Congratulations to LLAM member Kirstin Nelson on her interview for the Law Library of Congress blog In Custodia Legis.  Kirstin is a law librarian with the National Agricultural Library in Beltsville, Maryland.

To read the full interview go to: http://blogs.loc.gov/law/2017/06/an-interview-with-kirstin-nelson-national-agricultural-librarys-law-librarian/

Yay Kirstin!

Congratulations to LLAM’s own Steve Anderson on being named the 2017 recipient of the Mersky Spirit of Law Librarianship Award! The award recognizes individual law librarians engaged in significant acts of charitable work or community or social service.

Steve is the current director of the Maryland State Law Library in Annapolis, Maryland. He is also a past president of AALL and LLAM.

Additional information about the award is available at https://tarltonapps.law.utexas.edu/slla/.

Yay Steve!

EARLY BIRD TICKET PRICING EXTENDED to 

FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2017

 for the…

19th ANNUAL MARYLAND PARTNERS FOR JUSTICE CONFERENCE 

 (MAY 18, 2017, 8:15 AM – 3:30 PM,  at the Baltimore Convention Center)

 After May 5th, ticket prices go up to $150. 

REGISTER NOW: 

Tickets are on sale now for the Maryland Partners for Justice Conference – If you choose to sponsor us, you can get complimentary tickets! 

OUR PANEL TOPICS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED – EXAMPLES BELOW: 

1.  Immigration Detention and the Mass Incarceration of Immigrants of Color
2. No More Wasted Intakes: A Tool to Help Family Law Litigants Efficiently Benefit from Legal Services, Limited-Scope Advocates, and Self-Help Resources
3. Money Bail, Mass Incarceration, and Community Instability
4. Grantseekers: Foundations 101 & Maryland’s Philanthropic Landscape
5. Barriers to Housing
6. What’s Next? Options for Youth Aging out of the Foster Care System
7. Court Debt, Civil Forfeiture, and Justice Denied
8. One Baltimore for Jobs: Community Lawyering and Workforce Development
9. Civil Issues Affecting Survivors of Domestic Violence
10. Development & The Promise of Good Jobs, Affordable Housing, and Real Equity: Port Covington as a Case Study 

TICKET OPTIONS – ONE MORE CHANCE

FOR THE EARLY BIRD PRICE!

EARLY BIRD:

Conference tickets are $125 on or before May 5th (the price goes up to $150 after)

PURCHASE TICKETS TODAY

SPONSOR PBRC: 

Sponsors of $1500 or more  receive complimentary conference tickets, invites to the Sponsorship Reception with VIP guest Dean Strang at The Ivy Hotel on May 17th, PLUS many other benefits through the year –SPONSOR US

LUNCH-ONLY:

Join us for the keynote address at noon ONLY for $75 (Select “Lunch-only” when purchasing tickets) – LUNCH ONLY

PROVIDER SPONSORSHIP:

Legal Services Organizations that register at least 50% of their staff and promote the event will be recognized as Provider Sponsors in our Conference program materials. MAKE YOUR ORGANIZATION’S PLEDGE TODAY!

WALK A MILE EXPERIENCE:

This year we have a special interactive experience, a simulation for poverty that will help you better understand a client’s perspective. (WALK A MILE ONLY TICKETS ARE $50)

** We need volunteers to help run the experience and if you want to participate, indicate your preference on the registration form.**

STUDENT TICKETS:

$65 – Select Student during registration.

Want to meet Dean Strang?

Our sponsors of $1,500 and above will be able to join us the night before the conference at a special

Sponsorship Reception at The Ivy Hotel (a luxury hotel in Baltimore) with VIP Guest Dean Strang!

Click here to view full sponsor benefits.

Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland  |   probonomd.org/conference

Celebrate the season with fellow LLAMers at Little Havana on the evening of June 8^th.  Relax and enjoy scrumptious Cuban-inspired food, infamous mojitos, harbor views!  

