BAILEY DISCUSSES WHY SHE JOINED AALL & WHY SHE STAYS A MEMBER
Bailey DeSimone is the Library Technician (Metadata) at the Law Library of Congress in Washington, DC.
WHY DID YOU JOIN AALL?
I am an aspiring law librarian—I’m interested in becoming a reference librarian for a government law library and working closely with digital resources and instruction.
WHY DO YOU STAY A MEMBER?
I am currently a student of the University of Maryland at College Park’s Master of Library and Information Science program. Much of my research focuses on access to legal information, and I am currently working on a larger research project about how law librarians can assist legal clinics in helping educate pro se litigants in legal research. AALL has fantastic coffee chats, presentations, community forums, and publications that have helped me understand the profession from a multitude of institutions, and to further explore my research questions.
WHAT ONE MEMBER BENEFIT IS MOST VALUABLE TO YOU?
I enjoy the webinars and coffee chats. I think it’s great to hear from folks of all different experiences and backgrounds.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY ASSOCIATED WITH AALL?
I have loved learning about access to justice via coffee chats, presentations, and conference sessions.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING OUTSIDE OF WORK?
In the nicer weather, I love to be outdoors! My favorite activities are bike rides throughout DC or hiking in the mountains. I also love drawing, sketching, painting, scrapbooking, writing, coloring—all sorts of creative activities!
WHAT BOOK(S) ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?
I usually keep a book of short stories/poetry handy, and a nonfiction book on hand. As of now, I’m reading Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer as my nature-inspired read, and am making my way through Leaves of Grass whenever I need something peaceful.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TRAVEL/VACATION DESTINATION?
Anywhere in the mountains. I love national parks and forests. The Black Forest in Germany was the most beautiful place I have ever seen.