to play the Old Course at St. Andrews (in Scotland) this May, so number one will come off my list.

What are three skills/attributes you think legal information professionals need to have?

I think legal information professionals have to be current in all new technology so we can help our organizations be innovators in the use of it. However, traditional skills, such as understanding your client and what they really need, are still very relevant and sometimes get lost in the rush to be the first in using technology. The first skill I look for in assessing whether a person will be a good law librarian is whether they have common sense. It’s intangible, but you will be a better professional if you have it.

What’s one change in the profession or industry that has been a challenge for you?

One of the biggest changes in the profession has been how law students and younger lawyers have changed over the years. They used to come and stay for life and were eager for training and help. Now they seem to learn in a different way and there is a great deal of turnover.

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

J'ai obtenu mon diplôme de premier cycle à l'Université du Nouveau‑Brunswick. Les perspectives d'emploi n'étant pas très bonnes pour une spécialisation en sciences politiques, j'ai décroché un poste d'assistante à la référence à la Bibliothèque publique de Fredericton, emploi que j'ai tout de suite adoré. Chaque jour, c'était un peu comme une chasse au trésor pour dénicher la bonne information. Après deux ans, j'ai décidé que je voulais obtenir mon diplôme professionnel, et c'est pourquoi j'ai été faire ma maîtrise en bibliothéconomie à l'Université Dalhousie. Je n'avais pas vraiment l'intention de devenir bibliothécaire de droit, mais j'ai obtenu mon premier emploi à la bibliothèque de droit de Dalhousie en tant que catalogueuse. Ce n'était pas mon premier choix de poste, moi qui souhaitais avoir davantage d'interactions avec les usagers de la bibliothèque, mais j'ai pu acquérir des connaissances sur le sujet, et j'ai trouvé cela fascinant. J'ai ensuite été transférée à un poste de bibliothécaire de référence et de formation sur la recherche par ordinateur. J'ai enseigné la première version de QL aux étudiants, aux avocats et aux juges. J'ai ensuite été la première bibliothécaire de droit à temps plein de la bibliothèque du barreau, puis je me suis jointe à l'équipe d'un cabinet de droit privé. À ce moment, j'ai pu voir concrètement les résultats de mes recherches et faire partie de l'équipe qui gagne ou qui perd sa cause. J'effectue encore ce travail, et chaque jour demeure une chasse au trésor. Oui, il y a les budgets, les problèmes de feuillets mobiles et les avocats frustrants; par contre, même après toutes ces années, je peux encore dire que mon travail est stimulant et gratifiant.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (par ex. : bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

J'ai assisté à mon premier congrès de l'ACBD en 1979, et cela m'a ouvert les portes d'un réseau de collègues œuvrant dans toutes sortes de bibliothèques de droit. Les gens étaient tous si gentils avec moi, et j'y ai acquis des contacts que j'ai gardés pendant toute ma carrière. J'assiste au congrès de l'ACBD chaque année, car c'est en rencontrant d'autres bibliothécaires de droit et éditeurs que je parviens le mieux à me tenir à jour. Au fil des ans, j'ai aussi siégé à des comités et à la direction de l'ACBD, et j'y ai constaté ce qu'une petite organisation peut accomplir avec l'aide de bénévoles. L'ACBD est le noyau qui réunit les professionnels de différents types de bibliothèques de droit; c'est le lieu de convergence de tout ce que nous avons en commun.

Indiquez trois choses qui figurent dans votre liste du cœur?

Eh bien, ma liste du cœur ne cesse de changer. Je crois qu'elle contient surtout des éléments personnels en ce moment, et il y est probablement question de golf, sport que la plupart d'entre vous trouvent ennuyeux. Je dirai toutefois que je jouerai sur l'Old Course à St. Andrews (en Écosse) en mai, donc je pourrai rayer le premier élément de ma liste.

Quelles sont les trois compétences ou qualités que doivent posséder les professionnels de l’information juridique, selon vous?

Je crois que les professionnels de l'information juridique doivent demeurer au courant de toutes les nouvelles technologies, de sorte que l'organisation pour laquelle ils travaillent puisse se montrer novatrice dans l'utilisation qu'elle en fait. En revanche, les compétences traditionnelles, comme le fait de savoir comprendre le client et ses besoins réels, demeurent très pertinentes et sont parfois délaissées dans la course pour être le premier à se servir d'une technologie donnée. Pour évaluer si une personne sera un bon bibliothécaire de droit, la première compétence que je cherche, c'est le gros bon sens. Ce n'est rien de tangible, mais les bons professionnels l'ont.

Y a-t-il un changement relatif à la profession ou à l’industrie qui a présenté un défi pour vous?

L'un des plus gros changements qui ont touché la profession, c'est la façon dont les étudiants en droit et les jeunes avocats ont eux‑mêmes changé au fil des ans. Auparavant, une fois plongés dans le domaine, ils y restaient pour la vie et ils étaient avides de formation et d'assistance. Maintenant, ils semblent apprendre différemment, et il y a un haut taux de roulement.

Five Questions with Pam Borden

Tue, 18 Oct 2016 17:01:50 GMT

Pam Borden
Library Manager
The Law Society of PEI Library

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I have a BA from Saint Francis Xavier University (1976 English and Psychology Major), followed by various computer courses from Holland College. I have also worked for several small Canadian publishers and the PEI tourism industry.

I answered an ad in the Charlottetown Guardian in late 1987 describing a position at the Law Society of P.E.I. Library and was given the job since I might have been the only candidate to make a callback call!

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

I have been a member of CALL since 2000. CALL has helped me professionally in giving me valuable law library contacts from across Canada and the opportunities to speak as a one person law library on several panels at the annual CALL Conference. My best experiences were my participation in the 2000 and 2015 CALL Conference Planning Committees hosted by New Brunswick law librarians Melinda Renner and Jeanne Maddix, respectively. Their virtual conference planning committees were a lot of fun to work on, and I was gently mentored to contribute using skill sets I didn’t know I had in me.

This year, I participated in the editing committee for Emond Publishing’s 2nd edition of The Comprehensive Guide to Legal Research, Writing & Analysis under the direction of Ruth Kuras and Moira McCarney.

What’s your greatest work or career-related challenge?

My greatest work or career related challenge is continuing to work on my own but that has vastly improved with the growth in social media, conference calls, and platforms like Basecamp and GoToMeeting. The perception in the old days that one was operating in a library silo is gone forever, and the opportunities to remain in touch with law library contacts across Canada help me stay current and motivated.

Who is your favourite library professional—living or dead, real or fictional?

My favourite library professional is undoubtedly Melinda Renner. Since I am what Mona Pearce calls “an accidental librarian”, Melinda took the time to make me feel I had a real contribution to make to CALL, and she encouraged me to continue to develop my computer skills and to cultivate a professional attitude and pride in my work. She was a born leader, and I fondly recall her great sense of humour, her generosity of spirit, and her ability to think both organizationally and “outside the box”.

What are three things on your bucket list?

The three things currently on my bucket list are to visit Buenos Aires (having seen Paris, Prague, and recently Havana); to take a William Morris and Charles Rennie Mackintosh personal art pilgrimage to the UK; and to master ballroom and swing dancing!

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

J'ai obtenu mon baccalauréat en littérature anglaise avec spécialisation en psychologie en 1976, à l'Université Saint Francis Xavier, et j'ai suivi divers cours d'informatique par la suite au Collège Holland. J'ai aussi travaillé pour divers petits éditeurs canadiens et l'industrie du tourisme de l'Île‑du‑Prince‑Édouard.

Vers la fin de 1987, j'ai répondu à une annonce dans le journal le Guardian de Charlottetown où était décrit un poste à la bibliothèque de la Law Society of Prince Edward Island, poste que j'ai obtenu parce que je devais bien être la seule à avoir rappelé!

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (par ex. : bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

Je suis membre de l'ACBD depuis 2000. L'Association m'a été utile dans ma vie professionnelle, car elle m'a donné des contacts utiles dans les bibliothèques de droit de tout le Canada et des occasions d'être la porte‑parole d'une bibliothèque de droit à un seul employé dans le cadre de plusieurs groupes de discussion au congrès annuel de l'ACBD. Les meilleures expériences que j'ai vécues, ce sont les deux fois où j'ai siégé au comité de planification du congrès de l'ACBD, en 2000 et en 2015, ces deux éditions étant organisées par les bibliothécaires de droit néo‑brunswickoises Melinda Renner et Jeanne Maddix, respectivement. Nous avons eu beaucoup de plaisir à travailler au sein des comités virtuels de planification du congrès, et j'ai été doucement encadrée pour mettre à profit différentes compétences que je ne savais même pas que j'avais.

Cette année, j'ai participé au comité de rédaction de la 2e édition de The Comprehensive Guide to Legal Research, Writing & Analysis d'Emond Publishing, sous la direction de Ruth Kuras et de Moira McCarney.

Quel est votre plus grand défi lié à votre travail ou votre carrière?

Le plus grand défi lié à mon travail ou à ma carrière, c'est de continuer à travailler seule, quoique les choses se soient grandement améliorées avec la croissance des médias sociaux, des téléconférences et des plateformes comme Basecamp et GoToMeeting. L'idée ancienne voulant qu'on fonctionne de façon isolée, dans le cloisonnement de sa propre bibliothèque, est complètement révolue, et les possibilités de maintenir les rapports avec mes contacts dans les bibliothèques de droit à l'échelle du Canada m'aident à me tenir à jour et à rester motivée.

Qui est votre professionnel de la bibliothéconomie favori, vivant ou décédé, réel ou fictif?

Mon professionnel de la bibliothéconomie favori est sans aucun doute Melinda Renner. Je suis ce que Mona Pearce appelle une « bibliothécaire par accident », et Melinda a pris le temps de me faire sentir que j'avais une véritable contribution à apporter à l'ACBD, en plus de m'encourager à continuer de perfectionner mes compétences en informatique, à cultiver une attitude professionnelle et à tirer de la fierté de mon travail. Elle a l'âme d'un chef, et j'ai des souvenirs merveilleux de son sens de l'humour, de sa générosité d'esprit et de sa capacité à réfléchir de façon globale et à sortir des sentiers battus.

Indiquez trois choses qui figurent dans votre liste du cœur?

Les trois choses qui figurent actuellement dans ma liste du cœur, ce sont de visiter Buenos Aires (j'ai déjà visité Paris, Prague et, récemment, La Havane), de faire un pèlerinage sur l'art personnel de William Morris et de Charles Rennie Mackintosh au Royaume‑Uni et de maîtriser la danse de salon et le swing!

Five Questions with Jacquie Fex

Tue, 20 Sep 2016 05:00:48 GMT

Jacquie Fex
Reference/Training Librarian, Ontario Securities Commission

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I attended Trent University in Peterborough which is located in the middle of Ontario and far different than my hometown of Sudbury Ontario. Their winters were milder although the pubs were the same amount of fun. I majored in Politics at Trent and have found this to be very beneficial in my career educating young lawyers about how the laws with which they work are created. Many young lawyers do not understand the process of how a bill becomes a statute, and I regularly educate them on the process and its nuances.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

The highlight of my involvement with CALL was when Wendy Reynolds invited me to join the CALL 2012 Conference Planning Committee in Toronto. I really enjoyed working with this dynamic team that wanted to showcase our host city to encourage CALL members to attend the conference.

I created “Where’s CALL-do?” which featured photographs of CALL members with issues of Canadian Law Library Review in their libraries. This project gave us a peek at libraries across Canada and wherever else members might be reading the Review.

What was your first job or your first library-related job?

I have worked in libraries since my high school days, but my first full-time position was at the Great Library of the Law Society of Upper Canada located in the historic Osgoode Hall. This stunning library is a must-see if you are in Toronto, and its beauty is complimented by the terrific staff who work there. I learned a great deal while working on their RECON project which brought the provincial County libraries’ collections into one unified catalogue and updated their cataloguing to KF classified. Through working with all these titles, I learned a great deal about legal texts and government documents.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry

Speak up! I am lucky enough to work with a group of dynamic librarians here at the OSC, and we frequently bring in practicum students from the iSchool at U of T to share our knowledge with them and to learn from them as well. We help them to find their voice and participate in our discussions. We actively encourage them to become advocates to ensure a different brand of librarians move into today’s libraries. With so much change in the library environments, an essential tool is to communicate with management about the value of your services, and that you welcome innovation and are not simply reading books behind a desk!

How would you spend 24 hours of uninterrupted time to yourself?

WOW - 24 hours is quite a luxury! If you know me, you know how much I love to sing with my rock/pop choir newchoir, and in 2015, I got to sing with newchoir at Carnegie Hall. As thrilling as that was, it was a lot of hard work though the after-party was an epic dance party—another of my favourite things to do. However, last year I got to spend a day alone in London, England and wandered through a couple of museums, took a trip to Hampton Court (home of Henry VIII’s intrigues and many historical fictions I love to read), and then that evening I saw a play called The Audience with Kirsten Scott Thomas as Queen Elizabeth II during her weekly audience with her prime ministers. It was a lovely summer evening that I capped off with a dram of scotch from our earlier excursion to a Scottish wedding. That may be my ultimate day, although my daughter and I are travelling to London to take in their epic Brit Awards (think mash-up of Golden Globes & Grammys) that will include a tribute to David Bowie so that might be a close second.

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

J'ai fréquenté l'Université Trent, à Peterborough, au centre de l'Ontario, qui est un endroit très différent de ma ville natale de Sudbury, en Ontario. Les hivers à Peterborough sont plus doux, mais on s'amuse tout autant dans les pubs. À l'Université Trent, je me suis spécialisée en politique, ce qui s'est avéré très pratique dans ma carrière pour informer les jeunes avocats sur la façon dont sont créées les lois avec lesquelles ils travaillent. Nombreux sont ceux parmi eux qui ne comprennent pas comment un projet de loi devient une loi, et je les informe fréquemment sur ce processus et ses nuances.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (par ex. : bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

L'expérience qui demeure la plus marquante pour moi, c'est lorsque Wendy Reynolds m'a invitée à me joindre au comité de planification du congrès 2012 de l'ACBD à Toronto. J'ai vraiment adoré travailler avec cette équipe dynamique, qui voulait mettre au premier plan notre ville hôte pour inciter les membres de l'ACBD à assister au congrès.

J'ai créé le projet « Where’s CALL-do? » [N.D.T. Un jeu de mots avec l'appellation anglaise de « Où est Charlie? »], qui présentait des photographies de membres de l'ACBD avec des numéros de la Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit dans leur bibliothèque. Nous avons ainsi pu jeter un coup d'œil sur les bibliothèques de partout au Canada et sur les autres lieux où les membres peuvent lire la Revue.

Quel a été votre premier emploi, ou votre premier emploi dans le domaine de la bibliothéconomie?

Je travaille dans les bibliothèques depuis mes années d'école secondaire, mais j'ai obtenu mon premier poste à temps plein à la Grande Bibliothèque du Barreau du Haut-Canada, située dans l'édifice historique Osgoode Hall. Si vous êtes à Toronto, vous devez absolument visiter cette bibliothèque épatante, qui est d'une grande beauté et qui est aussi pourvue d'un personnel fantastique. J'ai appris beaucoup lorsque j'y ai travaillé sur le projet de conciliation, par lequel les collections des bibliothèques de comté provinciales ont été rassemblées au sein d'un même catalogue, et le catalogage a été mis à jour en fonction d'une classification KF. En travaillant avec tous ces titres, j'ai appris beaucoup de choses sur les textes juridiques et les documents gouvernementaux.

Quel conseil offririez-vous à une personne qui cherche à percer dans le secteur de l’information juridique?

Dites-le! J'ai la chance de pouvoir travailler avec un groupe de bibliothécaires dynamiques, ici, à la Commission des valeurs mobilières de l'Ontario, et nous accueillons couramment des étudiants stagiaires de la Faculté de l'information de l'Université de Toronto, à qui nous transmettons nos connaissances et de qui nous tirons également des apprentissages. Nous les aidons à trouver leur voix et à prendre part à nos discussions. Nous les encourageons activement à devenir des ambassadeurs, de sorte qu'une vague différente de bibliothécaires fasse son entrée dans les bibliothèques d'aujourd'hui. Il se produit tellement de changements dans les environnements de bibliothèques qu'il est essentiel de communiquer avec le personnel de direction pour lui faire connaître la valeur de vos services et lui faire savoir que vous accueillez l'innovation et que vos tâches se résument à bien plus que lire des livres derrière un pupitre!

Comment aimeriez-vous passer 24 heures sans interruption pour vous?

Wow! 24 heures, c'est tout un luxe! Ceux qui me connaissent savent que je fais partie de la chorale de rock pop newchoir avec qui j'adore chanter et, en 2015, nous avons eu l'occasion de nous produire au Carnegie Hall. Aussi exaltante que cette expérience a pu être, elle a tout de même demandé énormément de travail, quoique la soirée dansante – une autre de mes activités préférées – qui a suivi notre prestation fut phénoménale. Cependant, l'an dernier, j'ai passé une journée en solitaire à Londres, en Angleterre, au cours de laquelle j'ai flâné dans quelques musées et je me suis rendue à Hampton Court (lieu des intrigues de Henry VIII et de bon nombre des romans historiques que j'aime lire). Ce soir-là, j'ai assisté à une pièce de théâtre intitulée The Audience dans laquelle Kirsten Scott Thomas jouait le rôle de la reine Elizabeth II lors de son audience hebdomadaire avec ses premiers ministres. Ce fut une très belle soirée d'été qui s'est couronnée pour moi par un petit verre d'un scotch rapporté de l'excursion que nous avions faite à un mariage écossais. C'était probablement là ma journée de rêve, quoique je retourne à Londres avec ma fille pour vivre l'expérience des fameux Brit Awards (une espèce de fusion entre les Golden Globes et les Grammy) dont la cérémonie comprendra un hommage à David Bowie, donc cette journée risque fort d'acquérir le second rang, mais de justesse.

Marrakesh Treaty, Part 2

Ken Fox — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 20:42:42 GMT

In May we wrote that the federal government had introduced Bill C-11 to implement the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled (aka Marrakesh VIP Treaty or MVT). Since then, Bill C-11 has been passed and received Royal Assent. It is now SC 2016, c 4, and came into force on June 22.

At the time of our earlier post the MVT had only 16 of the required 20 contracting parties. Chile, Ecuador, and Guatemala then ratified it, and Canada’s accession on June 30 supplied the required 20. The treaty is now scheduled to come into force on September 30, 2016 in all contracting states.

The new legislation amends sections 32 and 32.01 of the Copyright Act to strengthen and standardize the existing exceptions for Persons with Perceptual Disabilities. According to the summary of the treaty, the new provisions serve “to permit reproduction, distribution and making available of published works in formats designed to be accessible to VIPs, and to permit exchange of these works across borders by organizations that serve those beneficiaries.”

The full text of the Treaty (including in formats accessible to visually impaired persons (VIPs)), along with other information about the treaty and contracting parties, is hosted on the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) website.

Post written by Kim Nayyer.

Five Questions with Susan Caird

Thu, 25 Aug 2016 15:28:56 GMT

Susan Caird

Researcher, Legal – McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry?

My undergrad degree is in Art History, and my plan when I went to SLAIS at UBC was to work in an art library (our next door neighbour, Rhoda Baxter, was the retired head of the Fine Arts division at the Vancouver Public Library and she encouraged me to take up librarianship as a career). For my library practicum, I worked for 6 weeks at the National Art Library in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, England, which was a wonderful experience. However, Vancouver has limited opportunities for art librarianship and at that time, I wasn’t prepared to change locations. When I graduated from SLAIS, I worked on-call at the Fine Arts division of VPL, plus in other divisions and branches, as well as on-call at New Westminster Public Library and Richmond Public library. There were few full-time positions in public libraries and after working on-call for 3 years, I decided to make a change. I had taken a weekend course on legal information materials, plus had attended a workshop on researching legislation but hadn’t really planned to go in that direction (I always dreaded being asked a legislative question when I was on the reference desk…). However, a full-time position was posted for a reference librarian at the Courthouse Library and I applied and, ultimately, was hired. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. The legal materials/research training provided was second to none, and the mentoring by all the library team, in particular from the Head of Information Services, Linda Morrison, was excellent. The range of skills and experience of the ref staff, and the in-depth knowledge that was shared, provided an invaluable foundation that I feel very fortunate to have been given. My training and the broad experience I gained there resulted in me making many new life-long friends, and, ironically, developing a keen interest in legislation and a love of legislative research questions!

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

Despite CALL being much smaller than AALL, I think the benefits of having our own national association are manifold. While there are legal library issues (and library issues in general) that are common no matter what country you’re in, there are also distinctly Canadian issues and CALL provides a group, perspective, and voice, to discuss and address them. The educational sessions plus the articles in the CALL Review provide a way to learn, keep up to date, and gain useful ideas and different perspectives on all aspects of law librarianship, information sharing, training, and technology. In 2002, I co-wrote an article on the BC Rules of Court with Thea Schmidt that received the Canadian Law Library Review Feature Article Award.

Being able to call upon a colleague for advice or assistance via the CALL listserv, or directly through a connection previously made, is a huge benefit. It’s often not only a means of obtaining an answer for a client, but a source for ongoing professional development and learning and for forging further connections and potential friendships. The annual conference is particularly important for networking and in 2007, I received funding from the Eunice Beeson Memorial Travel Fund to attend the CALL Conference in Ottawa. Librarians are helpful people who like to share - having our own collegial Canadian community association is a definite advantage and one which I can’t imagine being without.

What’s your greatest work or career-related challenge?

I think they’re the same challenges that have been faced by most librarians over many years: keeping pace with (or, ideally, staying ahead of) technological changes; being proactive, staying relevant, and demonstrating our value to our users; and of course, shrinking budgets. Time is also always a challenge -- finding the time to plan and to think about new possibilities for services or training and then the time to implement them as well.

Where do you see our industry and/or profession in 10 years?

I don’t think I have any particular skill as a prognosticator, but it’s pretty clear that in 10 years’ time, technology will have changed how we work to an almost unrecognisable degree. AI (artificial intelligence) is developing incredibly fast and will obviously impact law and the legal research world hugely, but it’s difficult to foresee exactly how it will impact law libraries and their staff. I think it is clear that we will do what we have always done: we will adapt and change, we will look ahead for new opportunities and ways to add value, we will develop new skills, and continue to build on our existing skillsets of research, training, and information management. I think interpersonal skills, analysis, and relationship-building will all become even more important in the future.

What’s one blog, website or Twitter account that you can’t go a day without checking?

So many possibilities… For law-related sites I would have to say Slaw and BeSpacific – both provide a range of interesting, useful material and are great for staying on top of current issues. As a way to combine my interests in art and law, I also follow the Art Law Report – lots of interesting posts about looted art and other art issues. For book sites, I’m a big fan of Maria Popova’s BrainPickings – she always has absorbing and thought-provoking posts, and I’ve found so many great books through her. I also love the posts at Medieval Books – a fascinating look at books before print. As a guilty pleasure, I read Awful Library Books pretty much every day – nothing like seeing some dreadful style/interior design/cooking/political/dating books from yesteryear, many of which should never have seen the light of (publishing) day! Finally, pretty much anything on Twitter that’s art, legal, travel, books or writing related – I love TravelBritain, The New Yorker, J.Paul Getty Museum, Salon – I could go on…

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

Je détiens un diplôme de premier cycle en histoire de l'art et, en fréquentant l'École de bibliothéconomie, d'archivistique et des sciences de l'information (SLAIS) de l'Université de la Colombie‑Britannique, mon plan était de travailler dans une bibliothèque d'art (notre voisine, Rhoda Baxter, était chef retraitée de la Division des beaux‑arts à la bibliothèque publique de Vancouver, et elle m'a encouragée à entreprendre une carrière en bibliothéconomie). Lors de mon stage en bibliothèque, j'ai travaillé pendant six semaines à la Bibliothèque nationale d'art du Musée Victoria et Albert, à Londres (Angleterre), et ce fut une expérience formidable. Cependant, les possibilités ne pleuvaient pas à Vancouver pour les bibliothécaires du domaine artistique et, à l'époque, je n'étais pas prête à changer de ville. Après avoir obtenu mon diplôme à la SLAIS, j'ai obtenu un poste d'employée sur appel à la Division des beaux‑arts et dans d'autres divisions et rayons de la bibliothèque publique de Vancouver, ainsi qu'aux bibliothèques publiques de New Westminster et de Richmond. Il n'y avait que peu de postes à temps plein dans les bibliothèques publiques et, après trois ans comme employée sur appel, j'ai décidé de changer d'emploi. J'avais suivi un cours de fin de semaine sur le matériel d'information juridique et j'avais aussi assisté à un atelier sur la recherche dans les documents législatifs, mais je n'avais pas vraiment prévu d'aller dans cette direction (je redoutais toujours de me faire poser une question sur le domaine du droit lorsque j'étais au comptoir de référence). Cependant, un poste à temps plein de bibliothécaire de référence à la Courthouse Library était affiché, donc j'ai posé ma candidature et j'ai finalement été embauchée. Cela s'est avéré être l'une des meilleures décisions que j'ai jamais prises. J'y ai reçu une formation sur la recherche et le matériel juridique sans égale, en plus de bénéficier d'un excellent mentorat de la part de toute l'équipe de la bibliothèque et, en particulier, du chef des Services d'information, Linda Morrison. La gamme de compétences et d'expérience du personnel de référence ainsi que les connaissances approfondies qui m'ont été transmises m'ont permis d'acquérir des bases inestimables que je me considère comme très chanceuse d'avoir obtenues. Parallèlement à la formation et à la vaste expérience que j'ai acquises là‑bas, je me suis aussi fait beaucoup de nouveaux amis pour la vie et, ironiquement, j'ai développé un intérêt marqué pour la législation et une passion pour les questions de recherche législative!