This Spring Fling, we’re also collecting for charity. Feel free to bring a donation for Maryland Legal Aid (http://www.mdlab.org/).

When: Thursday, June 8th, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Where: Little Havana, 1325 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD 21230

Price: $15 (Price covers event admission and hors d’oeuvres. There will be a cash bar.)

Purchase options:

You may purchase tickets by sending a check addressed to “LLAM” to the LLAM Treasurer:

Thea C. Warner, Librarian

Niles, Barton, & Wilmer, LLP

111 South Calvert Street, Suite 1400

Baltimore, Maryland 21202

OR

You may purchase tickets with a credit card through PayPal

Directions:

From South of the city take I-95 N to the Key Highway Exit. Follow the signs to Key Hwy and we will be on the right at the intersection of Key and Webster St.

From North of the city take I-95 S through the Ft. McHenry tunnel (stay in the right lane in the tunnel) to the Key Highway Exit (first exit after the tunnel). Follow the signs to Key Highway and we will be on the right at the intersection of Key and Webster St.

See Google Maps here.

Parking:

Limited spots are available in the restaurant’s free parking lot. Other parking options include:

• Metered street parking
• Private lot next to restaurant (parking costs around $10)

RSVPs and questions: Julia Viets (jviets@mcccourt.com)

The Cataloging Roundtable Discussion with Jessie Tam has been rescheduled to Wednesday, May 10th, from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Calling all catalogers, accidental catalogers, and non-catalogers! Do you want to learn more about cataloging legal materials, or cataloging in general? Then join us, along with Jessie Tam, Head of Technical services at the Maryland State Law Library, to discuss your cataloging questions. We will tailor this program to answer your questions, so please take a moment to complete this anonymous survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RCS7SQG.

Cookies and water will be provided and you can bring your lunch. A tour of the Maryland State Law Library will be offered after the discussion for those who are interested.

When
Wednesday, May 10th, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
(Board Meeting 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Library tour 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.)

Where
Maryland State Law Library
Robert C. Murphy Courts of Appeal Building
361 Rowe Blvd.
Annapolis, MD 21401

Parking and directions
http://www.lawlib.state.md.us/aboutus/directions.html

RSVP and questions
Jessica Mundy (Jessica.mundy@mdcourts.gov)

Hope to see you all there!

Congratulations to the new members of the LLAM Executive Board!

• Jason Hawkins – Vice-President/President-Elect
• Chi Song – Treasurer
• Jim Gernert – Board Member

Jason, Chi, and Jim will take their new positions at the Spring Fling this year on June 8th.

Speaking of the Spring Fling, we also decided to raise money at this year’s Spring Fling for Maryland Legal Aid.

Thanks to everyone who voted, and I hope to see you all at the next LLAM event in Annapolis and the Spring Fling in Baltimore.

C.J. Pipins

LLAM President.

On a recent and sunny April morning, several industrious LLAM members helped Civic Works prepare garden and flower beds for the Real Food Farm.

Located in northeast Baltimore city, the innovative Civic Works Real Food Farm spans 8 acres and  provides fresh produce for the local community. The farm aims to:

• Improve neighborhood access to healthy food,
• Protect the environment and improve the watershed,
• Develop Baltimore’s agriculture sector, and
• Provide hands-on education opportunities for Baltimore’s youth.

Learn more about the farm at http://realfoodfarm.civicworks.com/about-us/.

Get involved with the farm:Ways to get involved with Civic Works

Here are some pictures of LLAMers putting aside their books and having fun in the dirt:

Congratulations to C.J. Pipins, who was awarded the LLAM grant for attendance at the AALL Annual Meeting in Austin this year. C.J. is the recipient of the 2017 AALL Meeting Chapter Registration Award as well as $500 from LLAM to defray the cost of attending the meeting. Hopefully many LLAM members will be there to network and share ideas with fellow law librarians.

