I am in complete disbelief that the AALL newsletter would
actually print a lead article that gives such a pro slant to outsourcing
the library. (I don't care if there is a disclaimer in the masthead,
this article does not belong on the cover of a newsletter that is suppose
to benefit the society's members). I know outsourcing is a topic that
has once again reared its ugly head in the library community and cannot
be ignored, but it is inexcusable to have our newsletter print a
prominent article on the benefits of outsourcing without presenting any
other side of the issue. The person who wrote the article is no longer a
librarian and the person quoted makes a living on outsourced libraries.
The presence of this article as a lead article is a slap in the face to
all private law firm librarians (they were the target of the article) if
not to all law librarians who belong to AALL.
Susanne Zumbro posted a message of disbelief that this article
was published. Mark Estes' response to her message was even more of an
insult than the article. Mr. Estes is a past president of AALL and as
such, his comments are more likely to be quoted than mine. The fact that
the AALL newsletter has a disclaimer and that the ABA Journal is not an
official statement of the American Bar Journal does not mean that any
article is acceptable. The ABA Journal would not publish articles that
were detrimental to the legal profession without seriously considering
all reprocussions. The editor of the AALL newsletter has a
responsibility to the society members to carefully consider the
consequences of the articles published therein.
The May issue of the AALL newsletter was published with an all
black cover, symbolizing the society's mourning of our colleagues who
were fired from Baker & McKenzie in Chicago. Is the mourning period over
that quickly and have we forgotten them so soon?
In the April 21st issue of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin there
was an article about law librarians planning to push their image after
the Baker & McKenzie firings. It stated: "The American Association of
Law Libraries, reacting to Baker & McKenzie's dismissal of all 10 library
workers at the firm, has formed a nationwide task force to demonstrate
that members of the profession are essential if law firms are to cope
with the information explosion." By publishing that article on
outsourcing, no matter what Mr. Estes says about the disclaimer, others
will quote the article and duly note the source. A great disservice has
been done to the law library community by our own society and I believe
AALL owes its members a big apology.
These comments are entirely and humbly mine and not that of the
organization that employs me.
Charlie Knuth
Librarian
Foley & Lardner
Washington, D.C.
foley@access.digex.net
(202) 672-5315 (voice)
(202) 672-5399 (fax)
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