
Congratulations to our newly-elected 2021-2022 Executive Board members!
Rachel Englander – Vice-President/President-Elect
Tanya Thomas – Treasurer
Jenna Wolf – Board Member
Game Night: Skribblio Strikes Back – Friday, May 14 at 6:00 PM ET
Don’t call it a comeback! We had so much fun playing Skribblio that we’re bringing it back this month. Looking for a chance to flex your best stick figure and other pandemic-developed art skills? Join us for an evening of the Pictionary-style drawing game Skribblio. Whether you consider yourself an MS Paint Van Gogh, or you’re more of a Frida Kahlo, all are welcome! Game access information will be shared during the Zoom call.
Drug Development and its Discontents: A Crash Course in Policy and Research – Part II with Lynn McClelland
Thursday May 20 at 3:00 PM ET – For anyone who is interested in learning more about navigating these issues from a legal research perspective, you won’t want to miss the second half of this program. The first session covered challenges facing drug development policy and the approval process. The second session will focus on the different ways the FDA incentivizes drug development. The material is drawn directly from a for-credit course taught at UCLA that provides an overview of drug development, the approval process (standard and fast track), along with other aspects of pharmaceutical innovation.
Lynn McClelland will be generously sharing her syllabus and will answer questions for anyone interested in learning more about this topic. She is a former pharma lab rat and currently is a Reference Librarian at UCLA where she has taught everything from Health Law & Policy Research to Nonprofit Law Drafting. She has collaborated with both legal and medical scholars and practitioners at the local, national, and international levels.
Resume Workshop: The Sequel featuring Holly Riccio
Monday, May 24 at 3:30 PM ET – Are you up for promotion? Do you include a CV with your annual review? Contemplating a transition into a new position, new department, or new sector? Have you forgotten to dust off your resume since you applied for your current job? If you replied yes to one or more of these questions, come join us! This month’s resume workshop will build on the best practices established in last month’s workshop. We’ll include an interactive review of representative resumes to discuss and evaluate. Any attendees who would like to have their resumes reviewed are welcome to share with the group or schedule a separate 1:1 coaching session.
Copyright © 2021 Project 2020 Series, All rights reserved.
LLAM is offering one $500 stipend to a student or recent graduate working in an unpaid internship or volunteer position during Summer 2021. The stipend recipient does not need to be a LLAM member.
All applications must be received no later than Friday, June 11, 2021.
Selection Criteria:
LLAM is offering 2 registration grants for LLAM members to attend the 2021 AALL Virtual Meeting and Conference, July 19th – 23rd.
We are also offering 1 grant for a student registration. The student grant recipient does not need to be a member of LLAM.
The grants will each cover the cost of registration for the AALL Virtual Meeting.
For more information, review this application for the Grants. The application deadline is Friday, May 28, 2021.
Resume Workshop – Tuesday, April 20 at 12:00 PM ET
Are you up for promotion? Do you include a CV with your annual review? Contemplating a transition into a new position, new department, or new sector? Have you forgotten to dust off your resume since you applied for your current job? If you replied yes to one or more of these questions, come join us! The resume workshop will begin with a brief presentation on best practices followed by an interactive review of representative resumes to discuss and evaluate. Any attendees who would like to have their resumes reviewed are welcome to share with the group or schedule a separate 1:1 coaching session.
Drug Development and its Discontents: A Crash Course in Policy and Research with Lynn McClelland
Tuesday, March 16 at 12:00 PM ET – For anyone who is interested in learning more about navigating these issues from a legal research perspective, you won’t want to miss this program. The session will integrate highlights drawn directly from a for-credit course taught at UCLA that provides an overview of drug development, the approval process (standard and fast track), along with other aspects of pharmaceutical innovation.
Lynn McClelland will be generously sharing her syllabus and will answer questions for anyone interested in learning more about this topic. She is a former pharma lab rat and currently is a Reference Librarian at UCLA where she has taught everything from Health Law & Policy Research to Nonprofit Law Drafting. She has collaborated with both legal and medical scholars and practitioners at the local, national, and international levels.