We had a great turnout for our Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the Library Setting event on March 28^th! In this program, Trish Kane and Neal Lichter of Pathfinders for Autism offered LLAM members an understanding of ASD. Trish and Neal used experiential exercises, shared personal experiences, and presented library-based scenarios to provide attendees with considerations and strategies for working with and serving individuals with ASD.

You can learn more about ASD and Pathfinders for Autism on their website: http://www.pathfindersforautism.org/.

Here are some event pictures:

Caption: Pathfinders for Autism presenters discuss common misconceptions about ASD.

Caption: Jason Hawkins participates in a fun activity to learn more about the thought processes of individuals with ASD.

The election of LLAM officers and board members will take place in early April.  Please watch your email for an announcement introducing the candidates.  A separate email with a link to the ballot will be sent early next week.  Votes will be collected and tabulated via Survey Monkey.

The application deadline for the AALL and LLAM  combined travel grant is Friday, March 24, 2017.

AALL and LLAM are offering a combined grant to cover the cost of registration and $500 towards travel expenses for the AALL Annual Meeting and Conference, July 15-18, 2017, in Austin, TX.

Selection Criteria:

The LLAM Grants Committee will evaluate an application on the following criteria:

• Lack of financial assistance from employer and/or financial need
• Promise of individual professional development
• Relevance or expressed interest in Annual Meeting program or event

Priority will be given to individuals who are not previous grant recipients, who have not recently attended the AALL Annual Meeting, and who are active members of LLAM.

Responsibilities:

Grant recipient will write a 250-500 word blog post summarizing and commenting on a program or activity that was especially valuable during the conference.

Deadline for submission:  All applications must be received no later than Friday, March 24, 2017.

Application form: LLAM Grant Application 2017

Calling all catalogers, accidental catalogers, and non-catalogers!  Do you want to learn more about cataloging legal materials, or cataloging in general?  Then join us, along with Jessie Tam, Head of Technical services at the Maryland State Law Library, to discuss your cataloging questions.  We will tailor this program to answer your questions, so please take a moment to complete this anonymous survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RCS7SQG

When: April 13^th from 12-1 pm (Board meeting starts at 11 am)

Where: Maryland State Law Library, Robert C. Murphy Courts of Appeal Building, 361 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis, MD 21401

Parking and Directions: http://www.lawlib.state.md.us/aboutus/directions.html

RSVP and Questions: Jessica Mundy (Jessica.mundy@mdcourts.gov)

Upcoming LLAM programs at a glance—It’s not too late to RSVP!

• March 28^th– Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder with Pathfinders for Autism & Board Meeting (Annapolis)

https://llamonline.org/2017/02/09/new-spring-llam-program-understanding-autism-spectrum-disorder-in-the-library-setting/

• April 8^th– Volunteer Day at Civic Works Real Food Farm (Baltimore)

https://llamonline.org/2017/01/31/llam-volunteer-day-is-back/

• April 13^th– Cataloging Legal and Electronic Materials with Jessie Tam & Board Meeting (Annapolis)

• TBA – Spring Fling (Baltimore)

Hope to see you all there!

On February 14, 2017, librarians and library supporters gathered in Annapolis for the Maryland Library Legislative Day. The day got off to an early and delicious start with breakfast provided by LLAM. Participants enjoyed coffee and pastries while the Legislative Panel of the Maryland Library Association (MLA) briefed attendees on current issues. LLAM’s Joan Bellistri briefed attendees on UELMA, the Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act, and asked for their support.

After breakfast, participants headed to the State House for the Senate and House presentations. Kathleen Teaze (MLA President), Irene Padilla (State Librarian), Cathy Dixon (CALD President), and Jay Bansbach (MSDE School Libraries Program Specialist) presented on the floor of the Senate and the House. Librarians and library supporters viewing the presentations also received recognition.

Throughout the day, librarians and library supporters made delegation visits where they met with legislators and their staff to build support for libraries in Maryland. Maryland Library Legislative Day came to a close with an evening reception in the President’s Reception Room at the Senate Office Building.

