Vancouver Law Librarian Blog

Canada and Lawful Access in 2012

If you read around in the Canadian blogosphere in the last few days, you'll notice a growing amount of attention about upcoming Federal legislation on lawful access. Probably the clearest piece I've read on the topic to date is by David Fraser titled What lawful access is all about and why it matters.

Whether a SOPA-type protest is plausible in Canada, I don't know; but protecting Canadian online privacy standards would be an equally commendable goal to the recent backlash seen south of the border. As David says in his opening paragraph, this is a BIG DEAL, and Canadians should know this is a step backwards in terms of how much information law enforcement can know about them, without a warrant or judicial consideration.

Between mobile and internet tracking, we leave a digital trail behind us with substantial depth. Much more detailed than what's in the "telephone book"; and I would encourage you to see David's list to know the scale.

This is an important evolution for Canadians to understand, and it's a BIG DEAL because legislating warrantless access to our constant whereabouts, or the online services we use, undercuts the privacy standards we have traditionally known.

Count me in for another thumbs down. This just isn't right.

If you want to work in libraries...

Ned Potter, a UK librarian who blogs at the wikiman, has put together a slideshow of ten critical things to know if you want to work in libraries, saying "the Information Profession is generally misunderstood; this is an effort to set the record straight." The presentation itself is a couple of years old, but was cited in a recent article in the Guardian on "What it Takes to be a 21th Century Librarian".

None of them will come as a surprise to folks who are currently working in libraries, but there are some good reminders in there: it's not all about books, but it is all about people and technology. On a tough day, it's important to remember that you have to be ready to fight; advocacy is an ongoing process. And this one -- you have to be ready to change -- is maybe the single most important piece of advice I'd give someone to entering the profession.

Looking back on the motley crew that made up my library tech program, there were a lot of people there because they just plain loved books. I think many of us became interested in the program for that very reason. We liked the idea that we could find a job that would pay us to hang out with books all day. (Books, not people! Not technology!) But as we learned more about the world of libraries, most of us came to understand that books were not the point. Technology was the point. Information was the point. Teaching was the point. Literacy was the point. And those things were a million times more interesting and engaging that dusty old (or even fresh from the publisher) books on a shelf.

There were people in my class who really weren't prepared for how much technology would be involved and struggled to see how many of the assignments were relevant. Don't get me wrong, there were a few duds among our classes and projects (there are in any program), but overall, I think we were remarkably well prepared for what the working world of libraries would be like.

One of my instructors, Darlene Taylor, said something I've never forgotten and often repeated: Working in libraries is like getting on a treadmill, and just when you start to think, "this is okay, I can keep this pace up", it gets faster. The change never stops, and if you want to be good at your job - and I'd argue, if you want to enjoy your job - you just have to adapt.

When I started my program in 2001, I had no idea where I would wind up. These days I'm not even working in a library, but it was skills I sharpened and developed, and relationships I made while in the library trenches that brought me to where I am right now.

So, if I could add one thing to Ned's list of things you should know if you want to work in libraries, it's this: be open to where your library career takes you - you never know where that might be.

What would you add to the list?

Quickscribe Manual Updates for January 2012

There were two Quickscribe Manual updates this past month:

As always, daily updates to BC stats & regs are available at www.bclegislation.ca.

Labels: BC Legislation, Quickscribe

2011 Library Technicians Salary Survey

BCLA's Library Technicians & Assistants Interest Group, or LTAIG, has published their 2011 salary survey for library technicians.

Some key metrics:

81% were from BC, but 7 provinces or territories are represented;
59% had completed the 2-yr LIT college diploma;
Langara and UFV graduates dominated (40% and 20% respectively);
Experience levels ranged from 0-25+ years, with only one over 20%;
72% full time, 16% part-time;
Academic and Public libraries dominate, legal only 4% (which is about the right % of the LIT population);
Average hourly salary was $23.91 (translated: 43,516 annually);
Top salary scale was $26.06/hr for LITs with 20-25 years experience;
79% unionized, 21% no union.

To see more metrics, check out the full report on the BCLA website.

