AALL Online Voting Coming This Fall

At last year's business meeting, AALL members voted to approve by-laws amendments that allow for online voting. These amendments also shortened the election cycle in part to elect the new officers prior to the spring Executive Board meeting (traditionally held in April).

We will distribute ballots by e-mail (password protected) by mid-November and complete this year's election by mid-December. We will provide paper ballots to those who request them and to those for whom we do not have e-mail addresses (about 13 percent). Both electronic and paper ballots will provide access to candidate statements, photographs, and biographies, as you have received in issues of AALL Spectrum . After the election, we will permanently archive the statements and related data in Law Library Journal .

Stay tuned! You will hear much more about this revised election schedule and process in the months ahead.

Annual Reports Due June 21

By now chairs, representatives and presidents should have received my memo soliciting your annual reports. Annual reports from committee and SIS chairs, chapter presidents, and AALL representatives should be submitted directly to Frank Houdek, editor of Law Library Journal, via e-mail (preferably as an attached WordPerfect or Word file). A copy of the report should also be sent to KIm Rundle, executive assistant to the executive director.

The reports will be published in Law Library Journal and should be as concise as possible in describing their entities' activities during the past year—space limitations in the journal suggest a target length of 300-500 words.

Participate in the AALL Mentor Project!

The Mentor Project matches newer law librarians with librarians who have some experience under their belts. Mentors provide guidance, support, and a good ear to newer colleagues. Gray hair is not required! Even if you only have a few years' experience, that experience will help someone new to the profession. Please consider reaching out and sharing what you have learned.

For newer librarians, the Mentor Project provides the opportunity for you to learn more about your new profession and the Association from someone who has stood in your shoes.

And did we mention the party? All mentors and mentees will be invited to the Mentoring Reception on Sunday, July 11, at 6-7 p.m. during the Annual Meeting in Boston . The reception will provide an excellent opportunity for mentors and mentees to spend some time together.

The deadline for a guaranteed match is this Friday, May 14. Don't delay! Apply at the Mentor Project Web site.

Did You Move or Change Jobs this Year?

Help ensure that your listing in the 2004-2005 AALL Directory and Handbook is accurate—update your personal profile in the AALLNET Members Only section by June 11 .

Your employer information will be included in the print edition of the 2004-2005 AALL Directory and Handbook . Please make sure this information is up to date and accurate. Enter your own password-protected page at your convenience to update your new e-mail address, title, degree, employer, expanded responsibilities, or other career information.

Forgot your password? Click on the link below the members-only login for an e-mailed reminder. For troubleshooting tips or assistance, please contact Membership Coordinator Steven Oberhoffer at 312/939-4764, extension 10, before June 11 .

Extra! Extra! Editor Needed for AALL Spectrum

AALL Spectrum, the monthly magazine of AALL, is looking for an editor for its monthly “Chapter News” column, beginning with the September/October 2004 issue.

The “Chapter News” editor reports on the latest happenings in AALL's chapters, such as major events, new programs, and local leadership success. Naomi Goodman will write her last column for the July issue of AALL Spectrum in order to pursue other interests in AALL. The Law Library Journal and AALL Spectrum Editorial Board Advisory Committee thanks Naomi for her two years of dedication and service to the magazine and wishes her well in her new position as president-elect of the Chicago Association of Law Libraries.

If you would like to provide AALL members with the inside scoop on the Association's chapters, send a writing sample and cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position to Julia O’Donnell, AALL director of publications.

Calling All Academic Librarians: Let’s Evaluate the ABA Standards for Academic Law Libraries

As part of a continuing effort to keep the law school accreditation process current, the American Bar Association's Committee on Legal Education will soon turn its attention to reviewing law school library standards and considering revisions to its current standards. The 2004 standards appear in Chapter Six, Library and Information Resources and in Chapter 7, Facilities, Standard 702, Law Library.

The ABA is soliciting input from various groups, including AALL, the Association of American Law Schools, and the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction. The ABA Law Library Committee has been charged with gathering the ideas of AALL members and presenting them to the ABA . Towards that end, Judith Wright will post individual standards to the Professional Development Online Forum and solicit your comments. She will gather, compile, and report to the committee about the conversations on this discussion list. There is much at stake, and she hopes that you will take the time to comment on the ABA standards.

For more information click here.