AALL and LLAM  are offering a combined grant to cover the cost of registration and $500 towards travel expenses for the AALL Annual Meeting and Conference, July 15-18, 2017, in Austin, TX.

Selection Criteria:

The LLAM Grants Committee will evaluate an application on the following criteria:

• Lack of financial assistance from employer and/or financial need
• Promise of individual professional development
• Relevance or expressed interest in Annual Meeting program or event

Priority will be given to individuals who are not previous grant recipients, who have not recently attended the AALL Annual Meeting, and who are active members of LLAM.

Responsibilities:

Grant recipient will write a 250-500 word blog post summarizing and commenting on a program or activity that was especially valuable during the conference.

Deadline for submission:  All applications must be received no later than Friday, March 24, 2017.

Application form: LLAM Grant Application 2017

What to expect?

In a workshop format, Trish Kane and Neal Lichter of Pathfinders for Autism will offer attendees an understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Using experiential exercises, sharing personal experiences, and presenting library-based scenarios, they will provide LLAM members with considerations and strategies for serving individuals with ASD.  In addition, considerations that encourage positive interactions with ASD co-workers will also be discussed.

Learn more about Pathfinders for Autism at http://www.pathfindersforautism.org/.

When: March 28^th from 12-1:30pm

Where: Maryland State Law Library, Robert C. Murphy Courts of Appeal Building, 361 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis, MD 21401

Parking and directions: http://www.lawlib.state.md.us/aboutus/directions.html

RSVP and questions: Julia Viets (jviets@mcccourt.com)

Upcoming LLAM programs at a glance

• February 14^th – Maryland Legislative Day (Annapolis)
• March 28^th – Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder with Pathfinders for Autism (Annapolis)
• April 8^th – Volunteer Day at Civic Works Real Food Farm (Baltimore)
• April 13^th – Cataloging Legal and Electronic Materials with Jessie Tam (Annapolis)
• TBA – Spring Fling (Baltimore)

Hope to see you all there!

Maryland Library Legislative Day
Join us on February 14^th!

Maryland Library Legislative Day is an opportunity for LLAM members to join with librarians and library supporters across the state to build support for Maryland libraries! This is our chance to connect with our elected delegates and senators to advocate for library issues.

Sponsored by the Maryland Library Association (MLA), this year’s Maryland Library Legislative Day will focus on two proposed bills.

• SB137 / HB 165– Maryland Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act (UELMA) – These cross-filed bills provide for access, authentication, and preservation of specified online state legal materials that have been deemed official. UELMA takes a technology-neutral, outcomes-based approach to ensure that official online legal materials will have the same level of trustworthiness as official print publications.
• SB 587– Education – Libraries – Reorganization of Governance Structure – This proposed bill calls for the establishment of the Maryland State Library Agency and Maryland State Library Board. The newly established Maryland State Library Agency will, among other things, assume the duties and responsibilities of the Library Development and Services, which is currently within the purview of the State Department of Education.

Schedule:

8:00am – Continental Breakfast and Current Issues Briefing

Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Library

Enjoy breakfast, compliments of LLAM, as MLA’s legislative panel briefs participants on current library issues and talking points for senator/delegate visits. Briefing packets will be provided.

9:15am – Senate and House Presentations

State House (walking distance from Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Library)

Kathleen Teaze (MLA President), Irene Padilla (State Librarian), Cathy Dixon (CALD President), and Jay Bansbach (MSDE School Libraries Program Specialist) will present on the floor of the Senate and the House.

At the conclusion, participants are free to go to lunch and make delegation visits. A variety of restaurants are within walking distance of the State House and Circuit Court Library.

3:30pm – Citizens for Maryland Libraries Annual Meeting

Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Library, Large Conference Room

All are welcome to CML’s annual meeting.

