Law librarians are information professionals working in government libraries, law firms, public libraries, corporations, academic libraries, and as independent consultants. They help judges, attorneys, professors, students, and members of the public with legal research. Law librarians are involved in all aspects of legal information access.

Law librarians

• Provide specialized reference and research services
• Teach legal research methodology
• Manage the library as an integral and productive part of a larger organization
• Select and use the most cost-effective resources
• Anticipate needs and recommend the most appropriate technologies
• Prepare fiscal reports, budgets, and long-range plans.
• For more information about law librarianship, visit the American Association of Law Libraries' Recruitment Committee website.

NOCALL’s history

The Northern California Association of Law Libraries (NOCALL) was established in 1980 as a recognized chapter of the national organization, the American Association of Law Libraries. NOCALL promotes law librarianship and information services, aims to develop and increase the usefulness of law libraries, fosters a spirit of cooperation among members of the law library profession, and facilitates the exchange of information and ideas among northern California libraries.

The Northern California law library community

NOCALL members come from a variety of law library and law library-related environments: county and court libraries (such as the California Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals, California Courts of Appeal), law school libraries, library schools, independent consulting companies, state and federal agency libraries, the California State Law Library, corporate law libraries, law firm libraries, and legal information providers.

NOCALL benefits the community

Our website offers a great gateway to legal materials on the Internet. Link to California resources; law sources by subject; publishers, vendors, online services; current awareness tools; and news.

Consulting:  When requested, NOCALL provides free consultation to owners of legal collections on automation, administration, and development of law libraries.

Placement: Our website lists job opportunities in law libraries; prospective employers can arrange to receive resumes of qualified candidates.

Public Access: NOCALL conducts seminars regarding legal research and reference to groups at no charge.

Government Relations: We monitor and propose legislation related to dissemination of public information such as copyright, censorship, and government document preservation.

Benefits of membership

NOCALL offers a wide range of opportunities for professional enrichment to its members through continuing education programs, publications, services, leadership, and networking opportunities. Educational programs are sponsored throughout the year, ranging from practical aspects of providing legal information and managing law libraries to areas of substantive law or hot topics in the law library profession. NOCALL funds grants for members to attend NOCALL and other educational programs.  Members receive an annual membership directory and NOCALL News, the chapter newsletter. NOCALL hosts an e-mail discussion group through the NOCALL-LIST and maintains the information-rich NOCALL Home Page (http://www.nocall.org). Other benefits include placement services and a mentor program for newer law librarians.

NOCALL Committee participation offers members the opportunity to influence the Chapter's future contributions and to develop and fine-tune the members’ personal skills in networking and leadership. Committees include Academic Relations, Education, Government Relations, Newsletter, Placement, Awards, Grants and Memorials.
 

Page last updated: November 08, 2007

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