MAALL 2024 Program Descriptions
This page provides descriptions of the meeting programming. See the Mobile Friendly Schedule for the complete schedule, including registration times and location details.
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Thursday, Nov. 7
MALLCO programming on Thursday morning is open to all MAALL attendees. There will be a casual breakfast buffet in the Scarlet Ballroom starting at 7:30am for MALLCO Program attendees
Thursday, Nov. 7, 8:00–9:00 a.m.
MALLCO Roundtable: Law Practice Technology
Moderator: Susan Urban
This session will focus on an open discussion of how law librarians are teaching their students the technology skills they will need as they enter the practice of law. Participants will share best practices, discuss emerging trends, and address common challenges.
MALLCO Roundtable: Institutional Repository
Moderator: Cindy Bassett
Thursday, Nov. 7, 9:15–10:15 a.m.
MALLCO Roundtable: Reference and Faculty Services
Moderator: Susan Boland
This roundtable discussion will bring together law librarians to explore reference and faculty services in the digital age. Participants will share best practices, discuss emerging trends, and address common challenges. Participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences, ask questions, and engage in open dialogue.
MALLCO Roundtable: Acquisition and Collections
Moderator: Susan Urban
Thursday, Nov. 7, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
MALLCO Roundtable: Paper Workshop
Generative AI and Finding the Law
Paul D. Callister, University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law
Abstract
Legal information science requires, among other things, principles, and theories. The article states six principles or considerations that any discussion of generative AI large language models and their role in finding the law must include. The article concludes that law librarianship will increasingly become legal information science and require new paradigms. In addition to the six principles, the article applies ecological holistic media theory to understand the relationship of the legal community’s cognitive authority, institutions, techné (technology, medium and method), geopolitical factors, and the past and future to understand the changes in this information milieu. The article also explains generative AI, and finally, presents some examples of generative AI responses to various legal research problems and the issues that present themselves in such circumstances.
MALLCO Roundtable: Resource Sharing
Moderator: Vivian Eldridge
Thursday, Nov. 7, 12:45–1:45 p.m.
Program 1A
Thriving as a Mid or Long-Career Professional
Presenter: Susan Boland, University of Cincinnati
Maybe you’ve worked in libraries for decades, or you’re halfway to retirement. Maybe you’ve reached the highest level of a hierarchy you care to reach. There's so much focus on advancing to leadership or administration, but many of us just want to continue to grow professionally; be happy in our careers; sustain ourselves without burning out; and successfully navigate sometimes toxic workplace cultures. Let's talk about how we can thrive long-term in our careers.Program 1B
Current State of Law Journal Publishing
Presenters:
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Cynthia Bassett, University of Missouri
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Troy Johnson, Creighton University
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Program 2A
Evolution of Legal Research: From Blackstone to AI
Presenter: Hans Herzl-Betz, Creighton University
This session will examine the historical and conceptual connections between historical legal research (mid-late 1800s forwards) and legal research in the present. Special attention will be given to the continuing influence of the 19th Century classification and digest systems in the 21st Century. Audience members will leave with a better understanding of the overall continuity over time of legal research and how generative AI fits within this historical framework.Program 2B
Legislating DEI
Presenter: Laura Dixon-Caldwell, University of Cincinnati
This session will begin with a brief overview of DEI principles. We will then discuss DEI-related legislation, pending and enacted, that impacts law libraries. We will conclude with a discussion of useful resources aimed at furthering understanding and exploring this subject matter. MAALL members will leave with an understanding of trends in legislation that impact DEI initiatives and personnel in law librariesFriday, Nov. 8
Friday, Nov. 8, 8:30–9:30 a.m.
Program 3A
Library Marketing: Basics and Beyond
Presenters:
- Lexi Brennan, Drake University
- Karen Wallace, Drake University
- Deborah Grimm, Husch Blackwell
- Brian McCann, Stinson LLP
This presentation will explore marketing efforts in an academic and two firm libraries to improve patron engagement. The academic library went back to the basics, transforming its culture of ad hoc outreach and promotion into a more robust marketing plan. The law firms went beyond the basics in different ways, rebranding, offering targeted initiatives, embedding in practice areas, and more. Participants will gain insights into the development, budgeting, execution, and assessment of initiatives designed to enhance the value, visibility, and inclusivity of library services.
Program 3B
DEI Roundtable
Presenters:
- Stefanie Pearlman, University of Nebraska
- Le'Shawn Turner, Oklahoma City University
Libraries have faced some pushback lately on efforts to implement DEI into their practices and procedures. This roundtable will discuss several of these efforts and how law libraries can have a meaningful impact on ensuring our values are protected and secured. The DEI Committee will have some set questions to consider, while also encouraging attendees to contribute to the conversation in any way they feel appropriate. (propose a 60 minute session. All members of the DEI committee at the MAALL Annual Meeting will participate.)
Friday, Nov. 8, 9:45–10:45 a.m.
Program 4A
Equity Minded Teaching by Design
Presenter: Shannon Kemen, University of Cincinnati
Participants will learn and implement practical ways to design their courses to be more inclusive and to integrate neuroinclusive teaching approaches. This program will include: instruction using the Norton Guide to Equity Minded Teaching and UDL Guidelines, participants applying what they learned to one of their own assignments, and group discussion of insights and challenges experienced. This program will benefit MAALL members who teach students, train attorneys, or create educational materials by helping them learn techniques to create content that is more accessible by all patrons.