Skribblio Game Night – Friday, April 23 at 6:00 PM ET
Get ready for an evening of verbal shenanigans! You know that feeling when you’re trying to describe someone or something and you can’t find the right words? (“That SNL comedian who plays an overeager Target cashier?” or “That movie with the love fern?” or “She shared the stage with a dancing shark?”) For those of you on TikTok, it’s similar to the “tell me you’re a [blank] without telling me you’re a [blank]” trend. As you describe your assigned word, other players submit guesses. The faster the answer is guessed, the more points you (and the correct guesser) earn. The more the merrier, so feel free to share the registration link – family and friends are welcome.
Copyright © 2021 Project 2020 Series, All rights reserved.
It’s that time of year! Elections for LLAM officers and board members will take place later this month!
Available positions are Vice-President/President-Elect, Treasurer, and Board Member.
More information about each position’s responsibilities is in LLAM’s Policies and Procedures Manual.
To submit your name as a candidate, please contact Chi Song (chi.song@mdcourts.gov) by Monday, April 5, 2021.
Elections will be held in April. Watch your email for election related announcements!
Debunking the Productivity Myth and Other Missives with Dr. Mirya Holman
Tuesday, March 23 at 11:00 AM ET – For anyone interested in learning from an irreverent, social media savvy scholar with unfiltered hot takes on productivity, mentorship, and not being a jerk: you won’t want to miss this program.
She is a founding member of the #FeministMafia and tweets about politics, terrible people, and revenge. In her spare time, you’ll find her fighting the patriarchy, screaming into the abyss, and hanging out with her dogs and cat. Competitive eaters will be impressed to know she is a two-time watermelon eating champion.
EXCELing in the Dark Arts: A Guide to the Magic of Spreadsheets with Liz Graham
Tuesday, March 16 at 12:00 PM ET – For anyone interested in mastering data manipulation, we’re excited to hear from an Excel spreadsheet mastermind who will share her best practices, tips, and techniques.
Blather ‘Round Game Night – Friday, March 26 at 6:00 PM ET
Get ready for an evening of verbal shenanigans! You know that feeling when you’re trying to describe someone or something and you can’t find the right words? (“That SNL comedian who plays an overeager Target cashier?” or “That movie with the love fern?” or “She shared the stage with a dancing shark?”) For those of you on TikTok, it’s similar to the “tell me you’re a [blank] without telling me you’re a [blank]” trend. As you describe your assigned word, other players submit guesses. The faster the answer is guessed, the more points you (and the correct guesser) earn. The more the merrier, so feel free to share the registration link – family and friends are welcome.
Copyright © 2021 Project 2020 Series, All rights reserved.
Bite-Sized Marketing with Mary Evangeliste
Thursday, February 18 at 1pm ET – Please join us on Thursday, February 18 for an opportunity to hear from a dynamic speaker who has cultivated expertise in marketing and branding for over 15 years. Time will be reserved for questions.
Mary Evangeliste has taught, lectured, and presented in the areas of librarianship and marketing for local and national groups including the State Department, the Maryland School of Art and Design, Prince George’s Community College, the University of Pittsburgh, the Library Administration and Management Association, the Association of College and Research Libraries, and the ALA. She is the co-founder of Fearless Future and has been honored with two national library marketing awards, 3M Check-It-Out Yourself Day and ACRL’s 2005 Best Practices in Marketing Academic and Research Libraries @ your library Award.
Integrating Diversity into Legal Research Instruction in the COVID Era: Tips and Techniques for Class Management with Shamika D. Dalton, Clanitra Steward Nejdl, and Raquel Gabriel
Wednesday, February 24 at 1pm ET – Effective classroom management is a crucial component of promoting learning and student engagement, decreasing student anxiety, and maintaining an orderly academic setting. As the inclusion of race, diversity, and implicit bias becomes more prevalent in the legal research classroom, the need for meaningful and effective classroom management techniques intensifies. Without having these techniques at the ready, the introduction of such issues could prove disastrous.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic has led to many legal research classes moving to online platforms, addressing race, diversity, and implicit bias in these classes becomes even more challenging. Legal research instructors and professors have had to adjust their classroom management techniques accordingly. The first part of this program will introduce attendees to classroom management techniques that support and advance the benefits of addressing race, diversity, and implicit bias in the legal research classroom. In the second part of the program, the presenters will provide ways to adjust these techniques to match the challenges of addressing these issues during an online legal research course. Emphasis will be placed on providing concrete examples of classroom management techniques that suit the online environment. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss classroom management techniques with one another.
