The AALL Awards Committee has selected Richard A. Leiter as the recipient of the 2003 Joseph L. Andrews Bibliographical Award for his noted work, The National Survey of State Laws, 4th ed.

A standard reference source since its first publication in 1993, Leiter’s book is familiar to most law librarians. The work covers 45 controversial topics that are often the subject of comparative state research. In chart format, it briefly explains the laws of each state and provides citations to relevant code sections. The National Survey of State Laws has saved countless researchers and librarians significant time and effort in performing multistate research. The work has been previously recognized by the New York Public Library as “One of the Year’s Outstanding Reference Books” and has been cited several times by the U.S. Supreme Court.

“I am thrilled that the book is being recognized with the [Andrews] award. There is a great deal of satisfaction at being recognized professionally by peers for a project such as this,” Leiter says. “Compiling the book was hard work but very rewarding when I hear from people who have used it and found it helpful. I thank my colleagues at Littler Mendelson Fastiff and Tichy, Regent University, Howard University and the University of Nebraska College of Law, who encouraged, ‘put up’ with and supported me through various stages in the compiling and writing of the book and its various editions.”

About the Recipient
Leiter has been director of the law library and professor at the University of Nebraska College of Law since 2000. He was previously the associate dean of information technology and services and professor at Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C., as well as library director and associate professor at Regent University School of Law in Virginia. He has also held various positions in both law firm and academic libraries.

Leiter earned his undergraduate degree in religious studies and anthropology with honors in 1976 from the University of California at Santa Cruz. He earned his J.D. degree in 1981 from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles, where he was an editor of the law review. Leiter then graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with an M.L.I.S. degree in 1986.

In addition to the National Survey, Leiter has written several books and many articles about law librarianship, legal research and information technology.

About the Award
The Andrews Award, AALL’s oldest award, was established in 1967 in honor of Joseph L. Andrews, reference librarian at the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. It is awarded annually to an author of a significant work of legal bibliography. The 2003 Joseph L.Andrews Award Subcommittee members consisted of Karen Beck, Mary Hood, Carmela Kinslow and Chair Deanna Barmakian.

The award will be presented at the AALL Association Luncheon July 14 during the 2003 AALL Annual Meeting and Conference in Seattle. Please join the Association in congratulating Richard A. Leiter for his outstanding contribution to legal bibliographical literature.