By Tanya Thomas, LLAM Grant Recipient to AALL 2025 Annual Conference

This summer, thanks to a generous grant from the Law Library Association of Maryland, I had the opportunity to attend the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) 2025 Annual Meeting. The experience was not only a professional refresh—it was deeply personal. I attended while in a moment of major transition: moving across the country from Maryland to Hawaii, between jobs, and charting the uncertain but exciting course of a midlife pivot.

With this liminal space as my backdrop, I chose my conference sessions deliberately. I sought out programming that reflected where I’ve been—my years of experience in legal research and instruction—but also where I might be headed, and what I’m simply curious about. The result was a rich, multilayered experience that gave me new tools, perspectives, and a sense of connection and purpose as I move forward.

---

Legal AI: Caution and Curiosity

It’s no surprise that AI was the dominant theme of the conference. From the pre-conference workshop on “Legal AI Mastery” to multiple sessions on benchmarking tools and assessing critical thinking, it’s clear we’re in the middle of a rapid and sometimes overwhelming shift.

One takeaway from the “Generatively Speaking” session: adopting AI in law firms isn’t just a tech decision—it’s an ethical, strategic, and educational one. Whether it’s client confidentiality, vendor transparency, or knowing when AI is not the right tool, law librarians have a growing role to play in shaping these conversations. I was struck by the attention to nuance—many presenters emphasized critical use over mere adoption.

As someone reimagining my future work, I appreciated the frameworks offered for evaluating AI: questioning inputs and outputs, recognizing biases, and applying structured reasoning tools like CRAAP and SCAMPER. These aren’t just tech tools—they’re thinking tools.

Critical Thinking, Misinformation, and Civic Literacy

Sessions like “Resistance is Not Futile” and “Fake News is Lethal” reminded me why law librarians are essential beyond the research desk. We are stewards of information literacy in an age of misinformation and ideological polarization. One session explored the idea that the rise of answer engines over search engines reduces independent inquiry—a concern deeply tied to both AI and public trust.

As I contemplate new professional directions, I found myself drawn to these broader roles for librarians: as educators, as mediators of truth, and as civic actors. Sessions on civic education, community outreach, and even the design of “Little Lawyers’ Libraries” for self-represented litigants illustrated the creative, compassionate ways law libraries are evolving to meet community needs.

Reinvention and Serendipity

The most personally affirming session I attended was “Bold Moves Ahead,” a panel on career change, reinvention, and blooming where you’re planted. Each speaker had taken unconventional paths—some leaving law, some leaving libraries, some embracing new roles in academia, government, or even vendor work.

Their advice: follow your curiosity, trust your skills, and don’t worry so much about labels or perceived “demotions.” These words resonated as I weigh options that may not look traditional on paper but feel aligned with my values and goals. One panelist encouraged us to “prepare your elevator pitch for transition”—and AALL helped me begin crafting mine.

Grateful and Grounded

Attending AALL 2025 helped me feel less alone in my pivot. It reminded me that law librarianship—no matter where it’s practiced—is a field grounded in rigor, service, and adaptability. Whether I’m helping future students think critically about research or shaping policies around responsible AI, I’m inspired to bring the same care and thoughtfulness I saw reflected in every session.

Mahalo to LLAM for helping make this experience possible. From Maryland to Hawaii and wherever I land next, I carry your support with deep appreciation.