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (par ex. : bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

L'ACBD est certes beaucoup plus petite que sa contrepartie américaine, mais je crois qu'il y a de multiples avantages à ce que nous ayons notre propre association nationale. Quoiqu'il y ait des problématiques relatives aux bibliothèques de droit (et aux bibliothèques en général) qui soient les mêmes dans tous les pays, il y a aussi des problématiques propres au Canada, et l'ACBD confère une arène, une perspective et une tribune pour en discuter et les régler. Les séances éducatives et les articles publiés dans la Revue de l'ACBD constituent un moyen d'apprendre, de se tenir à jour et de tirer des idées utiles et différents points de vue sur tous les aspects de la bibliothéconomie juridique, du transfert d'information, de la formation et de la technologie. En 2002, Thea Schmidt et moi avons rédigé un article sur les règles de procédure en Colombie‑Britannique, qui a reçu le Prix du meilleur article de fond paru dans la Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit.

Il s'agit aussi d'un avantage incommensurable que de pouvoir demander de l'aide ou un conseil à un collègue par la liste de discussion électronique de l'ACBD ou directement par des liens établis auparavant. Bien souvent, il s'agit non seulement d'un moyen d'obtenir une réponse pour un client, mais aussi d'une source de perfectionnement professionnel et d'apprentissage continu, qui permet également de forger d'autres liens, voire des amitiés. Le congrès annuel revêt une importance particulière pour ce qui est du réseautage et, en 2007, j'ai obtenu une subvention de la Bourse commémorative de voyage Eunice Beeson afin de pouvoir assister au congrès de l'ACBD à Ottawa. Les bibliothécaires sont des personnes serviables qui aiment partager; ainsi, le fait d'avoir notre propre association canadienne collective est un avantage indéniable pour notre communauté, et je ne pourrais m'imaginer vivre sans.

Quel est votre plus grand défi lié à votre travail ou votre carrière?

Je crois que je suis confrontée aux mêmes défis que la plupart des bibliothécaires ont rencontrés au fil de nombreuses années : suivre le rythme (ou, idéalement, rester à l'avant‑garde) des changements technologiques; être proactifs, demeurer pertinents et montrer en quoi nous sommes utiles à nos utilisateurs et, bien entendu, composer avec des budgets qui ne cessent de fondre. Le temps aussi est toujours un défi, entre autres pour trouver le temps de planifier et de réfléchir à propos des nouvelles possibilités de services ou de formation, puis pour trouver le temps de les mettre en place.

Où voyez-vous notre industrie ou notre profession dans dix ans?

Je ne crois pas être une très bonne prophétesse, mais il est assez évident que, dans dix ans, la technologie aura modifié nos méthodes de travail au point où elles seront pratiquement méconnaissables. L'intelligence artificielle se développe à un rythme fulgurant et, de toute évidence, aura une incidence monstre sur le droit et la recherche juridique, mais on peut difficilement prévoir les répercussions exactes qu'elle aura sur les bibliothèques de droit et leur personnel. À mon avis, il est clair que nous ferons ce que nous avons toujours fait, c'est‑à‑dire que nous nous adapterons et nous changerons; nous nous tiendrons à l'affût de nouvelles possibilités et de nouveaux moyens d'ajouter de la valeur; nous acquerrons de nouvelles compétences et continuerons de miser sur celles que nous possédons déjà pour ce qui est de la recherche, de la formation et de la gestion de l'information. Selon moi, l'entregent et les capacités d'analyse et de création de liens seront d'autant plus importants dans l'avenir.

Y a-t-il un blogue, un site Web ou un compte Twitter que vous ne pouvez pas négliger de consulter tous les jours?

Il y a tant de possibilités… Pour les sites dans le domaine du droit, je dirais Slaw et BeSpacific, qui offrent tous deux une gamme de documents utiles et intéressants et qui sont parfaits pour se tenir au courant des enjeux actuels. Pour satisfaire mon intérêt combiné envers les arts et le droit, je consulte également l'Art Law Report, qui renferme de nombreux billets intéressants sur le vol d'œuvres d'art et d'autres aspects relatifs à l'art. Du côté des sites sur les livres, j'adore BrainPickings de Maria Popova, qui présente toujours des billets captivants et qui portent à réfléchir, et elle m'a fait découvrir un si grand nombre de livres fantastiques. J'adore aussi les billets publiés dans Medieval Books, qui offrent un aperçu fascinant de ce à quoi ressemblaient les livres avant l'avènement de l'imprimerie. Mon plaisir coupable : je lis Awful Library Books pour ainsi dire tous les jours. Il n'y a rien de tel que de voir des livres affreux d'autrefois sur le style, le design intérieur, la cuisine, la politique ou les rendez‑vous galants, dont bon nombre n'auraient jamais dû être publiés! Enfin, j'apprécie pas mal tout ce qu'on trouve sur Twitter à propos de l'art, du droit, des voyages, des livres ou de l'écriture, par exemple : TravelBritain, The New Yorker, J. Paul Getty Museum, Salon, et j'en passe.

The TPP and Copyright / Le PTP et le droit d'auteur

Ken Fox — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 15:46:10 GMT

On July 28, 2016, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives released the tenth report in its What's the Big Deal? Understanding the Trans-Partnership series. This one reviews the impact the TPP would have on the Canadian copyright legislative regime.

The Trouble with the TPP's Copyright Rules, written by Professor Michael Geist of University of Ottawa, raises concerns about legislative changes that implementation of the TPP would necessitate. Professor Geist covers three key elements of the intellectual property section of the TPP: copyright term extension, incorporation of criminal sanctions into the technological protection measure regime, and potential limitations on the current notice-and-notice system.

All of these possible changes to Canadian copyright law will have some, though varying, impact on Canadian law libraries. For instance, law libraries undertaking digitization initiatives may find planned projects stymied by the addition of twenty more years to copyright terms. Similarly, creation of new resources dependent on term expiry and entry into the public domain would have to wait an additional twenty years.

As for technological protection measures, a question arises as to whether (possibly inadvertent) violation of digital rights management measures (DRM or “digital locks”) in a licensed resource might lead, for the first time, to criminal penalty for a law library or its users. Finally, uncertainties about the notice-and-notice regime also may hamper digitization or similar law library initiatives.

The report, like the others in the series, is available as a free download through the CCPA website, and may be purchased in print (ISBN 978-1-77125-300-0, $10) from the CCPA National Office.

Post written by Kim Nayyer.

Le 28 juillet 2016, le Centre canadien de politiques alternatives a publié le dixième rapport de sa série What's the Big Deal? Understanding the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Ce rapport porte sur l'incidence que le Partenariat transpacifique (PTP) aurait sur le régime juridique du droit d'auteur.

The Trouble with the TPP's Copyright Rules, rapport rédigé par le professeur Michael Geist, de l'Université d'Ottawa, soulève des préoccupations quant aux changements législatifs qu'exigerait la mise en place du PTP. Le professeur Geist aborde trois grands éléments de la section du PTP traitant de la propriété intellectuelle, à savoir : la prorogation de l'échéance des droits d'auteur, l'intégration de sanctions pénales au régime des mesures de protection technologiques et la limitation potentielle du régime d'avis et avis actuel.

Tous ces changements possibles à la loi canadienne sur le droit d'auteur auront des répercussions à divers degrés sur les bibliothèques de droit du pays. Par exemple, les bibliothèques de droit qui amorcent une initiative de numérisation pourraient voir leurs projets prévus entravés par l'ajout de vingt années de plus à la durée des droits d'auteur. De même, la création de nouvelles ressources tributaire de l'échéance du droit d'auteur et de l'entrée dans le domaine public serait repoussée de vingt autres années.

Quant aux mesures de protection technologiques, on se demande si une violation (potentiellement par mégarde) des mesures de gestion des droits numériques (GDN, qu'on appelle aussi les « verrous numériques ») pour du contenu sous licence pourrait, pour la première fois, mener à l'imposition de sanctions pénales à une bibliothèque de droit ou à ses usagers. Enfin, les incertitudes concernant le régime d'avis et avis peuvent aussi faire obstacle aux initiatives de numérisation ou à d'autres initiatives semblables des bibliothèques de droit.

À l'instar du reste de la série, le rapport est offert en téléchargement gratuit sur le site Web du CCPA ou peut être acheté en version papier (ISBN 978-1-77125-300-0, au coût de 10 $) auprès du bureau national du CCPA.

Billet rédigé par Kim Nayyer

Five Questions with Louis Mirando

Thu, 21 Jul 2016 14:47:03 GMT

Louis Mirando
Chief Law Librarian
Osgoode Hall Law School of York University

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

When I was an undergraduate at the University of Toronto (major in Mediaeval Studies), I got a part-time job as a stacker in my college library. I knew immediately that I wanted to make libraries my life and have worked in the information area, in one capacity or another, ever since. My parents wanted me to apply to law school, and I did and was accepted, but turned down Law and opted for Library Science. I’ve never regretted that decision – and ended up in law anyway!

My library degree was in special collections and rare book librarianship. My first “real” library job (after working a year in a bookshop) was as a special collections librarian and lecturer on the history of printing at Western. I then got a post-graduate scholarship to Germany to study “the book arts” at the University of Cologne. After two years, I returned to Canada to begin PhD studies in the then nascent field of “book studies” at Toronto. When I quit the doctoral program after three years (all-but-dissertation), I needed a job fast. The University of Toronto Law Library (now Bora Laskin Law Library) was looking for a contract cataloguer. I’d never heard of law libraries but took the job anyway. I worked with Rashid, who provided a rigorous and disciplined training in the intricacies of legal bibliography and information control. I couldn’t have asked for a more solid background to a career in legal information. I fell in love with legal information and have never looked back.

My career since then has been varied but always in legal information. A part-time job doing freelance indexing for Carswell turned into a full-time job as a Senior Legal Editor and founding editor of the bilingual Index to Canadian Legal Literature/Index à documentation juridique au Canada. Then back to libraries, first as a reference librarian at the Bora Laskin Law Library, then as library manager at a mid-size Toronto law firm; then back to publishing, this time in electronic publishing with Lexis; then libraries again, as library director at a major Bay Street law firm. I believe this variety of education and experience has provided me with the perfect background for my current position at Osgoode Hall Law School of York University, where I’ve been Chief Law Librarian since 2007.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

I owe so much to CALL and its members that I don’t know where to begin! When I worked for Carswell, I used to accompany the sales team – Ken Barnett and Jim Lang – to law library conferences. Ken and Jim taught me to treat our customers as partners. I was able to relate to law librarians not only as clients but as professional colleagues – and soon enough, as friends. When I moved back into law libraries, I had a ready-made support network not only here in Toronto but coast-to-coast with whom I’ve worked and celebrated, who have given me help and gotten me out of fixes, from whom I’ve learned most of what I know and to whom I owe much of my subsequent success.

What is one thing that’s surprised you about the legal information profession?

We live and work in a village. Whether librarians or vendors, from across the country, we speak the same language and we know, help, and even look out for each other. I never believed I would have so many friends in Calgary.

The other thing that’s surprised me about this profession is how conservative it is. Richard Susskind has said that “Law has always been on the cutting edge of tradition” and it is this inherent conservatism that stymies change in the profession.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry?

Don’t expect to know everything at the start and don’t be afraid to ask for help: there are colleagues all around who want you to succeed. Don’t worry too much about “Law”: whether or not you have a law degree; it’s all about information. You can learn the “Law” but good information specialist skills are a talent. In this industry, you will always be respected for what you know, so concentrate on being an information specialist. Finally, don’t lose sight of the fact that this is an “industry” and that business and economics will always play a significant role in the services we provide.

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I’m an adult learner on the piano and it’s a challenge. I look up to 12-year old kids. I’ll never be able to give up my day job for the concert stage, but it’s what I look forward to at the end of the day.

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégré au secteur de l’information juridique.

Pendant mes études de premier cycle à l'Université de Toronto (avec spécialisation en études médiévales), j'ai décroché un emploi à temps partiel comme préposé aux rayons à la bibliothèque de mon collège. J'ai su d'entrée de jeu que je voulais faire ma vie dans les bibliothèques, et je travaille dans le domaine de l'information, sous une forme ou une autre, depuis ce temps. Mes parents voulaient que je m'inscrive à une école de droit, ce que j'ai fait, et j'y ai été admis; j'ai toutefois tourné le dos au droit et j'ai opté plutôt pour la bibliothéconomie. Je n'ai jamais regretté mon choix – et j'ai fini par travailler dans le milieu du droit de toute façon!

J'ai obtenu mon diplôme en bibliothéconomie des collections spéciales et des livres rares. Mon premier « véritable » emploi dans le domaine (après avoir travaillé un an dans une librairie) a été celui de bibliothécaire chargé des collections spéciales et professeur d'histoire de l'imprimerie à l'Université de Western Ontario. J'ai ensuite obtenu une bourse d'études supérieures pour aller étudier les « arts du livre » à l'Université de Cologne, en Allemagne. Je suis revenu au Canada après deux ans pour entreprendre un doctorat dans le domaine alors naissant des « études du livre » à Toronto. Lorsque j'ai quitté le programme de doctorat après trois ans (sans thèse), j'avais besoin d'un travail, et vite. La bibliothèque de droit de l'Université de Toronto (aujourd'hui la bibliothèque de droit Bora Laskin) avait besoin d'un catalogueur contractuel. Je n'avais jamais entendu parler de bibliothèques de droit, mais j'ai tout de même accepté cet emploi. J'y ai travaillé avec Rashid, qui m'a fourni une formation empreinte de rigueur et de discipline sur les subtilités de la bibliographie juridique et du contrôle de l'information. Je n'aurais pas pu demander de bases plus solides pour une carrière dans l'information juridique. J'ai eu le coup de foudre pour l'information juridique, et je n'ai jamais voulu retourner en arrière.

J'ai depuis eu une carrière variée, mais toujours rattachée d'une quelconque façon à l'information juridique. Ce qui était un travail indépendant d'indexation à temps partiel pour Carswell est devenu un emploi à temps plein comme rédacteur juridique en chef et fondateur de la publication bilingue Index to Canadian Legal Literature/Index à documentation juridique au Canada. J'ai ensuite fait un retour dans les bibliothèques, d'abord comme bibliothécaire de référence à la bibliothèque de droit Bora Laskin, puis comme gestionnaire de bibliothèque dans un cabinet de droit de taille moyenne à Toronto; par après, je suis revenu au domaine de l'édition, cette fois dans l'édition électronique auprès de Lexis, pour enfin retourner dans les bibliothèques, en tant que directeur de bibliothèque pour un cabinet de droit important sur la rue Bay. Je crois que ma scolarité et mes expériences aussi variées m'ont fourni les bases parfaites pour le poste que j'occupe depuis 2007 à l’Osgoode Hall Law School de l’Université York, soit celui de bibliothécaire de droit en chef.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (par ex. : bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

Je suis tellement redevable à l'ACBD et à ses membres que je ne sais pas par où commencer! À l'époque où je travaillais pour Carswell, j'accompagnais habituellement l'équipe des ventes – Ken Barnett et Jim Lang – aux congrès des bibliothèques de droit. Ken et Jim m'ont montré à traiter nos clients comme des partenaires. J'ai pu nouer des relations avec les bibliothécaires de droit non seulement à titre de clients, mais aussi de collègues professionnels, et il ne s'est fallu que peu de temps avant que je ne les considère également comme des amis. Quand je suis revenu dans les bibliothèques de droit, j'avais déjà un réseau de soutien ici, à Toronto, mais aussi d'un bout à l'autre du pays. Ce sont des personnes avec qui j'ai travaillé et célébré, qui m'ont donné un coup de main et qui m'ont sorti du pétrin, de qui j'ai appris la grande majorité de ce que je sais et à qui je dois une bonne part de mon succès ultérieur.

Quel est l’aspect de la profession de l’information juridique qui vous a étonné?

Nous sommes comme un village. Partout au pays, que nous soyons bibliothécaires ou fournisseurs, nous parlons la même langue et nous nous connaissons, nous nous aidons et nous nous cherchons même les uns les autres. Je n'aurais jamais cru avoir autant d'amis à Calgary.

L'autre aspect de la profession qui m'a étonné, c'est son côté conservateur. Comme Richard Susskind l'a dit : « Le droit a toujours été à l'avant‑garde de la tradition », et c'est ce conservatisme inhérent qui entrave le changement dans la profession.

Quel conseil offririez-vous à une personne qui cherche à percer dans le secteur de l’information juridique?

Ne vous attendez pas à tout savoir dès le début, et n'ayez pas peur de demander de l'aide : vous êtes entouré de collègues qui ne veulent que votre succès. Ne vous inquiétez pas trop du côté « juridique » : que vous soyez diplômé en droit ou non, il est question avant tout d'information. L'aspect juridique peut s'apprendre, tandis que les bonnes aptitudes de spécialiste de l'information relèvent du talent. Dans cette industrie, vous serez toujours respecté pour vos connaissances, donc consacrez l'essentiel de vos efforts à devenir un spécialiste de l'information. Enfin, ne perdez pas de vue le fait qu'il s'agit d'une « industrie » et que, en ce sens, l'économie et les affaires viendront toujours jouer un rôle important dans les services que nous fournissons.

Quelle est la chose que les gens seraient étonnés d’apprendre à votre sujet?

J'ai entrepris des cours de piano à l'âge adulte, et c'est tout un défi. J'admire les jeunes de 12 ans. Je ne pourrai jamais quitter mon emploi de jour pour aller me produire sur scène, mais c'est un rêve que je nourris.

Five Questions with Joan Rataic-Lang

Fri, 17 Jun 2016 15:57:47 GMT

Joan Rataic-Lang
Executive Director
Toronto Lawyers Association

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

My first year roommate at Queen’s remembers that on the first day I told her I wanted to be a librarian. After getting my BA in History, I decided to live somewhere fun and go to school; hence I graduated from McGill with my MLIS in 1986. I moved back home to Ontario and needed a job. Sadly I did not end up in law because I sought it out but because there were 5 jobs in law libraries of various types in Toronto when I started applying—the chances were high that I would end up in one of them. I had taken the Law Libraries course at McGill and worked in the law school library part-time for 2 years, so the managing partner at Aird & Berlis took a chance and hired me. I have left the industry a few times, but always end up coming back.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally (e.g. scholarships & grants, continuing education, networking)?

As a young, new librarian, CALL Conferences were an opportunity to learn, which made me a better librarian. As I have become more seasoned, I have had the chance to be involved in other ways. I have been on the planning committees for 2 conferences and was thrilled to give back. The inner ham in me loves an audience so speaking opportunities give me an audience and, more importantly, a chance to share and hear/learn from others.

On the less formal side, the connections and relationships I have developed have been wonderful. The support network that our community offers is excellent, and I always feel like I am part of something bigger. If I have a question, concern or issue, there’s always someone to talk to about it, be they in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal or the Maritimes, and all the places in-between.

What’s one change in the profession or industry that has been a challenge for you?

The consolidation of publishers who need to make their shareholders happy. I have a limited budget and struggle with providing the essentials in our library.

What are three things on your bucket list?

As some of you may know, in 2013 Connie Crosby and I walked the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. I want to walk more, so my next walk will be the Camino Portugués.

Get my CAE (Certified Association Executive) because in this job, I wear 2 hats and want to make sure that both of them fit equally well.

To be a grandmother, oh no wait, that’s got to be on one of my kids’ lists, which means I get another one…

To explore Italy.

If you could take any CALL member (living or retired) for lunch, who would it be and why?

Douglass T. MacEllven because when I became a law librarian at Aird & Berlis his book, Legal Research Handbook, was my go-to reference. And because I am a nerd, I read every new edition. The meal would be even better as a party including Margaret Banks (she wrote my other favourite legal research book, Banks on Using on Law Library) and those who have updated those classics: Neil Campbell, John Davis, and Karen Foti. A party librarian-style.

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

Ma colocataire en première année à l’Université Queen se souvient que je lui ai annoncé dès le premier jour que je voulais devenir bibliothécaire. Après avoir obtenu un baccalauréat en histoire, j’ai décidé de déménager dans une ville où l’on s’amuse et d’y poursuivre mes études; j’ai donc obtenu une maîtrise en bibliothéconomie et en science de l’information à l’Université McGill en 1986. Puis je suis revenue en Ontario où il me fallait travailler. Malheureusement, je ne suis pas arrivée dans le domaine du droit par choix, mais parce que cinq postes étaient offerts dans différentes bibliothèques de droit à Toronto quand j’ai commencé mes recherches d’emploi et qu’il y avait de grandes chances que je décroche l’un de ces postes. J’avais suivi le cours sur les bibliothèques de droit à McGill et travaillé dans la bibliothèque de la faculté de droit à temps partiel pendant deux ans, par conséquent l’associé directeur chez at Aird & Berlis a tenté sa chance et m’a embauchée. J’ai quitté le secteur plusieurs fois, mais j’y suis toujours revenue.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel (par ex: bourses et subventions, formation continue, réseautage)?

Lorsque j’étais jeune bibliothécaire débutante, les conférences de l’ACBD m’apprenaient beaucoup et me permettaient de m’améliorer dans mon travail. En prenant de l’expérience, j’ai eu l’occasion de m’impliquer dans l’Association autrement : j’ai siégé au comité de planification de deux conférences et ai été très heureuse de redonner ce que j’avais reçu. Le côté cabotin qui est en moi aime avoir un public; par conséquent, les occasions de parler en public me conviennent bien et chose plus importante encore m’offrent la chance de partager avec les autres et d’apprendre des autres.

Du côté moins officiel, les connexions et les relations que j’ai nouées ont été extraordinaires. Le réseau de soutien offert par notre communauté est excellent et j’éprouve toujours le sentiment de faire partie de quelque chose de plus grand. Si je me pose des questions ou me heurte à des inquiétudes ou des difficultés, je trouve toujours quelqu’un à qui en parler, que la personne se trouve à Vancouver, à Toronto, à Montréal, dans les Maritimes ou partout ailleurs dans le pays.

Y a-t-il un changement relatif à la profession ou à l’industrie qui a présenté un défi pour vous?

Le regroupement des éditeurs qui doivent faire plaisir à leurs actionnaires. Mon budget est limité et je me bats pour assurer les services essentiels dans notre bibliothèque.

Indiquez trois choses qui figurent dans votre liste du cœur?

Comme certains le savent déjà, en 2013, Connie Crosby et moi avons parcouru le chemin de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. J’aimerais marcher encore et suivre le Camino Portugués (chemin portugais) cette fois.

Obtenir ma certification de directrice d’association (CAE), car à mon poste, je porte deux chapeaux et voudrais m’assurer que les deux chapeaux sont équilibrés.

Être grand-mère; ou plutôt... ce souhait devrait plutôt faire partie de la liste de mes enfants... ce qui signifie que je peux citer un dernier rêve...

Visiter l’Italie.

Si vous pouviez inviter un membre de l’ACBD (actif ou retraité) à dîner, qui inviteriez-vous, et pourquoi?

Douglas T. MacEllven, car son livre Legal Research Handbook était mon ouvrage de référence préféré lorsque j’ai débuté au poste de bibliothécaire de droit chez Aird & Berlis. Et parce que je suis une fanatique, je lis chaque nouvelle édition. Le dîner ressemblerait plutôt à une fête et j’y inviterais également Margaret Banks (elle a écrit mon autre ouvrage préféré de recherche en droit Banks on Using on Law Library) et toutes les autres personnes qui ont actualisé ces classiques : Neil Campbell, John Davis et Karen Foti. Ce serait une soirée style bibliothécaire.

Marrakesh Treaty

Thu, 26 May 2016 15:06:47 GMT

Bill C-11, An Act to amend the Copyright Act (access to copyright works or other subject-matter for persons with perceptual disabilities) had First Reading on March 24, 2016. The essence of Bill C-11 is to implement the goals of the Marrakesh Treaty in Canada, permitting certain reproductions of protected material to enable accessibility for persons with a print disability. To do so, Bill C-11 would make amendments to ss 32, 32.01, 32.02, and 41.16.

The Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled was adopted by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in June 2013. Canada is not a contracting party, but has adopted the goals of the treaty to strengthen the Copyright Act.

CALL/ACBD welcomes the introduction of Bill C-11 and encourages its early passage and entry into force.

Post written by Kim Nayyer

Copyright Board Ruling Further Elucidates Fair Dealing

Thu, 26 May 2016 15:01:37 GMT

A February 2016 ruling of the Copyright Board of Canada addresses s 70.15 (certification of tariffs) of the Copyright Act and, in particular, royalties sought by Access Copyright. The decision settled proposed tariffs in respect of reproductions in the K-12 sector, so does not directly engage law libraries or academic libraries. However, its relevance to CALL/ACBD and readers of this blog derives from its elucidation of fair dealing and the role of licenses.

Objections were filed to the proposed tariffs by all Canadian provinces and territories affected, and arguments were heard by the Board in 2014. Procedurally and substantively, the matter flowed from the outcome of Alberta v Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency (Access Copyright), 2012 SCC 37, one of the 2012 decisions commonly known as the copyright pentalogy, and fair dealing guidelines published in response thereto.

The Board confirmed that tariffs deal with copying in the abstract and not with individual instances of copying. The Board also concluded it appropriate to base a determination of royalty rates only on those works that Access Copyright already has legal authority to license reproductions of, or those already in Access’s repertoire, and not works that could potentially be in its repertoire.

