I’ll Have a Caramel Macchiato and So Will Everyone Else

Last weekend, I attended the annual meeting of the Southeastern Chapter of the American Association of Law Libraries (SEAALL) in Clearwater Beach, Florida.  While I could devote an entire discussion to the many things I learned at the conference, I will instead discuss an idea I had en route from the conference, while driving on Interstate 75.  Well, the first idea that came to me, while on my drive, was to stop for some coffee.  This was not unusual for me, as I like coffee very much, especially at Starbucks.  Sprinkled across the state, there are a number of these coffee shops, and I was determined to see other parts of Florida, so I based my stops on the location of these particular coffee shops.  Using my GPS, I located a number of coffee shops to stop at along the way.  While advertising takes many forms, once you have actually entered the coffee shop, you’ll notice that at Starbucks, they tend to promote items on the menu using posters or chalkboard drawings.  That way, if you don’t readily know what a Tazo® Green Tea Crème Frappuccino® is, you might explore that option, and it’s a delicious option indeed.  Upon approaching the register, I noticed that the sign this month was promoting a caramel macchiato, one of the more expensive drinks on the menu.  It was a simple sign, with an attractive photo of two beverages, one with ice and one with steam.  I wondered how effective these simple advertisements were in helping customers select a menu item, or even whether it would make them aware that this was an item on the menu available for purchase (and had been for years).  I decided to ask the barista if he had noticed an increase in sales of the caramel macchiato.  He replied that sales at his store had increased significantly for the caramel macchiato, likely due to the signage.  It wasn’t being advertised as a special for that month; rather the message was just that you could have one, if you wanted, at Starbucks, in the morning or afternoon, iced or hot, as you always could.  After the conference, which was all about law libraries, teaching, service, and scholarship, I had been left thinking about various ways to promote resources in our library, and of course there should probably be a number of different strategies used to disseminate information; but I wondered about the Starbucks method.  Clearly, a retail store does not have the same goals as a library, but we do share some things in common.  Signage is relevant in both contexts, and getting the word out about our offerings is also important.  We’re not interested in sales, but we’d be very happy to let our patrons know about databases that have always been available and have always been great, but might be new to them.

But, when is signage most effective?  I discussed this topic with a librarian colleague, and we came to the conclusion that signage can be more effective when the audience already wants something, as in the case of the coffee shop customer, who has already entered the store in pursuit of something, whether a beverage, food item, or a place to sit for hours to think; or in the case of a library patron, who is looking for information, guidance, or a place to sit for hours to think.  Where is the best place for a sign?  It’s been my experience that signs tend to be missed when people are in motion (although billboards seem to be effective, but it’s likely that there are other explanations for that).  Therefore, signs might be more effective for promotion purposes, if they’re placed where a person will be stationary, at his/her final destination or rest point, in a place where you’d like them to end up, either at the register or at the reference desk.  For example, a sign, simply drawn or visually captivating, placed in front of the reference desk, might be just the right location to encourage a patron to ask about the highlighted resource.  I’m sure there are many other ideas that I could take away from observing the signage at Starbucks (I immediately think about how Starbucks has to make the language of coffee accessible to its customers, a venti white chocolate mocha no whip, what’s that?, as we have similar concerns about terminology in libraries, e.g., interlibrary loan, SuDoc numbers, subject headings, etc.).  I welcome your suggestions.  I probably wouldn’t have had six caramel macchiato beverages this month but for the effective signage at Starbucks, and I am sure that there are others who’ve responded similarly.  In fact, the moment I stepped away from the register to collect my beverage, the very next person put in her order for a caramel macchiato.

Do you have a minute? Or seven?

