Author Archives: WPLLA

Academic Library Study Released

Guest post by Sarah Steers, WPLLA Treasurer I’m willing to bet that every person reading this post has, at one point in his or her adult life, used the phrase “eds and meds” to describe Pittsburgh’s economic comeback story.  We live in a city with a number of amazing colleges and universities, expanding the mindsContinue reading “Academic Library Study Released”

Lexis Acquires Ravel Law

On April 27, 2017, WPLLA hosted a program called “Deep Dives in Legal Research.”  During that program, we heard from two legal informatics startups, Casetext and Ravel Law. Much like a teenager with a lofty goal, startups also dream of making it big, like being acquired by a major player in the field or launching aContinue reading “Lexis Acquires Ravel Law”

A Tour of Pittsburgh Bookstores: Update

Here’s a great update to our blog post, A Tour of Pittsburgh Bookstores. Amazing Books and Records is opening a new location on the South Side!  As noted by the Pittsburgh City Paper, this will be the first “full-time bookstore” on the South Side in many years.  Keep your fingers crossed for a grand openingContinue reading “A Tour of Pittsburgh Bookstores: Update”

2017-8 Board Members Announced

Your 2017-2018 WPLLA Board Members are: Dr. Joel Fishman – President Pat Roncevich – Immediate Past President Melanie Cline – Vice President/President Elect (newly elected) Sarah Steers – Treasurer (newly elected) Kate Frey – Secretary  Karen Eriksen – Member-at-Large (newly elected) Jamie Yancich – Member-at-Large Thank you to Ann Unger (Immediate Past President) and Elizabeth Whittington (Member-at-Large)Continue reading “2017-8 Board Members Announced”

Alternative Library Spaces

Guest post by Sarah Steers, WPLLA Member-at-Large A breathtaking, 19th Century brick-and-marble-and-granite behemoth certainly represents the idea of a library: formal, imposing, permanent.  But communities change.  Contemporary construction lines the main thoroughfares and financial resources don’t necessarily support breaking ground on a new stone library.  How can a city provide a bedrock location for much-neededContinue reading “Alternative Library Spaces”

Reading Is FUNdamental! Book Drive April 9-15, 2017

Join the Western Pennsylvania Law Library Association (WPLLA) and the Special Libraries Association – Pittsburgh Chapter in an effort to help bring the joy of reading to local youth! “According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly two-thirds of low-income American families do not own any books for their children. RIF Pittsburgh works to fill thisContinue reading “Reading Is FUNdamental! Book Drive April 9-15, 2017”

Save the Date: 4/27/17 Deep Data Dives in Legal Research

We have tentatively scheduled the next monthly WPLLA meeting for Thursday April 27th.  We’re dipping our toes into some deep data dives for legal research. Join us for demonstrations of Ravel and Casetext’s CARA, followed by time for discussion.  Ann Unger will be hosting the entire event virtually, but she has a conference room reserved atContinue reading “Save the Date: 4/27/17 Deep Data Dives in Legal Research”

Library Architecture

Guest post by Sarah Steers, WPLLA Board Member-at-Large A library’s structure inspires many feelings.  A cornerstone of a community or university, libraries are often large, and made of stone or brick.  Physically imposing, people quiet down and straighten up.  Libraries seem to command a bit of respect. One beautiful example of fine library architecture existsContinue reading “Library Architecture”