Law on the Silver Screen

The Shepard Broad Law Library and Technology Center (LLTC)
will soon host “Movie Night” for its students.  Reference Librarian Angie Stramiello
approached me several months ago with exciting news – a longtime Professor
suggested to her that the LLTC begin again a “Movie Night”
series.  Angie informed me that
approximately six or seven years ago that “Movie Night” was a
success, albeit a short one.

As Angie described to me the idea, I initially thought to
myself that we (read the librarians of the LLTC) already had plenty to do.  Yet, Angie quickly won me over with her enthusiasm
for the idea and also the enthusiasm she described the faculty member displayed
in reinstituting “Movie Night.”
So, I gave into the idea quickly.

The idea – a professor chooses a movie of his or her choice,
law related, and introduces the film to the student attendees.  The professor provides a short lecture on the
importance of the film’s topic.  Candy,
popcorn, and soda are provided.  A short
quiz is given and prizes awarded.

The LLTC’s first film, sponsored by Professor Mike Richmond,
is “Inherit the Wind.”
Amazingly, after sending out the advertisement for the first film, at
least a half dozen other faculty contacting me interested in sponsoring a
film.  Now we have enough sponsoring
faculty to show a movie each month through this May and probably beyond!  As the Library Director, I’m super-pleased
that so many faculty expressed interest.

The take-away, for me, from all of this is that as a manager
of 9 other librarians, it is best to let my librarians run with ideas that
excite and interest them.  Individuals
perform their best work when they are interested in what they are doing and
when they can take the idea from the beginning and see it through to the
end.  Also, a take-away, is that
librarians can excite faculty.
Excitement is contagious.  I’m
excited and I hope you are excited too about the LLTC’s upcoming “Movie Night”
series.

FYI – the LLTC’s first Movie Night is Tuesday, September 13
starting at 6:30 P.M.  I hope to see many
students, faculty, and staff of the Law Center in a seat enjoying “Inherit
the Wind.”

Thanks Angie and Professor Richmond for your enthusiasm and
thanks to all others on my staff who have worked hard to pull everything
together.  I sit back as I write this
short blog post very proud of my staff.