Program 4B
Creating Personal and Achievable Goals
Presenters:
- Elsbeth Magilton, University of Nebraska
- Sandy Placzek, University of Nebraska
A program focused on rethinking on to set goals and begin working to create personal, achievable goals. Presenter is an experiential law professor at the University of Nebraska College of Law.
Friday, Nov. 8, 11:00 a.m.–Noon
Program 5A
Book to Action
Presenter: Matt Timko, Northern Illinois University
Book to Action Discussion: Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education by Stephanie Land
Friday, Nov. 8, 1:45–2:45 p.m.
Program 6A
I Can Find it Online or with GenAI - Why Would I need a Law Librarian?
Presenters:
- John Edwards, Drake University
- Paul Callister, University of Missouri Kansas City
- Allison Reeve Davis, Littler Mendelson
- Troy Johnson, Creighton University
Many in the current generation of law students, new attorneys, and new faculty may lack experience in working with a librarian or appreciate the services the library can provide. They may not understand the great value librarians provide and how important they are to their work. More than ever before it is incumbent on libraries to market their services and available resources to those they serve. This session will focus on strategies to target services where they may be needed most and to market them to the library’s client base.
Program 6B
What’s Next for Print Collections – ABA Interpretation 604-1
Presenters:
- Michael Whiteman, University of Cincinnati
- Steven Probst, University of Arkansas
- Eric Young, University of South Dakota
- David Whelan, University of Illinois Chicago
The new ABA Interpretation of 604-1 allows for law library collections without physical books. Join us for a robust, interactive conversation about the practical application of this standard and what it means for the future of law libraries.
Friday, Nov. 8, 3:00–4:00 p.m.
Program 7A
Back to the Basics: Speed Networking
Presenter: Susan Boland, University of Cincinnati
We all know the power of our professional networks, but COVID, retirements, and new hires have thrown a wrench into all of our networks. This session will provide the structure to make connections with MAALL members in a short time, share relevant information, and overcome shyness or nerves. We will begin the session with an ice-breaker, a few practical tips for making the most of the event (including conversation starters), and instructions. Participants will spend the rest of the session in short, one-on-one conversations with other.Saturday, Nov. 9
Saturday, Nov. 9, 8:30–9:30 a.m.
Program 8A
Working with Vendors
Presenter: Ashley Russell, University of Cincinnati
Experienced vendor turned law librarian leverages vendor resources to achieve distinct objectives. Before I became a law librarian, I worked as a vendor for a major research company. I believe that there are opportunities to harness vendor resources to achieve well-defined course objectives. By using and manipulating vendor resources to meet class needs, it allows the research professor to spend valuable time focusing on other action items. It's also helpful to familiarize yourself with vendor goals to achieve synchrony. They are willing to help you, so allow them to do so.
Program 8B
Fighting Back Book-Banning
Presenter: Genesis Agosto, University of Nebraska
The news of legislatures nationwide passing banning books seems to be on every librarian's radar, but what about state legislatures proposing anti-book ban legislation? Presently, several states have proposed (and in some cases, enacted) legislation that would serve as a safeguard against the rampant book-banning crisis occurring throughout the nation. A proposed session on anti-book legislation will inform librarians of legislative attempts to combat book banning, as well as discuss what perhaps should be (or should not be included) in proposed legislation.
Sat, Nov. 9, 9:45–10:45 a.m.
Program 9A
New Faculty – Best Practices for the Law Library
Presenters:
- John Edwards, Drake University
- Lexi Brennan, Drake University
- Amy Koopmann, University of Iowa
- Sandy Placzek, University of Nebraska
New faculty arrive each year with varying expectations of what the library can do for them – or perhaps with no expectations at all. What are the best practices for helping new faculty acclimate to law teaching and library services? What is an ideal timeline for helping new faculty in the process? What are the key messages the library should communicate to new faculty? This panel will discuss successful approaches to helping ensure that new faculty fully appreciate what the library has to offer.
Program 9B
Product Acquisition, Evaluation and Lifecycle
Presenters:
- Allison Reeve Davis, Littler Mendelson
- Ayyoub Ajmi, University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law
In a world proliferating with new technology and solutions to basic services our responsibilities become even more acute as we evaluate products for business efficiency, support the practice of law, and demonstrate budgetary acumen. This program identifies the principals of a successful product evaluation and looks at best practices for teams in the midst of a product trial. We will demonstrate successes from multiple types of legal information institutions.
Saturday, Nov. 9, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Program 10A
Preparing Gen Z for Next Gen Bar:
Presenter: Ariel Newman, University of Missouri Kansas City
This proposed session, led by a Gen Z presenter, aims to equip law librarians with strategies for tailoring legal research exercises to Gen Z law students, preparing them for the NextGen Bar Exam. The session would include an overview of the NextGen Bar followed by an exploration of the unique learning styles of Gen Z; practical strategies for crafting research exercises that abide by the principles of andragogy; and effective techniques for implementing continuous assessments accompanied by constructive feedback. Focus is on academic law libraries, but may interest firm and govt librarians.
Program 10B
GENERATIVE AI - Your New Favorite Teaching and Research Assistant
Presenters:
- Paul Callister, University of Missouri Kansas City
- Joe Custer, Case Western University
- Barbara Glesner Fines, University of Missouri Kansas City
We will explore how generative AI can be integrated into legal education, extending beyond traditional research teaching to address ethical obligations. AI offers innovative possibilities for lesson plans, activities, and personalized instruction. We will also tackle the challenges of allowing students to use AI in their presentations and papers, and develop strategies to encourage students to enhance their analytical skills and produce original work. Join us to share best practices for motivating students to transcend AI and excel academically.