In my eleventh grade English class, we began each session with a seven minute writing assignment.  I’m sure this was intended to allow us time to think deeply about a topic for at least two minutes, and then to write furiously for the remaining five minutes so as to not be outdone by our peers who were composing the great American novel, or at least working out the plot mechanics, with a serenity and calmness that I did not possess.  Alternatively, maybe the purpose of this time was just to provide a seven minute break for the teacher.  Though after many years, I still remember this teacher, so she was, in all likelihood, an effective instructor despite the seven minute break.  In fact, she may have only had these seven minutes to sit quietly and reflect.  At the time, I didn’t think about what the teacher was doing or why she was doing it.  I was focused on the amount of ink on my paper and whether or not my ideas would be original or even interesting when compared with others.  I gazed at my content classmates, who looked as though they thought the teacher had just told them to take a nap for seven minutes, who likely weren’t experiencing inner turmoil, as I thought I was.  I spent the initial two minutes in every class in a panic, or my version of a panic, as I went through figurative drawers and tossed ideas about as though I was making a final selection of my outfit for the first day of school, knowing full well that my mother was going to memorialize my portrait for years to come and that I had always regretted those balloon pants I had worn one year (obviously, a truly minor concern in retrospect).  Eventually, I would come up with an idea, and I’d share it with the class.  Looking back on the experience, I learned a lot from my classmates, and after seven minutes, the teacher was back in action, moderating our conversation.  I still remember some of the discussions we had about ideas that students had come up with, in just seven minutes.  The teacher had given the assignment, frightened most of us enough so that we tried our best, but was supportive enough to allow a free exchange of ideas in the classroom, and that’s what is resonating with me even years later.  It was an environment that panicked some, inspired others, and did very little for a few, who were simply there to fulfill a required class.  As librarians, we might have the opportunity to teach a class, but there is also a built in instructional component to our work even if we’re not in the front of a classroom.  So, my question for the blogosphere is this, what makes a good teacher?  You’ll have seven minutes to provide a response; ready, set, go.

The Top 12 Reasons for Faculty to Work with Outreach Services at the Law Library & Technology Center

12. Expert research assistance from experienced librarians—contact your faculty liaison for details

11. Library guides with print and electronic resources for your seminar classes—these are subject bibliographies available online for your students, created by librarians and research assistants

10. In class presentations on specialized research topics—librarians will teach a lesson in your class with your input and guidance, or without, whichever you prefer

9. Library tours—we’ll guide you and/or your students through the collection and we’ll welcome your suggestions for new acquisitions

8. Meetings with Alison Rosenberg—I’m available any time you want to talk, not just when there’s an iPad at stake

7. We’re on Facebook and Twitter, so you can find us or follow us any time and we’ll provide you with useful information about our
events, resources, and services

6. We’ll be at law school events—supporting all of our efforts to promote intellectual growth and curiosity

5. There’s more than one way to search for information, and we’ll make it fun—if we can’t find what you’re looking for, we probably know someone who can, and if we can’t or don’t, in all likelihood what you’re looking for doesn’t exist—at least not yet; which brings me to my next reason

4. We’re creators of information—we blog on Novalawcity, write for publications, author library guides, and engage in our own scholarship—and we are available to work with you on your projects

3. We’re a friendly group, and we’ll help you in any way we can—librarianship is a service oriented profession

2. Technology—it’s abundant and at times overwhelming, but we can teach you how to apply it, operate it, consume it, or simply make it work for you

1. The possibility of an iPad with your name on it—it’s our participation reward of choice, definitely a good reason to fill out the
faculty survey by November 15, 2011

Getting to Know LLTC: Alison Rosenberg

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Miami, Florida, and I resided there for eighteen years.  As for growing up, that’s a lifelong process for me.

What year did you begin working for the LLTC?

I began working part-time for the LLTC in 2008 while I was enrolled in the distance Master’s program in library and information studies at Florida State University.  When I arrived at the LLTC, I spent most of my time at the reference desk, which was great for me because I love helping people.

Where did you work prior to the LLTC? 

Prior to arriving in Davie, Florida, I attended law school at Northwestern in Chicago, Illinois.  While in Chicago, I developed a love for the Chicago Transit Authority (“CTA”).  I was fascinated by the concept that you could travel anywhere in the city without having to walk a great distance once you arrived at your destination, which was a benefit while living in cold weather.  A bit of advice for those who move to cold climates after spending the majority of their lives in flip flops—it’s the accessories that really protect against the elements, so (1) find boots with excellent tread on the bottom—don’t go for fashion, as slipping is a very real possibility; (2) get a very long coat—the longest you can find, and get a puffy one—throw style to the wind (literally, if you’re in Chicago); (3) wear earmuffs—I had to learn the hard way that if you need to walk even a small distance, your ears will soon be radiating with pain (at first I thought it was just me and that I had been walking too fast or that I had an ear infection—but no, you need to cover every part of your body with fabric—see my coat; and (4) invest in a snowbrush if you own a car—do not attempt to use paper towels because although they are super absorbent, it’s not practical to use them for snow removal, and even less practical to use your hands once you run out of paper towels.