Michael Geist commented on the decision in a recent blog post.

Post written by Kim Nayyer

Five Questions with Rosalie Fox

Sat, 16 Apr 2016 17:50:25 GMT

Rosalie Fox
Director, Library & Information Management Branch
Supreme Court of Canada

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I am definitely an accidental librarian. After graduating with a BA (History) from Vassar College, I was working in an archival institution and wanted to take an archives course at McGill to improve my understanding of archival organization. The Dean of the Library School at McGill convinced me to register for the Master’s program while I was deciding what to do with my life. After graduating from McGill, I worked as a generalist in the Reference Services Section of the National Library of Canada. It was a great training ground for a government library – we had access to a superb reference collection (remember those print indices and abstracting tools!) and to colleagues with great depth of knowledge in government documents. That helped me get my next position as Head Librarian at the Federal Court of Canada.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?

I joined CALL immediately upon starting at the Federal Court in 1989 and attended my first CALL conference in Vancouver in 1990. That was also my last visit to Vancouver, so I am really looking forward to attending the conference this year. CALL was both welcoming to a newbie and enlightening. That first year the membership was still all fired up about the changes to the Canadian Abridgment, and a number of resolutions on the future of ICLL came out of that conference. The atmosphere was charged, the sessions were stimulating, and I made a number of contacts among the judicial librarians that proved helpful to a new law librarian. I was hooked. Over the years, CALL has given back much more than I have contributed. The association has given me a lobbying outlet when my own position made it difficult to deal with certain issues as a representative of my employer. I have (partially) overcome my fear of public speaking—representing the Association as a Member-at-Large, a SIG Chair, and as President gave me ample opportunities to attend international conferences and make presentations. And chairing CALL Executive Board meetings helps you hone your time management skills!

What’s one change in the profession or industry you’ve embraced?

Reading online has been a big adjustment, but I am slowly embracing the change. The Supreme Court Library, like many other libraries, is reducing its reliance on print where an online equivalent is available in a stable and cost effective format. I am even quite pragmatic about the preservation of the historical record – if the legal profession feels that information is critical for their work, legal information publishers and information management practitioners will figure out a way of preserving a digital record. It may feel chaotic at the moment, but I am optimistic that the digital age will not be a black hole in the future.

Who is your favourite library professional—living or dead, real or fictional?

This is a really difficult question, because I have been influenced by so many wonderful librarians over the years. And I have to confess, my second year of library school was spent tracking down mystery novels set in libraries (of the Dewey Decimated variety) so I do have some fictional favourites. But if I had to choose, I would say Marianne Scott, the former National Librarian of Canada and a past president of CALL. I had the privilege of working for Dr. Scott briefly in 1998-99, when I coordinated the Federal Libraries Consortium. She was deeply committed to ensuring that the National Library of Canada had a world class collection in the social sciences and humanities and in Canadiana from around the world. Years after her retirement, I met her at an IFLA Conference and asked why she was there (chairing a committee). She said then, attending a conference without playing an active role in the association was just a ‘junket’ and that it was only through active participation that one got the full benefit of membership.

What’s your greatest professional success?

Being elected to represent CALL as its President, without a doubt. I have a great team at the Supreme Court Library, and any success there has to be attributed to the staff (ditto at Federal Court), but chairing the Executive Board for CALL was a personal high.

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

Je suis manifestement devenue bibliothécaire par accident. Après avoir obtenu mon B.A. (histoire) du collège Vassar, j’ai travaillé dans une institution d’archives et je voulais suivre un cours sur les archives à McGill afin d’améliorer ma compréhension des organisations d’archives. Le doyen de l’École de bibliothéconomie de l’Université McGill m’a convaincue de m’inscrire au programme de maîtrise pendant que je décidais de mon orientation future. Après avoir obtenu mon diplôme de l’Université McGill, j’ai travaillé en tant que généraliste au service des références à la Bibliothèque nationale du Canada. Cela m’a permis d’acquérir une solide formation pour occuper un poste de bibliothécaire gouvernemental – nous avions accès à une superbe collection d’ouvrages de référence (notamment les index imprimés et les outils d’abstraction) et à des collègues qui possédaient une connaissance approfondie des documents gouvernementaux. Cela m’a aidée à obtenir le poste bibliothécaire en chef à la Cour fédérale du Canada.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel?

Je me suis immédiatement jointe à l’ACBD lorsque j’ai commencé à travailler à la Cour fédérale en 1989 et j’ai assisté à ma première conférence de l’ACBD à Vancouver en 1990. C’était également ma dernière visite à Vancouver; par conséquent, j’ai vraiment hâte à la conférence de l’an prochain. L’ACBD s’est montrée accueillante et instructive pour une nouvelle comme moi. Durant la première année, les membres faisaient preuve d’un grand enthousiasme concernant les changements apportés au Canadian Abridgement, et de nombreuses résolutions sur l’avenir de l’IDJC ont été adoptées lors de cette conférence. L’atmosphère était chargée, et les séances étaient stimulantes. J’ai établi de nombreux contacts avec des bibliothécaires juridiques qui se sont avérés utiles dans mon travail de bibliothécaire en droit. J’étais conquise. Avec les années, l’ACBD m’a donné beaucoup plus d’avantages que ce que j’y ai contribué. L’Association m’a fourni des occasions de lobbyisme lorsqu’en raison de mon poste, il était devenu difficile de traiter de certains enjeux en tant que représentant de mon employeur. J’ai surmonté (partiellement) ma peur de parler en public en représentant l’Association comme membre à titre personnel, présidente du GIS et présidente, ce qui m’a donné de nombreuses occasions de participer à des conférences internationales et de faire des présentations. De plus, présider les réunions du conseil d’administration de l’ACBD m’a permis d’améliorer mes aptitudes en gestion du temps!

Y a-t-il un changement relatif à la profession ou à l’industrie auquel vous vous êtes adaptée?

Lire en ligne a été un gros ajustement, mais je m’habitue tranquillement. La bibliothèque de la Cour suprême, tout comme de nombreuses autres bibliothèques, réduit son utilisation des documents imprimés lorsque des publications en ligne équivalentes sont disponibles dans un format stable et rentable. Je fais également preuve de pragmatisme en ce qui a trait à la conservation des documents historiques – si les membres de la profession juridique croient que l’information est essentielle pour leur travail, les éditeurs d’information juridique et les praticiens en gestion de l’information trouveront un moyen de conserver le document en format numérique. Pour le moment, cela semble être le chaos, mais j’ai bon espoir que l’ère numérique ne sera pas un trou noir à l’avenir.

Qui est votre professionnel de la bibliothéconomie favori, vivant ou décédé, réel ou fictif?

Cela m’est difficile de répondre à cette question, parce que j’ai été influencée par de nombreux bibliothécaires compétents au fil des ans. Je dois avouer que durant ma deuxième année d’études en bibliothéconomie, je me suis consacrée à la recherche de séries de romans d’intrigue (classifiés selon le système Dewey) dans les différentes bibliothèques. Mais si je devais choisir, je dirais Marianne Scott, l’ancienne bibliothécaire de la Bibliothèque nationale du Canada et ancienne présidente de l’ACBD. J’ai eu le privilège de travailler avec Mme Scott brièvement en 1998-1999, alors que je coordonnais le Consortium des bibliothèques fédérales. Elle consacrait beaucoup d’énergie à s’assurer que la Bibliothèque nationale du Canada possède une collection de calibre mondial dans les domaines des sciences sociales et des humanités et en Canadiana de partout dans le monde. Plusieurs années après sa retraite, je l’ai rencontrée à une conférence de l’IFLA et lui ai demandé pourquoi elle y assistait (elle présidait un comité). Elle m’a alors dit que participer à une conférence sans jouer un rôle actif dans l’association ne constituait que des « voyages éclair » et que seule une participation active permettait de tirer entièrement parti de l’appartenance à l’association.

Quelle est votre plus grande réussite professionnelle?

Être élue présidente pour représenter l’ACBD, sans aucun doute. Je dirige une équipe formidable à la bibliothèque de la Cour suprême et mon succès au sein de cette organisation doit être attribué au personnel (de même à la Cour fédérale), mais présider le conseil d’administration de l’ACBD constitue pour moi une grande réalisation personnelle.

Five Questions with Alicia Loo

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 20:07:10 GMT

Alicia Loo
Manager, Legal Research and Client Services
Library & Information Management Branch, Supreme Court of Canada

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I started my post-secondary studies studying French at UBC but ended up earning my undergraduate degree in International Relations. This was followed by a year spent in China, learning the language and travelling around Southeast Asia while figuring out what to do next. I knew I really enjoyed research, and I remembered how thrilled I was the first time the librarian at UBC’s Main Library introduced me to the Canadian Historical Review Index. I had no idea such a tool existed; it made research so much easier and better. Upon my return to Canada, I put the two together and decided to pursue a career in special libraries. I was hired as a Social Science and Business Reference Librarian at the Metro Toronto Reference Public Library on Yonge & Bloor. It was an excellent training ground for a new grad, and I really enjoyed using the reference collection and helping the public navigate the statutes. I moved to Ottawa and landed a full-time job with Statistics Canada, and when an opening came up at the Supreme Court of Canada, I applied and have been very fortunate to be here ever since.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?

The network available to CALL members is unparalleled. It is great to see familiar and new faces each year at our general meeting, but the contacts continue throughout the year because we are a sharing community. I recall my first CALL conference in Montreal and how great it was to meet librarians from all over the country. The opportunities to be involved with the Association are endless. I would have never thought I would become part of the Executive Board but here I am – understanding the work and making expenditure and investment decisions on behalf of our members. This has been an eye opener. The Association is really run by dedicated and caring individuals. I have witnessed this among the Board members but also from every single committee and special interest group.

What’s your greatest professional success?

I am humbled that I can come to work at an institution that is so well-respected in our country. I have had the privilege to have worked with over 500 law clerks while at the Court. It is rewarding to have been part of their introduction to new legal sources and to have been able to create new library-related services designed to save them time and improve their approach to research.

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

People always do a double take when they hear me speak in Spanish. During a recent dinner conversation, my kids mentioned how they were used to our multi-cultural upbringing. My ancestors are from China, but I was born in Peru and grew up in Canada so we embrace the best from these cultures: the food, customs, traditions, and sports— we are a soccer and hockey family.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry?

I have this quote on my desk which I find is applicable to anyone in our profession, new or experienced:

“Welcome to the information age. To survive, you need to handle information. You don’t need to memorize it. You only have to know what is out there, and how to get it when you need it. Moreover, as professionals, you are paid to know how to use the information once you have it.

In an information-based world, doing our jobs may require that we spend some part of each day learning. When you think about it, it’s not a bad thing.”

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

J’ai commencé mes études postsecondaires par l’étude du français à l’Université de la Colombie-Britannique, mais ai fini par obtenir un diplôme de premier cycle en relations internationales. J’ai passé ensuite un an en Chine, où j’ai appris la langue et voyagé dans le Sud-est asiatique tout en réfléchissant à mon avenir. Je savais que j’aimais beaucoup la recherche, et je me souvenais de l’excitation ressentie la première fois que le bibliothécaire de la Main Library de l’Université de la Colombie-Britannique m’avait présenté l’index de la Canadian Historical Review. Je ne connaissais pas l’existence d’un tel outil; celui-ci facilitait et améliorait tellement les recherches. À mon retour au Canada, j’ai conjugué mes deux centres d’intérêt et décidé de poursuivre une carrière dans les bibliothèques spécialisées. J’ai été engagée comme bibliothécaire de référence en sciences sociales et en affaires à la Bibliothèque de référence de Toronto au coin des rues Yonge et Bloor. Cet emploi constituait une excellente formation pratique pour une nouvelle diplômée, et j’ai beaucoup aimé utiliser la collection de référence et aider le public à s’y retrouver dans les textes législatifs. J’ai déménagé à Ottawa et trouvé un emploi à temps plein à Statistique Canada. Lorsqu’un poste s’est présenté à la Cour suprême du Canada, j’ai posé ma candidature et ai beaucoup de chance d’être encore à ce poste aujourd’hui.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel?

Le réseau mis à la disposition des membres de l’ACBD est sans égal. Nous retrouvons les personnes que nous connaissons bien et découvrons de nouveaux visages chaque année à notre assemblée générale, mais nous restons en lien pendant tout le reste de l’année, car nous formons une communauté de partage. Je me souviens de la première conférence de l’ACBD à laquelle j’ai participé à Montréal et du bonheur de rencontrer des bibliothécaires issus de l’ensemble du pays. Les possibilités offertes en tant que membre de l’Association sont illimitées. Je n’aurais jamais imaginé faire partie du conseil d’administration, mais m’y voici aujourd’hui : je comprends mieux le travail de l’Association et je prends des décisions sur les dépenses et les investissements au nom des membres. Ce rôle m’a ouvert les yeux. L’Association est dirigée par des personnes extrêmement serviables et dévouées. J’ai été témoin de ce dévouement au conseil d’administration, mais également dans chacun des comités et des groupes d’intérêt spécial.

Quelle est votre plus grande réussite professionnelle?

Je suis reconnaissante de pouvoir travailler dans une institution très respectée dans notre pays. J’ai eu le privilège de collaborer avec plus de 500 juristes à la Cour. Ma contribution à leur découverte de nouvelles sources juridiques et à la création de nouveaux services de bibliothèque qui leur permettent de gagner du temps et d’améliorer leurs méthodes de recherche est très gratifiante.

Quelle est la chose que les gens seraient étonnés d’apprendre à votre sujet?

Les gens sont toujours étonnés de m’entendre parler espagnol. Au cours d’une conversation récente à table, mes enfants m’ont fait remarquer combien ils étaient habitués à notre éducation multiculturelle. Mes ancêtres sont chinois, mais je suis née au Pérou et j’ai grandi au Canada; ainsi, nous profitons du meilleur de ces cultures : la nourriture, les habitudes, les traditions et les sports – nous jouons au soccer et au hockey dans notre famille.

Quel conseil offririez-vous à une personne qui cherche à percer dans le secteur de l’information juridique?

Je pense à cette situation posée sur mon bureau qui s’applique selon moi à tout le monde dans notre profession, bibliothécaires débutants ou chevronnés :

« Bienvenue dans l’ère de l’information. Pour survivre, vous devez savoir gérer l’information. Vous n’avez pas besoin de la mémoriser. Vous devez seulement savoir qu’elle existe et comment y accéder quand vous en avez besoin. De plus, en qualité de professionnels, vous êtes rémunérés pour savoir comment utiliser l’information une fois que vous y avez accédé.

Dans un monde fondé sur l’information, nous pouvons être amenés, dans l’exercice de nos fonctions, à passer une partie de notre journée à apprendre. Quand on songe bien, ce n’est pas une mauvaise chose. »

Five Questions with Paul McKenna

Thu, 18 Feb 2016 15:51:41 GMT

Paul McKenna
President, Public Safety Innovations Inc.

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I have a Master’s in Library Science from the Faculty of Library & Information Studies (FLIS) at the University of Toronto as well as a Master’s in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario. Also, I have a B.Ed. from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto and have completed course work toward a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies at Dalhousie University.

Entry to the legal information industry came as a result of my studies at FLIS where a course on legal bibliography taught by Balfour Halevy proved both challenging and exciting. I had been working part-time while completing my MLS degree at the Centre of Criminology at the University of Toronto and turned that working experience to good advantage when a position came open for a cataloguer within the Osgoode Hall Law Library. I was successful in that competition and now had an opportunity to work with Balfour Halevy and the other professional librarians at Osgoode Hall Law School.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?

Early and extensive involvement with CALL was seen as essential for those working at the Osgoode Hall Law Library. I was encouraged to get involved in committee and sub-committee work and took this responsibility seriously. Also, attendance at CALL conferences was critical in providing me with excellent professional development opportunities, contact with a national network of colleagues, and a growing sense of professional engagement. I was also greatly assisted by an early gift from the Eunice Beeson Travel Fund.

What's one change in the profession or industry that you've embraced?

The exponential expansion of legal research capacity best exemplified in the growing availability of digital tools has been something that I have embraced on a deep and dedicated level. This has allowed me to develop and deploy my research knowledge, skills, and abilities in ways that support an ongoing consulting practice as well as facilitating graduate-level teaching in the School of Information Management at Dalhousie University.

What's one blog, website or Twitter account that you can't go one day without checking?

If pressed to choose just one, I would have to say that my 'go to' spot is the website for the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) in Washington, DC. They produce (among other things) a 'Daily Clips' feature that keeps me alert to developments in the world of policing and public safety where I have focused my consulting practice. It includes American, Canadian, and British items that touch on critical issues and developing themes.

What was your first job or first library-related job?

My first (true) library-related job was with the United Church of Canada Archives which were housed in Emmanuel College at Victoria University. I was tasked with cataloging rare archival materials and my work was done under a bare light bulb suspended from the ceiling of an extremely tiny vault in the Archivist-Historian's office. I also worked in the E.J. Pratt Library at Victoria University as an undergraduate English major. This is, however, quite significant as it's where I met my future wife and life partner, Lee Simpson.

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégré au secteur de l’information juridique.

Je possède une maîtrise en bibliothéconomie de la faculté de sciences bibliothécaires et d’information (FLIS) de l’Université de Toronto ainsi qu’une maîtrise en sciences politiques de l’Université Western. J’ai également obtenu un B. Éd. de l’Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) de l’Université de Toronto et j’ai terminé les cours en vue de l’obtention d’un doctorat en études interdisciplinaires à l’Université Dalhousie.

J’ai fait mon entrée dans le secteur de l’information juridique à la suite des mes études à la FLIS, alors que Balfour Harvey enseignait un cours sur les bibliographies juridiques, que j’ai trouvé à la fois difficile et stimulant. Je travaillais à temps partiel au centre de criminologie de l’Université de Toronto pour terminer ma maîtrise en bibliothéconomie et j’ai tiré pleinement avantage de cette occasion en postulant à un poste de catalographe qui était vacant à la bibliothèque de droit Osgoode Hall. J’ai été embauché et ai eu l’occasion de travailler avec Balfour Halevy et d’autres bibliothécaires de la bibliothèque de droit Osgoode Hall.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel?

Une collaboration précoce et approfondie avec l’ACBD était considérée comme essentielle pour les employés de la bibliothèque de droit Osgoode Hall. On m’a encouragé à participer aux travaux du comité et des sous-comités et j’ai pris cette responsabilité très au sérieux. Également, la participation aux conférences de l’ACBD a rempli un rôle crucial en me fournissant d’excellentes occasions de perfectionnement professionnel, des contacts avec un réseau national de collègues et un sens croissant d’engagement professionnel. J’ai également reçu de l’aide financière du fonds de voyage Eunice Beeson.

Y a-t-il un changement relatif à la profession ou à l’industrie auquel vous vous êtes adapté?

L’expansion exponentielle de la capacité de recherche en droit, dont le meilleur exemple constitue la disponibilité croissante des outils numériques, est un changement auquel je me suis entièrement ajusté. Cela m’a permis d’approfondir et d’utiliser mes connaissances, mes aptitudes et mes capacités en recherche de manière à diriger une pratique d’expert-conseil tout en donnant des cours au niveau des études supérieures à l’École de gestion de l’information de l’Université Dalhousie.

Y a-t-il un blogue, un site Web ou un compte Twitter que vous ne pouvez pas négliger de consulter tous les jours?

Si on me force à n’en choisir qu’un, je dirais que le site à ne pas manquer est le site Web du Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) de Washington, DC. Ce site produit (entre autres) un article vedette intitulé « Daily Clips » qui me tient au courant des nouveautés dans le domaine policier et de la sécurité publique, soit le domaine dans lequel ma pratique d’expert-conseil est spécialisée. Il comprend des renseignements sur des sujets américains, canadiens et britanniques qui ont trait à des enjeux importants et des thèmes émergents.

Quel a été votre premier emploi, ou votre premier emploi dans le domaine de la bibliothéconomie?

Mon premier (vrai) emploi dans le domaine des bibliothèques a été aux archives de l’Église Unie du Canada, qui se trouvaient dans les locaux du Emmanuel College de l’Université Victoria. Mes tâches consistaient à cataloguer des documents d’archives rares et je travaillais sous une ampoule nue suspendue au plafond d’une voûte extrêmement exigüe située dans le bureau de l’archiviste-historien. J’ai également travaillé à la bibliothèque E.J. Pratt de l’Université Victoria durant mes études au baccalauréat spécialisé en anglais. Cependant, cette période a été marquante dans ma vie, car j’ai rencontré ma future femme et partenaire de vie, Lee Simpson.

Where to Find Information About Québec's New Code of Civil Procedure

Mon, 01 Feb 2016 18:04:00 GMT

Quebec’s new Code of Civil Procedure came into force on January 1, 2016. It involves an ambitious overhaul of the way cases are supposed to work their way through the courts and it is intended to increase access to justice.

The Quebec Ministry of Justice website has posted material explaining the main highlights of the changes:

"The new Code of Civil Procedure is intended to make the civil justice system more accessible, while protecting the rights of all parties to state their claims before a court. To reduce delays in the justice system, the new Code gives priority to amicable dispute resolution processes such as mediation, arbitration and conciliation, which are less confrontational, more accessible and more likely to ensure a quick outcome."

"Parties that opt for a traditional trial in court must ensure that all their applications, pleadings and evidence are proportionate to the nature and complexity of the case, in order to prevent abuses of procedure."

"Judges will have greater powers to manage cases, in particular to ensure compliance with the principles of proportionality and cooperation at the heart of the new Code of Civil Procedure. For example, they will be able to reduce the number of examinations and expert opinions required; both these elements have often been identified as causing significant costs or delays for citizens."

CAIJ, the Centre d'accès à l'information juridique (the network of courthouse law libraries associated with the Québec Bar Association), has recently added an annotated version of the province's new Code of Civil Procedure to its website (in the lefthand column of the eLOIS page, click on "Code de procédure civile (nouveau)").

It includes the text of sections of the new Code, a list of changes in legal terminology (there are a lot of changes), a concordance between the new and old Codes, background commentaries for each section from the provincial Ministry of Justice, links to related regulations, links to any Code-related research questions answered by the CAIJ libraries, as well as links to debates in the Québec National Assembly and positions adopted by the Québec Bar Association.

Finally, on January 26, 2016, the Montreal French-language daily La Presse published a series of articles on the new Code:

[Michel-Adrien Sheppard]

Five Questions with Wendy Reynolds

Fri, 15 Jan 2016 22:53:17 GMT

Wendy Reynolds
Manager, Accessibility, Information Services Branch
Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I have an undergraduate degree in Administrative Studies from Trent and a MLIS from Western. I frequently say that Western got me the job, but Trent gave me the interest in public policy and law. At one point, I’d considered becoming a lawyer but decided that I was more interested in the research and problem-solving than I was in drafting or deal-making. I have to confess that my getting into law librarianship was somewhat less planned than the previous sentence would make it appear. I’d been working as a cataloguer for Statistics Canada when a position at the Federal Court of Canada became available. I managed to make the case that “if you can put stuff into a collection, you can get it out” and that two years managing a sports bar in the east end of Ottawa would qualify me to serve the judges of the Court and got the job.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?

Aside from being a great way to add to your subject-matter expertise through conference sessions, webinars, and the CLLR, taking an active role in the life of the Association is the smartest thing a young professional can do to help develop their career. After all, if you can convince a committee of volunteers to follow your leadership, how much easier will it be to supervise or manage a team who relies on you for a good performance review at the end of the year? For many young professionals, participating in CALL committees or on the Executive Board allows them to experience (perhaps for the first time) hands-on management, governance, strategic planning, and leadership. The best evidence I can offer of the value of this type of activity is that when my appointment to the staff of the Ontario Legislative Library was announced, my activities with professional associations were featured prominently in the write-up.

Besides, communities like this are just more fun when you participate! I’ve now got a national network of friends that I get to see every year at conference – people who can relate to my work, are willing to share what they know, and who push me to keep learning and developing.

What’s one change in the profession or industry that has been a challenge for you?

One thing I’ve noticed in the last couple of libraries I’ve worked in is the decline of foot traffic. I know why it’s happening – it’s a lot more efficient to e-mail or text message your request, but I think that it’s become much harder to develop that bond between the library staff and the clients who come in. Students, in particular, need a place where they can feel that there are “no dumb questions”, and the library can be such a safe haven for them.

On the other hand, smart librarians are getting out from behind their desks and actively inserting themselves into the business of their organizations! What an opportunity to really get to know how the widgets are made, and to be able to add value at every turn – not just when corporate memory fails and someone needs something researched.

What’s one blog, website, or Twitter account that you can’t go one day without checking?

www.webaim.org – I’m currently responsible for helping the Assembly achieve compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and this website is not only a great source of best practices and educational pieces, but it also hosts WAVE, an accessibility testing tool for web content.

Who is your favourite library professional—living or dead, real or fictional?

I suppose that Bunny Watson (from the movie Desk Set) is the trite answer, but I have to say that I’ve been greatly influenced by Shaunna Mireau. Shaunna is utterly fearless, and will take on any challenge presented to her. She is smart, smart, smart, and looks for opportunities to add to what she knows. I also admire her attention to detail, which is not something I possess. And she’s fun – as evidenced by the fact that she is a founding member of the CALL Ukulele Summit.