Canadian Law Firm Libraries Tweeting

McCarthy Tetrault's library team is tweeting:

@McCarthyLibrary: McCarthy's library team -- tweeting about library services, law firms and technology.

Looks like a good mix of original comments and re-tweets that share firm news, legal community links, and interesting library stuff.

There are plenty of law librarians on twitter; as a professional group, we're a fairly sizable community. I also know of a few academic law libraries. But not sure if I've noticed any other Canadian law firm libraries that are tweeting. Correct?

If you know of others, let me know @stevematthews

New Vancouver Transcription Service

Just a quick note to highlight a former colleague of mine from Clark Wilson LLP, Marnie Rokosh; who has started a new transcription outsourcing business called Paralegal Transcription.

If you're lawyer or small firm administrator in the Greater Vancouver area, and are looking to outsource some of your transcription or paralegal work, I'm sure Marnie's service would be a very cost effective solution.

I write this post not just in support of Marnie's venture, but also remembering the pressure of being a new entrepreneur. This August will be the five year anniversary of Stem; and I still recall the help I was given by friends and industry colleagues in those early days.

Congratulations Marnie. I wish you the best of luck!

Quickscribe Manual Update for December 2011

Just one Quickscribe manual update to share this month: the BC Family Legislation Manual.

Remember, daily updates to British Columbia statutes and regulations are available at http://www.bclegislation.ca/.

2011 Clawbies Nominations: A Roundup

Nominations for the 2011 Canadian Law Blog Awards (affectionately known as the Clawbies) have started to roll in. Here's a quick look at some of the blogged and tweeted nominations so far:

Blogged Nominations:

Tweeted Nominations:

Big thanks to all who have participated in the process so far! As I've done in prior years, this post will be periodically updated over the next couple weeks; and the winners will be revealed on New Year's Eve at http://www.clawbies.ca/.

Cheers!
Steve

Tools & Tips to Preserve Online Evidence

If you've worked in a law firm library, chances are you've been asked to help sleuth out online evidence. But how do you preserve this evidence? Daniel Reid, an associate at Harper Grey, has compiled a short but very helpful list of tools and resources to capture and store evidence from websites or social media platforms, along with explanations of some related court applications.

Hat tip to the Vancouver Association of Law Libraries Blog -- this paper was prepared for a recent VALL session on defamation.

I'm done with Plaxo too

It took me about 30 seconds after reading Connie Crosby's post to decide if I wanted to remove myself from Plaxo. I haven't used the service in over a year, and they pepper my inbox with notifications. That's fine if I used it, but I don't.

Now I'm wondering what will be next? Klout maybe.

Comparing Amazon's e-Lending Programs

My latest post up on Slaw.ca reviews the relationship between Amazon's Prime e-book lending program and its public library lending program.

It goes on to discuss the value of e-book lending, and the commercial value proposition that Libraries create for publishers -- lending popular titles for a flat fee, and creating market exposure for their lower-demand backlist of titles.

Quickscribe Manual Updates for October 2011

There were five Quickscribe Manual updates for October:

As always, daily updates to BC laws are available at http://www.bclegislation.ca/.

Quickscribe Manual Updates for September 2011

Four Quickscribe Manuals were updated in September:

You'll find daily updates to BC statutes and regulations at www.bclegislation.ca.

BCLD Returns: Law Librarians Continue to Play Role

In the legal research community, we're used to resources going in and out of publication. And it sometimes seems like the most useful resources are the ones that often get discontinued. It's a rare day when one of those publications is not only revived, but evolves to become an improved product. Today might be one of those days, as one of Stem's clients Quickscribe announces the relaunch one of BC’s most treasured legislative research tools.

The British Columbia Legislative Digest: A Brief History

The British Columbia Legislative Digest (BCLD) was conceived of in 1979 by librarians at the BC Courthouse Library, now Courthouse Libraries BC, who needed a timely way of tracking changes to provincial legislation. They developed a tool that allowed the user, at a glance, to determine who introduced a bill, what stage it was at, whether it would have consequential amendments, and when and how it would come into force. Library staff issued weekly updates that subscribers would incorporate into their BCLD binders so that they always had the most current information. It must be noted, pre-dating the age of the Internet, this was no small undertaking.

