Technology and Law Libraries:  AALL 2009

The Theme for the 2009 AALL convention was Innovate. Nowhere was this theme more clearly demonstrated than in the technology programs and workshops. From the start of the Conference, with a full day program, Cool Tools:  The Workshop, to the last day’s program on Digital Archives and Vlogging for Law Libraries, the variety and scope of the technological programs for innovation was aptly demonstrated. The theme of Web 2.0 was a constant throughout the convention. The ability of law libraries to accept and adapt 2.0 internet innovative information technologies is now a necessity. Web 2.0 technologies have taken over libraries as the new technology for communication, collaboration, and information distribution.

The CS-SIS section demonstrated many of the new technology tools in their workshop on Cool Tools before the Conference official began. Last year’s Cool Tools program was enjoyed by everyone. This year it was expanded to a full day workshop. It continued in its purpose to demonstrate how to innovate delivery of services and information with the use of technology. The Saturday all day workshop included discussion and demonstration of technologies such as wikis, blogs, social networks, widgets, weblog extensions, collaboration software, AJAX, RSS, APIs, and virtual worlds. All of the participants were able to discuss, debate, and learn about the possible uses of various types of technology for dissemination of legal information and collaboration with other law librarians.

The CS-SIS and other Special Interest Sections sponsors also covered the complete gamut of innovation and Web 2.0 technology this year in the conference programs. Every section had a program devoted to the integration of technology into the law library environment.

The programs offered included the following:

• CS-SIS Hot Topic I:  Why Librarians Should Care About Emerging Technologies
• Making Your ILS Web 2.0 - Open source and OPECS
• Chat 2.0: Renovating Virtual Reference
• Videos for Web Distribution and Vodcasting
• Discovering Advocacy Web 2.0 Tools: Key to Influencing Congress
• WEB 2.0 Challenge - Learning Web 2.0 Tools
• WYDSIWYG - Web 2.0 and ADA Access
• Web 2.0 Driving Innovation in the Law Firm Library
• Vlogging for Law Libraries
• Digital Archives and Digital Preservation
• GIS Applications in the Law
• The Next Generation of Integrated Library systems

Web technologies demonstrated during the convention include innovations for the complete spectrum of law libraries:  firms, public, and academic. I have highlighted several of the programs that included technology for everyone regardless of the type of law library below:

• A-1 Making Your ILS Web 2.0 Happy - This program focused on the use of open source Web 2.0 technology and the ability to integrate it into the library OPEC. The program focused on discussions of the need to augment integrated library systems (ILS) with new technology and problems that are faced in integrating this innovation into existing technology. The program also utilized demonstrations of various methods of integrating this new technology.
• G-4 WYDSIWYG: What You Don’t See Is What You Get - Victoria J. Szymczak, Coordinator and Moderator of this program, has been deeply involved in Web 2.0 tools and access for disabled persons. She moved the panel through the discussion of disabilities and libraries failure to adequately address ADA needs. The program was designed to give information to help design a web site that would be compliant with section 508 of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The information discussed and showcased should help everyone in the law library environment be more conscious of the need for adaptive technology in the law library for students and patrons with disabilities. For more information about this important facet of access to law libraries materials see the CS-SIS web site page at www.aallnet.org/sis/cssis/adaptive/design.asp.
• E-1 Videos for Web Creation and Vodcasting - This presentation was aimed for individuals with a high degree of skill and a good budget for technical equipment. The program covered the steps in making a video in depth and provided good websites and information to follow up on the process. The handouts were very well organized, but I found the process more than I was prepared to follow up on. The diehard film maker/videographer would really enjoy this information.
• K-1 Vlogging for Law Libraries - Vlogging or video blogging is an update to the standard blog or Blawg that is familiar to most law librarians. This program showed the use of library Vlogs, the necessary software and hardware essential for creating Vlogs, and methods of distributing the information. Costs and open source software were highlighted. Problems and additional uses were also discussed. This is an interesting innovation for the technologically sophisticated Web 2.0 users.
• D-1 The CS-SIS Web 2.0 Challenge - The web 2.0 Challenge for last year was a big success. This program was based upon last year’s session and the challenge that followed for five weeks after the program. The room was full of interested librarians, many of who had been a part of the challenge. The comments showed that those who participated really appreciated the tools and skill that they were forced you to learn during the 5 week program. This session demonstrated the successes and failures that were experienced by Meg Kribble, Deborah Ginsberg, and Bonnie Shucha, who started the program. They related many of the comments of the participants who had blogged and critiqued the program. Several of the mediators and facilitators of the program also contributed insight regarding the effectiveness of various aspects of the program. Everyone shared ideas and all present appreciated the feedback on the program. Many in the audience were part of the 102 new librarians included in the 2009 Web 2.0 challenge. This group represents the various types of law librarians and was geographically diverse.

The Web 2.0 Challenge is a five week online learning program designed to introduce law librarians to the professional side of Web 2.0 tools. The program included the following modules.

• Week of August 3: Blogs & RSS
• Week of August 10 Flickr & Social Bookmarking
• Week of August 17 Social Networking & Twitter
• Week of August 24 Wikis & LibGuides
• Week of August 31 Web 2.0 @ Your Library

All participants must join and use these tools and during the 5 week class period have weekly electronic “chats about the tools and ways to better utilize them.” I was a participant in the challenge this year and found the experience very rewarding but it requires a substantial time commitment.

For more information on the Web 2.0 Challenge go to the CS-SIS website, http://cssis.org/category/web-20-challenge/.

Reviewing the agenda of AALL programs, which highlighted the various nuances of Web 2.0 applications and the use of technology with its many varied components shows that we, as law librarians, are continuing to adapt and adopt technology in all aspects of law librarianship. The programs at the 2009 AALL Conference showcased technology and how to adapt Web 2.0 tools to a changing library environment. If you haven't yet begun to experiment, check out these tools for your library. They will change the way law libraries offer services, communicate with fellow law librarians, and provide access to their communities. I look forward to the future and new ways to utilize the technology that is currently available for law librarians.