Librarian Functions

In my "elevated" position from library accounts clerk to electronic services librarian assistant, I now get invited to librarian functions. As a rule, I like going to these functions to network and to learn of new technologies out in the market. Not only that, usually I get a free meal out of it, because it is either a vendor sponsored event or my registration fees are paid for by the firm. As an added bonus, I love getting the freebies, whether they are pens, shirts or post-its.


Today, I went to a LexisNexis Luncheon Librarian Update. This is one of those events where a passel of law librarians in the Los Angeles downtown area congregate to learn about new solutions for research, practice management and litigation services...that is, of course, using LexisNexis products. It was at luncheon so Lilian (one of the firm librarians who work in the marketing department) and I trekked down the hill to the LexisNexis L.A. headquarters in the Gas Co. Tower. When we got there the librarians were already busy getting food from the buffet tables and we joined the queue.




When we sat down with our food at the Lexis conference room there were folders, pens and highlighters waiting for us. I like the highlighters best because they were colorful and cute:o) As for the presentation, it was a bit longer than expected and of course, after eating carbs, one can get a bit...well, sleepy while listening to the Lexis reps talk about their new products. Much as I was almost nodding off, I was especially drawn to the rep's presentation about the ID Maintenance Tool because we need a system to keep track of the hundreds of Lexis ID we have at the firm. The Clipper was also interesting because it can help a librarian create customized e-newletters. Both of these things I can certainly use in my new position. Sitting there listening to the reps convinces me that LexisNexis really is one of the most powerful information service out there with their largest, most current collection of public records, caselaws, research products, etc. The downside...it's not free. In fact, it's quite pricey unless you get a wonderful deal as most big lawfirms do.


With all the new technology out there, it never ceases to amaze me that surely, as librarians of the future, we really have to keep up with the changing times. When I first started working at lawfirm libraries in the early nineties, there was a lot of foot traffic in the library. At that time, a good part of my workday was spent shelving books or otherwise copying cases for attorney from treatises and reporters. Nowadays, most of the research requests from our attorneys can be found from online services like Lexis, Westlaw, D&B, CCHOnline, etc. To be up to date, we have to constantly go to these functions, training sessions and conferences just so we can keep our libraries on the cutting edge of technology.

Welcome to Dora's LIS2600 Blog

Hello everyone, I am Dora from Cohort 4.5 or four-point-ever it looks like. I started the program three years ago but because I have not been taking summer semesters, I have been delayed by a year. LIS2600 is supposed to be the first class taken by each cohort and yet to me, I ended up taking it last. I goofed up with the scheduling and surprisingly enough, I was able to get this far.

I live in Los Angeles and I work for a big law firm in downtown L.A. as an Electronic Services Librarian assistant. Well, don't let my title fool you in thinking this class should be easy as pie for me. My transition is yet to be completed. I was elevated to this title over a year ago. My previous title is library accounts clerk and as such, I deal with library invoices for publications and services. I was going to leave the law firm to move to an investment firm but the offer was countered with a promotion and a chunky raise. I stayed at the law library and hoped for the best. Over a year later, I'm still in transition.


So, am I wired enough to know what goes on with library technology? I am capable of using search engines and using various databases available out there and I can blog. For the first time ever, I learned to blog. Recently, I blogged about my internship at a children's library. You can find my other blog at http://dorathelibrarian.blogspot.com if anything you can get some pointers about doing internships...well not anytime soon for most of you.



Much as I think I am wired enough, I have to admit that del.icio.us, Conotea, Zotero, Linux, Ajax and the others mentioned on the syllabus are new to me. Like most of you, I have heard of some of them, but in all the years I have been using computers, I am more comfortable using what I am familiar with, i.e. Microsoft products. That being said, I am wired enough to know basic computing, but I am a neophyte, perhaps just like many in the class when it comes to the newer technology.


I look forward to an extremely busy but very interesting summer. If you have any questions about the program, please feel free to contact me and I'll try my best to answer your questions.
I wish everyone good luck and God Speed! Let's get wired together! Happy summer term!