<<A0435662.DOC>>
Law Libbers: Above is a link to a compilation of all the responses I
received. They were wonderful. You will note that some people included a
list of Internet Favorites for Secretaries. Thanks again to all of you who
responded. Below is a summary of the responses. A common theme in many of
the responses was the need for a firm Internet policy. Does any have such a
policy they would mind sharing? Thanks again and I hope this information is
useful to you.
Elaine Apostola
Law Librarian
Mirick O'Connell
100 Front Street
Worcester, MA 01608
ea@modl.com
508-791-8500 ext. 451
FAX 508-791-8502
Reasons for Use of the Internet
1. Today use of the Internet has become a "basic" like word processing to
obtain documents and run statistics.
2. Overall many firms allow all of their staff access to the Internet
because it can answer numerous questions and it works as an aid in getting
daily tasks completed.
3. LAAs would be able to locate some cases, statutes and regulations.
4. LAAs could have the capability to monitor state and federal court
documents.
5. LAAs would be able to link to Martindale Hubbell and West Legal
directories to locate information on attorneys and others in the legal
profession.
6. LAAs can locate zip codes and phone numbers on the Internet which could
do away with the need for purchasing the directories.
7. LAAs can obtain directions for clients coming to the firm for the first
time from out of town.
8. LAAs can obtain Federal Register information.
9. Allowing LAAs Internet access would free the librarian in searching for
items such as telephone numbers which can be found on numerous websites. As
a result the librarian can give more time to the attorneys and their
research which is more economical overall.
9. Instructions for filing certain West products can be found that would
eliminate trying to contact the company when questions arise.
10. Internet access would help with corporate research by providing names,
addresses, counsel, division subsidiaries, and SEC documents.
How to Handle Internet Use
1. Create an explicit website policy that the LAAs must sign in order to
sign on.
2. The LAAs could be trained for use regarding their own specific needs for
access.
3. If the workload of a particular LAA begins to slide due to Internet abuse
the problem can easily be addressed.
4. If the Internet is put onto the intranet you may choose to include basic
cautions about using the internet for research. Also it may include a hot
links section that would allow the LAAs to see where to locate certain
useful websites. An example would be to have a phone directory section and a
finding facts section. Each part would list pertinent places where the
information could be sought clicked on and brought up for the LAAs easy
access.
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