A Message From the President Ann T. Fessenden Circuit Librarian U.S. Courts Library 8th Circuit Thomas F. Eagleton U. S. Courthouse 111 S. 10th St., Room 22.300 St. Louis, MO. 63102 Tel: (314) 244-2660 Fax: (314) 244-2676 Email: ann_fessenden@ca8.uscourts.gov

Hello and welcome to AALLNET, the official Web site of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). For more than 100 years, AALL has been dedicated to supporting the law library community and serving as a visible advocate for users of legal information. We are a vibrant organization of more than 5,000 individual members, serving in law school, law firm, corporate, court, county, governmental, and other law libraries.

As the national professional organization for all law librarians and those who support the field of law librarianship, AALL serves as the voice of permanent public access to legal information and the leader of the profession. AALL’s activities focus on our three strategic directions:

• Leadership: law librarians will be recognized and valued as the foremost leaders and experts in legal information, research, and technology



• Education: law librarians will have the education and training they need to meet and leverage the challenges of the changing information environment



• Advocacy: law librarians will influence the outcome of legal information, technology policy, and librarianship issues of concern to AALL members.

Whether you are an AALL member or a visitor, I invite you to explore the content on AALLNET. Here you will find information about the work that law librarians do; the programs, services, leadership, and staff of AALL; and the opportunities offered by AALL’s committees, special interest sections, chapters, and caucuses. Some of our Association entities focus their attention on issues that are relevant to the day-to-day work of law librarians. Others deal with broader issues facing our profession, including our strong interest in public information policy at the state, federal, and international levels.

To respond effectively to the demands of rapid changes in technology and in our workplaces, law librarians annually gather to refresh our knowledge and network with our colleagues. Our 101st Annual Meeting will be held July 12-15, 2008, in Portland, Oregon, where the theme will be Energize * Explore * Evolve! The Portland Meeting will provide us with opportunities to energize ourselves and our careers, as we explore a variety of programs. Our host city is the ideal place for us to evolve as law librarians. Portland is a national leader in energy conservation and environmental friendliness, so we can be energized by its clean air as we explore this wonderful part our country.

Energize * Explore * Evolve will be our focus not just for Portland, but throughout the year ahead. I plan to devote particular attention during my year as president to energizing our profession by recruiting and mentoring new members and involving all segments of our membership; to supporting our members as they constantly explore new information formats and new ways to reach their users; and by helping them evolve to meet the constantly changing legal information environment.

AALL’s success as a professional organization is only made possible by the contributions of our many dedicated, innovative, and energetic members. I am extremely pleased and honored to serve as president in 2007-2008.