Among Us – Video Game Night – Friday, February 19 at 6pm ET –
Join Project 20/20 for an evening of interstellar social networking while playing the popular multiplayer video game, Among Us. Open to novices and gamers alike, there will be plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues as you work together to complete your space mission.
Please be sure to download the Among Us app prior to the event. Among Us is available for free in both GooglePlay and the Apple Store.
Copyright © 2021 Project 2020 Series, All rights reserved.
Bite-Sized Marketing with Mary Evangeliste
Thursday, January 21 at 2pm ET – Please join us on Thursday, January 21 for an opportunity to hear from a dynamic speaker who has cultivated expertise in marketing and branding for over 15 years. Time will be reserved for questions.
Mary Evangeliste has taught, lectured, and presented in the areas of librarianship and marketing for local and national groups including the State Department, the Maryland School of Art and Design, Prince George’s Community College, the University of Pittsburgh, the Library Administration and Management Association, the Association of College and Research Libraries, and the ALA. She is the co-founder of Fearless Future and has been honored with two national library marketing awards, 3M Check-It-Out Yourself Day and ACRL’s 2005 Best Practices in Marketing Academic and Research Libraries @ your library Award.
Post-2020 Instruction Debrief with Genevieve Tung
Tuesday, January 12, at 1pm ET – Now that we’ve all had some time to decompress, let’s talk about the 2020 instruction experience. The unprecedented circumstances upended a lot of expectations, creating new challenges and opportunities to innovate. In this roundtable discussion, we want to hear from you—what worked, what didn’t, and what you’re planning to change going forward. This conversation will be facilitated by Genevieve Tung, Associate Director of Educational Programs at Penn Law.
2021 Planner Party – Thursday, January 7 at 12pm ET – Love office supplies? Ready to leave 2020 behind? Grab your favorite pens and planners and get ready to map out the new year. Join Project 20/20 for a social networking lunchtime event devoted entirely to all things planning. Share your favorite supplies, best practices for setting goals, and connect with colleagues who appreciate planning (and washi tape) just as much as you.
Copyright © 2021 Project 2020 Series, All rights reserved.
Join us for a night of merriment and mayhem with the Jest Murder Mystery Company! A presentation of this year’s Service Award will be followed by a 60-minute interactive show.
Where: Virtual
When: Monday, December 21st 6:00pm
Registration:
Free to all LLAM members!
Let us know you’re coming here. RSVP by December 16th!
Questions? Contact Liz Graham at liz.graham@law.umaryland.edu
Taking Care: Mental Health and Wellbeing with Eileen Santos and Victoria Capatosto
Please join us on Friday, December 11 at 3:00 PM (ET) for a program focusing on mental health. We will explore common challenges and strategies to help manage mental health – especially during times of stress and instability. After a brief presentation, time will be provided for questions. Attendees are encouraged to not only bring questions, but also to share challenges they’ve encountered and successful strategies they’ve employed.
Getting to No: Setting Boundaries and Pushing Back Strategically with Kristina Alayan, Catherine Dunn, Nichelle Perry, Carla Wale, and Amanda Watson
Please join us on Wednesday, December 16 at 4:00 PM (ET) for a live and interactive conversation building on the pre-recorded AALL Conference Program: “Getting to No: Setting Boundaries and Pushing Back Strategically.” This well-received session featured speakers from diverse backgrounds sharing examples and lessons learned about setting boundaries strategically. For context, attendees are encouraged to watch the program recording in advance, but all are welcome to join as we continue the conversation. We welcome questions and look forward to giving attendees the opportunity to interact with each other by sharing challenges and best practices.
Sourdough Social – Calling all sourdough enthusiasts! On Friday, December 18 at 6:00 PM (ET), join Project 20/20 for our December social networking event where we’ll be discussing all things sourdough. This event is open to both novice and seasoned sourdough savants!
Copyright © 2020 Project 2020 Series, All rights reserved.
The LLAM Service Award recognizes the contributions of a current or former LLAM member to the organization and the profession of law librarianship. This award is presented to an individual who has retired or will retire in the next calendar year. The Service Award will be presented to awardees at the Holiday Party.
Selection Criteria:
Submission/Selection Process:
Award: $50 gift certificate and complimentary ticket to LLAM’s Holiday Party.