5:30pm-7:30pm –  Legislative Reception

Senate Office Building, President’s Reception Room

The Legislative Reception is an opportunity to mix and mingle with legislators and other officials.

Parking/Directions/Security

• Directions to and Parking at the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Library
• State Government in Annapolis Map
• Security in the Legislative Complex
• Security at the Courthouse

Questions?

Joan Bellistri: (410) 222-1387

On Thursday, January 26, 2017, the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee held a committee hearing on SB 137, the Maryland Uniform Legal Materials Act (UELMA). Sponsored by Senators Susan C. Lee, Brian J. Feldman, and William C. Smith, Jr., SB 137 provides for access, authentication, and preservation of specified online state legal materials that have been deemed official. UELMA takes a technology-neutral, outcomes-based approach to ensure that official online legal materials will have the same level of trustworthiness as official print publications.

Thursday’s hearing at the Miller Senate Building presented the public with an opportunity to provide input on the proposed bill. Following an introduction by Senator Lee, four speakers testified in support of UELMA: Brian Lewis, on behalf of the Uniform Law Commission; Steven Anderson, on behalf of the American Association of Law Libraries; Joan Bellistri, on behalf of LLAM; and Mary Jo Lazun, on behalf of LLAM. Each speaker addressed how UELMA will ensure Marylanders’ access to the law. In addition to sharing their prepared remarks, the speakers answered questions from the committee. At the end of the hearing for SB 137, Vice Chair Delores G. Kelley complimented the panel on their preparedness.

SB 137 is cross-filed with HB 165. This week, the House Health and Government Operations Committee will hold its hearing on UELMA on Wednesday, February 1st at 3:00 p.m. We need your support! Contact your local delegates and senators to show your support for UELMA.

Please mark your calendar for Tuesday, February 14, 2017 for Maryland Library Legislative Day! Law Librarians are needed to visit their legislators to advocate for UELMA and other issues important to Maryland libraries. The Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Law Library will be hosting librarians and library supporters from across the state, and LLAM will provide participants with a continental breakfast starting at 8:00 am. We hope to see you there! (More details later.)

LLAM Volunteer day is back by popular demand. This year we’re getting pastoral in the heart of Baltimore city! Space is limited, so RSVP soon! LLAM members and their family are welcome!

 What is the Civic Works’ Real Food Farm?

This year we’ll be volunteering at Civic Works’ Real Food Farm. This farm is an innovative urban farm engaged in growing fresh produce on eight acres in and around Clifton Park in northeast Baltimore.

The farm aims to:

• Improve neighborhood access to healthy food,
• Protect the environment and improve the watershed,
• Develop Baltimore’s agriculture sector, and
• Provide hands-on education opportunities for Baltimore’s youth.

 Learn more at http://realfoodfarm.civicworks.com/about-us/

 What to expect?

Our shift may include planting, weeding, invasive species removal, hoophouse construction, compost spreading, bed preparation, fruit tree planting, and lots more. There will be tasks for people of all physical and technical abilities. Be sure to bring a water bottle, close-toed shoes, and work clothes.

 When: Saturday, April 8^th from 9am-12pm

 Location: 1950 Perlman Place, Baltimore, MD 21213

Parking: Free parking lot

Directions: http://realfoodfarm.civicworks.com/get-in-touch/

RSVP and questions: Julia Viets (jviets@mcccourt.com)

When: Friday, December 9^th from 6-8:30 p.m.

Where: Ober|Kaler, 100 Light Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201

Tickets: LLAM Members, $24.00; Guests of LLAM Members, $12.00

Parking: There is no free or designated parking available for this event.  Some of the closest garages are listed below.  Prices are about $12 for 0-2 hours.

• Central Parking, 25 S Charles St. (0.1 miles from event)
• Charles Light Parking,600 Light St. (0.4 miles from event)
• Harbor Court Garage, 30 E Lee St. (0.4 miles from event)

Raffle: Now seeking donations for the raffle. Please contact Jessica Mundy (jessica.Mundy@mdcourts.gov).

