Student Workers Rule!

You might not realize how heavily academic libraries rely upon student workers.  Without student workers, most academic libraries would not operate efficiently, and many would not operate at all.  The LLTC is no different.  The LLTC employs approximately 20 student workers every semester.  Some work in Technical Services, ensuring that pocket parts are inserted, loose-leafs filed, and periodicals processed and placed appropriately on the shelves.  Other students work in Audio Visual setting up laptops, projectors, and other classroom equipment.  Still, others work in the administrative suite answering phone calls, filing documents, and running errands.  And, still, others work at the Circulation Desk.  Indeed, without student workers at the Circulation Desk, the LLTC would probably need to reduce its operating hours by at least 25%. 

In the past several months, the LLTC has changed some long-standing policies regarding student workers.

The LLTC, at least over the past 5 or so years, has not employed Law Center students at Circulation.  The policy changed during the Winter 2011 term.  Now, the LLTC attempts to hire only law students if possible.  We find law students are great student workers.  They know the layout of the LLTC, are able to better direct patrons to reference librarians when needed, and are extremely reliable.  Plus, why not give needed jobs (money) to our own students?  Additionally, the LLTC now employs student reference assistants.  This term we have two reference assistants – Ayelet Faerman and Sylvia Cano.  Each works approximately 5-10 hours a week at the reference desk.  We look for students who did well in LSV (the Law Center’s first-year legal writing and research course) as well as students who have either already taken or are enrolled in Advanced Legal Research.  This has worked out tremendously. 

Possibly the law librarians will be able to convince one of reference assistants that being a law librarian is a great career choice!

Next time your in the LLTC, thank the student workers.  Each student worker works hard.  And, as noted above, without them the LLTC could not function as efficiently as it does.  I’m going to take this opportunity to now thank all of our student workers.  You are awesome and we highly value you!

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.

Getting to Know LLTC: Eric Young

1.  Where did you grow up?

  I grew up in Middletown, Ohio.  Middletown is about 40 miles north of Cincinnati, Ohio and 30 miles south of Dayton, Ohio.  My parents were both college professors at Miami University in Ohio, so I also spent a lot of my time running around the town of Oxford, Ohio.

2.  What you did you begin working for the LLTC? 

I began at the LLTC as Assistant Dean for Law Library & Technology Services and Assistant Professor of Law in January 2010.

3.  Where did you work prior to the LLTC? 

I've been around quite a bit.  My first professional librarian job as Reference Librarian at the Salmon P. Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University.  I worked there for a number years progressing to the Assistant Director for Technology Services.  I also worked a start-up, for-profit law school in far western Kentucky that, unfortunately, shuttered its doors.  I also worked in private practice as a commercial litigator with a large (for Dayton, Ohio) law firm, as a federal judical law clerk, as an attorney for the Social Security Administration, and as an attorney for an insurance defense firm.  Back in my early 20's I managed a Domino's Pizza near my hometown. 

 

4.  What do I do at the LLTC? 

As noted above, I am the Assistant Dean for Law Library & Technology Services and Assistant Professor of Law.  In this capacity, I manage approximately 25 employees and direct the Law Center's library and technology efforts.

5.  What do you like best about your job? 

Meetings.  I realize that is hard to believe, but I actually love meetings and committee work.  I also enjoy working with my colleagues on the Law Center faculty and the other Law Center administrators as well as working with the other staff members of the LLTC.  The Law Center is blessed with a great group of employees and everyday I look forward to coming to work.

6.  What is your proudest accomplishment on the job? 

As a manager, my proudest accomplishments are the accomplishments of my staff.  When a staff member accomplishes something and is proud of the work he or she did, I'm proud too.  I'm also very proud of the efforts I've made since my arrival working with so many others to push through the new classroom technology upgrades.  The Law Center needed these upgrades and I'm very proud to have played my part in making the upgrades happen.

7.  What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? 

I enjoy spending time with my partner of 10 years Heath as well as our two dogs, Tank and Piper, and our three cats, Spike, Ms. Meepers, and Grumpy.  Heath and I have a number of TV shows we like to watch together.  I own a 1957 red Ford Thunderbird that I enjoy tooling around in on the weekends. 

8.  Favorite food? 

I'm not a picky eater – I like everything except coconut.

9.  Favorite book? 

I enjoy reading a lot different stuff.  As a teenager, I read every horror and science fantasy book I could get my hands on, and I still enjoy picking something up in those genres every once in while to read.  It is tough for me to point to one single book.  Lately, I've enjoyed the author Patrick McGrath.  If you decided to pick up one of his books, start with his first The Grotesque.  I also enjoy all things David Sedaris and Augusten Burroughs. 

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

In my opinion, law school is largely about time management.  If you are willing to manage your time wisely, with a lot of it put aside for class preparation and study, you will do just fine.  Don't get behind.