Filippa on gathering with law librarians of all generations
Filippa Anzalone is the Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Library & Technology Services at Boston College Law Library in Boston, Massachusetts.
Why did you join AALL?
I joined AALL because I was a member of LLNE (Law Librarians of New England) and ABLL (Association of Boston Law Librarians) and I wanted to meet law librarians from all over the country. I also heard wonderful stories of past AALL annual meetings from some of the senior law librarians in the New England community. The meetings sounded amazing and the list of law library luminaries that they knew was enticing to someone new to the profession. Remember, we are talking 1980-1981 here!
Why do you stay a member?
I stay a member because I love our glorious profession–both the substance of law librarianship and the people in it. AALL provides a forum for us all to connect. Baby law librarians and those long in the tooth can all gather, meet, discuss, educate, and inspire each other.
What one membership benefit is most valuable to you?
Between meetings, I love that I can check the directory or AALLnet and be connected with colleagues . I especially love the AALL mentor program. I have met some wonderful younger professionals by being a AALL mentor.
What is your favorite memory associated with AALL?
I have served in two capacities that were very important to me; as a member of the Diversity Committee and as ALL-SIS chair.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I enjoy hanging out with family and friends. I read, do some needlework, and I love to go to water aerobics and I swim. I love theatre, concerts, and museums and am blessed to live in an area that is culturally active and exciting.
What book(s) are you currently reading?
I am re-reading Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Full Catastrophe Living and Philip Roth’s American Pastoral. I always have a book of poetry going as well–right now, a volume of Mary Oliver’s poems is on my nightstand.
What’s your favorite travel/vacation destination?
Anywhere–I love to travel. Seriously, I love to experience new cultures and, of course, eat and drink like a native where ever I go. Even though I like variety, I return to Italy from time to time; but my all-time favorite vacations were the ones we took when our daughters, who are now 30 and 24, were young. We went to Brewster on Cape Cod every summer for two week after the girls got out of Magic Circle Theatre day camp at Tufts University. I can still feel that unique sensation of the weight of daily responsibilities lifting off my shoulders as the car drove over the Sagamore Bridge that spans the Cape Cod canal. Driving over that bridge is a very symbolic rite of passage for me.