Soon the BCLD, well-thumbed in its signature burgundy binders, could be found in libraries and law offices across the province. Over the next 30 years it would become an invaluable source for anyone responsible for monitoring or researching current laws, or conducting historical legislative research in British Columbia. The Canadian Legislative Index (CLI), the BCLD's federal counterpart, was equally well-used.

But by 2010, the legal information landscape had changed drastically. More information than ever was available online, and the cost to publish the still paper-based BCLD and the CLI collections had become difficult to justify. In light of this, and the growing demand for staff time on more public-facing digital initiatives, the Courthouse Libraries made a change to their strategic direction. The resulting, and very difficult, decision was made to discontinue both titles.

The fallout would soon come from legal researchers across B.C., including many members of the Vancouver Association of Law Libraries (VALL), who were disappointed with the decision. Nimble as ever, law librarians made do by piecing together information from various alternative sources, but the ease of use and trusted, comprehensive data the BCLD offered were sorely missed.

A Second Chance

Enter Quickscribe, the Victoria-based provider of hardcopy and electronic legislative information, which has developed a number of innovative products throughout its 25 years of business. Seeing an opportunity to revive and integrate the BCLD within his web-based legislative service, Quickscribe president Mike Pasta reached out to Courthouse Libraries BC with his proposal. The response went beyond expectations. He not only received the Library’s blessing to redevelop the product, but found integral group of supporters who would help guide the BCLD towards digitalization.

Over the coming months, support of the BCLD project continued to grow. In August, Mike Pasta appointed an Advisory Group of experienced law librarians, including several former BCLD caretakers, to help consult on the integration. Members of this support group, including Thea Schmidt (Borden Ladner Gervais LLP), Ana Rosa Blue (WorksafeBC), Gillian Crabtree (Edwards, Kenny & Bray LLP), and Tracey McLean, Alex McNeur, and Kat Siddle (all of Courthouse Libraries BC), continue to advise on the BCLD’s ongoing digital direction, and help ensure it remains a comprehensive and relevant research tool. Needless to say, Quickscribe is extremely grateful for the advice it has received.

The New BCLD

The new BCLD is now being relaunched as a digital product available to subscribers of Quickscribe Online. It offers a weekly Digest (similar to the Highlights, Proclamations and Regulations sections of the print edition), a dynamic "status checker", and a hyperlinked progress of bills chart that provides an overview of the year's legislative activity and chapter/bill concordance.

The BCLD also offers an email alert service for tracking bills as they progress from first reading though Royal Assent and into law. A subscriber can sign up for customized alerts that include all legislative changes; changes to topical groups of legislation; or changes to selected bills, acts, or regulations. Subscribers may also create multiple email alerts for the benefit of groups or individuals within their organization.

Ultimately, the goal of the new BCLD is to honour the spirit of its predecessor publication, while establishing itself as a new, invaluable tool for legislative monitoring and research in British Columbia.

To see the British Columbia Legislative Digest in action, see the video tour posted on the Quickscribe website. For those interested in having a look at this new resource, Quickscribe is currently offering a two-month, no-obligation free trial just in time for the upcoming legislative session.

Google Wallet Will Be a Dream for a While

Google Wallet launched today. Video embedded below:

I'm a Visa guy more than MC, and have dabbled with Visa's NFC-equivalent technology, payWave. Rumour has it that Visa will eventually partner with Apple, and (again) the big brands will go head-to-head. As a consumer, I'm already frustrated with yet another push of proprietary technology (anyone committed to open-tech standards these days?). Honestly, I'm hoping to see the banks compete here, and they likely will over time. Unfortunately, the blunt truth is that CC companies always seem beat them to the punch when it comes to innovating payment technology.

And so we begin the era of mobile-enabling our credit card payments. This wasn't unexpected, and five years from now we'll probably see the adoption curve well established. Hard to imagine otherwise, especially here in Canada where our reliance on the banks' Interac epayments normally leaves my 'leather' wallet empty of cash dollars, but always filled with lots of cards.

The big hurdle for adoption, as I see it, is that we've been making epayments for 20+ years now, and that hasn't replaced the need to carry (at least a little) cash. I believe the same will be true with respect to replacing traditional wallets with mobile-wallets. No matter how great they make it, we won't be dropping our non-digital equivalents any time soon.