Questions? Email llamonline99@gmail.com
We are thrilled to announce Project 20/20: From Transition to Transformation. Project 20/20 is a collaborative online programming series organized and sponsored by three AALL chapters in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Ijeoma Oluo is a Seattle-based Writer, Speaker, and Internet Yeller. Her work on social issues such as race and gender has been published in The Guardian, The Stranger, Washington Post, ELLE magazine, NBC News and more.
On Thursday, October 1 at 2:00 PM ET, Ms. Oluo will be joining us to discuss race, allyship, and changes we can make to promote equity and justice in our profession and communities. Kristina J. Alayan, Director of the Howard University School of Law Library will be in conversation with Ms.Oluo — followed by Q&A.
What else can you expect from Project 20/20? This series will feature three tracks.
Every month will feature a 1) program, 2) social networking event, and 3) professional development workshop.
Registration is free, and you are welcome to pick and choose which events resonate most with you.
On Friday, October 23 at 1:00 PM ET, we will be hosting a panel discussion about making the most of professional development activities.
On Friday, October 30 at 5:00 PM ET, our social event will be a Halloween Happy Hour.
In these unprecedented and isolating times, we hope these events will strengthen our connections both within our chapters and with our colleagues across the profession.
Please join us each month, starting next month! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at info@project2020series.org.
Kristina J. Alayan, LLSDC
Liz Graham, LLAM
Andrew W. Lang, GPLLA
Copyright © 2020 Project 2020 Series, All rights reserved.
The unjust and violent killings of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Freddie Gray, and countless others have forced us all to confront the systemic injustices and racial inequality that plague our nation. The protests of the past few weeks have given voice to the trauma and justified anger in Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities terrorized by centuries of violence and racism.
Just as this system of injustice and inequality took time to build, so should our commitment to dismantling it. We, the Executive Board of the Law Library Association of Maryland, declare solidarity with those individuals and organizations working towards this goal.
Words alone are not enough. We must find sustainable and constructive ways to continue to give voice to these communities. We must take meaningful and conscious action to solicit, understand, reflect, and address the needs of these communities. In the weeks and months to come, we will reach out to you, our members, to learn how we can support you. We will evaluate our mission, practices, policies, and programs for biases, both conscious and unconscious. We will educate ourselves through social justice and anti-racism programming.
We call on you, LLAM members, to join us on this ongoing journey towards keeping our nation’s most sacred promise of “liberty and justice for ALL.” We will learn and work together to identify and address the systemic injustices and racism in our community and profession.
If you would like to get involved with our self-evaluation or programming, please contact us at llamonline99@gmail.com. If you have questions or concerns, also please reach out to us.
Renewals for the 2020-2021 Law Library Association of Maryland membership year are now open. Join or renew online.
We know these are challenging times for many due to COVID-19. For that reason, LLAM is waiving membership fees to those who request that option. No questions asked; simply mark “Opting Out” in the payment field of the membership form.
Please email your membership forms to Sara Billard, LLAM Membership Chair, at sbillard@gfrlaw.com. If you have any questions, feel free to email or call Sara Billard at: 410-576-4010.
If you prefer to mail a check instead of using online checkout, send the check, payable to LLAM, to: Chi Song, Thurgood Marshall State Law Library, Courts of Appeal Building, 361 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis, MD 21401.
As LLAM prepares for another year of programming, we want to hear from our members about how we can best support you during these unprecedented times. Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey and help guide our programming efforts in the coming months.
We appreciate your continued commitment to LLAM and look forward to your reading your responses.
Email us if you have any questions or concerns.
AALL announced the 2020 AALL Hall of Fame awards, and LLAM’s very own Steven P. Anderson is one of this year’s recipients! Established in 2009, the Hall of Fame recognizes members whose contributions to the profession and service to AALL have been significant, substantial, and long-standing. Steve is also a 2020 recipient of the AALL Government Law Libraries Special Interest Section’s Bethany J. Ochal Award for Distinguished Service to the Profession!
Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting or working with Steve knows that his decades of service to the profession, AALL (he is a former President!), LLAM (again a former President!), and Maryland is long standing and far reaching. We are lucky to have his leadership and can’t think of a more deserving recipient of these honors.
In lieu of our traditional, in-person Spring Fling, please join us for an online Annual Meeting!
Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Online (WebEx)
Registration: Please email Chi Song (chi.song@mdcourts.gov) to register.
This meeting will NOT be recorded.
