At the Pritzker Legal Research Center (PLRC), we currently maintain a frontline onsite presence of two circulation staff per weekday. Bibliographic staff observe a similar rotating onsite schedule, and librarians provide instruction and reference support remotely. This evolved from a limited onsite circulation schedule that began in mid-June and ran through July, during which one staff member went onsite once per week to facilitate curbside loan pickup and document delivery service. We have operated at our current schedule since early August. Continue reading Pritzker Legal Research Center
Tag Archives: Academic
UIC Louis L. Biro Law Library Response to COVID-19
After moving to remote operations in March, one of our immediate concerns was providing a simulacrum of access to our most popular print collections, Academic Success, which consists of our study aids. We had been exploring providing access to the Lexis Nexis Digital Library and the Wolters Kluwer Online Study Aid Library (WKOSAL), so we started trial access to each. Since then, we’ve moved past trial access to provide ongoing access to the Lexis Digital Library, and we are finalizing ongoing access to the WKOSAL. Early on, we were also able to get electronic Bluebook keys for students that didn’t have a chance to retrieve their copies from campus before we shut down. More generally, we have since taken the opportunity to give our print collection a serious look and consider what we may discontinue in favor of digital access. Continue reading UIC Louis L. Biro Law Library Response to COVID-19
NIU David C. Shapiro Memorial Law Library
The response of the NIU College of Law Library to the COVID-19 pandemic has changed over time, as we have learned more about the virus and as the needs of our patrons has changed. While we have had to make significant adjustments to our modes of service, we are providing access to information to our patrons in increasingly efficient ways. Continue reading NIU David C. Shapiro Memorial Law Library
Loyola University Chicago Law Library
Back in March, when the news of COVID broke, I did not expect it to last this long. Speaking for myself, I grabbed some files from my office and said farewells to my colleagues, thinking we would be back by a few months, at most. Who knew it would last this long? Over the past months, our Access and Technical Services staff have had to change in ways we never would have thought. But thanks to their dedication and perseverance, we are able to continue to provide excellent service to our patrons. Continue reading Loyola University Chicago Law Library
Promoting Wellness and Healthy Habits in Academic Law Libraries
As the temperature drops and cramming for exams commences, the stress of law school often causes students to develop unhealthy behaviors and habits. Law libraries can use their space to help students remain healthy and motivated during this busy and overwhelming time. They can apply small business health and safety advice given by certified health and safety consultants.
Sunlight & Solitude
Natural light improves mood and productivity.[1] The layout of the Northwestern Pritzker Legal Research Center allows for lots of natural light to come in by many study areas. Several large tables and comfortable chairs are positioned next to windows to allow students to soak up some Vitamin D while hard at work. The natural light hopefully counteracts some of the adverse effects of the harsh fluorescent lights throughout the law school. Libraries lacking windows could consider getting a SAD lamp or two to help students get through the long winter months.
Continue reading Promoting Wellness and Healthy Habits in Academic Law Libraries
Three Proposals for Academic Law Libraries
Over the last 70 years, CALL and the Chicago legal academic libraries have been integral in adapting library services to changing legal environments so that a law student today will be a successful lawyer tomorrow. There is no doubt that CALL will continue to be a valuable and innovative presence in the Chicago legal community through the collaborative efforts of all the member institutions. It is this spirit of collaboration, and after interactions with fellow librarians, faculty, and students, that I describe three library services that would be valuable additions to all academic libraries in their missions to produce successful lawyers. Whether these proposals are tentatively practiced, formally adopted, or ignored completely, I present them here for consideration. Continue reading Three Proposals for Academic Law Libraries
Law Firm v. Academic Librarians
I recently graduated from library school and started my law librarianship career. Although I had previously set out to become an academic law school reference librarian, I was presented with a wonderful opportunity to begin my law librarianship career at a top law firm. I am often asked how being an academic reference librarian is different than a law firm librarian. Continue reading Law Firm v. Academic Librarians