The Western Pennsylvania Law Library Association (WPLLA) 2011-2012 executive board members were: Melanie Johnston, president; Karen Shephard, vice president; Joel Fishman, past-president; Kate Frey, treasurer; Amy Lovell, secretary; Newkirk Barnes, executive board member through January 2012 (with Mary Stacy appointed to replace her for the remainder of her term) and executive board member Antoni Stosh Jonjak.
Activities: The programming committee, chaired by Karen Shephard, the 2011-2012 vice-president, consisted of: Louise Beswick, Kristen Baginski, Cindi Cicco, Pat Roncevich, and Mary Stacy.
There were several excellent programs offered throughout the year: a webinar entitled “Enhance your Project Management Skills” presented by LexisNexis, a lunch program, an SLA webinar “Business Communication Skills for the Special Librarian,” “Marcellus Shale Well Development in Western PA” presented by Alan Eicher, Regional Manager of the PA DEP’s Oil and Gas Management Program, “Who do We Think We Are?” a program on the history of lawyers, presented by Professor Bernard Hibbits, “Cool Tools and Slick Tricks”, a presentation on technology and gadgets in the library, presented by WPLLA members Antoni Stosh Jonjak and Susanna Leers, a program on the forensic science program at Duquesne University presented by Dr. Frederick Fochtman, and a program about life at a county law library presented by Bette Dengel. WPLLA members Joel Fishman and Marc Silverman offered a two day program aimed at law school students, law librarian students, librarians or lawyers wishing to refresh their research skills. It was a very well-received program, and attendees learned about federal and Pennsylvania legal resources. It was generously sponsored by Bloomberg Law.
The annual holiday party was held at the University Club “Gold Room” in December 2011. High school students Anthony Cicco (on violin) and Sofia Sparks (acoustic guitar and vocals) provided music for the dinner. The event was generously sponsored by Thomson Reuters.
The annual spring banquet was held at the Renaissance Hotel in May 2012. The event was generously sponsored by LexisNexis.
The scholarship committee held an essay contest for $500 toward attendance of AALL in Boston, which was won by WPLLA member Rita Young-Jones.
The 2012-2013 board members are: Karen Shephard, president; Mary Stacy, vice president; Melanie Johnston, past-president; Kate Frey, treasurer; Antoni Stosh Jonjak, secretary; and executive board members Yan Yu and Sue Megarry.
I thank all WPLLA members for the opportunity to serve as your president for this year, and look forward to what is in store for next.
Melanie Johnston, President 2011-2012
Western Pennsylvania Law Library Association 