Questions? Please contact Chi Song (chi.song@mdcourts.gov) or Jessica Mundy (jessica.mundy@mdcourts.gov).
Agenda
UPDATE: 2020 AALL ANNUAL MEETING & CONFERENCE WILL NOT BE HELD IN PERSON. The meeting will be held as a virtual event. More information is available on the AALL website.
In conjunction with AALL, LLAM is offering two grants for our members to attend the 2020 AALL Annual Meeting in New Orleans, July 11-14th. The grants will each cover the cost of AALL Member registration for the Annual Meeting.
The application for the Grants is available here and includes contact information. The application must be completed and returned to Jim Gernert by email by Monday, May 11, 2020. Members of the LLAM Grants Committee will evaluate the applications, and notify the grant recipients of their selection by May 15, 2020.
Please feel free to contact Jim Gernert with any questions.
This program has been canceled. We hope to reschedule for a future date.
Program Description: In today’s libraries, librarians engage in transformational rather than merely transactional customer experiences. Through discussion and hands-on activities, this program explores how RUSA’s professional guidelines for reference services help staff provide consistent high quality customer service. The class also explores challenging behavior during customer interactions. From confusing situations to disgruntled customers, this training offers strategies to manage and diffuse a variety of difficult interactions. It also provides self-care tips to help you manage your stress level during and after tough interactions. Attendees will have the opportunity to deconstruct their own challenging customer service scenarios in a safe and supportive environment. A one-hour tour of the Central Library will follow the program at 2:00pm.
A LLAM Board Meeting will precede the program, from 11:00am to 12:00pm. All are welcome to attend the board meeting.
Questions? If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Mundy (jessica.mundy@mdcourts.gov).
The election of LLAM officers and board members will take place in March 2020. Please watch your email for election related announcements and a link to the ballot. Votes will be collected and tabulated via Survey Monkey or similar website, as we have done in the past.
The available positions are Vice-President/President Elect, Secretary, and Board Member. To submit your name as a candidate, please contact Jason Hawkins (jhawkins @ law.umaryland.edu).
Any current LLAM member not serving as an officer or board member next year is eligible to run for office. For more information on these positions, please see the LLAM Guidelines.
This year, the LLAM Nominations Committee consists of Jason Hawkins, Pat Behles, and Jessica Mundy.
Maryland Library Legislative Day is an opportunity for LLAM members to join librarians and library supporters across the state to build support for Maryland libraries! Connect with your elected delegates and senators to advocate for library issues!
8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. — Continental Breakfast
Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Law Library
Enjoy breakfast, compliments of LLAM. Check-in with your county delegations.
8:45 a.m. — Orientation and Current Issues Briefing
Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Law Library
The Maryland Library Association’s legislative panel briefs participants on current library issues and talking points for senator/delegate visits. Briefing packets will be provided.
9:15 a.m. — Proceed to the State House
State House
The State House is in walking distance from the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Law Library. If you wish to view the presentation of Maryland Library Day on the Senate floor, note that the galleries open at 10:00 a.m., but to get a seat, you have to get in line early.
10:00 a.m. — Presentation of Maryland Library Day
Senate Floor, State House
9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. — Legislator Visits
State House
Connect with your local delegation to visit your elected delegates and senators.
2:30 p.m. — Citizens for Maryland Libraries Meeting
Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Law Library
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. — Legislative Reception
President’s Reception Room, Miller Senate Office Building (11 Bladen Street)
The Legislative Reception is an opportunity to mix and mingle with legislators and other officials.
Joan Bellistri, Director of Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Library: (410) 222-1387
Thank you to everyone who joined us for a tour of the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) Library. Shauna Collier, Head Librarian of the NMAAHC Library, gave a great behind-the-scenes tour where we learned about the library’s history, organization, operations, and collections. After the library tour, several LLAM members explored the museum’s exhibits. You can learn more about the NMAAHC Library here.
You are cordially invited to join your fellow LLAM members at Nick’s Fish House in Baltimore, Maryland for the 2019 Holiday Party and Silent Auction! Family, friends, and non-LLAM members are welcome.
Silent Auction
Do you have a donation for the Silent Auction? Then please contact Chi Song (chi.song@mdcourts.gov) or Jessica Mundy (jessica.mundy@mdcourts.gov).
Questions?
Please contact Chi Song (chi.song@mdcourts.gov) or Jessica Mundy (jessica.mundy@mdcourts.gov).