To purchase tickets for the event, you may send a check addressed to “LLAM” to the LLAM Treasurer:

Thea C. Warner, Librarian

Niles, Barton, & Wilmer, LLP

111 South Calvert Street, Suite 1400

Baltimore, Maryland 21202

OR You may purchase tickets by credit card through PayPal!

Admission Costs:
$24 for LLAM members

LLAM members are welcome to bring along guests for a discounted price. Purchase a second ticket for half off at $12!  

Note to PayPal users buying for members and guests: If you select the “BuyNow” button for members, then return to this page and select the “BuyNow button for guests, you can select the “Check out with PayPal” button and pay for all tickets requested at one time.

For more information: Julia Viets (JViets@mcccourt.com).

Special thanks to Ober|Kaler

Other sponsors include The Maryland Daily Record, Thomson Reuters, and Bloomberg BNA.

Join us on Wednesday, November 16^th at 2pm for an amazing behind-the-scenes tour of the National Agricultural Library Special Collections.

Before the tour, LLAM will hold a board meeting and bagged lunch at 12:30pm and then Kirstin Nelson will give attendees a brief introduction to the NAL and her work.

The NAL Special Collections houses rare books, manuscripts, drawings, films, photographs, and posters related to the history of agriculture and the USDA. Highlights include gorgeous flora watercolors, Thomas Jefferson correspondence, and rare books from the 18^th and 19^th centuries.

Learn more about the Special Collections at https://specialcollections.nal.usda.gov/

Program Details

• Date: Wednesday, November 16^th
• Board meeting & bagged lunch: 12:30pm
• Tour: 2pm
• Location: National Agricultural Library, 10301 Baltimore Ave, Beltsville, MD 20705 (right at I-95 and 495 – directly across the street from Ikea)
• Map and transportation options: https://specialcollections.nal.usda.gov/visit-special-collections
• Parking: Free parking is available at the rear of the building
• Entry procedures: Enter through main door at the front of the building. Register at security desk and present your photo ID and bag for inspection. Tell security you are there for the LLAM meeting and someone will come to meet you.
• RSVP: Space is limited, so reserve now! Email Julia Viets, Programming Committee Chair (jviets@mcccourt.com)

The Maryland Legal Services Corporation (MLSC) will be honoring LLAM’s own Joan Bellistri on Dec. 5, 2016!  This year’s William L. Marbury Outstanding Advocate Award, for a non-attorney who has demonstrated outstanding service representing the civil legal needs of low-income Marylanders or by expanding access to justice, will be presented to Joan M. Bellistri, director of the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Law Library.

For details, see http://mlsc.org/2016/09/mlsc-announces-2016-legal-services-awards/.  Thank you for all of your hard work, Joanie!

Access to Justice gets high-tech!

Colin Starger, University of Baltimore law professor and honoree of 2014’s Fastcase 50, will talk about his Supreme Court Mapping Project.

Starger’s SCOTUS Mapping Project has created an innovative and free online tool to aid Supreme Court scholarship. This sophisticated mapping tool graphically visualizes and organizes citation networks between Supreme Court cases so that researchers can track Supreme Court precedent over time.

This project is part of the Free Law Project, which aims to provide free access to legal materials and research tools for those who can’t afford expensive databases like Lexis or Westlaw.

Check the tool out for yourself @ https://www.courtlistener.com/visualizations/scotus-mapper/

Learn more @ http://law.ubalt.edu/faculty/scotus-mapping/

Program Details

• Date: October 19^th, 2016
• Time: 12-1pm
• Location: University of Baltimore Law Library, 1401 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201
• Directions: http://www.ubalt.edu/about-ub/directions/index.cfm
• Parking: http://www.ubalt.edu/about-ub/offices-and-services/auxiliary/parking-and-public-transportation/
• RSVP: Please send RSVPs to Julia Viets, Programming Committee Chair (jviets@mcccourt.com)