From the President's Desk

May 2023

Greetings CALL/ACBD members,

As my term as President of CALL/ACBD draws to a close, I want to express how privileged and honoured I feel to have held this position. Being involved with the organization for over 15 years has given me a deep appreciation for how CALL/ACBD brings Association members and participants from different areas of the law library and legal information community together. Contributing, albeit in a small way, to the Association's goals has been an incredible experience. I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities I have had to work with such a passionate and dedicated group of professionals. It has been an honor to serve the Association and I am proud of the progress we have made.

One of the Board highlights of the past year has been supporting the organization of the first in-person annual conference in four years, which is set to take place at the end of May. 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. Our Conference Planning Committee has worked tirelessly to create an engaging and informative program that addresses current issues in our field while also providing opportunities for networking and professional development.

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.

As my term as President comes to a close, I want to express my sincere appreciation for the support and encouragement I have received from the Executive Board and Association members. In particular, I would like to thank outgoing Board members, Kim Nayyer, Kim Clarke, Julie Lavigne, and Martha Murphy for their dedication and service to the Association. It has been a pleasure to serve with this exceptional group of colleagues. It has also been a privilege to serve in this role, and I am confident that CALL/ACBD will continue to thrive under the guidance of the new Executive Board and our next President, Yemisi Dina. I am also certain that CALL/ACBD will continue to serve as a valuable resource and community for law librarians and legal information professionals. I wish you all the very best with your activities and professional development.  

George Tsiakos, President, CALL/ACBD