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

Je suis titulaire d’un diplôme de premier cycle en études administratives de Trent et d’une MBSI de Western. Je dis souvent que Western m’a permis d’obtenir un emploi, mais que Trent a suscité chez moi un intérêt pour la politique publique et le droit. J’ai un moment envisagé de devenir avocate, mais j’ai décidé que la recherche et la résolution de problèmes m’intéressaient davantage que la rédaction ou la conclusion d’ententes. Je dois avouer que mon orientation vers la bibliothéconomie juridique était un peu moins planifiée que la phrase précédente ne le laisserait croire. Je travaillais comme catalographe à Statistique Canada lorsqu’un poste est devenu vacant à la Cour fédérale du Canada. J’ai réussi à faire valoir que « si on peut mettre des choses dans une collection, on peut les en retirer », et qu’après avoir géré pendant deux ans un bar sportif dans l’est d’Ottawa j’étais qualifiée pour servir les juges de la Cour; j’ai obtenu le poste.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel?

Outre le fait qu’il s’agit d’une excellente façon d’accroître son expertise grâce à des séances de congrès, à des webinaires et à la RCBD, jouer un rôle actif auprès de l’Association est le moyen le plus intelligent qu’un jeune professionnel puisse utiliser pour faire avancer sa carrière. Après tout, si vous pouvez convaincre un comité de bénévoles de suivre vos directives, ne sera-t-il pas beaucoup plus facile de superviser ou de gérer une équipe qui dépend de vous pour obtenir une bonne évaluation de son rendement à la fin de l’année? Pour nombre de jeunes professionnels, l’adhésion aux comités ou au conseil de direction de l’ACBD/CALL leur permet d’acquérir une expérience pratique (pour la première fois peut‑être) en matière de gestion, de gouvernance, de planification stratégique et de leadership. La meilleure preuve que je puisse offrir en ce qui concerne la valeur de ce type d’activités est la suivante : lorsqu’on a annoncé ma nomination au sein du personnel de la Bibliothèque de l’Assemblée législative de l’Ontario, mes activités auprès d’associations professionnelles ont été mises en évidence dans le communiqué.

En outre, les communautés de ce type sont beaucoup plus amusantes lorsque vous participez à leurs activités! Je possède maintenant un réseau national d’amis que je rencontre chaque année au congrès, des personnes qui peuvent s’identifier à mon travail, qui sont disposées à partager leurs connaissances et qui m’encouragent à continuer d’apprendre et d’évoluer.

Y a-t-il un changement relatif à la profession ou à l’industrie qui a présenté un défi pour vous?

Dans les dernières bibliothèques où j’ai travaillé, j’ai remarqué la baisse de la clientèle en personne. Je sais pourquoi cette clientèle diminue; il est beaucoup plus efficace de transmettre sa demande par courriel ou par message texte, mais je crois qu’il est devenu beaucoup plus difficile, pour le personnel des bibliothèques, d’établir un lien avec les clients qui se présentent. Les étudiants, en particulier, ont besoin d’un endroit où ils ont le sentiment qu’il n’y a « pas de questions idiots », et la bibliothèque peut être un refuge sûr pour eux.

En revanche, les bibliothécaires judicieux quittent leur bureau et s’intègrent concrètement aux activités de leur organisation! Quelle occasion de vraiment apprendre les trucs, et de pouvoir ajouter de la valeur à chaque tournant, et pas seulement lorsque la mémoire organisationnelle est défaillante et qu’une personne a besoin d’une recherche.

Y a-t-il un blogue, un site Web ou un compte Twitter que vous ne pouvez pas négliger de consulter tous les jours?

www.webaim.org – Je suis actuellement chargée d’aider l’Assemblée à se conformer à la Loi sur l’accessibilité pour les personnes handicapées de l’Ontario (LAPHO), et non seulement ce site est-il une excellente source d’information sur les pratiques exemplaires et les documents éducatifs, mais il comporte également WAVE, un outil de vérification de l’accessibilité du contenu Web.

Qui est votre professionnel de la bibliothéconomie favori, vivant ou décédé, réel ou fictif?

Je suppose que Bunny Watson (du film Une femme de tête) est la réponse évidente; toutefois, je dois avouer que j’ai été très influencée par Shaunna Mireau. Shaunna n’a tout simplement peur de rien; elle s’attaque à tous les défis qui lui sont proposés. Elle est intelligente, intelligente, intelligente, et elle recherche les possibilités d’accroître ses connaissances. J’admire également son souci du détail, qui me fait défaut. En outre, elle sait s’amuser; en effet, elle est membre fondatrice du sommet du ukulélé de l’ACBD/CALL.

Five Questions with Jenny Thornhill

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 15:38:31 GMT

Jenny Thornhill
Manager, Court Library Services
Nunavut Court of Justice Law Library

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I have a BA in Ancient and Medieval History from the University of Calgary and a master’s degree in Medieval Studies from the University of Edinburgh. When I realized that library sciences was my real passion, I attended Dalhousie University and graduated with my MLIS in 2006. I worked in a variety of academic, public and special libraries during my studies and after leaving Dalhousie. I began to work full-time as the Court Librarian for the Nunavut Courts in 2010 and have continued in this position for the last 5 years. I have always had an interest in the law but had decided that being a lawyer was not for me. When I started this job, I realized this was the perfect way for me to combine my interest in the law with my love of libraries. Last year, 2013-2014, I took a year of education leave and completed the Master of Studies of Law degree at the University of Western Ontario in order to further my skills in this field.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?

I first became aware of CALL when I started working at the Nunavut Courts as the Court Library has a professional membership in CALL. Through this membership, I learned about and was able to attend the inaugural New Law Librarians Institute sponsored by CALL and hosted at the University of Western Ontario. This was an excellent program which provided me with a lot of skills in the law and for my work. After that, I began attending the annual CALL conferences and developed my network of law librarian colleagues. The skills, information, and networking I have developed through CALL have been invaluable to me in my work.

What is one thing that’s surprised you about the legal information profession?

I would say the most surprising thing about the legal information profession is the variety of libraries represented in this area – in most areas you have academic libraries or public libraries, but in the information profession there are courthouse, law firm, academic, and various other types of libraries all working within the same field.

What are three things on your bucket list?

Most of my bucket list involves travel and ancient history so I would say 3 things on my bucket most definitely would be to visit Pompeii, the Great Wall of China and the terracotta warriors, and the Pyramids of Giza & the Great Library of Alexandria.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry?

One of the earliest and best pieces of advice I received when I started as a librarian was to not be afraid to take contracts and build your skills. I would say that is a valuable piece of advice for anyone trying to break into the field. I would also recommend taking course in law to become familiar with the different fields and subtleties of the law.

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

Je suis titulaire d’un baccalauréat ès arts en histoire ancienne et médiévale de l’Université de Calgary et d’une maîtrise en études médiévales de l’Université d’Édimbourg. Lorsque je me suis rendu compte que la bibliothéconomie était ma vraie passion, je me suis inscrite à l’Université Dalhousie, où j’ai obtenu une maîtrise en bibliothéconomie et en science de l’information en 2006. J’ai travaillé dans une variété de bibliothèques d’établissement d’enseignement, publiques et spécialisées pendant mes études et après avoir quitté l’Université Dalhousie. J’ai occupé un premier poste à plein temps de bibliothécaire de droit aux Tribunaux du Nunavut en 2010 et suis restée à ce poste pendant les cinq dernières années. Je me suis toujours intéressée au droit, mais j’avais décidé que le métier d’avocat ne me convenait pas. Lorsque j’ai commencé à mon poste, j’ai compris qu’il constituait le moyen idéal pour moi de combiner mon intérêt pour de droit et ma passion pour les bibliothèques. L’année dernière en 2013-2014, j’ai pris un an de congé d’études pour suivre un programme de maîtrise en études du droit à l’Université Western en Ontario afin de renforcer mes compétences dans ce domaine.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel?

J’ai découvert l’ACBD à mes débuts aux Tribunaux du Nunavut, car la bibliothèque de la Cour était membre professionnel de l’ACBD. Dans le cadre de cette adhésion, j’ai appris la création de l’Institut pour les nouveaux bibliothécaires de droit et j’ai pu m’inscrire à ce programme parrainé par l’ACBD et dispensé à l’Université Western. Le programme était excellent et m’a permis d’acquérir de nombreuses compétences en droit et pour mon travail. Puis, j’ai commencé à participer aux conférences annuelles de l’ACBD et ai étendu mon réseau de collègues bibliothécaires de droit. Les compétences, l’information et le réseau acquis grâce à l’ACBD m’ont précieusement aidée dans mon travail.

Quel est l’aspect de la profession de l’information juridique qui vous a étonnée?

Je dirais que l’aspect le plus surprenant dans cette profession est la variété des bibliothèques représentées dans ce secteur – dans la plupart des secteurs, vous avez des bibliothèques universitaires ou des bibliothèques publiques, mais dans la profession de l’information juridique, vous avez les tribunaux, les sociétés d’avocats, les établissements d’enseignement et une variété d’autres types de bibliothèques qui travaillent toutes dans le même secteur.

Indiquez trois choses qui figurent dans votre liste du cœur?

Ma liste du cœur a pour thèmes principaux les voyages et l’histoire ancienne; je citerais donc trois éléments qui me tiennent vraiment à cœur : visiter Pompéi, voir la Grande Muraille de Chine et les soldats de terre cuite et enfin me rendre aux pyramides de Gizeh et à la grande bibliothèque d’Alexandrie.

Quel conseil offririez-vous à une personne qui cherche à percer dans le secteur de l’information juridique?

L’un des premiers et meilleurs conseils que j’ai reçus quand j’ai débuté dans la profession a été de ne pas avoir peur de signer des contrats et de renforcer mes compétences. Je dirais que ce conseil est précieux pour toute personne qui souhaite percer dans le secteur de l’information juridique. Je recommanderais également de suivre des cours de droit pour mieux connaître les différents domaines et les subtilités du droit.

Five Questions with Michael McAlpine

Fri, 20 Nov 2015 18:10:21 GMT

Micheal McAlpine
Research Officer & Librarian
Siskinds LLP

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I had a long and winding road to the legal industry. After a false start studying History, I became an Agriculture student at the University of Guelph. Then, after completing a two year diploma, I started working on a dairy farm. While doing that I went to school part-time and earned a degree in Philosophy.

After graduating, I spent 3 years travelling and teaching English in Korea and Taiwan. While pondering my future, I learned of the MLIS program at Western and the courses appealed to me, so I applied. I’ve always been interested in how people interact with information and build knowledge. The opportunity to study information in a formal setting was very appealing to me.

While in school at Western, a colleague told me she was leaving her position at a law firm in order to take a full-time co-op job. I applied and was accepted. Initially, the job was part-time, but within a year, I was offered a full-time job upon graduation. That was in 2007 and I’ve been at Siskinds LLP ever since.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?

CALL has been great for building connections in the library world. As a solo librarian, I don’t have a lot of opportunities to meet others in the profession. CALL has put me in touch with some great information professionals who have been an outstanding source of advice and encouragement over the years.

I’ve also benefited from the conferences and webinars. I always take away a practical tip that has helped me improve my information services at the law firm.

Who is your favourite library professional—living or dead, real or fictional?

A lot of people have influenced me over the course of my career. Elizabeth Marshall (Director of the C.B. ‘Bud’ Johnston Library at Western) hired me for my first job as an information professional when she was the Manager of the Graduate Resource Centre at FIMS. Elizabeth taught me a lot about reference service and how it was essential that we take an attitude of partnership with our users when it comes to seeking information and making collection decisions.

On the fictional side of things, I love Connie Sacks from the George Smiley books by John le Carré.

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I recently took apart an old 10 speed bike, re-built it as a single speed and added some cool red tires and grip tape. I ride to work nearly every day and during the warmer months my family is pretty much car free in our day-to-day living.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry?

Be open to new opportunities. I had no plans to work in a law firm, but by taking advantage of some open doors, I’ve built what has been a very enjoyable career. Along the way, I’ve gained skills and experience that I never anticipated.

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégré au secteur de l’information juridique.

Mon parcours avant de me joindre au secteur juridique a été long et ardu. Après avoir essayé d’étudier en histoire, je suis devenu étudiant en agriculture à l’Université de Guelph, Puis après avoir terminé un diplôme de deux ans, j’ai commencé à travailler sur une ferme laitière. Pendant ce temps, je suivais des cours à temps partiel et j’ai obtenu un diplôme en philosophie.

Après avoir obtenu mon diplôme, j’ai voyagé et enseigné l’anglais en Corée et à Taïwan pendant trois ans. Alors que je planifiais mon avenir, j’ai appris l’existence de la maîtrise en bibliothéconomie et en sciences de l’information à l’Université Western et, comme les cours piquaient mon intérêt, j’ai présenté une demande. Je me suis toujours intéressé à la manière dont les gens interagissent avec l’information et acquièrent des connaissances. L’occasion d’étudier l’information dans un cadre formel m’intéressait particulièrement.

Pendant mes études à l’Université Western, une collègue m’a dit qu’elle avait démissionné de son poste dans un cabinet d’avocats afin d’accepter un poste à plein temps dans le cadre d’un programme d’alternance travail-études. Au début, l’emploi était à temps partiel, mais en moins d’un an, on m’a offert un poste à temps plein après l’obtention de mon diplôme. Cela s’est passé en 2007 et je travaille chez Siskinds LLP depuis ce temps.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel?

L’ACBD joue un rôle important pour établir des relations dans le domaine de la bibliothéconomie. En tant que seul bibliothécaire, je n’ai pas beaucoup d’occasions pour rencontrer d’autres bibliothécaires. L’ACBD m’a fait connaître des professionnels de l’information qui ont été pour moi une excellente source de conseils et d’encouragement au fil des ans.

J’ai aussi profité des conférences et des webinaires. J’en retire toujours un conseil pratique qui me permet d’améliorer les services d’information que j’offre au cabinet d’avocats.

Qui est votre professionnel de la bibliothéconomie favori, vivant ou décédé, réel ou fictif?

Durant ma carrière, beaucoup de gens ont eu une influence sur moi. Elizabeth Marshall (directrice de la bibliothèque C.B. ‘Bud’ Johnston à l’Université Western) m’a offert mon premier emploi comme professionnel de l’information alors qu’elle était gestionnaire du centre de ressources pour les diplômés de la FIMS. Elizabeth m’a beaucoup appris sur le service de référence et m’a enseigné à quel point il est essentiel d’adopter une attitude de partenariat avec les utilisateurs pour la recherche d’informations et la prise de décisions concernant les collections.

En ce qui concerne les personnages fictifs, j’aime bien Connie Sachs, un personnage de la série de livres sur George Smiley de John le Carré.

Quelle est la chose que les gens seraient étonnés d’apprendre à votre sujet?

J’ai récemment démonté une vieille bicyclette dix vitesses, l’ai remonté comme bicyclette à une seule vitesse et ajouté des pneus rouges attrayants et des bandes antidérapantes. Je l’utilise tous les jours pour aller travailler et durant les mois d’été, ma famille n’utilise presque pas l’auto pour ses déplacements quotidiens.

Quel conseil offririez-vous à une personne qui cherche à percer dans le secteur de l’information juridique?

Soyez ouverts à de nouvelles occasions. Je ne pensais pas travailler pour un cabinet d’avocats, mais en tirant parti d’occasions offertes, je me suis taillé une carrière très agréable. Chemin faisant, j’ai acquis des aptitudes et de l’expérience auxquelles je n’avais jamais pensé.

Proprosal to Create New Federation of Library Associations / Proposition pour une nouvelle fédération d'associations de bibliothèques au Canada

Fri, 30 Oct 2015 17:12:53 GMT

Le texte français suit.

The Canadian Library Association (CLA) has been meeting in recent months with representatives from other regional and sectoral library associations to discuss the CLA's dissolution and its replacement by a new national structure that would reinforce collaboration amongst the associations, and leverage their combined membership to create a stronger, unified national lobbying voice.

The working group of association stakeholders has written a proposal entitled Toward a Federation of Library Associations in Canada: Strengthening the national voice for Canadian libraries:

"This paper discusses the current societal and library sector contexts for CLA as a national association. It describes the discussions with and work undertaken by library sector leaders to date to contemplate a new form for Canada’s national library advocacy voice and presents a proposal for the evolution of CLA into a national federation of library associations called Canadian Federation of Library Associations / Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques (CFLA/FCAB). This evolution would occur through a formal dissolution of CLA and the creation of the new national federation described in this proposal."

Over the upcoming weeks, the various participating associations will be sending out member surveys to solicit input to determine how to push forward.

The CLA Executive launched a new blog called Future CLA to disseminate information about the ongoing discussions.

[Michel-Adrien Sheppard]

Depuis plusieurs mois, l'Association canadienne des bibliothèques (ACB) a tenu une série de rencontres avec des représentants d'autres associations de bibliothèques provinciales et sectorielles afin de discuter de la dissolution possible de l'ACB et de son remplacement éventuel par une nouvelle structure nationale qui aurait comme but de renforcer la collaboration entre les différentes associations et de créer une voix nationale unifiée qui englobe un plus grand nombre de collègues partout au pays.

Un groupe de travail constitué de représentants de différentes associations a récemment rédigé une proposition intitulée Vers une fédération des associations de bibliothèques du Canada : Renforcer la voix nationale des bibliothèques canadiennes :

"Le présent document examine l'environnement social et le contexte du secteur des bibliothèques actuelles pour l'ACB à titre d'association nationale. Il contient une description des discussions tenues et des travaux entrepris à ce jour par les dirigeants du secteur des bibliothèques afin de trouver un nouveau modèle pour la voix nationale des bibliothèques canadiennes et on y présente une proposition pour la transformation de l'ACB en une fédération nationale des associations de bibliothèques qui s'appellerait la Fédération canadiennes des associations de bibliothèques / Canadian Federation of Library Associations (FCAB / CFLA). Cette transformation s'effectuerait par une dissolution officielle de l'ACB et la création de la nouvelle fédération nationale décrite dans la présente proposition."

Dans les semaines à venir, les différentes associations participantes vont sonder leurs membres afin de déterminer les prochaines étapes.

En attendant, la direction de l'ACB a créé le blogue Future CLA pour diffuser les informations relatives aux discussions en cours.

[Michel-Adrien Sheppard]

Five Questions with Eve Leung

Fri, 16 Oct 2015 18:21:36 GMT

Eve Leung
Business Development Researcher
McMillan LLP

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I completed my undergraduate studies at Carleton University where I majored in law and minored in psychology. In my last year at Carleton, my legal research professor suggested I look into getting my library degree. I really loved the idea of having an end result that combined my undergraduate studies with a specialty. I completed my Master of Information Studies degree at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Information with the ultimate goal of becoming a legal researcher.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?

I became involved with CALL early on as a member, a mentee and a book review contributor. In 2011, I joined the Webinar Committee and am currently the Chair of that committee. I’m also the advertising editor for the Canadian Law Library Review as well as a member of the External Partners Committee. CALL is a great network in which to be connected. I’ve crossed paths with many people I may otherwise not have had the opportunity to work with and learn from. Chairing a Committee and working on projects has allowed me to build on my management and organizational skills.

Where do you see our industry and/or profession in 10 years?

In my opinion, the industry and profession have always been reacting to and planning for changes. As the legal industry undergoes large changes in Canada, we have opportunities to fill in the gaps and develop new areas of service while losing some too. There will be challenges in determining where we should focus our efforts in providing the most value-added services to our clients. To cope with doing more with less, we will have to build strong relationships with other departments in our organizations to strategically leverage our resources. We’ll also be facing greater competition with more outsourcing options, other professionals expanding their expertise, and even our own clients.

What’s your greatest professional success?

I’m not sure I have one yet!

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I’m a bit shy.

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

J’ai fait mes études de premier cycle à l’Université Carleton, avec une majeure en droit et une mineure en psychologie. Pendant ma dernière année à Carleton, mon professeur de recherche juridique m’a suggéré d’envisager d’obtenir un diplôme de bibliothéconomie. J’aimais vraiment l’idée d’atteindre un résultat final qui alliait mes études de premier cycle et une spécialité. J’ai obtenu une maîtrise en sciences de l’information à la faculté de l’information de l’Université de Toronto, dans l’optique de devenir recherchiste juridique.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel?

Je me suis impliquée rapidement auprès de l’ACBD/CALL en tant que membre, mentorée et collaboratrice pour les comptes rendus de livres. En 2011, je me suis jointe au comité des webinaires, dont je suis actuellement la présidente. Je suis également chef de la rédaction publicitaire de la Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit et membre du comité des partenaires externes. L’ACBD/CALL est un excellent réseau auquel nous pouvons nous joindre. J’ai rencontré de nombreuses personnes avec qui je n’aurais peut-être pas eu l’occasion de travailler et auprès desquelles je n’aurais pas pu apprendre autrement. Le fait de présider un comité et de collaborer à des projets m’a permis de développer mes compétences en matière de gestion et d’organisation.

Où voyez-vous notre industrie ou notre profession dans dix ans?

À mon avis, l’industrie et la profession ont toujours réagi aux changements et planifié en fonction de ceux-ci. Comme l’industrie juridique subit des changements importants au Canada, nous avons la possibilité de combler les lacunes et de développer de nouveaux secteurs de services, tout en en perdant quelques-uns. Nous devrons relever certains défis pour déterminer les secteurs dans lesquels nous devrions concentrer nos efforts en offrant les services représentant la plus grande valeur ajoutée à nos clients. Pour réussir à « faire plus avec moins », nous devrons établir des relations plus solides avec d’autres services au sein de nos organisations afin d’exploiter nos ressources d’une manière stratégique. En outre, nous ferons face à une concurrence plus forte et, notamment, les options de sous-traitance seront plus nombreuses et d’autres professionnels accroîtront leur expertise, même nos propres clients.

Quelle est votre plus grande réussite professionnelle?

Je ne suis pas sûre d’avoir atteint la réussite professionnelle!

Quelle est la chose que les gens seraient étonnés d’apprendre à votre sujet?

Je suis un peu timide.

Canadian Library Association Launches Votelibraries.ca Federal Election Website

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 17:51:20 GMT

The Canadian Library Association (CLA) has launched the website votelibraries.ca.

The site outlines the Canadian library community's main priorities and concerns for the upcoming October 19 federal elections.

They are:

unstable funding for Library and Archives Canada and cuts to federal government libraries
the long form census
copyright

The site also offers summaries of the positions of the major parties running in the elections relating to issues such as rural broadband service, social infrastructure, the census, etc.

[Michel-Adrien Sheppard]

Five Questions with Vicki Jay Leung

Sat, 19 Sep 2015 19:59:44 GMT

Vicki Jay Leung
Reference Librarian
Paul Martin Law Library, University of Windsor

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

My foray into the legal information industry is unconventional – my undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, from the University of Saskatchewan (yes, I am an Agro!). I majored in Plant Ecology and minored in Soil Science and Agricultural Economics. However, after working in research fields and greenhouses, I decided that it just wasn’t for me.

I came upon librarianship after researching possible professions that were more suited to my interests and skill sets. I went to Western for my Master of Library and Information Science degree. I was able to enter the co-op program and worked at the University of Windsor’s Paul Martin Law Library for eight months where I gained invaluable experience working in a specialized academic law library.

After graduating, I found contract and part-time work while starting a family in Windsor, Ontario (my husband’s hometown). It wasn’t until a few years later that I had the opportunity to join the Paul Martin Law Library again and work alongside current CALL President Annette Demers as a Reference Librarian. In July 2014, I became tenured after 5 years of meeting my obligations as a librarian, proving that I am willing to take on responsibilities within and outside of the library. I am very fortunate to find myself on a career path that is multi-faceted and rewarding.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?

Belonging to CALL has not only allowed me to personally connect with colleagues from across Canada but has been a big part in shaping my professional identity. Having that personal and professional link to an association has helped me to envision my role as an academic law librarian. As one part academic librarian and one part legal researcher, I work with other specialty academic librarians who have different priorities and workloads than me in the law library - being a part of the CALL Academic Law Library Special Interest Group has facilitated in melding the two realities for me.

The annual CALL Conference is the peak event anticipated by most members. Not only do you get to meet friends and colleagues, but you also get the opportunity to learn the latest from vendor demos and hot topics in program sessions. The conference is also a gathering place for peers to ask probing questions, share information, and learn from each other.

My earlier involvement in CALL include: being a mentee in the mentorship program, where I had the great fortune of meeting Jeanne Maddix, Director of Bibliothèque de droit Michel-Bastarache at the Université de Moncton; being encouraged by my former boss, Paul Murphy, to contribute book reviews to the Canadian Law Library Review and working with book review editors Erica Anderson, Susan Barker, and Nancy McCormack; and helping out where needed by my current boss (and pro-CALL supporter), Annette Demers, for my first ever CALL Conference which was held in Windsor 2010, where I became the Volunteer Coordinator and was responsible for a Faculty of Windsor Law book display.

I later joined the Membership Development Committee (chaired by Katherine Melville & Erica Anderson), the Committee to Promote Research (chaired by Marianne Rogers & Susan Barker), and am the current co-chair of the Academic Law Library SIG (working with Svetlana Kochkina and previously with Elizabeth Bruton). With each role, be it promoting CALL to new members, helping to fund members pursuing their scholarship of legal information, or communicating ideas and issues within a special interest group, I find myself growing deeper roots in my efforts to become a better legal information specialist while also serving the needs of my association and colleagues.

One thing I have to say is – don’t be afraid to volunteer, and please do not be afraid to say “yes” when you are called upon to help the association. Not only will your service be appreciated but you will find it personally rewarding. For example, I can be quite shy in large crowds, but I was able to put that aside when I was asked to moderate the 2013 conference plenary panel, Land of Confusion: E-Books’ License Negotiation Demystified, in Montreal.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry?