Why? Well, for starters, some of your cards won't work -- maybe they aren't Google or Apple approved "partners", or maybe they're smaller, local businesses, or they're just not onboard yet. We're also still conceivably carrying a few business cards, a drivers' license, and "a little cash" ... so guess what? You're still carrying a wallet. And a cell phone. And you now have *two* personal-finance items that cannot be lost.

On the plus side, I can attest to the hip and lower back pain caused by carrying a (thick) traditional wallet in one's back pocket. Not smart on my part, but old habits die hard. Any technology that culls my collection consumer affinity program cards? Will be most welcome.

Take Two Minutes for CanLII

CanLII is preparing to do a comprehensive survey of users later this year, and needs input to establish its scope.

To that end, they've put together a quick mini-survey - 7 questions, 2 minutes. Go ahead, fill it out! https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CanLII-english

Quickscribe Manual Update for August 2011

One Quickscribe Manual update for August:

BC Forest Legislation Manual

As always, daily updates to British Columbia statutes and regulations are available at www.bclegislation.ca.

Another Goodbye: Geoff England

It's been a month of loss for the Canadian legal community. Steve wrote recently about Stuart Morrison's passing, and today I'm sharing the news of Geoffrey England's death. Geoff was, for many years, a co-author of Employment Law in Canada (with the late Innis Christie), a much-used text in many a law library.

Geoff was a professor of labour and industrial relations law, most recently at the University of Saskatchewan Edwards School of Business, and over the years at the Universities of Lethbridge, Calgary, Queens, and Cardiff. He was also a fine father, a jovial soul with a wicked sense of humour. I know because the Englands have been friends of my family for 25-odd years - most of my life.

Growing up, I spent many Saturdays with Geoff's daughters, and it seemed that Geoff was always in the basement working on "the book". It wasn't until I started working in a law library that I realized that his book was actually a core text in the Canadian legal literature, and one that I would consult on a regular basis. It always brought a smile to my face to see Geoff's name on the cover, and I'd imagine him narrating in his wonderful English accent.

When Geoff was diagnosed with cancer, the Edwards School of Business at USask set up the Geoffrey England Scholarship in Employment Law. I plan on donating to this fund to honour Geoff's memory and the amazing ways that our personal and professional lives intersect where we least expect it. I'll echo Professor Doorey: "We know there are hundreds of Geoffrey’s former students out there, many of them practicing workplace law, industrial relations, and human resource management. Please consider giving back."

Rest in peace, Geoff. Thanks for all your gifts, both professional and personal. You will be greatly missed.

RIP Stuart Morrison

I was away last week and almost missed the news of Stuart Morrison's passing. Slaw's Simon Chester has outdone himself in crafting this summary of Stuart's life, both in character and profession.

I got to work with Stuart in 2007 during my first year of business with Stem. In hindsight, it was an eye opening experience, and one I couldn't have paid for. He was blunt about the fact he wanted to make money, and hyper-focused on the bottom line. I learned to appreciate his innate trust for his business instincts. Like so many businessmen, he seemed rely on both the intellectual elements of decisions, and then making a 'gut call'. And despite his frequent references to being a high school "drop out", few I've met doubted his intellectual nature. It was clearly there, along with being both shrewd and sly.

Simon Chester's reference to 'a bundle of paradoxes' also resonates -- he was so incredibly opinionated, and yet would listen to my perspective, assimilate and move on. I have no clue to this day if he dismissed every word I said, or why he was paying my mortgage. I nailed a few predictions for him, so I won't be entirely dismissive of the advice I gave; but it was always clear that our objective was to feed his perspective to make better decisions. And if he found a new revenue stream along the way, all the better.

In the end, I chalk up his support to his entrepreneurial spirit. An admirable quality. I still recall his last words to me. I'll share them for humour. And because it sounds like it came from a movie script: "Steve, I promise, you haven't heard the last from me." Well, it seems I have Stuart. :) But I am sorry for that.

RIP Mr. Morrison. And I will, as Simon C. suggests, raise a single malt to you very soon.