So, as I said, I developed an interest in public transportation, and I thought that I might apply to work for the City after graduation.  I loved the CTA for the people watching—and there was much to observe on public transportation.  I worked at a law firm before law school, and I loved the morning ride to work when passengers took up every inch of space in the bus, all of them bright-eyed and ready for the day ahead (I’m not sure if they actually were bright-eyed or just being squeezed too tightly by the other passengers).  I read up on the bus and train schedules, discovering all of the places you could go on the different routes.  Soon, I had lived in Chicago long enough to be able to help others get to their destinations.  I loved tourist season in the summer when all the visitors would board the CTA, fold open their maps, and try to figure out how to get from place to place.  I was really excited to tell these travelers the best ways to go and provide them with a little known fact about each landmark.  Looking back at these experiences, it makes sense to me now that I became a librarian.  These experiences—and the time when my college English class was scheduled to take a field trip to the rare books collection in our library, and I could not contain my enthusiasm—should have all pointed me toward librarianship.  Yes, I was just that excited to see the rare books—and they definitely lived up to the hype.

Simply stated, my prior law experience includes several public interest organizations with a focus on access to justice and civil liberties, a big law firm, and a small law firm.  My prior library experience includes the LLTC.

What do I do at the LLTC?

I am the head of a new department in the LLTC called Outreach Services.  My department is responsible for developing programs and services for faculty and students, and also for the NSU community, alumni, and public.  It is a job that makes me excited to come to work every day because there are endless opportunities for professional growth, and I still get to tell people how to get places. 

What do you like best about your job? How did you come to be here?

There are many things that I love about my job, but mainly I love being in academics because of the opportunities to learn.  I was always someone who loved being in school.  I really loved it, and I was a very serious student.  Years ago, I realized that at some point my formal education would end, and I would be forced to secure a job where I would be focused on one area or skill.  So, before that happened, I considered ways to prolong my education.  I decided to attend law school, in part because my father held a strong belief that I would become a skilled appellate attorney (I think he still hopes that will happen someday), and in part because my undergraduate English major had very few obvious career choices that weren’t prefaced by the words “struggling” or “starving”.  When I graduated from law school, my career counselor helped me discover that I didn’t want to be a practicing attorney—at least not right away.  So, after reviewing my life’s path, I went back to what I loved, which had always been books and learning, and I decided to enter library school.  It was a decision that required a lot of explanations to those who had seen me go through law school.  How many years of school is it?  Your classes are all online?  All of them?  Fortunately, it turned out that there was an actual job where I could use both my law degree and my library degree—a law librarian—and that’s how I came to be here.

What is your proudest accomplishment on the job? 

My goal as a librarian is to help people find information and feel good about the process, and I am happy when I can make someone’s work a little easier for them by teaching them something they didn’t know before.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? 

Television—lots of television. That probably seems somewhat discordant following everything I just said about loving education and learning, but I love TV—and it does have an educational component.  My brother and I used to identify SAT words while watching The Simpsons, and I can get very competitive playing Jeopardy—by the way, did you ever notice how successful librarians are on Jeopardy?  Whenever they appear, it seems that they have no problem answering questions about obscure or random topics.  Television also helps me stay attuned to popular culture.  If I don’t understand a reference that I hear on TV, I look it up. 

I also enjoy taking naps, vacations, and spending time with my family.  I like activities that require only a moderate level of energy.

Favorite food? 

Since I enjoy so many types of food, I’ll just name the greens and the sweets:  Le Sueur very young small early peas, artichokes, avocados, frosting, cake with ample frosting, and boxes of chocolates that contain a map (because I like to look up each chocolate and read a bit about it before I eat it).

Favorite book? 