Like many others, as a youngster, I never aspired to become a librarian; however, I did have an affinity to libraries (even so far as creating little due date cards for my personal collection of storybooks at home!). As a child growing up pre-internet and never owning a computer until I went to university (please do not guess how old I am), I found libraries invaluable sources of information and knowledge.

If you like helping others, appreciate the organization of information, and enjoy variation in your job – then information management is for you! If you like the law, especially the structure of how the law is organized, and enjoy working with people who have a vested interest in finding the law – then the legal information industry could definitely be for you!

Keep in mind there are different kinds of law libraries (e.g. academic, courthouse, law firm, government, etc.), each with its own unique clientele and working environment. For those interested in entering the legal information industry, I would suggest the following:

1. Make connections and talk with a legal information specialist or two to get an idea of what the job is like and whether a career in legal information is for you.

2. Look at different job ads to see what the requirements are. Do you have the credentials? What kind of experience do you need to get? Do you find the list of duties interesting enough to pursue a career in legal information?

3. Look at where job ads are coming from and where jobs are being slashed. Are you willing to relocate to where the jobs are? Remember, larger centres will have more job postings but will also have more competition for them whereas smaller centres will have fewer postings with less competition. Also, keep in mind that publicly funded libraries* may be phasing out some positions due to budget constraints. These are some things to be aware of – so plan accordingly.

*Governance and Funding of Libraries (school, public, academic) https://www.accessola.org/WEB/OLAWEB/Issues_Advocacy/Election_Resources/Governance_and_Funding_of_Libraries.aspx?WebsiteKey=397368c8-7910-4dfe-807f-9eeb1068be31&hkey=b3797b9f-3e43-46e9-a2e7-5202f1a6c19f

What’s one change in the profession or industry that has been a challenge for you?

The one challenge I see is how to reinvent oneself in response to changing user needs and declining budgets – in other words, how to do more with fewer resources. As user preferences for online sources have increased, I have had to adapt what I teach students. This includes promoting the credible and authoritative databases subscribed or linked to by the library and re-establishing the benefits of print resources as a learning tool to understand electronic resources as well as a complementary information source. In tandem with considering user preferences, is the requirement to balance the needs of the user with what the library can actually afford to purchase for its print and electronic collection.

What are three things on your bucket list?

Three things that I would like to accomplish in my career as an academic legal librarian:

1. Get published in a scholarly publication

2. Present by myself at a conference

3. Pursue a Master of Legal Studies degree

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

Mon expérience dans l’industrie de l’information juridique n’est pas classique – mon grade de premier cycle est un baccalauréat ès sciences en agriculture de l’Université de la Saskatchewan (oui, je viens du milieu agricole!). J’ai fait une majeure en écologie des plantes et une mineure en science des sols et en agroéconomie. Cependant, après avoir travaillé dans des champs de recherche et des serres, j’ai décidé que ce n’était pas pour moi.

J’ai découvert la bibliothéconomie après avoir cherché des professions possibles qui correspondaient davantage à mes intérêts et mes compétences. Je suis allée à l’Université Western pour obtenir une maîtrise en bibliothéconomie et en sciences de l’information. J’ai pu m’inscrire au programme d’enseignement coopératif et j’ai travaillé pendant huit mois à la bibliothèque de droit Paul Martin, ce qui m’a permis d’acquérir une expérience professionnelle inestimable au sein d’une bibliothèque de droit universitaire spécialisée.

Après avoir obtenu mon diplôme, j’ai trouvé du travail contractuel et à temps partiel pendant que je fondais une famille à Windsor (Ontario) (la ville natale de mon mari). Ce n’est que quelques années plus tard que j’ai eu la possibilité de réintégrer la bibliothèque de droit Paul Martin et de travailler aux côtés de la présidente actuelle de l’ACBD/CALL, Annette Demers, à titre de bibliothécaire de référence. En juillet 2014, j’ai obtenu ma permanence après m’être acquittée de mes obligations en tant que bibliothécaire pendant cinq ans, prouvant ainsi que j’étais disposée à assumer des responsabilités au sein de la bibliothèque et à l’extérieur de celle-ci. J’ai beaucoup de chance de m’être engagée dans un cheminement de carrière à volets multiples et gratifiant.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel?

Mon adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL non seulement m’a permis de communiquer avec mes collègues de l’ensemble du Canada, mais a largement contribué à définir mon identité professionnelle. Ce lien personnel et professionnel avec une association m’a permis de visualiser mon rôle à titre de bibliothécaire de droit universitaire. En tant que bibliothécaire en milieu universitaire, d’une part, et recherchiste juridique, d’autre part, je collabore avec d’autres bibliothécaires universitaires spécialisés dont la charge de travail et les priorités sont différentes des miennes au sein de bibliothèques de droit; ma participation au groupe d’intérêts spéciaux (GIS) des bibliothèques de droit universitaires de l’ACBD/CALL a facilité l’intégration des deux réalités pour moi.

La conférence annuelle de l’ACBD/CALL est l’événement culminant attendu par la plupart des membres. Non seulement cet événement nous offre-t-il l’occasion de rencontrer nos amis et nos collègues, mais il nous permet aussi de découvrir les derniers développements grâce aux démonstrations d’éditeurs et aux discussions portant sur des sujets chauds dans le cadre des séances de programmes. La conférence est également un lieu de rencontre où les pairs peuvent poser des questions d’approfondissement, échanger de l’information et apprendre les uns des autres.

En ce qui concerne mon implication antérieure auprès de l’ACBD/CALL, j’ai été mentorée dans le cadre du programme de mentorat, et j’ai alors eu l’immense privilège de rencontrer Mme Jeanne Maddix, directrice de la Bibliothèque de droit Michel‑Bastarache de l’Université de Moncton; sous les encouragements de mon ancien patron, M. Paul Murphy, j’ai contribué à des comptes rendus de livres pour la Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit et collaboré avec les rédactrices chargées des comptes rendus de livres, Erica Anderson, Susan Barker et Nancy McCormack, et j’ai offert mon aide à la demande de ma patronne actuelle (et supportrice de l’ACBD/CALL), Mme Annette Demers, lors de ma toute première conférence de l’ACBD/CALL, tenue à Windsor en 2010, où je suis devenue coordonnatrice des bénévoles et responsable d’un présentoir de livres de la faculté de droit de Windsor.

Je me suis ensuite jointe au Comité du recrutement des membres (présidé par Katherine Melville et Erica Anderson) et au Comité pour promouvoir la recherche (présidé par Marianne Rogers et Susan Barker), et je copréside actuellement le GIS des bibliothèques de droit universitaires (en collaboration avec Svetlana Kochkina et, auparavant, avec Elizabeth Bruton). Dans l’exercice de chacun de mes rôles, qu’il s’agisse de promouvoir l’ACBD/CALL auprès des nouveaux membres, d’aider à assurer le financement destiné aux membres titulaires d’une bourse d’études en information juridique ou de communiquer des idées et des enjeux au sein d’un groupe d’intérêts spéciaux, je consolide mes racines dans le cadre de mes efforts pour devenir une meilleure spécialiste de l’information juridique, tout en répondant aux besoins de mon association et de mes collègues.

Je tiens à dire une chose : n’ayez pas peur de collaborer à titre bénévole et de répondre « oui » lorsqu’on vous demande d’aider l’association. Non seulement vos services seront‑ils appréciés, mais en outre, vous trouverez cela valorisant sur le plan personnel. Par exemple, je suis parfois très timide au sein de grands groupes, mais j’ai réussi à laisser ma timidité de côté lorsqu’on m’a demandé de modérer une discussion en séance plénière intitulée Un monde de confusion : démystifier le processus de négociation des licences pour les livres numériques dans le cadre de la conférence de 2013, à Montréal.

Quel conseil offririez-vous à une personne qui cherche à percer dans le secteur de l’information juridique?

Comme bien des gens, quand j’étais jeune, je n’ai jamais eu l’ambition de devenir bibliothécaire; cependant, j’avais une affinité avec les bibliothèques (je fabriquais même de petites cartes indiquant la date limite pour ma collection personnelle de livres d’histoires à la maison!). J’ai grandi avant l’émergence d’Internet, et comme je n’ai eu mon propre ordinateur qu’une fois arrivée à l’université (n’essayez pas de deviner mon âge, je vous prieJ), je considérais les bibliothèques comme des sources inestimables d’information et de connaissances.

Si vous aimez aider les autres, si vous appréciez l’organisation de l’information et si le travail diversifié vous plaît, la gestion de l’information vous convient parfaitement! Si vous aimez le droit, particulièrement la manière dont la loi est organisée, et si vous aimez travailler avec des personnes qui sont intéressées à trouver les lois, l’industrie de l’information juridique pourrait sûrement vous convenir!

N’oubliez pas qu’il existe divers types de bibliothèques de droit (p. ex. universités, palais de justice, cabinets d’avocats, gouvernements, etc.), dont chacun possède sa clientèle particulière et son propre environnement de travail. Voici les conseils que j’offrirais aux personnes intéressées par le secteur de l’information juridique :

1. Communiquez et discutez avec un ou deux spécialistes de l’information juridique afin d’avoir une idée du type de travail et de savoir si une carrière dans ce domaine vous convient.

2. Examinez diverses offres d’emploi afin de connaître les exigences. Possédez‑vous les titres de compétence nécessaires? Quel type d’expérience devez-vous acquérir? Trouvez-vous la liste des tâches suffisamment intéressante pour entreprendre une carrière dans le domaine de l’information juridique.

3. Examinez la provenance des offres d’emploi et les endroits où des postes sont supprimés. Êtes-vous disposés à vous déplacer vers les lieux où les emplois se trouvent? Rappelez-vous que les avis de postes vacants sont plus nombreux dans les grands centres mais que la concurrence y est aussi plus forte, tandis que les centres plus petits comptent moins de postes à pourvoir, mais moins de concurrence. De plus, n’oubliez pas que les bibliothèques financées par l’État* peuvent éliminer progressivement des postes en raison de contraintes budgétaires. Ce sont là des aspects dont vous devez être conscients; ainsi, planifiez en conséquence.

*Governance and Funding of Libraries (school, public, academic) (en anglais) https://www.accessola.org/WEB/OLAWEB/Issues_Advocacy/Election_Resources/Governance_and_Funding_of_Libraries.aspx?WebsiteKey=397368c8-7910-4dfe-807f-9eeb1068be31&hkey=b3797b9f-3e43-46e9-a2e7-5202f1a6c19f

Y a-t-il un changement relatif à la profession ou à l’industrie qui a présenté un défi pour vous?

Le défi qui se pose, selon moi, est lié à la manière de se réinventer compte tenu des besoins changeants des utilisateurs et de la réduction des budgets; autrement dit, comment faire plus avec des ressources réduites. À mesure que la préférence des utilisateurs pour les ressources en ligne s’est renforcée, j’ai dû adapter ce que j’enseignais aux étudiants. Cela comprend la promotion des bases de données fiables et faisant autorité utilisées par la bibliothèque ou auxquelles celle-ci est abonnée et le rétablissement des avantages des ressources imprimées en guise d’outil d’apprentissage qui permet de comprendre les ressources électroniques, de même qu’une source d’information complémentaire. En plus de tenir compte des préférences des utilisateurs, il faut établir un équilibre entre les besoins de ces derniers et les achats que la bibliothèque peut se permettre pour ses collections imprimées et électroniques.

Indiquez trois choses qui figurent dans votre liste du cœur?

J’aimerais accomplir trois choses dans le cadre de ma carrière à titre de bibliothécaire de droit en milieu universitaire :

1. Voir un de mes articles publié dans une publication érudite;

2. Faire une présentation dans le cadre d’une conférence;

3. Entreprendre un programme de maîtrise en études juridiques.

Canadian Bar Association Election Engagement Kit / Trousse de participation électorale de l'Association du Barreau canadien

Fri, 18 Sep 2015 20:03:06 GMT

Le texte français suit.

The Canadian Bar Association has produced an Election Engagement Kit that will "put equal access to justice on candidates’ radar and publicly call for enhanced federal leadership in this area".

The Kit includes tips for Bar Association members and anyone else interested in the issue on how to:

Ask questions when candidates come knocking on your door.
Attend and raise these issues at all candidates’ meetings.
Contribute to the online debate and tweet about it by using the hashtag #whataboutalex.

[Michel-Adrien Sheppard]

L'Association du Barreau canadien a publié une trousse de participation électorale qui vise à faire en sorte que « l’accès à la justice devienne une réelle préoccupation politique et exiger un renforcement du leadership federal ».

La trousse contient des conseils utiles aux membres du Barreau ou à toute autre personne intéressée par la question pour savoir comment:

poser des questions aux candidats lorsqu’ils viennent frapper à votre porte;
assister aux débats entre tous les candidats et posez des questions; et,
contribuer au débat en ligne sur Twitter au moyen du mot-clic #etpouralex.

[Michel-Adrien Sheppard]

Five Questions with Maryvon Côté

Tue, 25 Aug 2015 15:33:34 GMT

Maryvon Côté

Assistant Head, Liaison Librarian, and Building Director
Nahum Gelber Law Library, McGill University

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

In addition to a Master of Library and Information Studies degree from McGill University, I obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in History at the University of Ottawa. I wanted to understand the highlights of Canadian and European history and the history of the 20^th century which, with law, defined the society in which we live today. This training in history, with an interdisciplinary approach, often gave me the opportunity to work in the library with secondary and primary sources, such as legislative texts. This experience was fundamental for me as a librarian in the academic community in teaching students Canadian, American, French and International Law.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?

My involvement in ACBD/CALL initially allowed me to meet and share my experiences with excellent colleagues who share my passion for law librarianship across Canada. This also opened my eyes to the profession of librarian in other professional settings, which allows me to have a more diversified and more complete approach when new challenges arise.

What was your first job or your first library-related job?

Before working as a full-time librarian at McGill, I held several student jobs at the Morisset Library of the University of Ottawa, particularly in the media library during my university studies. Subsequently, I worked part-time as a library loan clerk at the Ottawa Public Library, while working at City of Ottawa Customer Service. After my first year in the Master’s program, I obtained a summer job at the Statistics Canada Library and a student job at the reference counter of the Humanities and Social Sciences Library (McLennan Library) of McGill University. I thus acquired strong competencies in customer relations that I still find very useful today.

What’s one change in the profession or industry you’ve embraced?

When I started working in a library, information was available mainly in print, on CD-ROM, and online on a library server. Today, information is online everywhere on a wide range of different media. The challenge is to keep abreast of new approaches we can adopt to do research, while mastering the traditional sources, which are still faithful.

What are three skills/attributes you think legal information professionals need to have?

Rigour

Open-mindedness

Interest in technological progress

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégré au secteur de l’information juridique.

En plus de la maitrise en bibliothéconomie et sciences de l’information de l’Université McGill, j’ai complété un baccalauréat ès art en histoire à l’Université d’Ottawa. J’ai voulu comprendre les grands moments de l’histoire Canadienne et Européenne ainsi que l’histoire du XXe siècle qui ont, avec le droit, défini la société dans laquelle nous vivons aujourd’hui. Cette formation en histoire avec une approche interdisciplinaire m’a permis de travailler souvent dans la bibliothèque avec des ressources secondaires et primaires telles que les textes législatifs. Cette expérience m’a été fondamentale en tant que bibliothécaire dans le milieu académique pour donner des formations aux étudiants en droit Canadien, Américain, Français et en Droit International.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel?

Mon adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL m’a permis dans un premier temps de rencontrer et de partager mes expériences avec d’excellents collègues qui ont la même passion que moi de la bibliothéconomie juridique à travers le Canada. Cela m’a aussi ouvert les yeux sur la profession de bibliothécaire dans d’autres milieux professionnels ce qui me permet d’avoir une approche plus diversifiée et plus complète lorsque surgissent de nouveaux défis.

Quel a été votre premier emploi, ou votre premier emploi dans le domaine de la bibliothéconomie?

Avant de travailler comme bibliothécaire à McGill à temps pleins, j’ai occupé plusieurs emplois-étudiants la bibliothèque Morisset de l’Université d’Ottawa notamment à la médiathèque lors de mes études universitaires. Par la suite, j’ai travaillé à temps partiel comme préposé au prêt à la bibliothèque publique de la ville d’Ottawa tout en travaillant au Service à la Clientèle de la Ville d’Ottawa. Après ma première années à la maitrise, j’ai obtenu un emploi d’été à la bibliothèque de Statistique Canada et un emplois-étudiant au comptoir de la référence de la bibliothèque des Sciences Humaines et Sociales (McLennan) de l’Université McGill. J’ai ainsi acquis de solides compétences en matière de relations avec la clientèle qui me soit encore fort utiles aujourd’hui.

Y a-t-il un changement relatif à la profession ou à l’industrie auquel vous vous êtes adapté?

Lorsque j’ai commencé à travailler dans une bibliothèque, l’information était disponible notamment en format imprimé, en CD-Rom ou en ligne sur un serveur de la bibliothèque. Aujourd’hui, l’information est partout en ligne via de nouveaux supports aussi différents les uns que les autres. Le défi est de rester à l’affut des nouvelles approches que nous pouvons adopter pour faire de la recherche tout en maitrisant les sources traditionnelles qui sont toujours fidèles.

Quelles sont les trois compétences ou qualités que doivent posséder les professionnels de l’information juridique, selon vous?

Rigueur

Ouverture d’esprit

Intérêt pour les évolutions technologiques

Five Questions with Jennifer Walker

Fri, 17 Jul 2015 19:24:28 GMT

Jennifer Walker
Head Librarian, County of Carleton Law Association

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I entered the legal information profession directly out of grad school, which I completed at Dalhousie’s School of Information Management. In my last semester, there was a course on legal librarianship taught by the then-Head of the Law Library, Ann Morrison. I thought she was just wonderful, and she made legal librarianship sound like a pretty great job! I definitely liked the research element and had already been more interested in special libraries. I am very fortunate that an entry-level reference librarian and cataloguing job opened up at my organization just as I was graduating. I’ve been happy to be here, and to take on increased responsibility, for over 7 years now. Prior to all that, I did my undergraduate degree in history (I really do love research), as well as a Bachelor of Education with an emphasis in teaching high school students. While high school can be a lot of fun, I am very happy I made the decision to pursue librarianship instead.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?

CALL has been incredibly beneficial to me as a librarian. Starting in law libraries directly out of school, there was a lot to learn and a whole new world of colleagues to meet. I very quickly became involved with CALL and have learned so much from the educational opportunities I’ve had at the conferences, through my NELI grant in 2010, and from truly welcoming, kind, and smart colleagues. This is a profession where having someone to contact for help or to bounce ideas off of is of immense benefit, and CALL has enabled me to make those connections and build a solid network of other legal information professionals.

What are three things on your bucket list?

I absolutely love to travel, so my mind immediately goes to the places I’d like to visit and things to see & do there. I would love to visit Oxford, England and see both the city and the University. You can only watch so many hours of Inspector Morse without actually going there, and I believe I’m at my limit! I would also love to visit Istanbul. There is so much that would be wonderful to take in there, such as the Grand Bazaar, and visiting Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque. Closer to home, I would absolutely love to visit Vancouver, and experience that West coast culture we hear so much about in Ontario. It seems like I might be getting my wish on that for CALL 2016!

What’s one change in the profession or industry you’ve embraced?

I don’t believe it’s so much a change in the industry but certainly in my role and my organization, and that is an increased responsibility for providing legal research instruction. I come from an education background, but I never thought I would draw on that skill set as much as I have in the last three years of being a librarian. It’s exciting for me to lead training sessions, and I think providing these sessions to our clients presents real value for our library and demonstrates what we can do beyond simply being there to answer questions.

What was your first job or your first library-related job?

My first library-related jobs were all student jobs in various archives or records departments. My first actual job, however, was when I was 15, at a movie theatre. That job taught me an incredible amount about customer service and really formed my ethic for working with clients which I still believe in today. Fortunately, my job doesn’t currently involve standing in front of a cinema full of people asking them to turn off their pagers and phones, though that perhaps foreshadowed the more “Shhh!” side of librarianship!

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

Je suis entrée dans la profession de l’information juridique dès la fin de mes études supérieures, que j’ai effectuées à l’École de gestion de l’information de Dalhousie. Pendant mon dernier semestre, on offrait un cours de bibliothéconomie juridique qui était enseigné par la directrice de la bibliothèque de droit de l’époque, Ann Morrison. Je la trouvais absolument fantastique, car elle nous présentait la bibliothéconomie juridique comme un travail très intéressant! J’aimais résolument l’élément de recherche, et je m’étais déjà intéressée davantage aux bibliothèques spécialisées. J’ai eu beaucoup de chance, puisqu’un poste de bibliothécaire de référence et de catalogage de premier échelon s’est ouvert au sein de mon organisation à la fin de mes études. Je suis très heureuse ici depuis plus de sept ans maintenant, et je suis ravie d’assumer des responsabilités accrues. Auparavant, j’ai effectué des études de premier cycle en histoire (j’aime vraiment la recherche), et j’ai obtenu un baccalauréat en éducation, avec un intérêt particulier pour l’enseignement auprès des élèves du secondaire. Bien que l’enseignement au secondaire puisse être très agréable, je suis très heureuse d’avoir pris la décision de me diriger plutôt vers la bibliothéconomie.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel?

L’ACBD/CALL a été incroyablement utile pour moi, en tant que bibliothécaire. Comme j’ai commencé dans les bibliothèques de droit directement après mes études, j’avais beaucoup à apprendre et un tout nouveau groupe de collègues à rencontrer. J’ai très rapidement participé aux activités de l’ACBD/CALL, et j’ai appris beaucoup grâce aux possibilités éducatives qui m’ont été offertes dans le cadre des congrès, grâce à ma subvention du NELI en 2010 et auprès de collègues vraiment chaleureux, sympathiques et intelligents. La bibliothéconomie est une profession où le fait d’avoir une personne à qui demander de l’aide ou soumettre des idées représente un avantage énorme, et l’ACBD/CALL m’a permis d’établir ce type de liens et de me bâtir un réseau solide avec d’autres professionnels de l’information juridique.

Indiquez trois choses qui figurent dans votre liste du cœur.

J’adore voyager; mon esprit se rend donc immédiatement dans les lieux que j’aimerais visiter, et découvre les choses à voir et à faire dans ces endroits. J’aimerais visiter Oxford, en Angleterre, et voir la ville et l’université. Il y a une limite au nombre d’épisodes d’Inspecteur Morse qu’on peut visionner sans s’y rendre en personne, et je crois que j’ai atteint la mienne! J’aimerais également visiter Istanbul. Il y a tellement de découvertes magnifiques à faire là-bas, comme le Grand Bazar, la basilique Sainte‑Sophie et la Mosquée bleue. Plus près d’ici, j’adorerais voir Vancouver, et découvrir la culture de la côte ouest dont nous entendons beaucoup parler en Ontario. Je pourrai peut-être réaliser mon souhait lors du congrès 2016 de l’ACBD/CALL!

Y a-t-il un changement relatif à la profession ou à l’industrie auquel vous vous êtes adaptée?

Je ne crois pas qu’il s’agisse tellement d’un changement relatif à l’industrie, mais plutôt d’un changement lié à mon rôle et à mon organisation, c’est-à-dire une responsabilité accrue concernant l’enseignement en matière de recherche juridique. Je viens du milieu de l’enseignement, mais je n’aurais jamais cru me servir autant de cet ensemble de compétences au cours des trois dernières années dans le cadre de mes fonctions de bibliothécaire. C’est passionnant pour moi de diriger des séances de formation, et je crois que le fait d’offrir ces séances à nos clients représente une valeur réelle pour notre bibliothèque et montre ce que nous pouvons faire au-delà de simplement être là pour répondre aux questions.

Quel a été votre premier emploi, ou votre premier emploi dans le domaine de la bibliothéconomie?

Mes premiers emplois liés à la bibliothéconomie étaient tous des emplois pour étudiants au sein de divers services d’archives ou de dossiers. Cependant, mon premier emploi réel était dans un cinéma lorsque j’avais 15 ans. Ce poste m’a énormément appris au sujet du service à la clientèle et a vraiment formé mon éthique de travail avec les clients, à laquelle je crois encore aujourd’hui. Heureusement, mon emploi actuel ne m’oblige pas à me tenir debout devant une salle de cinéma remplie de gens pour leur demander d’éteindre leurs téléavertisseurs et leurs téléphones, même si cet aspect laissait peut‑être entrevoir le côté plus « Chuuuut » de la bibliothéconomie!

New Custom Search Engine of Open Access Law Journals / Nouveau moteur de recherche sur mesure pour les revues à accès libre

Thu, 16 Jul 2015 18:20:05 GMT

Le texte français suit.

University of Windsor law librarian and former CALL President Annette Demers wrote last week on Slaw.ca about a new custom search engine for finding open source law journals from Canada, the US and Europe.

The search engine covers the following collections:

BePress Law Commons Network
BePress Law School Institutional Repositories
Centre d’accès a l’information juridique (CAIJ)
Cornell Law School Working Papers Series
Dalhousie Journal of Legal Studies
Directory of Open Access Journals - Law
Duke Law Scholarship Repository
European Integration Online Papers
European Journal of International Law
European Research Papers Archive
International Review of the Red Cross
JurisBistro
Law Review Commons
Manitoba Law Journal
McGill Law Journal/Revue de droit de McGill
New England Law Library Consortium (NELLCO) Legal Scholarship Repository, including Harvard (DASH), Columbia (Academic Commons) and New York University (Faculty Digital Archive)
Osgoode Digital Commons
Ottawa Law Review/Revue de droit d’Ottawa
Queen’s Law Journal (current issue embargoed)
Revue du Barreau
Revue de droit de l’Université de Sherbrooke (RDUS)
University of Alberta’s Constitutional Forum and Review of Constitutional Studies
Western University’s Journal of Legal Studies
Windsor Yearbook of Access to Justice
WorldLII - International Legal Scholarship Library

Demers had already created the following custom search engines at her library:

[Michel-Adrien Sheppard]

Dans un article publié la semaine dernière sur le site Slaw.ca, Annette Demers, bibliothécaire de droit à l'Université de Windsor et ancienne president de l'ACBD, a décrit un nouveau moteur de recherche créé sur mesure pour chercher dans les revues de droit en libre accès du Canada, des États-Unis et de l'Europe.

