Heard Around Town... by Larry Meyer
Thanks to all those who submitted items for this issue. Due to space limitations, if your item is not in this column, I will include it in the next issue.
In a previous column, I reported that Leonette Williams and Brian Raphael had been interviewed by the Los Angeles Times regarding the USC Law Library’s Lincoln Reading Room. Leonette and Brian report that following the interview (and maybe the publicity in this column (?)), they received many requests for tours of the room. Brian and Leonette report that during the months of February and March they gave Thursday tours between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to over 100 people. According to Leonette, tour takers were able to see the rare books on Lincoln, photographs and paintings as well as replica furnishings of Lincoln’s Illinois home.
USC law librarians were not the only one’s to receive recent newspaper publicity. Many of you may have noticed a familiar face in a recent Daily Journal article. It was none other than SCALL member Alan Schroeder, who has apparently been moonlighting as a self-represented litigant. Congratulations and kudos to Alan on winning his appellate case.
In past columns, I have reported about Bob Ryan’s theatrical performances. Not to be outdone, another well-known SCALL member, Mary Dryden has her own upcoming performance. Though she is scheduled for her next production in far off November, it is not too early to plan ahead. As the date approaches, I am sure Mary will share with us more information as to dates, times and location.
Speaking of the entertainment industry, would you believe one long-time SCALL member is entrusted with not one, but two Emmys in his new library? Jim Sherman, who spent many years at University of LaVerne/San Fernando Valley College of Law, reports from his home in Fresno that along with his new librarian job at San Joaquin High School (SJHS) he received custodial care of two Emmys. Jim reports that Phil Roman, who is a graduate of SJHS, has actually received a total of six Emmys. The two he donated to the high school were both for animation, one for The Simpsons and the other for the Garfield film. Jim further reports that the statues are located in a special display case in the library and that visitors to the campus as well as prospective students frequently show up to view the awards.
Debra Morse, reference librarian at the San Diego County Public Law Library (SDCPLL) reports that she and fellow reference librarian Isabel Eustaquio attended the June 2nd State of California Swearing In Ceremony in San Diego. She reports that: “Ebullient law school graduates who had successfully navigated the February Bar Exam were sworn in as members of the State Bar and the US District Court for the Southern District of California.” Debra and Isabel were able to share with the new admittees the wide variety of resources available to them at the Public Law Library. Not to be outdone in the reporting arena by a co-worker, Isabel reports that SDCPLL held a program on job searching the following day, June 3rd. Isabel indicates a wide array of patrons took advantage of the opportunity to listen to three excellent speakers offer suggestions on how to find a job. Sounds like this program was so successful, SDCPLL will repeat it following the next Swearing In Ceremony.
Paula Hoffman from LA Law Library reports that they have recently added two new librarians to serve the public in their downtown LA location. They are Eric Bender and Janine Liebert. Eric is new to the field and is genuinely excited about the opportunity to work with the public and assist them with meeting their research needs. Janine previously worked in LA Law Library’s Santa Monica branch and is the new Self-Help librarian. Janine along with SCALL member and Santa Barbara County Law Librarian Ray McGregor were active participants at the recent California Self-Represented Litigants conference in San Francisco.
Special congratulations to Florante Peter Ibanez from Loyola Law School. Florante was recently elected Vice President/ President Elect of the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA). We all extend our best wishes to him as he serves in this leadership position.
I hope to see many of you at AALL, if you are going, be sure to make time to attend the candidate meet and greet. One of our former SCALL Presidents, Diana Jaque will be on the ballot this Fall and I am sure she would appreciate fellow SCALL members stopping by and extending their greetings and best wishes.
This issue’s quiz question relates to one of our newest life members.
This person has received her award after serving many years at a county law library. During the mid-1990’s she served as a member of the AALL Executive Board. What is the honoree’s name and what position did she hold on the AALL Board? Be the first to respond with both correct answers and see your name in the next issue.
By the way, as no one was able to correctly guess the Directors of the San Diego County Public Law Library for the past 50 years, going back to the construction of their current main building, I will hold that question over for this issue. The first person to correctly send the names to me in chronological order will also see his or her name in the next issue.
Lawrence R. Meyer is Director of the Law Library of San Bernardino County in San Bernardino, California.