Volume 17, No. 1
October 2002

Electronic Issues Interest Group
Marylin J. Raisch, Chair, upon report of acting chair for 2002 annual meeting, Lyonette Louis-Jacques

July 21, 2002: Attended by: Lyonette Louis-Jacques (acting chair, with thanks from Marylin Raisch), Jonathan Pratter (Texas), Daniel Boyer (McGill), and Arundhati Satkalmi (St. John’s University Law School.

Issues discussed at this year’s meeting fell into three categories: foreign law databases, FCIL web site content, distance learning and e-services in our area (such as e-reference).

Foreign databases are now expanding and reaching sophisticated levels. The German database Juris was discussed, Mirela Roznovschi of NYU has experience with it, and other attendees expressed interest. Indian languages and databases were also mentioned. Daniel Boyer of McGill discussed the need to pressure Lexis to reinstate the complete library of French law rather than just the Juris-Classeur materials now posted, which are a fraction of the old French law library. After the Electronic Issues IG drafts a letter, the FCIL SIS executive committee will be consulted to approve it. Pascal Petticollot announced that as of September 15, 2002, Legifrance will have all French primary law for free.

FCIL SIS web site content development was discussed. Those present discussed expansion of the publications committee or creation of a sub-committee on adding content to the site. Categories of desired content included more links to research guides, and history of the development of FCIL librarianship.

Distance learning was discussed and a possible audience for FCIL as subject matter could include new librarians and use tutorial or courseware options such as the Blackboard/WebCT sorts of models. There could be contributions from existing databases such as LLRX or from various collections and libraries.

E-reference, of the 24/7 variety, was also discussed and there could be evaluation of the consortia, which may have experience with it. Finally, Lyonette distributed a preliminary list of electronic aids to collection development (a version had been mailed out to the FCIL-SIS listserv). Suggestions for additions, changes comments, etc., should go to Teresa Stanton at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Law library; she is organizing the information.