Le moteur indexe le contenu des collections suivantes:

BePress Law Commons Network
BePress Law School Institutional Repositories
Centre d’accès a l’information juridique (CAIJ)
Cornell Law School Working Papers Series
Dalhousie Journal of Legal Studies
Directory of Open Access Journals - Law
Duke Law Scholarship Repository
European Integration Online Papers
European Journal of International Law
European Research Papers Archive
International Review of the Red Cross
JurisBistro
Law Review Commons
Manitoba Law Journal
McGill Law Journal/Revue de droit de McGill
New England Law Library Consortium (NELLCO) Legal Scholarship Repository, y compris les collections de Harvard (DASH), de Columbia (Academic Commons) et de la New York University (Faculty Digital Archive)
Osgoode Digital Commons
Ottawa Law Review/Revue de droit d’Ottawa
Queen’s Law Journal
Revue du Barreau
Revue de droit de l’Université de Sherbrooke (RDUS)
University of Alberta’s Constitutional Forum and Review of Constitutional Studies
Western University’s Journal of Legal Studies
Windsor Yearbook of Access to Justice
WorldLII - International Legal Scholarship Library

Demers avait déjà lancé les moteurs de recherche spécialisés suivants à sa bibliothèque:

[Michel-Adrien Sheppard]

Five Questions with John Kerr

Fri, 19 Jun 2015 15:28:08 GMT

John Kerr
Librarian, Wellington Law Association

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I am a graduate of the University of Toronto (Erindale College). After a brief stint in industry, I enrolled in the Sheridan College LT program.

There was an opening at the local county courthouse library and I applied and was hired. Before that, I had worked in a special library based at the University of Guelph and the University of Guelph Library.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?

Attending the annual conference recharges me, and I learn a few things too.

What’s your greatest work or career-related challenge?

So much software, so little time.

What’s one blog, website, or Twitter account that you can’t go one day without checking?

I have lots of Linux friends on Google+ so I am always checking that. Slaw is high on my list as well. It can also depend on what I am up to at the moment. Right now, I am hitting every website I can that has information about the LaTeX document creation software. LaTeX (pronounced Laytek) is the great grand-daddy of desktop publishing. I believe that in the near future law librarians (working with the bar) will become publishers. LaTeX is the foundation on which most academic publishing is based. I am sure that many legal publishers use LaTeX or a derivative. It is free software too, anyone can download it.

What are three things on your bucket list?

Visit Ireland.
Climb to the top of the Brock Monument.
Walk across the famous Abbey Road crossing in London.

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégré au secteur de l’information juridique.

Je suis diplômé de l’Université de Toronto (Collège Erindale). Après un bref passage au sein de l’industrie, je me suis inscrit au programme de bibliotechnique du Collège Sheridan.

Il y avait un poste vacant à la bibliothèque du palais de justice du comté local; j’ai posé ma candidature et j’ai été embauché. Auparavant, j’avais travaillé dans une bibliothèque spéciale établie au sein de l’Université de Guelph et à la bibliothèque de l’Université de Guelph.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel?

La participation à la conférence annuelle me permet de recharger mes batteries, et aussi d’apprendre certaines choses.

Quel est votre plus grand défi lié à votre travail ou votre carrière?

Il y a tellement de logiciels, et si peu de temps.

Y a-t-il un blogue, un site Web ou un compte Twitter que vous ne pouvez pas négliger de consulter tous les jours?

J’ai de nombreux amis Linux sur Google+, donc je vérifie toujours ma page. Slaw figure aussi au sommet de ma liste. Cela peut également dépendre de ce que je fais à un moment donné. À l’heure actuelle, je consulte tous les sites Web possibles qui contiennent de l’information au sujet du logiciel de création de documents LaTeX. LaTeX (on prononce Laytek) est l’arrière-grand-père de l’éditique. Je crois que dans un avenir proche, les bibliothécaires de droit (en collaboration avec le barreau) deviendront des éditeurs. LaTeX est la base sur laquelle s’appuie l’essentiel de l’édition universitaire. Je suis convaincu que de nombreux éditeurs juridiques utilisent LaTeX ou un programme dérivé. C’est également un logiciel gratuit; tout le monde peut le télécharger.

Indiquez trois choses qui figurent dans votre liste du cœur?

Visiter l’Irlande.
Monter au sommet du monument Brock.
Traverser la célèbre intersection d’Abbey Road à Londres.

Enfin - A blog post about the CLLR in Slaw

Wed, 10 Jun 2015 14:24:32 GMT

It was very exciting to see Daniel Poulin’s Slaw post on the recent Canadian Law Library Review article “Charting Law’s Cosmos: Toward a Crowdsourced Citator” by Mark Phillips, ((2015) 40:2 Can L Libr Rev 13).

To quote Daniel about reading the article, “Immerging oneself in it is like being 40 again: abundant critics of the slow moving incumbents, strong expressions of idealism peppered with some good ideas. Such a reading is good for the heart and the brain.”

Read his SLAW post “Enfin. a Good Paper in the Canadian Law Library Review!” and then don’t forget to read the article itself, you won’t be disappointed.

As he notes the title of his post is deliberately provocative. As editor, I can confirm that we have had many good papers in the CLLR. Rex Shoyama’s recent award winning feature article ((2014) 39:2 Can L LIbr Rev 11) “Citations to Wikipedia in Canadian Law Journal and Law Review Articles” is a case in point. Rex’s article was mentioned in The Wikimedia Research Newsletter and was also discussed in the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law's Library Blog.

Susan Barker
Editor
Canadian Law Library Review

Truth and Reconciliation Commission IM Recommendations / Recommendations de la Commission de vérité et réconciliation relatives à la gestion de l'information

Thu, 04 Jun 2015 20:31:50 GMT

Le texte français suit.

Earlier this week, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its findings after its multi-year investigation into over a century of physical and sexual abuses against Aboriginal children at Church-run Indian Residential Schools.

The Government Library & IM Professionals Network, part of the Canadian Library Association, has compiled the Commission's many calls to action that focus on the information management community (museums, Library and Archives Canada, archivist associations, vital statistics agencies, etc.).

In addition, Library and Archives Canada has compiled a list of resources relating to residential school records.

[Michel-Adrien Sheppard]

Plus tôt cette semaine, la Commission de vérité et reconciliation du Canada a publié les conclusions de son enquête de plusieurs années sur les nombreux abus physiques et sexuels subis pendant plus d'un siècle par les enfants autochtones envoyés dans les pensionnats indiens.

La Commission a publié de nombreux appels à l'action qui s'adressent en particulier aux bibliothèques et à la communauté de la gestion de l'information [en anglais] (musées, Bibliothèque et Archives Canada, associations d'archivistes, bureaux d'état civil, etc.). Ce sont les articles 67 à 78 dans ce document en français.

De plus, Bibliothèque et Archives Canada a publié une liste de Ressources pour la recherche des pensionnats autochtones.

[Michel-Adrien Sheppard]

In Session: CALL/ACBD's Monthly Newsletter - June 2015

Tue, 02 Jun 2015 15:17:04 GMT

Click here to view this month's In Session Newsletter!

Five Questions with Mark Lewis

Thu, 21 May 2015 14:48:15 GMT

Mark Lewis

Reference/IT Librarian
Sir James Dunn Law Library, Dalhousie University

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I obtained my BA (Honours) Political Science & History from the University of New Brunswick. Prior to finishing that degree, I was an exchange student at Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey (one of the best experiences of my life). I obtained my MLIS from Dalhousie University and, later, a Graduate Diploma in Public Administration as well. Sometime in the mix there, I started down the road of studying near and Middle Eastern civilizations but veered from there to the MLIS.

My interest in the legal information industry came from work I did with the New Brunswick Legislative Library as a student and post-MLIS. When it came time to look for permanent work, I was looking for a gov docs/legal information type of position. After some months and a couple of short-term contracts, I was lucky enough to get two offers at once (when it rains it pours), one to go stateside and one here in Canada. By virtue of this being the Canadian Association of Law Libraries, you can guess which path I took.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?

It has helped me tremendously, from being sponsored for the Northern Exposure to Leadership Institute, to scholarship assistance to further my education, to access to continuing professional development, as well as the ability to consult with a vast network of colleagues. I cannot imagine my career without the assistance of CALL. Now that I am mid-career, I hope to be able to give back a bit while also continuing to take advantage of further opportunities that arise to enhance my career through CALL/ACBD.

Who is your favourite library professional—living or dead, real or fictional?

Maester Aemon. He could have been king but made the considered decision to remain an information professional!

What is one thing that’s surprised you about the legal information profession?

The ongoing development of the profession and the need to "keep up" never stops. Many people, upon learning that you work in a library, say something to the effect that it must be a nice, "calm" existence. I've found it to be quite the opposite. In this day and age, the landscape is constantly shifting and staying on top of those developments is a daily challenge.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry?

If being in the legal information industry is your goal, don't limit yourself by geography. Watch for the dominoes to fall. There may be a stretch with few opportunities but then one person will move to another position and a domino effect will start—watch for it. One piece of advice to anyone looking for work in the industry is not to be afraid of taking a contract to build up experience and contacts. Lastly, don't limit yourself by the traditional notion of a librarian. I prefer to think of us as information ninjas. Look for a legal information ninja position, and don't be afraid to point out to management types that what they really need is someone with the skill set that you happen to possess.

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégré au secteur de l’information juridique.

J’ai obtenu un B.A. (avec distinction) en science politique et histoire de l’Université du Nouveau-Brunswick. Avant d’obtenir ce diplôme, j’ai participé à un programme d’échanges d’étudiants à l’Université Bilkent à Ankara, en Turquie (l’une des meilleures expériences de ma vie). J’ai obtenu une MBSI de l’Université de Dalhousie puis, plus tard, un diplôme d’études supérieures en administration publique. Quelque part dans tout cela, j’ai commencé à étudier les civilisations du Proche-Orient et du Moyen‑Orient, mais je me suis plutôt dirigé vers la MBSI.

Mon intérêt pour le secteur de l’information juridique découle du travail que j’ai effectué à la bibliothèque de l’Assemblée législative du Nouveau-Brunswick, pendant mes études et après l’obtention de ma MBSI. Lorsqu’est venu le temps de chercher un emploi permanent, je recherchais un poste dans le domaine des documents gouvernementaux et de l’information juridique. Après quelques mois et deux ou trois contrats de courte durée, j’ai eu la chance de recevoir deux offres en même temps (un bonheur ne vient jamais seul), l’une aux États-Unis et l’autre ici, au Canada. Comme il s’agit de l’Association canadienne des bibliothèques de droit, vous pouvez deviner quel chemin j’ai pris.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel?

Elle m’a énormément aidé, de mon parrainage auprès du Northern Exposure to Leadership Institute à la bourse qui m’a été octroyée pour poursuivre mes études, en passant par l’accès à des possibilités de perfectionnement professionnel continu et la capacité de consulter un vaste réseau de collègues. Je ne saurais concevoir ma carrière sans l’aide de l’ACBD/CALL. Maintenant que j’en suis au milieu de ma carrière, j’espère pouvoir remettre un peu de ce que j’ai reçu, tout en continuant de tirer profit d’autres possibilités d’enrichir mon parcours professionnel grâce à l’ACBD/CALL.

Qui est votre professionnel de la bibliothéconomie favori, vivant ou décédé, réel ou fictif?

Maester Aemon. Il aurait pu être roi, mais il a pris la décision réfléchie de demeurer un professionnel de l’information!

Quel est l’aspect de la profession de l’information juridique qui vous a étonné?

L’évolution continue de la profession et la nécessité de « suivre le rythme » ne s’arrêtent jamais. Bien des gens, lorsqu’ils apprennent que vous travaillez dans une bibliothèque, croient qu’il doit s’agir d’une existence agréable et « paisible ». J’ai constaté qu’il en est tout autrement. De nos jours, le paysage évolue constamment, et suivre le rythme de cette évolution constitue un défi quotidien.

Quel conseil offririez-vous à une personne qui cherche à percer dans le secteur de l’information juridique?

Si votre objectif est de faire partie du secteur de l’information juridique, ne vous imposez pas de limites géographiques. Regardez les dominos tomber. Il peut y avoir une période où les possibilités sont rares, mais ensuite une personne se déplace vers un autre poste, ce qui déclenche une réaction en chaîne—soyez à l’affût. Je conseille aux personnes qui cherchent du travail dans le secteur de ne pas avoir peur d’accepter un contrat afin d’acquérir de l’expérience et de nouer des liens. Enfin, ne vous limitez pas à la notion traditionnelle concernant les bibliothécaires; je préfère nous considérer comme des « ninjas » de l’information. Cherchez un poste de « ninja » de l’information juridique, et ne craignez pas de signaler aux gens du domaine de la gestion qu’ils ont réellement besoin de quelqu’un

Lex Machina Wins AALL New Product of the Year Award / Lex Machina gagne le Prix du meilleur produit de l'année de l'AALL

Fri, 15 May 2015 19:57:51 GMT

Le texte français suit.

The American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) announced this week that that Lex Machina’s Legal Analytics product is the winner of its 2015 New Product Award.

The product can help litigators answer questions such as:

How likely is a judge to grant or deny a specific motion?
How long do cases take to terminate, get to trial, or get to the claim construction hearing before a judge?
How likely is a judge to find patents, trademarks or copyrights infringed, invalid, or unenforceable?
Opposing counsel’s experience before specific judges and courts,
Opposing counsel’s client list
Which law firms have the most experience against opposing counsel
A party’s experience before specific judges and courts, find the timing from filing to key events in cases involving them, and view damages awarded in patent cases
Total number of times each patent has been asserted
Total findings of infringement, invalidity, and unenforceability of patents, damages awarded, parties involved
etc.

The award recognizes new commercial information products that enhance or improve existing law library services or procedures or innovative products which improve access to legal information, the legal research process, or procedures for technical processing of library materials.

[Michel-Adrien Sheppard]

Cette semaine, l'Association américaine des bibliothèques de droit (AALL) a remis son prix 2015 du meilleur nouveau produit d'information à Legal Analytics de la compagnie Lex Machina.

Ce produit peut aider les plaideurs à répondre à des questions telles que:

Est-ce qu'il est probable qu'un juge donné va accorder ou refuser une requête?
Combien de temps cela prend-il avant d'arriver à un procès ou d'obtenir une audience devant un certain juge?
Quelles sont les chances qu'un certain juge va trouver qu'un brevet, une marque de commerce ou un droit d'auteur ont été violés, sont invalides ou pas susceptibles d'exécution forcée
Combien de succès ont les avocats de la partie adverse devant tel juge ou devant telle cour?
Quels sont les autres clients de l'avocat de la partie adverse?
Quels cabinets d'avocats ont la plus grande expérience contre les avocats de la partie adverse?
Quelle expérience la partie adverse a-t-elle devant tel juge ou tel tribunal, comment de temps s'écoule entre l'ouvertture d'une cause et des étapes clés dans une instance la concernant, etc.
Quel est le nombre total de fois qu'un brevet a été revendiqué?
etc.

Le prix reconnaît de nouveaux produits d'information de nature commerciale qui améliorent des services ou procédures existants ou de nouveaux produits innovateurs qui améliorent l'accès à l'information juridique, le processus de recherche juridique ou les procédures pour le traitement technique de la documentation.

[Michel-Adrien Sheppard]

CALL/ACBD Announces Recipient of 2015 Hugh Lawford Award for Excellence in Legal Publishing

Wed, 13 May 2015 14:16:59 GMT

University of Toronto Press is the recipient of the 2015 Hugh Lawford Award for Excellence in Legal Publishing for its publication of the Osgoode Society for Canadian Legal History book series, acknowledging the commitment to excellence that has resulted in 35 unbroken years of publishing in a subject area not otherwise well-covered, with an average publication of two titles a year, all of which are readable, interesting, and informative, and whose contents can be easily accessed through well-structured tables of contents and in-depth indexing. The award was presented on Monday evening, May 4 at the CALL/ACBD conference in Moncton.

Harvard's Perma.cc Wins 2015 Webby Award / Le service Perma.cc de Harvard lauréat d'un prix Webby 2015

Fri, 01 May 2015 17:39:25 GMT

Le texte français suit.

Perma.cc, a service invented by the Harvard Law School Library that helps courts and researchers create an archive of permanent links for web citations, has won the 2015 Webby Award in the category of best law-related website.

Perma.cc, supported by a network of more than 60 law libraries, is a possible solution to "link rot", the very common and annoying problem of hyperlinks to web pages that have become broken or defunct.

The Webby Awards recognize outstanding achievement in websites, online film and video, mobile and apps, and interactive advertising and media. There are numerous categories, ranging from activism to sports.

The Awards are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, an international organization of leading Web experts, business figures, and cultural celebrities.

[Michel-Adrien Sheppard]

Perma.cc, un service créé par la bibliothèque de la Faculté de droit de l'Université Harvard qui aide les tribunaux et les chercheurs à archiver de façon permanente les références sur le web, a remporté le prix Webby 2015 dans la catégorie du meilleur site Internet dans le domaine du droit.

Perma.cc, appuyé par un réseau de plus de 60 bibliothèques de droit, se veut une solution au problème des « liens rompus », ces hyperliens qui dirigent les internautes vers des pages, serveurs ou autres ressources qui ont disparu.

Les « Webby Awards » visent à reconnaître l'excellence dans les domaines des sites web, du cinéma et de la vidéo en ligne, des applications de téléphonie mobile, de la pub interactive et des médias. Il y a des prix dans de multiples catégories, allant du militantisme social aux sports.

Les prix sont décernés par la International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, une organisation internationale qui regroupe des leaders reconnus de l'Internet et du monde des affaires et de la culture.

[Michel-Adrien Sheppard]

Five Questions with Kim Clarke

Mon, 20 Apr 2015 14:02:03 GMT

Kim Clarke

Head, Bennett Jones Law Library, University of Calgary

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I am a dual-degreed librarian, receiving my law degree from the University of Manitoba in 1989 and my MLIS from the University of Alberta in 1997. I articled and practiced law with Thompson Dorfman Sweatman in Winnipeg until 1992, when I became a legal consultant with the Manitoba Law Reform Commission (MLRC). My position with the MLRC was a contract position, funded by the Manitoba Law Foundation; unfortunately, the funding ended after three years. Thankfully, I was given a year’s notice so I had time to plan my future. I had worked at the Business Library at the University of Manitoba for four years and really enjoyed helping the business students with their research questions. This experience, along with my enjoyment of researching legal issues at the MLRC, led me to consider getting my MLIS. It was the best professional decision I have ever made. I began my library science schooling knowing that I would combine my two degrees and become a law librarian. I also felt from the beginning that academic law librarianship was the most appropriate for me, as I wanted to help students develop legal research skills and was interested in teaching.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?

Let me count the ways! Receiving the Diana M. Priestly Memorial Scholarship in 1996 provided me with needed financial assistance to complete my degree. More recently, CALL/ACBD supported me financially with the Eunice Beeson Memorial Travel Fund to attend the last-ever Joint Study Institute in Melbourne, which allowed me to learn more about Australian laws. Actively participating on committees, co-editing the review section of Canadian Law Library Review, and speaking on panels at the annual meeting have provided me with opportunities for growth and skill development and have allowed me to feel that I am contributing to my profession.

But I would say the more impactful way CALL/ACBD has helped me professionally is by providing me with the opportunities to develop strong working relationships, and even friendships, with colleagues from across the country. Meeting people at the annual meetings and working with them on committees are just two ways that CALL/ACBD has facilitated this. I didn’t need to network for career advancement purposes as I was already a library director when I became actively involved in the association but benefit from these relationships in so many other ways. I have contacted colleagues for assistance on reference questions, explanations of policies and procedures, perspectives on vendor relations, and even for restaurant suggestions! I value the knowledge that my colleagues will be there to answer any questions I have or to share their thoughts/experiences with me. Our profession, and our libraries, benefit from the collegial atmosphere we have in CALL/ACBD.

What’s your greatest work or career-related challenge?

While in library school, I was immediately challenged with the reality of the employment market – there were no academic law library jobs in Canada in 1997. I recognized that I would need to leave the country in order to find work in my chosen profession. What started out to be a professional challenge turned out to be a blessing as I was provided with professional opportunities in the United States that I might not have had in the smaller Canadian law libraries. But in many ways that was more of a personal challenge than a work-related challenge. I would say my greatest work-related challenge was, and continues to be, devising ways of helping students develop and retain effective practical legal research skills. We, of course, teach the students advanced skills and knowledge in Advanced Legal Research courses, but how can we ensure (or at least increase the likelihood) that these will become lifelong abilities? And how do we help those students who do not take Advanced Legal Research to develop enhanced research skills? While I have implemented many tools to assist in meeting this challenge, I truly believe the challenge will always remain – that I will always be seeking new and better ways of meeting it.

What was your first job or your first library-related job?

I think I was always meant to work in a library. My first library job – or volunteer position, I should say – was at my hometown’s one-room public library while in junior high. That aside, I was fortunate to obtain a wide range of library experiences prior to graduating with my MLIS. I worked at the business libraries at both the University of Manitoba and University of Alberta, at the Edmonton Journal’s library (indexing their articles for a newspaper database), and working weekends at the reference desk at the Northern Alberta Institution of Technology. In my second year of library school, I was also asked to teach the Introduction to Legal Research course at the University of Alberta. All these experiences laid the foundation for my first job as a law librarian, which was at The Ohio State University’s Moritz Law Library. I was their Electronic Services Librarian, providing reference services, overseeing the classrooms’ instructional technologies, and teaching Introduction to Legal Research. Within two years, I was presented with the opportunity to become their Acquisitions and Collection Development Librarian, overseeing the acquisitions and binding staff members, selecting materials for the collection, and negotiating licensing agreements. That was the start of my administrative roles.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the legal information industry?

My advice to anyone interested in joining the legal information industry is to take time to consider the type of position you want. There are many diverse legal information positions so explore your options prior to deciding on a job path. Speak to people who are currently performing the type of work you are interested in to find out exactly what they do. Ask them questions about the best/exciting and worst/boring parts of their job to determine if that is what you want to do for the rest of your life – or at least for the next few years. And … if you don’t enjoy the position after you have started, try another position. Speaking as someone who completely changed careers in her mid-30s, life is too short to stay in a position that you are not enjoying.

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

Je suis une bibliothécaire titulaire de deux diplômes; j’ai obtenu mon diplôme de droit de l’Université du Manitoba en 1989 et une maîtrise en bibliothéconomie et en science de l’information (MBSI) de l’Université de l’Alberta en 1997. J’ai fait un stage et j’ai exercé le droit au sein du cabinet Thompson Dorfman Sweatman à Winnipeg jusqu’en 1992, lorsque je suis devenue conseillère juridique auprès de la Commission manitobaine de réforme du droit (CMRD). Il s’agissait d’un poste contractuel financé par la Fondation manitobaine du droit; malheureusement, le financement a pris fin après trois ans. Heureusement, on m’a donné un préavis d’un an; j’ai donc eu le temps de planifier mon avenir. J’ai travaillé pendant quatre ans à la bibliothèque de commerce de l’Université du Manitoba, et j’ai vraiment aimé aider les étudiants en commerce avec leurs questions de recherche. Cette expérience et le fait que j’aimais la recherche liée aux questions juridiques au sein de la CMRD m’ont amenée à envisager d’obtenir une MBSI. Ce fut la meilleure décision professionnelle que j’aie jamais prise. J’ai entrepris mes études de bibliothéconomie en sachant que je combinerais mes deux diplômes et que je deviendrais bibliothécaire de droit. En outre, je savais dès le début que le domaine de la bibliothéconomie juridique en milieu universitaire me convenait le mieux, car je voulais aider les étudiants à acquérir des compétences en matière de recherche juridique et j’étais intéressée par l’enseignement.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel?

De bien des façons! La bourse commémorative Diana M. Priestly, qui m’a été octroyée en 1996, m’a fourni l’aide financière nécessaire pour terminer mes études. Plus récemment, l’ACBD/CALL m’a appuyée financièrement au moyen du Fonds commémoratif de voyage Eunice Beeson, qui m’a permis de participer au tout dernier institut d’étude conjointe à Melbourne, et ainsi de me familiariser davantage avec les lois australiennes. Ma participation active aux travaux de comités, ma collaboration à l’édition de la section consacrée à l’examen de la conjoncture de la Revue canadienne des bibliothèques de droit et mon intervention au sein de groupes d’experts dans le cadre de l’assemblée annuelle m’ont offert des possibilités de croissance et de perfectionnement professionnel, et m’ont permis d’avoir le sentiment de contribuer à ma profession.

