The National Legal Research Teach-In, sponsored by RIPS-SIS, is an annual
campaign to give law librarians the opportunity to share materials and
ideas for legal research instruction. Each year the RIPS Teach-In committee
solicits contributions from the law library community to create a compilation
of materials for use in developing and advertising educational programs
and events for our institutions. These materials are distributed several
weeks prior to National Library Week in April to anyone interested in
legal research instruction.
The initial idea for a teach-in sprang from several "Bridge the Gap"
programs designed to bolster the sagging research skills of students and
new lawyers. It soon became apparent that law librarians were in a unique
position to effectively and economically meet the research instruction
needs of the legal community. So, in 1993 the first Teach-In event was
created to celebrate legal research instruction and to demonstrate the
importance of involving more law librarians in teaching these skills.
In essence, by sharing the excellent resources designed by individual
librarians, we empower all librarians to implement high quality training
programs. When more and more librarians around the country become visible
as highly competent and capable instructors, it then becomes easier for
others to assume that role in their own institutions. This simple act
of sharing has enabled law librarians to satisfy a genuine need within
the legal community while positioning our profession as a proactive resource
rather than a reactive one.
We welcome your suggestions and contributions to this cooperative venture
as we strive to keep our instructional initiatives relevant to our ever-changing
research environment. Information about the current Teach-In and former
campaigns is available below. Or you may contact the project co-chairs
with your comments or questions.