• packing and storing 6,000 volumes in remote storage
• measuring collections and projecting their growth into the future
• drafting the layout of collections and locations
• moving and reprocessing materials to other locations and changing location codes and book labels
• shifting materials throughout the collections to accommodate dislocated materials and to create space for future relocation and growth
• evaluating materials for disposition in the collection

Already, three ranges from the third floor were removed during spring break to make room for an additional 36 carrels. Throughout the spring, Kristin Cheney, Law Library Director, has been meeting with the law school administration, the architects and library personnel from various departments regarding the plans. Kristin is now leading a project management team within the library to identify tasks and timelines associated with the renovation and to determine how to minimize its impact on library patrons, collections and services, but we expect that some services will be impacted during the construction period this summer. The library will be keeping its patrons and the law school community apprised of future developments. We ask for your patience throughout the project.

Faculty Development Presentation: (De)constructing Faculty Library Services

On April 7, as part of Faculty Development’s Food for the Mind lecture series, Kerry Fitz-Gerald, Kelly Kunsch, and Stephanie Wilson gave a presentation about faculty library services. The librarians discussed resources that support the scholarship process, including Citation 9, Berkeley Electronic Press, and the Legal Scholarship Network. The librarians also talked about appropriate functions of librarians versus research assistants. The presentation was recorded and is available on the Media Law Video Server under Law Library.

National Library Week Recap

The Law Library joined other libraries around the country in celebrating National Library Week on April 3–7. Our second annual READ poster exhibit was a great success. Professors McClellan and Mitchell, Father Sundborg, and Associate Dean Deming agreed to be READ poster celebrity faculty, posing with books that held special significance to them. The posters were designed by Administrative Assistant Jane Draney and Library Director Kristin Cheney. Photographs were taken by campus photographer Anil Kapahi. “Famous Librarians,” an intriguing display highlighting notable people (both famous and infamous) who have worked in libraries, was created by 3L Jessica de Perio. Jessica also designed an exhibit showcasing how libraries around the world celebrate and recognize the importance of libraries in their countries. Complimentary candy, earplugs, and bookmarks were distributed throughout the week and a legal crossword puzzle was available for those up for the challenge.

Library Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Service Supports Faculty

The Law Library interlibrary loan service supports the instructional, research and scholarly activities of Seattle University law faculty, staff and students. Material not available in the Law Library or at Lemieux Library can be borrowed from another library.

Summit, a consortium of academic libraries in Washington and Oregon, provides the fastest service (two or three business days) for books. Faculty can search the Summit Catalog and place their own requests or submit requests through their library liaisons or directly to the interlibrary loan department.

Traditional interlibrary loan is used for borrowing books that are not available through Summit or for articles not available online or at the Law or Lemieux Libraries. Faculty can fill out an ILL Request Form online or request material through the ILL department or their liaison. Materials generally arrive in one to two weeks. The library makes every effort to obtain ILL materials at no cost but some interlibrary loans, especially article copies, can cost the library from $10 to $30 per citation.

The ILL department can advise faculty on the most cost effective and efficient means of obtaining material. Some ILL services may be impacted during the library renovation. Feel free to contact us with questions or concerns or refer to our online FAQ's.

Library Donates to PILF Auction

At this year's PILF auction, the library's contribution was weighty-pound-wise and penny-wise. Throughout the year, librarians monitor the availability of legal materials that alumni and students might find useful or attractive. Such volumes usually come from a downsizing firm or retiring attorney, but this year, many of them came from the Seattle University Law Library collection (due to downsizing in anticipation of the upcoming renovation). The library is pleased that our gifts offer numerous benefits: to the environment (saving books from recycling or landfill), to the bidders (who save hundreds of dollars on the price from used book dealers), and to PILF itself. The library raised over $1000 for the auction.

ABA Site Visit

On March 5-8, Kristin Cheney visited the Whittier Law School as an ABA site inspection team member. Kristin indicated that although serving on a site team involves a lot of work, she enjoys the opportunity to review another institution in-depth, as well as visit with faculty, staff, students and alumni. “This site visit, my fourth on behalf of the ABA, was particularly enjoyable in that it gave me an opportunity to reminisce about the ‘old days’ with Whittier’s Library Director, Denny Haythorne, who is a 1976 UPS/SU Law School alumnus.” Kristin’s ABA responsibilities included a review of the law library, technology, and the law school facility.

Conferences and Presentations

ASIL Conference Librarians Kerry Fitz-Gerald and Bob Menanteaux recently returned from Washington, D.C. where they attended the 100th Annual Meeting of the American Society of International Law (ASIL). The Centennial meeting focused on the theme of “A Just World Under Law” and offered participants the opportunity to reflect upon their responsibilities as lawyers and advocates working in the international arena to bring about a just world. The conference included over 25 panel presentations covering topics such as human rights, trade policy, and terrorism. Plenary sessions included lectures by Justice Anthony Kennedy of the United States Supreme Court and Judge Rosalyn Higgins of the International Court of Justices, and a conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, featuring a panel of conversationalists including Judge Higgins and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

Bricks & Bytes Conference Participation The Seattle University and University of Washington Law Schools hosted the sixth law school facilities conference sponsored by the American Bar Association's Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar on March 23-25. The Bricks & Bytes Conference was tailored to law school deans, faculty, librarians, architects and law school IT professionals who are designing or renovating law school space. Several SU staff and faculty gave presentations, including Law Library Director Kristin Cheney who shared her insights on how user and collection spaces work together. Conference attendees also toured the Law School and Law Library facilities.

LLOPS On May 3rd, the Law Librarians of Puget Sound (LLOPS) will hold their annual Professional Development Workshop. Seattle University Law Library will be well represented. During the morning session, Kerry Fitz-Gerald and Stephanie Wilson will provide a presentation on Electronic Exhibits based on their experiences with the online Brown v. Board and Same-Sex Marriage exhibits. During the afternoon session, Kelly Kunsch will moderate a discussion on User Licensing of Digital Information.

National Reporter Relocation

Library personnel have been shifting materials on the Court Level and Third Floor. The Court Level will now house the following reporters: Atlantic 1st & 2nd, New York Supplement 1st and 2nd, Northeast 1st & 2nd, Northwest 1st & 2nd, Southeastern 1st & 2nd, Southern 1st & 2nd, Southwestern 1st, 2nd & 3rd as well as the General and Decennial Digests. The Third Floor will continue to house the following reporters and digests: Washington, Federal, California 1st, 2nd and 3rd, Pacific 1st, 2nd & 3rd as well as the ALR and our treatise collection (call #s A – KEZ). Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have questions locating materials.