Cependant, je dirais que la manière la plus concrète dont l’ACBD/CALL m’a aidée sur le plan professionnel est en m’offrant des possibilités d’établir des relations de travail, voire d’amitié, solides avec mes collègues de partout au pays. Les rencontres avec les gens dans le cadre des assemblées annuelles et la collaboration avec eux au sein de comités constituent deux exemples seulement de la manière dont l’ACBD/CALL a facilité l’établissement de ces relations. Je n’ai pas eu besoin de faire du réseautage pour progresser sur le plan professionnel, puisque j’étais déjà directrice d’une bibliothèque lorsque je suis devenue active au sein de l’association; cependant, je profite de ces relations de nombreuses façons. J’ai communiqué avec des collègues pour obtenir leur aide au sujet de questions de référence, des explications concernant des politiques et des procédures, des points de vue en matière de relations avec les fournisseurs, et même des suggestions de restaurants! Je valorise le fait de savoir que mes collègues seront là pour répondre à mes questions ou pour partager leurs idées et leurs expériences avec moi. Notre profession, de même que nos bibliothèques, bénéficie du climat de collégialité que nous avons à l’ACBD/CALL.

Quel est votre plus grand défi lié à votre travail ou votre carrière?

Pendant mes études à l’école de bibliothéconomie, je me suis vite heurtée à la réalité du marché du travail – il n’y avait pas d’emplois de bibliothécaire de droit en milieu universitaire au Canada en 1997. J’ai compris que je devrais quitter le pays pour trouver du travail dans la profession de mon choix. Ce qui était initialement un défi professionnel s’est révélé être une bénédiction, puisque j’ai eu accès, aux États-Unis, à des débouchés qui ne m’auraient peut-être pas été offerts au sein des petites bibliothèques de droit canadiennes. Toutefois, à bien des égards, il s’agissait d’un défi personnel plutôt que d’un défi lié au travail. Je dirais que mon plus grand défi lié à mon travail était, et demeure de trouver des façons d’aider les étudiants à acquérir et à conserver des compétences pratiques en matière de recherche juridique. Évidemment, nous transmettons aux étudiants des compétences et des connaissances de pointe dans le cadre de cours de recherche juridique avancée; toutefois, comment pouvons‑nous nous assurer (ou du moins, accroître la probabilité) qu’ils conservent ces compétences tout au long de leur vie? Et comment pouvons-nous aider les étudiants qui ne suivent pas le cours de recherche juridique avancée à acquérir des compétences accrues en matière de recherche? Bien que j’aie mis en œuvre de nombreux outils pour nous aider à relever ce défi, je crois sincèrement que celui-ci persistera toujours, et que je chercherai toujours des manières nouvelles et plus efficaces de le relever.

Quel a été votre premier emploi, ou votre premier emploi dans le domaine de la bibliothéconomie?

Je crois que j’ai toujours été faite pour travailler dans une bibliothèque. Mon premier emploi au sein d’une bibliothèque – ou poste bénévole, devrais-je dire – était à la bibliothèque publique d’une seule pièce de ma ville natale pendant mes études secondaires de premier cycle. En outre, j’ai eu la chance d’acquérir une expérience très variée dans le secteur des bibliothèques avant de terminer mes études de MBSI. J’ai travaillé dans les bibliothèques de commerce de l’Université du Manitoba et de l’Université de l’Alberta, à la bibliothèque de l’Edmonton Journal (où j’indexais les articles pour une base de données du journal) et en travaillant les fins de semaine au service de référence de l’Institut de technologie du Nord de l’Alberta. En outre, pendant ma deuxième année à l’école de bibliothéconomie, on m’a demandé d’enseigner le cours d’initiation à la recherche juridique à l’Université de l’Alberta. Ces expériences ont jeté les bases de mon premier emploi en tant que bibliothécaire de droit à la bibliothèque de droit Moritz de l’Université d’État de l’Ohio. J’étais la bibliothécaire spécialisée dans les services électroniques, et j’offrais des services de référence, je supervisais les technologies éducatives en classe et j’enseignais un cours d’initiation à la recherche juridique. Dans les deux ans qui ont suivi, on m’a offert la possibilité de devenir la bibliothécaire responsable des acquisitions et du développement des collections, supervisant les membres du personnel affecté aux acquisitions et à la reliure, sélectionnant les documents pour la collection et négociant les contrats de licences. Ce fut là le début de mes fonctions administratives.

Quel conseil offririez-vous à une personne qui cherche à percer dans le secteur de l’information juridique?

Je conseillerais aux personnes qui souhaitent s’intégrer au secteur de l’information juridique de prendre le temps de réfléchir au type de poste qu’elles recherchent. Il existe de nombreux types d’emplois liés à l’information juridique, alors étudiez vos options avant de choisir un cheminement de carrière. Discutez avec des gens qui effectuent actuellement le type de travail qui vous intéresse afin de connaître leurs fonctions précises. Posez-leur des questions au sujet des aspects les plus intéressants et des aspects les ennuyeux de leur travail, afin de déterminer s’il s’agit du genre d’emploi que vous voulez exercer jusqu’à la fin de votre carrière, ou du moins pendant les prochaines années. Et si vous n’aimez pas votre travail après avoir commencé, essayez autre chose. J’ai moi-même changé complètement de carrière à la mi-trentaine, et je sais que la vie est trop courte pour continuer d’occuper un emploi qui ne nous plaît pas.

CanLII Connects Celebrates 1st Anniversary / Premier anniversaire de CanLII Connecte

Wed, 08 Apr 2015 15:13:55 GMT

Le texte français suit.

In 2014, CanLII (Canadian Legal Information Institute) launched the site CanLII Connects, an open collaborative platform that allows publishers, law firms and academics to share commentary on cases and legislation. One year later, the site contains some 35,000 case summaries and commentaries.

Back in April 2014, CALL member Shaunna Mireau explained how CanLII case search results would henceforth include links to commentary from CanLII Connects:

"This innovation with add more ‘social’ to legal commentary. The legal community speaking to each other through published case commentary has been wonderful. The legal community offering select commentary to our own clients and through our own websites has also been very useful. It will be interesting to see how socializing legal commentary with this offer of case comments easily available to all impacts the legal information space."

CanLII Connects won the 2014 Clawbie award (Canadian Law Blog Award) for the best legal blog aimed at a non-lawyer audience.

Similar promising initiatives to share legal commentary online for free include the recent resource-sharing agreements between major law firms and CAIJ, the Centre d'accès à l'information juridique (the network of courthouse law libraries associated with the Québec Bar Association).

En 2014, CanLII (Institut canadien d'information juridique) lançait une nouvelle plateforme de doctrine appelée CanLII Connecte qui permet aux cabinets juridiques et aux universitaires de partager leus analyses sur la jurisprudence canadienne. Un an plus tard, CanLII Connecte offre déjà 35,000 documents traitant d’arrêts de partout à travers le Canada.

Et dans un conseil de recherche publié sur Slaw.ca en avril 2014, Shaunna Mireau, membre de l'ACBD, a expliqué que les résultats sur CanLII incluraient dorénavant des liens à des textes de CanLII Connecte.

Le caractère novateur de CanLII Conecte fut reconnu l'année dernière quand le site se vit attribuer le Prix Clawbie (Canadian Law Blog Award) du meilleur blogue juridique à l'intention des non-avocats.

CanLII Connecte n'est pas la seule initiative visant à offir gratuitement en ligne la doctrine juridique. Il faut notamment mentionner les ententes de partenariat que le CAIJ a signé avec d'importants cabinets d’avocats afin de rendre leurs publications accessibles sans frais sur son site Internet. Le CAIJ est bien sûr le Centre d'accès à l'information juridique (CAIJ), le réseau de bibliothèques associé au Barreau du Québec.

Five Questions with Shaunna Mireau

Tue, 24 Mar 2015 13:06:15 GMT

Shaunna Mireau

Director of Knowledge Management and Process Improvement
Field Law

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I was an accidental law librarian. I went to Grant MacEwan College’s Library and Information Management Program after some work experience running a children’s summer program in a rural public library. It was such a great job that I decided to make a career in reading stories to kids. The last month of my 2 year diploma program was a practicum at the University of Alberta J. Weir Law Library where CALL members, Sandra Wilkins and Caron Rollins, shared their enthusiasm for law libraries. It was catching! I was grateful to have an opportunity to work under Muriel Lefebvre and Josette McEachern in a law firm library (then Milner Fenerty, now the Edmonton office of Dentons). That first law library job was a wonderful learning experience. After a short detour working in a tech-savvy software development market research company, where I learned some extremely useful skills, I returned to law firm libraries as a solo librarian at Field Law. Field has offered me a wonderful career, and I would like to retire from this firm in a decade or two.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?

Being involved with CALL has connected me to colleagues who have inspired, motivated, and assisted me. It has also allowed me to sharpen my presentation skills and given me the opportunity to shamelessly self-promote inside my organization. Colleagues from this organization provided sound advice both when I was without librarian colleagues and as I supervised team members. Knowing that others face the same challenges and being able to call on them for advice has been wonderful. Members of my firm are very aware that their library team has an extensive network and that they benefit by having four CALL Members on their side. CALL also helped set my first salary with the firm – the median of the CALL Salary Survey.

What is one thing that’s surprised you about the legal information profession?

I am surprised that we haven’t solved the problem of loose-leaf format materials yet. I think that is coming in the next 5 years. I am often surprised by the variety of methods there are to get to the same result, and I am always proud at the creativity of my law library network.

What are three skills/attributes you think legal information professionals need to have?

Composure – I wish I had more of this, and I keep working on how to maintain composure under pressure
Creativity – we have so many challenges and changes to deal with every day that legal information professionals who can conceive of, convince others of, and successfully implement creative solutions to business problems will always be in the ‘successful’ bucket
Change agents – for similar reasons that creativity is important, I think legal information professionals need to be change agents. They need to be able to show leadership and embody the idea of ‘trusted business advisor’ so that it is the idea at the forefront of their colleagues minds whenever they hear the words “law librarian”

Who is your favourite library professional—living or dead, real or fictional?

There are too many real librarians who inspire me so I will report my favourite fictional librarian. I love Evy Carnahan (Rachel Weisz) from the movie The Mummy. When the whole library at the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities tumbles like dominos and she says ‘I can fix that’. It is a bit ironic that she speaks the line 'Look, I... I may not be an explorer, or an adventurer, or a treasure-seeker, or a gunfighter, Mr O'Connell, but I am proud of what I am... I... am a librarian!' I think she should have said 'Look pal, I AM an explorer, an adventurer, a treasure-seeker, and a gunfighter, Mr O'Connell. I am proud of what I am... I... am a librarian!'

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

Je suis devenue bibliothécaire de droit par accident. Je me suis inscrite au programme de bibliothéconomie et de gestion de l’information de l’Université MacEwan après avoir acquis un peu d’expérience professionnelle en administrant un programme d’été pour enfants au sein d’une bibliothèque publique rurale. C’était un travail tellement intéressant que j’ai décidé de consacrer ma carrière à la lecture d’histoires aux enfants. Le dernier mois de mon programme de deux ans menant à un diplôme, j’ai effectué un stage à la bibliothèque de droit J. Weir de l’Université de l’Alberta, où les membres de l’ACBD/CALL Sandra Wilkins et Caron Rollins, partageaient leur enthousiasme pour les bibliothèques de droit. C’était contagieux! J’ai apprécié avoir la possibilité de travailler sous la direction de Muriel Lefebvre et de Josette McEachern à la bibliothèque d’un cabinet d’avocats (à l’époque Milner Fenerty, aujourd’hui le bureau d’Edmonton de Dentons). Ce premier emploi au sein de la bibliothèque d’un cabinet d’avocats s’est révélé être une formidable expérience d’apprentissage. Après un bref détour dans une société technologique de développement de logiciels et d’études de marché, où j’ai acquis des compétences très utiles, je suis retournée dans le secteur des bibliothèques de cabinets d’avocats en tant que bibliothécaire « en solo »au cabinet Field. Field m’a offert une merveilleuse carrière, et j’aimerais prendre ma retraite de ce cabinet dans une ou deux décennies.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel?

Mon adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL m’a reliée à mes collègues, qui m’ont inspirée, motivée et aidée. En outre, cela m’a permis d’affiner mes compétences en matière de présentation et m’a offert la possibilité de me promouvoir sans retenue au sein de mon organisation. Mes collègues dans cette organisation m’ont offert des conseils judicieux lorsque j’étais la seule bibliothécaire et lorsque je supervisais les membres de mon équipe. C’était formidable de savoir que d’autres faisaient face aux mêmes défis que moi et de pouvoir leur demander leur avis. Les membres du personnel de mon cabinet sont très conscients que leur équipe de bibliothécaires est reliée à un vaste réseau, et qu’ils peuvent bénéficier de l’appui de quatre membres de l’ACBD/CALL. L’ACBD/CALL m’a également aidée à établir mon salaire initial auprès du cabinet, le traitement médian découlant de l’enquête sur les salaires de l’ACBD/CALL.

Quel est l’aspect de la profession de l’information juridique qui vous a étonnée?

Je suis étonnée que nous n’ayons pas encore réglé le problème relatif aux documents en feuilles mobiles. Je crois que nous y parviendrons au cours des cinq prochaines années. Je suis toujours étonnée par la diversité des méthodes qui permettent d’obtenir le même résultat, et je suis toujours fière de la créativité de mon réseau de bibliothèques de droit.

Quelles sont les trois compétences ou qualités que doivent posséder les professionnels de l’information juridique, selon vous?

Calme – j’aimerais en avoir davantage, et je m’efforce de trouver des façons de garder mon calme sous la pression.
Créativité – nous devons faire face chaque jour à de nombreux défis et changements, de sorte que les professionnels de l’information juridique qui peuvent concevoir des solutions créatives aux problèmes d’entreprise, convaincre les autres de leur efficacité et les mettre en œuvre avec succès se trouveront toujours du côté de la réussite.
Agents de changement – pour des raisons semblables à celles qui justifient l’importance de la créativité, je crois que les professionnels de l’information juridique doivent être des agents de changement. Ils doivent pouvoir faire preuve de leadership et incarner l’idée de « conseillers d’entreprise dignes de confiance », afin que leurs collègues pensent d’abord à cette idée chaque fois qu’ils entendent l’expression « bibliothécaire de droit ».

Qui est votre professionnel de la bibliothéconomie favori, vivant ou décédé, réel ou fictif?

Il y a trop de vrais bibliothécaires qui m’inspirent; je mentionnerai donc ma bibliothécaire fictive favorite. J’aime bien Evy Carnahan (Rachel Weisz), du film La momie. Lorsque tous les livres de la bibliothèque du Musée des antiquités d’Égypte tombent comme des dominos et qu’elle dit « Je peux arranger ça », c’est un peu ironique qu’elle dise « Voyez-vous, je ne suis peut-être pas une exploratrice, une aventurière, une chercheuse de trésors ou une tireuse d’élite, M. O’Connell, mais je suis fière de ce que je suis… je… suis une bibliothécaire! » Je crois qu’elle aurait dû dire « Voyez-vous, je SUIS une exploratrice, une aventurière, une chercheuse de trésors et une tireuse d’élite, M. O’Connell. Je suis fière de ce que je suis… je… suis une bibliothécaire!'

Five Questions with Sarah Sutherland

Mon, 02 Mar 2015 18:46:36 GMT

Sarah Sutherland

Manager, Content and Partnerships CanLII

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I have a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s of library and information studies degree from the University of British Columbia. I took the law libraries course taught by Teresa Gleave during my studies and enjoyed it, though I did have to spend hours in law libraries every week to get the homework done. Then as I was getting ready to graduate and looking for a job, I saw a posting for a term appointment as the Saskatoon librarian with the Law Society of Saskatchewan, applied, and got it.

After that, I worked in a few different sectors, but I saw a position managing a firm library in Vancouver in 2010 and applied. Ending up in law was a bit of an accident really, though in retrospect it was serendipitous, as I have enjoyed working with the law and the opportunities I have had in the sector.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?

Being involved in CALL has given me the opportunity to meet so many interesting people across the country and develop friendships with people I wouldn't have met otherwise. This is important because law libraries have many unique issues others don't understand, and it's nice to meet people with the same issues.

It has also given me the opportunity to present at the conference and write for CLLR, which has helped me to grow and explore that aspect of my career.

If you could take any CALL member (living or retired) for lunch, who would it be and why?

It's difficult to say, especially as you have implicitly excluded the dead, so I could just invite any of the individuals you are asking about to lunch whenever I end up in the same city as them. This is generally what I try to do when I want to meet someone, and I feel a bit silly naming someone I have actually had lunch with.

Given those parameters, I think I would invite current president Annette Demers. We had a great conversation when we met at the last conference in Winnipeg, and it would be nice to continue it. I haven't ever been to Windsor, but there is always a first time.

What is one thing that’s surprised you about the legal information profession?

It always surprises me how behind the technology adoption is in the legal information field. I used to work in a life sciences library and the speed of technological adoption is so much faster.

I think part of the reason for this is that the traditional paper resources manage the subject matter so well: they are after all, at base, primarily describing documents, while life science tools are describing the natural world. Hopefully, technology is getting to the point where legal information will be able to skip some intermediate technological steps, saving money, and getting directly to better functionality.

What’s your greatest work or career-related challenge?

Over the course of my career, I have found it difficult to get access to the jobs that would let me grow my career in the way I want in the place where I want to live. I hope more employers will be open to allowing people to work remotely or from some of their smaller offices in the future. It would open up the number of applicants available and opportunities; this is especially true for individuals and jobs with unusual skill sets or in isolated areas.

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

Je suis titulaire d’un baccalauréat en anglais et d’une maîtrise en bibliothéconomie et en science de l'information de l’Université de la ColombieBritannique. J’ai suivi le cours sur les bibliothèques de droit donné par Teresa Gleave au cours de mes études et j’ai beaucoup apprécié le cours, même si je devais passer des heures dans les bibliothèques de droit chaque semaine pour faire mes devoirs. Et lorsque je me préparais à graduer et me cherchais un emploi, j’ai vu qu’on offrait une nomination de durée déterminée pour doter le poste de bibliothécaire de Saskatoon à la Law Society of Saskatchewan. J’ai postulé et obtenu le poste.

Après cela, j’ai œuvré dans quelques domaines différents, mais en 2010, j’ai été informée de l’ouverture d’un poste de gestion de la bibliothèque d’une société à Vancouver et j’ai postulé. Mon arrivée dans le domaine du droit fut en fait un accident, quoi qu’en y repensant, ce fut un heureux accident. J’ai beaucoup apprécié travailler dans le domaine du droit et j’apprécie les possibilités qui se sont présentées à moi dans le secteur.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel?

Mon adhésion à l’ACBD m’a donné l’occasion de rencontrer un grand nombre de personnes intéressantes partout au Canada et de forger des amitiés avec des gens que je n’aurais pas connus autrement. Cela est important, car les bibliothèques de droit doivent traiter de nombreuses questions uniques que les gens des autres bibliothèques ne connaissent pas. Il est donc agréable de rencontrer des gens qui connaissent les mêmes questions.

En outre, mon adhésion m’a donné l’occasion de présenter un exposé à la conférence et d’écrire pour CLLR, ce qui m’a aidée à me perfectionner et à explorer cet aspect de ma carrière.

Si vous pouviez inviter un membre de l’ACBD (actif ou retraité) à dîner, qui inviteriez‑vous, et pourquoi?

C’est difficile à dire, surtout que vous excluez implicitement ceux qui nous ont quittés. Ainsi, je pourrais inviter à dîner n’importe laquelle de ces personnes dès que je me trouve dans la même ville. C’est généralement ce que je tente de faire lorsque je souhaite rencontrer quelqu’un et je me sens un peu ridicule de nommer une personne avec qui je suis vraiment allée dîner.

Étant donné ces paramètres, je pense que j’inviterais l’actuelle présidente, Annette Demers. Nous avons eu une discussion intéressante lorsque nous nous sommes rencontrées à la dernière conférence, à Winnipeg. Il serait donc agréable de poursuivre cet échange. Je ne suis jamais allée à Windsor, mais il y a toujours une première fois.

Quel est l’aspect de la profession de l’information juridique qui vous a étonnée?

Je suis toujours surprise de constater à quel point on hésite à adopter la technologie dans le secteur de l’information juridique. J’ai déjà travaillé dans une bibliothèque de sciences de la vie où on adoptait beaucoup plus rapidement la technologie.

Selon moi, une des raisons qui expliquent cela est que les ressources papier traditionnelles correspondent si bien au domaine : à la base, ce sont principalement des documents descriptifs, tandis que les outils des sciences de la vie décrivent le monde naturel. Heureusement, la technologie progresse à un rythme permettant à l’information juridique d’outrepasser certaines étapes technologiques intermédiaires, d’économiser et d’en arriver directement à une meilleure fonctionnalité.

Quel est votre plus grand défi lié à votre travail ou votre carrière?

Au cours de ma carrière, j’ai trouvé difficile d’avoir accès à des emplois qui me permettaient de progresser comme je le souhaitais et d’habiter où je le souhaitais. J’espère que davantage d’employeurs seront suffisamment ouverts pour permettre aux gens de travailler à distance ou dans certains de leurs plus petits bureaux dans l’avenir. Cela multiplierait le nombre des postulants et des débouchés. Cela est particulièrement vrai dans le cas des personnes et des emplois nécessitant des ensembles de compétences atypiques ou dans des régions isolées.

Nouveau livre sur la recherche juridique par membre de l'ACBD Denis Le May / New Legal Research Handbook by CALL Member Le May

Fri, 20 Feb 2015 18:43:30 GMT

English text follows below.

Denis Le May, un des membres de l'ACBD, est le co-auteur chez l'éditeur Wilson & Lafleur du livre récent Documentation juridique : recherche, rédaction et références dont la version intégrale est maintenant disponible gratuitement sur le site du Centre d'accès à l'information juridique (CAIJ), le réseau de bibliothèques associé au Barreau du Québec.

Selon le petit communiqué publié un peu plus tôt ce mois-ci sur le site du CAIJ:

Mes Le May et Thiboutot, auteurs spécialisés en matière de développement de la méthodologie de recherche et d’accès à la documentation, vous démontrent dans leur nouveau livre que la recherche est possible malgré ses difficultés.

Qui plus est, elle peut être intéressante et enrichissante, en permettant au juriste d’aiguiser son esprit critique juridique. La recherche est rentable, car elle est indispensable à l’opinion juridique et complémentaire aux processus judiciaires (...)

Bref, ce livre se veut non seulement une présentation d’une démarche de recherche à adopter, mais également d’une méthodologie du travail intellectuel qui doit faire l’objet d’une stratégie de travail basée sur l’efficacité.

Cet ouvrage vient se rajouter à la collection du CAIJ qui comprend déjà:

des guides, bulletins et articles de doctrine sur l'actualité juridique de 13 graqnds cabinets d'avocats
la série des Développements récents
la Collection de droit de l'École du Barreau
les actes des congrès annuels du Barreau
un nombre croissant d'ouvrages de doctrine de Wilson & Lafleur en texte intégral
plusieurs lois annotées
une banque de plus de 4,000 questions de recherche (avec les réponses fournies par les chercheurs du CAIJ).

CALL member Denis Le May has co-authored a French-language book on legal research published recently by Wilson & Lafleur: Documentation juridique : recherche, rédaction et références. The full text is now available online for free on the website of CAIJ, the Centre d'accès à l'information juridique (the network of courthouse law libraries associated with the Québec Bar Association).

The textbook joins CAIJ's growing collection of legal commentary and analysis that already includes:

guides, bulletins and commentary articles from 13 major law firms
the Développements récents series (annual reviews of areas of law)
the Collection de droit (Bar School materials)
proceedings of the annual Quebec Bar Association congresses
a growing number of treatises from publisher Wilson & Lafleur
numerous annotated acts
a knowledgebase of thousands of legal questions with their corresponding answers.

Where to Find English Translations of Cases

Mon, 02 Feb 2015 18:42:13 GMT

The CALL listserv often has messages from people looking for English translations, in particular for Quebec judgments written in French.

A little more than a week ago, Lyonette Louis-Jacques published a post on Slaw.ca that outlines how to find case translations from many jurisdictions.

Her article is divided into sections on:

the use of Google tools
general sources
case translations by country
case translations by courts
case translations by subject

Five Questions with Connie Crosby

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 15:01:07 GMT

Connie Crosby

Crosby Group Consulting

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

Before taking my MLS at the University of Toronto, I completed a BA Honours and an MA in English Literature at the University of Guelph. I had thought I would be working in a faculty of Arts library somewhere so decided the extra master’s degree was essential. Back in 1987 I started working on my master’s thesis which was on an odd topic: computer applications for the humanities. Desktop computers were just beginning and I was invited to do a master’s under a professor who was a leader in this area. I was also a teaching assistant for his first year English Lit class being taught partly online on a campus system called T-CoSy (for "teaching conferencing system").

I started working at the library at Stikeman Elliott in Toronto after finishing the MA, before applying to the University of Toronto for the library degree. My working in law libraries came about largely by luck. In the late 1980s the economy was in a down-turn and it was difficult to find work, but I was fortunate that Richard Dubéand Marla Sterritt agreed to take a chance on me as library clerk. Stikemans' was extremely supportive, allowing me to adjust my full-time work schedule in progressive roles so that I could pursue the degree part-time. I started as Reference Librarian when I still had a few courses to complete.

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?

I have grown up in CALL/ACBD, from baby reference librarian to law firm library manager to consultant. Posting to the CALL-L listserv was my training ground as a future law blogger. Speaking at CALL conferences--whether as question-asking audience member, moderator, or panelist--allowed me to gradually build confidence as a speaker. Serving on committees helped me understand the workings of the industry and the Association, and introduced me to so many colleagues from across the country and around the world. This network and inside vantage point were invaluable to me in my years as library manager at WeirFoulds LLP.

