Strategic Directions

2021-2024 GLL-SIS STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS

MISSION

 The Government Law Libraries Special Interest Section (GLL-SIS) fosters professional excellence and a strategic place for law libraries in their parent organizations by providing a common and open forum for collaborative networking, continuing education, and advocacy opportunities for its members and their libraries.

VALUES

  • The vital role of the law librarian in a democratic society
  • Facilitating open access to legal information and access to justice
  • Supporting diversity, equity and inclusion for better initiatives and outcomes

GOAL I: NETWORKING

Our diverse peer-powered community is our greatest collective strength. Creating opportunities to network, connect, and build relationships supports us in our jobs and our careers.

(A) Objective: Support and create social and networking opportunities inclusive of all members

Satisfying this objective could include:

  1. Encourage development of more reoccurring remote networking opportunities
  2. Provide social and networking opportunities in relation to the AALL Annual Meeting
  3. Host virtual social events

(B) Objective: Help members identify and connect with mentors

Satisfying this objective could include:

  1. Promote SKILLS Inventory as a tool for point-of-need mentoring, including monitoring My Communities posts for potential outreach and follow up
  2. Maintain and support a GLL-SIS Mentor Program

(C) Objective: Establish systematic ways to curate and capture resource sharing

Satisfying this objective could include:

  1. Explore options for a member-only online repository for resource sharing
  2. Review Marketing Mavens initiative for possible revival or revamping

(D) Objective: Explore expansion of member communication and outreach methods

Satisfying this objective could include:

  1. Identify and reach out to new GLL-SIS members
  2. Create schedule for outreach touchpoints with new GLL-SIS members (e.g., one-year anniversary)
  3. Consider using additional contact methods (e.g., blogs, social media)

GOAL II: EDUCATION

Continuing education is a cornerstone of a life-long learning mindset. Supporting members’ growth and learning at all levels and stages requires providing opportunities for both in-person and virtual education.

(A) Objective: Create professional development and educational opportunities

Satisfying this objective could include:

  1. Provide technology education/training (e.g., developing multimedia online content)
  2. Use previously secured vendor funding to generate GLL-focused topical guides series or update/revamp existing GLL Resource Guides
  3. Develop moderated week-long topical discussions using GLL My Communities

(B) Objective: Provide financial support of member educational opportunities

Satisfying this objective could include:

  1. Promote awareness and encourage use of GLL Grants Committee funding
  2. Create GLL Grant for minority group member to attend AALL Annual Meeting
  3. Create GLL Grant to attend DEI-specific training

(C) Objective: Evaluate current GLL-SIS structure and initiatives in light of new realities and challenges

Satisfying this objective could include:

  1. Explore combining annual Business Meeting and evening reception
  2. Investigate development of a GLL Summit/Access to Justice Workshop (similar to PLLIP Summit model)
  3. Hold quarterly GLL Board Town Hall meetings for increased transparency and member engagement

(D) Objective: Provide educational opportunities focused on diversity and inclusion

Satisfying this objective could include:

  1. Provide diversity training opportunities, either independently or in partnership with other AALL entities
  2. Complete a review (and possible revision) of current GLL-SIS Awards categories
  3. Extend one-year complimentary GLL-SIS membership(s) to AALL George Strait Minority Scholarship recipient(s) annually

GOAL III: ADVOCACY

Advocacy necessitates active involvement. Whether promoting access to justice or internal user needs, law librarians seek out and develop innovative solutions, always with the end goal of increased, equitable and fair access to legal information. We also advocate for and among ourselves for inclusion and equity.

(A) Objective: Support and develop access to justice initiatives

Satisfying this objective could include:

  1. Support and advocate for free online public access to court records
  2. Strengthen and systematize relationship with AALL Director of Government Relations to support advocacy at both the national and local levels
  3. Gather and provide examples of developing and implementing internal access to justice initiatives (e.g., legal clinics, court help centers)

(B) Objective: Promote advocacy awareness through best practices

Satisfying this objective could include:

  1. Develop GLL-centric advocacy training initiative and resources
  2. Explore new ways to effectively compile, present, and preserve both best practices information (GLL Toolkit) and institution information (GLL Member Libraries)

(C) Objective: Identify opportunities to support and develop diversity and inclusion initiatives

Satisfying this objective could include:

  1. Host moderated discussion using GLL My Communities to identify issues, share best practices, and provide group support
  2. Engage in fact finding to inform initiative development