From the Desk of Susan E. Fox

AALL Commemorates 50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education

On May 17, 1954, The United States Supreme Court changed the course of American history by unanimously agreeing to outlaw racial segregation in national public schools. That decision ignited the civil rights movement and engaged our country in debates about rights and race that continue today.

To celebrate this historic decision, the Committee on Diversity has planned a variety of events to take place now until the Symposium at the Association’s Annual Meeting in Boston. To start off, the April issue of AALL Spectrum will be dedicated to Brown; articles will highlight the legacy of Brown, the impact of the decision on American education, and recent changes to affirmative action and higher education. For the next few months, be on the look out for celebration updates and announcements on the Committee on Diversity’s Webpage. And consult the June issue of Spectrum for highlights of the Symposium and an outline of activities scheduled for the Committee on Diversity’s Annual Meeting information table.

Please read the announcement in the upcoming February issue of AALL Spectrum for more information about Brown anniversary celebrations.

For each new member you recruit to join AALL February 15-April 15, your name will be entered into a drawing for free AALL dues for one year. (Note: The new member cannot be employed by the same employer as the recruiting AALL member.) Three names will be drawn, and winners will be announced no later than May 15, 2004.

Send the names of your prospective new members to Steve Oberhoffer, AALL membership coordinator.

The Southeastern Chapter of AALL, SEAALL, cordially invites you to experience Virginia with your law librarian colleagues. SEAALL will hold its 2004 Annual Meeting, “Virginia is for Law Librarians,” March 25-27 in Richmond.

Meeting highlights include a diverse selection of education programs, such as negotiating, managing staff, site licenses, cataloging, academic freedom, research in bankruptcy and securities law, and First Amendment issues. Richmond attorney David Baugh will deliver the keynote address.

You may register for the meeting by mail or e-mail until March 12. For more information, contact Timothy Coggins at 804-289-8218.