There are also so many watershed moments that made a difference to my career: when I was invited to give a poster session on blogging; when Ann Rae, then director of Bora Laskin Law Library at the University of Toronto, invited me to chair the program committee for the 2003 conference; and when I was invited to run for the Director position of the Executive Board come to mind.

The more I have been involved, the more benefit I have seen. I have gained invaluable experience and been privileged to work alongside so many amazing colleagues through CALL/ACBD.

What was your first job or your first library-related job?

I started working as a page in the adult section at the central branch of the Burlington Public Library when I was 15. I was fairly new to town, extremely shy, and pretty much lived in the library when I wasn't in school, so was excited when my friend Mary told me they had jobs available. We both applied, and much to my surprise, I got hired but she didn't. My biggest responsibility was shelving books. Little did I know I would be doing that for the next 28 years!

At some point the librarians at BPL managed to convince me this is what I was meant to do. All the while I was gradually given increasing responsibilities and special tasks. I started supervising other pages and then worked up to circulation assistant. I also had tasks in shelf reading, the acquisitions process (we had to have perfect handwriting for that), and was allowed to show library patrons how to use the new microfiche-based catalogue. I was always trying to usurp the librarians' role by showing patrons where books were on the shelves, so being given this particular task was exciting to me at the time.

What’s your greatest work or career-related challenge?

Adapting to stay relevant. Since I started in law libraries 25 years ago, things have been constantly changing! Adapting means paying attention to our industry and related areas, building relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, keeping up with technologies, and continually developing new skills.

And sitting on the CALL/ACBD Executive Board makes me acutely aware of this need for all of us. How can we, as a profession, adapt? What can we do, collectively, that will make a difference to how we are perceived? How can we show lawyers, students, paralegals, professors, judges and vendors that we can help them also adapt and stay relevant in the legal industry? What role does the Association play? These questions weigh heavily on my mind.

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I encourage others to be physically active--it is so good for our physical and mental health. I have been a serious student of Pilates for more than 18 years--it has allowed me to remain agile. Over the years I have also done step aerobics, kick boxing, tai chi, yoga, spinning and played basketball and softball. My current passions are walking and cycling.

Last year after the CALL conference in Montreal, Joan Rataic-Lang and I travelled to Spain. We walked the Camino, a 780 km pilgrimage route, an average of 26 km a day over a 6-week period, with all our belongings in our packs. This was both a physical and mental challenge, and I used it as a time to get off-line and be introspective. I was pleasantly surprised at how many pilgrims we met from around the world.

That gave me the courage to do something this year which has long been on my bucket list: the Friends for Life Bike Rally, cycling from Toronto to Montreal (660 km). It is a fundraiser supporting the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation which took place July 27th to August 1st, the 16th year for this event. It was my first time riding a high performance road bike and meant getting over some personal fears, a lot of training and a lot of advance preparation. It was a huge commitment, and I am proud to have both completed the ride and to have surpassed my fundraising goal. More than that, it introduced me to many new friends and connected me with an extremely caring and supportive community.

These were both incredible, life-changing experiences. I learned so much about focus, patience, perseverance, pushing my own personal limits, and the power of what a few individuals can build together. I hope to do the Bike Rally again next year, and have no doubt I will be on the Camino again.

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

Avant de faire ma M. Bibl. à l’Université de Toronto, j’ai fait un baccalauréat avec distinction et une maîtrise en littérature anglaise à l’Université de Guelph. Comme je pensais que je travaillerais dans la bibliothèque d’une faculté des arts quelque part, je me suis dit que la maîtrise supplémentaire était essentielle. En 1987, j’ai commencé ma thèse de maîtrise, qui portait sur un sujet bizarre, soit les applications informatiques en sciences humaines. Les ordinateurs de bureau venaient tout juste de faire leur apparition et j’ai été invitée à faire une maîtrise sous la gouverne d’un professeur qui était une figure de proue dans ce domaine. En outre, j’étais adjointe à l’enseignement dans le cadre de son cours de litt. anglaise de première année, qui était donné en partie en ligne sur un système du campus appelé T-CoSy (système de conférences en enseignement).

Après avoir terminé ma maîtrise, j’ai commencé à travailler à la bibliothèque de Stikeman Elliott de Toronto avant de présenter ma demande de grade de bibliothéconomie à l’Université de Toronto. C’est beaucoup la chance qui fait en sorte que j’ai travaillé dans des bibliothèques de droit. À la fin des années 1980, l’économie était au ralenti et il était difficile de trouver du travail. J’ai donc été chanceuse que Richard Dubé et Marlav Sterritt acceptent de me prendre comme commis de bibliothèque. Les gens de Stikeman m’ont offert un énorme soutien en me permettant de rajuster mon horaire de travail à temps plein en fonction de rôles progressifs, ce qui me permettait de poursuivre mes études à temps partiel. Lorsque j’ai commencé à exercer la fonction de bibliothécaire de référence, il me restait encore quelques cours à terminer.

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel?

J’ai grandi à l’ACBD/CALL, passant de bibliothécaire de référence débutante à directrice de bibliothèque de société d’avocats, puis à conseillère. La publication d’articles dans la « listserv » de CALL-L a été mon terrain de formation à titre de future blogueuse en droit. Mes interventions aux conférences de l’ACDB – à titre de membre du public posant des questions, de modératrice ou de panéliste – m’ont permis de renforcer ma confiance à titre de conférencière. La participation aux activités de comités m’a permis de comprendre le fonctionnement de l’industrie et de l’association, et m’a permis de rencontrer un très grand nombre de collègues provenant de toutes les régions du pays et du globe. Ce réseau et cet angle privilégié m’ont été précieux dans mes fonctions de directrice de bibliothèque au sein de WeirFoulds LLP.

En outre, un très grand nombre de moments décisifs ont fait la différence dans ma carrière. Il m’en vient certains à l’esprit : l’invitation que j’ai reçue de présenter une séance d’affichage sur le blogage; l’invitation que m’a faite Ann Rae, qui était à l’époque directrice de la bibliothèque de droit Bora Laskin de I’Université de Toronto, de présider le comité du programme de la conférence de 2003; et l’invitation que j’ai reçue de me présenter au poste de directrice du comité exécutif.

Plus je participais, plus je tirais des avantages de cette participation. J’ai eu le privilège de collaborer avec un grand nombre de collègues formidables grâce à l’ACBD/CALL et j’ai acquis une expérience inestimable grâce à ces personnes.

Quel a été votre premier emploi, ou votre premier emploi dans le domaine de la bibliothéconomie?

J’ai commencé à travailler comme page dans la section Adultes de la succursale centrale de la bibliothèque publique de Burlington à l’âge de 15 ans. J’étais assez nouvelle en ville et très gênée, et je passais presque tout mon temps à la bibliothèque lorsque je n’étais pas à l’école. J’ai donc été ravie lorsque mon amie Mary m’a dit que des emplois été offerts à la bibliothèque. Nous avons présenté une demande toutes les deux et à ma grande surprise, j’ai été engagée, mais pas Mary. Ma responsabilité la plus importante était de ranger les livres sur les étagères. J’étais loin de me douter que je ferais cela pendant les 28 années à venir!

À un certain moment, les bibliothécaires de la bibliothèque publique de Burlington ont réussi à me convaincre que ce travail était fait pour moi. Puis au fil du temps, on m’a progressivement confié des responsabilités plus importantes et des tâches spéciales. J’ai commencé à superviser les autres pages, puis suis devenue assistante aux prêts. J’exécutais aussi des tâches de révision de l'ordre des ouvrages sur les rayonset des tâches liées au processus des acquisitions (nous devions avoir une écriture parfaite pour cela), et on m’avait permis de montrer aux usagers de la bibliothèque comment utiliser le nouveau catalogue sur microfiches. J’essayais toujours de m’approprier le rôle de bibliothécaire en montrant aux usagers où se trouvaient les livres sur les étagères, et c’est pourquoi cette tâche particulière me plaisait autant à l’époque.

Quel est votre plus grand défi lié à votre travail ou votre carrière?

S’adapter pour demeurer d’actualité. Depuis que j’ai commencé à travailler dans les bibliothèques il y a 25 ans, les choses ont constamment évolué! S’adapter signifie prêter attention aux domaines de son industrie et aux domaines connexes, établir des relations avec les collègues et les intervenants, être à l’affût des technologies et constamment acquérir de nouvelles compétences.

Et le fait de siéger au comité exécutif de l’ACBD/CALL me sensibilise véritablement à ce besoin que nous avons tous. Comment pouvonsnous nous adapter comme membres d’une profession? Que pouvonsnous faire collectivement qui fait une différence dans la façon dont nous sommes perçus? Comment pouvonsnous montrer aux avocats, aux étudiants, aux enseignants, aux parajuristes, aux juges et aux fournisseurs que nous pouvons les aider à s’adapter également et à demeurer actuels au sein de l’industrie du droit? Quel est le rôle de l’association? Ces questions sont très importantes dans mon esprit.

Quelle est la chose que les gens seraient étonnés d’apprendre à votre sujet?

J’encourage les autres à être actifs sur le plan physique – cela est si important pour la santé physique et mentale. Je suis une élève Pilates sérieuse depuis plus de 18 ans, ce qui me permet de demeurer agile. Au fil des ans, j’ai également pratiqué la danse aérobique avec marche sur escaliers, le kick boxing, le tai chi, le yoga, le cardiovélo, le basketball et la balle molle. Mes passions du moment sont la marche et le vélo.

L’année dernière, après la conférence de l’ACBD tenue à Montréal, Joan RataicLanget et moi avons fait un voyage en Espagne. Nous avons parcouru le Camino, un circuit de pèlerinage de 780 km. Avec tous nos effets personnels dans nos sacs, nous avons parcouru 26 km par jour en moyenne, pendant six semaines. C’était un défi tant physique que mental, et cette période m’a permis de me mettre « hors ligne » et de m’adonner à l’introspection. J’ai été agréablement surprise du nombre de pèlerins que nous avons rencontrés, venus de partout dans le monde.

Ces gens m’ont donné le courage de faire quelque chose cette année, une chose qui figurait sur ma liste du cœur depuis longtemps : le Friends for Life Bike Rally, une randonnée à vélo de Toronto à Montréal (660 km). Il s’agit d’une activité de financement soutenant la Fondation des personnes de Toronto atteintes du sida, qui s’est déroulée du 27 juillet au 1er août. Cet événement a lieu depuis 16 ans. C’est la première fois que j’utilisais un vélo de route à grande performance; il m’a fallu surmonter quelques craintes personnelles, m’entraîner beaucoup et me préparer d’avance. C’était un énorme engagement et je suis fière d’avoir terminé la randonnée et d’avoir surpassé mon objectif de financement. Mais outre cela, ce défi m’a fait rencontrer un grand nombre de nouveaux amis et m’a mise en contact avec une communauté très dévouée et solidaire.

Ces deux expériences ont été incroyables et ont changé ma vie. J’en ai énormément appris sur la concentration, la patience, la persévérance, mes propres limites personnelles à repousser et le pouvoir de ce qu’un petit groupe de gens peuvent accomplir ensemble. J’espère refaire le rallye à vélo l’année prochaine et je ne doute pas de parcourir le Camino une fois de plus.

Best Canadian Law Library Blog of 2014 / Meilleur blogue par une bibliothèque de droit en 2014

Sun, 04 Jan 2015 17:55:00 GMT

Le texte français suit.

The winners of the 2014 Canadian Law Blog Awards (known as the Clawbies) were announced on New Year's Eve 2014 and the Best Law Library Blog award went to Legal Sourcery by the Law Society of Saskatchewan Library:

"As a law library blog newcomer, Legal Sourcery made a serious impression in 2014. The hard-working blogger team (whose members double as the reference team) at the Law Society of Saskatchewan Library jumped into the blawgosphere full-force. With regular updates, engaging topics, and fun Twitter personalities, this group was instrumental to bringing back the info-coolfactor to law library blogs."

Congratulations!

This was the ninth consecutive year that legal industry web development company Stem Legal organized the Canadian Law Blog Awards.

There were awards in many other categories.

The three judges were Steve Matthews (President and Founder of Stem Legal Web Enterprises), Jordan Furlong (principal with the global consulting firm Edge International and author of the Law21 blog), and Simon Fodden (founder of Slaw.ca).

Les noms des lauréats des Clawbies 2014 (prix des meilleurs blogues juridiques canadiens) furent annoncés la veille du Jour de l'An et le prix du meilleur blogue par une bibliothèque de droit fut accordé àLegal Sourcery (bibliothèque de la Law Society of Saskatchewan).

Félcitations!

Il s'agit de la neuvième année consécutive que Stem Legal, une entreprise de développement Internet dans le domaine juridique, organise les Clawbies.

Il y a eu des prix dans plusieurs autres catégories.

Les trois juges étaient Steve Matthews (président et fondateur de Stem Legal Web Enterprises), Jordan Furlong (associé principal au sein du groupe de consultants internationaux Edge International et auteur du blogue Law21), et Simon Fodden (fondateur de Slaw.ca).

Five Questions with Annette Demers

Mon, 24 Nov 2014 17:57:09 GMT

Annette Demers

Acting Law Librarian and Sessional Lecturer, Paul Martin Law Library

Tell us a little about your educational background and how you entered the legal information industry.

I have actually had an interest in both law and libraries since high school. In high school, I won the award for the highest grade in my business law class, and I started working in the local public library as a page in grade 9. In university, I worked at the campus library part-time while I pursued my BA in critical legal studies from Carleton. I also worked in the legal studies library at Carleton and then part-time during school and in the summer at the Library of Parliament from 1993 until 1997. I was the student team lead on the Library of Parliament storage move project in Hull and on their 25 year inventory project. I actually did the inventory of their Rare Books room - which was a real treat in terms of the collection. But it was cold and dark in their climate-controlled room! These projects were all lead-ins to the large Library of Parliament renovation in the early 2000s. I went to The Hague Academy of International Law for their course in the summer of 1995 and started law school that September. From the moment I started law school, I also worked in the law library part-time. Despite all of this background, I never actually considered going to library school and pursuing law librarianship as a career path until after I had completed articling! When I was in library school, I did a co-op at the Department of Foreign Affairs library. My first law library position was as Reference Librarian for Foreign, International and Comparative Law at the Harvard Law School Library (a position and department which actually no longer exist today). From there I moved back home to U Windsor and have been here ever since!

How has being involved in CALL helped you professionally?

I would characterize my involvement with CALL as "career defining" since I came back to Canada. There are too many reasons for this. First, I can't explain how it is possible to have so many good friends among colleagues that I actually only see once per year - but it is true! Second, CALL has been a great vehicle which has allowed me to pursue my professional development interests - for example, co-organizing the Leadership Institute in 2007 and Chairing the Conference Planning Committee in 2010 were both incredible experiences which allowed me to learn A LOT about project management, events management, chairing meetings, dealing with finances to some extent, etc. All of CALL's educational opportunities have been useful in giving me ideas for my own immediate work environment. Finally, I honestly believe that I am able to do my job better because of my networks across the country and around the globe.

What are three skills/attributes you think legal information professionals need to have?

Flexibility / innovation - especially in today's rapidly changing information environment, we need to be able to quickly adapt in order to be able to continue to offer relevant services.

Teaching / Presentation skills - I think that teaching others how to use legal information is one of the last remaining niches that we have.

Management skills.

Legal knowledge and experience underpins all of this.

What are three things on your bucket list?

I'd like to do more travelling. In particular, I've never been to Prague, Budapest, Vienna and Istanbul. I also toy with the idea of doing a professional exchange with a library in Europe at some point. To be honest, I feel like I've accomplished much, so at this point I'd love more downtime on my farm!

What’s one change in the profession or industry that has been a challenge for you?

I think that the biggest challenge for the public sector right now is the severe lack of resources. For example, on our campus right now, we are down to a single person delivering the mail. We have undergone seven years of budget cuts so far, with no end in sight. It is a challenge in many ways: departments are very close to no longer being able to meet their mandate, staff are burned out, and a huge amount of time is spent by others in trying to get results from all of the other under-resourced departments on campus. For example, our campus facilities department consists of 3 people, attempting to take care of all existing buildings on campus as well as organizing huge new construction projects. This has cost me, as Department Head, probably hundreds of hours chasing them down to get the smallest projects completed in our area, and our larger project has taken over 3 years of follow-up now, and has still not been completed. There's definitely no end in sight for this situation as far as I can see. I am also on the Board of Directors for our local family health team, and I see how severely under resourced they are as well. The result is a single person trying to do the job of 3 - 4 people. For example, the Executive Director there also is in charge of updating their website and organizing snow removal - in addition to running a medical clinic! This is the state of things for the public sector in Ontario, but I don't think the public has a good understanding of the challenges; they see cities like Detroit claiming bankruptcy and can't conceive that it might happen here, but in my opinion, we are not too far from this scenario in some cases.

Parlez-nous un peu de vos antécédents scolaires et de la manière dont vous vous êtes intégrée au secteur de l’information juridique.

En fait, je m’intéresse au droit et aux bibliothèques depuis le secondaire. Au secondaire, j’ai gagné un prix soulignant la note la plus élevée dans mon cours de droit des affaires et j’ai commencé à travailler à la bibliothèque publique locale en tant que page en neuvième année (troisième secondaire). À l’université, j’ai travaillé à temps partiel à la bibliothèque du campus tout en poursuivant mon baccalauréat en études de droit de base à Carleton. J’ai également travaillé à la bibliothèque des études de droit à Carleton, puis à temps partiel pendant l’année scolaire. Pendant l’été, j’ai travaillé à la Bibliothèque du Parlement, de 1993 à 1997. J’étais la responsable de l’équipe des étudiants dans le cadre du projet de déménagement des stocks de la Bibliothèque du Parlement à Hull et dans le cadre du projet d’inventaire après 25 ans. En fait, j’ai dressé l’inventaire de la salle des livres rares – quelle collection épatante! Toutefois, il faisait froid et sombre dans la pièce climatisée! Tous ces projets ont mené à la grande rénovation de la Bibliothèque du Parlement au début des années 2000. Je me suis rendue à la Hague Academy of International Law pour suivre leur cours à l’été 1995 et j’ai commencé l’école de droit en septembre de cette annéelà. Dès que j’ai commencé les cours, j’ai également commencé à travailler à la bibliothèque de droit à temps partiel. Malgré toute cette expérience, je n’ai jamais véritablement envisagé d’aller à l’école de bibliothéconomie et de choisir le cheminement professionnel de bibliothécaire de droit avant d’avoir terminé mon stage d’avocat! Lorsque je fréquentais l’école de bibliothéconomie, j’ai mis en œuvre un projet coopératif à la bibliothèque du ministère des Affaires étrangères. Mon premier poste dans une bibliothèque de droit a été celui de bibliothécaire de référence pour le droit étranger, international et comparatif à la bibliothèque de l’école de droit de Harvard (un poste et un service qui n’existent plus aujourd’hui). De là, je suis revenue chez moi à l’Université de Windsor et j’y suis encore depuis!

En quoi votre adhésion à l’ACBD/CALL vous a-t-elle été utile sur le plan professionnel?

Je qualifierais mon engagement à l’égard de l’ACBD un élément qui définit ma carrière depuis que je suis revenue au Canada. Et les raisons sont très nombreuses. Premièrement, je ne peux expliquer comment il est possible que j’aie tant de bons amis parmi mes collègues que je ne vois qu’une seule fois par année – c’est la vérité! Deuxièmement, l’ACBD a été un formidable catalyseur qui m’a permis d’explorer mes intérêts de perfectionnement professionnel – par exemple, la co-organisation des activités du Leadership Institute en 2007 et la présidence du comité de planification des conférences en 2010 ont été des expériences incroyables qui m’ont permis d’en apprendre ÉNORMÉMENT sur la gestion de projets, la gestion d’événements, la présidence de réunions, la gestion des finances, dans une certaine mesure, etc. Toutes les possibilités d’éducation que m’a données l’ACBD m’ont été utiles, car elles m’ont donné des idées relativement à mon environnement de travail immédiat. Enfin, je pense honnêtement que je peux mieux travailler grâce à mes réseaux en place à l’échelle du pays et du globe.

Quelles sont les trois compétences ou qualités que doivent posséder les professionnels de l’information juridique, selon vous?

Souplesse/Innovation – surtout dans l’environnement d’information d’aujourd’hui, qui évolue rapidement. Nous devons être en mesure de nous adapter rapidement pour pouvoir continuer d’offrir des services utiles.

Compétences en enseignement/présentation – je pense que d’enseigner la façon d’utiliser l’information juridique est un des derniers privilèges qui nous restent.

Compétences en gestion.

La connaissance et l’expérience des questions juridiques soustendent toutes ces compétences.

Indiquez trois choses qui figurent dans votre liste du cœur.

Je souhaiterais voyager davantage. Je voudrais particulièrement visiter Prague, Budapest, Vienne et Istanbul. Je caresse aussi l’idée de faire un échange professionnel avec une bibliothèque européenne. Pour être franche, je pense avoir accompli beaucoup de choses et j’aimerais prendre plus de temps pour moi sur ma ferme!

Y a-t-il un changement relatif à la profession ou à l’industrie qui a présenté un défi pour vous?

Je suis d’avis que le plus grand défi du secteur public en ce moment est le grave manque de ressources. Par exemple, sur notre campus, actuellement, une seule personne livre le courrier. À ce jour, nous avons dû composer avec des compressions budgétaires pendant sept ans, et il semble que cette tendance se maintiendra longtemps encore. C’est un défi à bien des égards : les services sont sur le point de ne plus pouvoir réaliser leur mandat, le personnel est épuisé et d’autres entités consacrent énormément de temps à tenter d’obtenir des résultats dans tous les autres services à ressources limitées présents sur le campus. Par exemple, le service des installations de notre campus compte trois employés qui s’efforcent de se charger de tous les immeubles du campus tout en organisant des projets de construction d’envergure. À titre de responsable de service, j’ai probablement consacré des centaines d’heures à solliciter ce service pour faire exécuter les plus petits projets dans notre domaine. Quant au grand projet, il n’est pas encore terminé, malgré trois ans de suivi. Et cette situation semble vraiment s’éterniser. En outre, je siège au conseil d’administration de notre équipe de santé familiale locale et je constate à quel point l’équipe manque de ressources. Le résultat est qu’une personne tente de faire le travail de trois ou quatre personnes. Par exemple, le directeur exécutif est également chargé de la mise à jour du site Web et de l’organisation du déneigement – en plus de gérer une clinique médicale! Voilà la situation à la fonction publique de l’Ontario, mais je ne pense pas que la population connaît bien les défis. Les gens voient des villes comme Détroit déclarer faillite et ne peuvent concevoir que cela pourrait se produire ici. À mon avis, nous ne sommes pas si loin de ce scénario dans certains cas.

Le CAIJ ajoute de la doctrine de 6 nouveaux cabinets d'avocats / Legal Info Service CAIJ Adds Commentary From 6 More Law Firms

Thu, 20 Nov 2014 18:38:17 GMT

English text follows below.

Le Centre d'accès à l'information juridique (CAIJ), le réseau de bibliothèques associé au Barreau du Québec, a signé des ententes de partenariat avec six nouveaux cabinets d’avocats afin de rendre leurs publications accessibles sans frais sur son site Internet.

Les cabinets sont:

Cain Lamarre Casgrain Wells
De Grandpré Chait
Langlois Kronström Desjardins
McMillan
Osler
Robic

Leurs guides, bulletins et articles de doctrine sur l'actualité juridique viendront se rajouter à la collection de doctrine du CAIJ qui comprend déjà la série des Développements récents, la Collection de droit de l'École du Barreau, les actes des congrès annuels du Barreau, un nombre croissant d'ouvrages de doctrine de Wilson & Lafleur en texte intégral, et la banque de plus de 4,000 questions de recherche (avec les réponses fournies par les chercheurs du CAIJ).

Il y a maintenant 13 grands cabinets qui partagent leur contenu avec le CAIJ. En juin dernier, le CAIJ ajoutait des publications des 7 cabinets suivants:

Borden Ladner Gervais,
Dentons,
Fasken Martineau,
Lavery,
Miller Thomson,
Norton Rose Fullbright,
Stikeman Elliott

Les membres de l'ACBD connaissent sans doute une autre initative semblable, CanLII Connecte, qui publie des commentaires juridiques de haute qualité sur la jurisprudence canadienne rédigés par des universitaires et des membres de la communauté juridique.

CAIJ, the Centre d'accès à l'information juridique (the network of courthouse law libraries associated with the Québec Bar Association), has signed resource sharing agreements with 6 major law firms in Québec that will make their legal commentary freely available on its website.

The firms in question are:

Cain Lamarre Casgrain Wells
De Grandpré Chait
Langlois Kronström Desjardins
McMillan
Osler
Robic

Their guides, bulletins and commentary articles will be added to a collection that already includes full-text commentary and textbooks including the Développements récents (annual reviews of areas of law), the Collection de droit (Bar School materials), proceedings of the annual Quebec Bar Association congresses, a growing number of treatises from publisher Wilson & Lafleur, numerous annotated acts, case law, and a list of thousands of legal questions with their corresponding answers.

There are now a total of 13 law firms that share material with CAIJ. Last June, CAIJ had added publications from the following 7 major firms:

Borden Ladner Gervais,
Dentons,
Fasken Martineau,
Lavery,
Miller Thomson,
Norton Rose Fullbright,
Stikeman Elliott

Readers may also be familiar with similar initiatives such as CanLII Connects that allows publishers, law firms and academics to share commentary on cases and legislation on the CanLII website.