My favorite books to read are those that provide me with insight into the human experience through character development.  I like to read the same book multiple times and sometimes years apart, because I have found that I get more out of reading that way.

Is there any particular advice you would like to share with students? 

As you are mastering the legal theory in your classes, learn as many practical skills as you can while in law school.  Enroll in clinics and externships that will expose you to the areas of law that interest you.  Take advantage of any opportunity to develop your legal research skills, as it’s been suggested that good students can get by without strong legal research skills.  See Steve Kolowich’s article.  So, while it’s possible to become a top student without possessing strong legal research skills, it is advisable to take some time to focus on this aspect of your education because it is vital to the practice of law.  This statement taken from the preamble to the Florida Rules of Professional Conduct is one that I’ve found to be a useful guide for present and future lawyers:  A lawyer should strive to attain the highest level of skill, to improve the law and the legal profession, and to exemplify the legal profession’s ideals of public service.  You can work on these goals right now, while you’re in law school, and if you’ll let us, librarians are excited to help you do it.

Florida Supreme Court Joins Twitter

On the main page of the Florida Supreme Court's website, you will now notice a tiny turquoise icon indicating that the Florida Supreme Court is using Twitter as a communication platform.  The first tweet was released on April 5, 2010, with subsequent tweets offering links to briefs, opinions, filings, and court news.  You can subscribe to an RSS feed of the tweets or follow the Florida Supreme Court on twitter via @flcourts.

Hat tip to The Florida Bar News.

Something Old, Something New, Something Complimentary for You

Curious if your favorite Thomson West publication has a new edition on the horizon?  Check out the West Academic Faculty Online Store.  A keyword or advanced search will alert you to newer editions and estimated dates of availability.  Professors can also request a complimentary copy of a text that interests them.  Be sure to read the fine print.  Although, in this case the print is fairly large.

Friend or Foe? On Facebook, It’s Not So Clear

An Australian court has ruled that a mortgage lender may serve a foreclosure notice via Facebook.  See Aussie court OKs using Facebook for serving lien.  Efforts at contacting the homeowners had failed until the attorney for the lender was able to locate the profile of the borrower through an associate’s Facebook page.  While there are certain electronic means that are recognized as proper methods for serving legal documents, notice by way of a social networking website is a new tactic.  In Australia, e-mails and text messages also have been deemed acceptable methods of service.  Professor Rory Ryan of Baylor Law School says, in the U.S., “legal rules list several acceptable delivery methods, but not surprisingly, Facebook isn't included.”  While Facebook boasts that it “helps you connect and share with the people in your life,” it may some day help the people in your life to serve you with court papers.

Not as Many Alternatives as You Might Think

Is the Versatility of a Law Degree Just a Myth?  Not exactly.  An article from the National Law Journal reports on the challenges that law graduates confront as they enter the job market and discover that an alternative career path is not as accessible as they may have thought.  Nonlegal employers are not always impressed by law degrees.  Law graduates may set themselves apart from other well-qualified applicants but not in the favorable way they may have anticipated.  This concept baffles law graduates who were told that law school provides a path to a variety of careers.  However, law graduates seeking alternative careers should not fold their diplomas into paper hats just yet.  Even though there are limited opportunities for alternative career seeking law graduates, a little creativity can help you identify interesting, alternative employment.  Future law school applicants are asked to consider their career paths before devoting time and resources to the study of law, and those who are on their way to becoming law graduates are advised to market themselves well to employers.  So, if you are pursuing your law degree with the intention of sidestepping the legal profession, expect challenges but know that the law degree is about as flexible as you are.
Hat tip to Law.com.

See AlternativeLawyerJobs.com for some ideas.

Decision 2008: The First Dog

Who should be the first dog?  That question has inspired a debate about goldendoodles and pure bred poodles, but it also reminds us that animal welfare is an important issue to many people, including some lawyers.  Organizations such as the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the Humane Society of the United States fight legal battles on behalf of animals and animal enthusiasts.  Animal law is expanding as an area of study in law schools and as an area of practice in law firms.  See how animal law is gaining ground.

On a side note, the current White House first pets, Barney and Miss Beazley, each have their own official government websites, although Barney’s is more elaborate.  They even answer their own emails.