The Ethics of Vendor Swag

05Feb10

Another confession from me: I love swag. (Stress balls are my weakness.) I’ve made fun of a lot of lame swag, and, to lawyers who coveted items they saw on my desk, I’ve traded cool swag for Starbucks coffee. Embarrassingly, I’ve even blogged about swag. In an industry where it’s ubiquitous, it’s hard not to think about it. Need proof? Look at how many of the#lawlibswag tweets were about “fond memories of swag from conferences past” (@conniecrosby).

Whether I can say with 100% certainty that I am able to remain unbiased by swag, I don’t know. And maybe people will think now that my ethics have gone out the window, but I really don’t get what the big fuss is with the Westlaw iPod scandal.

Maybe things are a little different in the private law library world, but in my almost seven years on the job, I’ve never once heard anyone question the ethics of accepting a gift from a vendor. Steve Matthews tweets it quite nicely: “You don’t become a law librarian for the $. And I’ve never met a LL who could be ‘bribed’ over a $100 ipod.”

The way I, and most of my colleagues, have always seen swag is this: you’ve already paid for it (or will, very shortly), so you might as well get some use out of it.

I fail to see a clear distinction between accepting swag, and say, imbibing at corporate-sponsored, open bar parties at library conferences, or letting your rep take you for a Christmas lunch. This debate brings up a whole variety of questions. Is it unethical to accept a doorprize at an association luncheon? Does it make a difference if the prize is something you can use professionally vs. personally? (I’m thinking winning a credit for books vs. a gift certificate for a retail store.) To me, it’s pretty simple. If you feel wrong about it, don’t accept it, or send it back. No matter what you do, not accepting swag will not result in lower invoices, or better customer service, or more savoury marketing tactics.

To me, the bottom line is this: Westlaw isn’t trying to buy anyone. They’re not even trying to convince anyone that their product is superior. All this campaign (the iPods, the trips to Eagan) was about was publicity. Mission accomplished. They were probably even luckier that people got worked up about the ethics of it, because now it’s all anyone’s talked about for a few days.

Whether they spend the money on a print campaign or buying iPods to send to influential bloggers, what does it matter? The cost of marketing is built into the price of the products, along with the salaries of the vendor’s employees, building maintenance, Christmas parties, etc. I don’t know if because libraries are supposed to be about impartiality and access to information, we think that we should somehow expect the same from our vendors, but they’re in business just like everyone else.

Lastly, and completely glibly, are we seriously raising a fuss about iPods? As a good friend of mine once said, “they give those away in cereal boxes these days!”  To me, it’s not all that much different from a USB key. And as more than one person suggested, if they really were trying to impress (which I don’t think they were), they should have sprang for iPads. Bloggers would have had a field day with that!

~Emma

Filed under: Marketing, Social Media   |  3 Comments
Tags: Marketing

Continuing education for library technicians

04Feb10

A few months ago I mentioned the continuing studies program at University College of the Fraser Valley. The first course, Emergent Library Technologies, has started, and they have added a second – Leadership for Library Technicians. Both courses are available online, so you can’t use the excuse that you don’t live in B.C.!

It’s very important to stay on top of new developments both in the library field, and the subject area of the library you work in. For more condensed learning opportunities, there are professional association conferences. With UFV’s initiative, however, it’s nice to know that there are more in-depth learning opportunities available as well.

~ Karen

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Tags: Professional Development

Godin 0, Libraries 1?

25Jan10

I have a confession to make. I think Seth Godin is totally overrated. People just love him, though, and while occasionally I do find his soundbite-style edicts thought-provoking and useful, I mostly find it quite worrisome the way people immediately accept and evangelize everything he says . Especially when he pronounces that today’s libraries “can’t survive as community-funded repositories for books that individuals don’t want to own (or for reference books we can’t afford to own.)”

I had started to write  up a huge rant about Godin’s thoughts on the future of libraries, but wound up getting frustrated every time I worked on it. (Karen put together a good round-up of other bloggers’ thoughts, anyway.)

My main points of contention with Godin’s post are that:

1. It’s incredibly ignorant to say that everything is on the internet, and free, to boot.
2. Public libraries are about much, much more than just access to information — how about literacy? Community? Culture? Entertainment?
3. Public libraries are in dire straights? News to me!

Overall, I just felt stunned that someone so supposedly admired and respected, so in touch, would make such uninformed comments.

So I was thrilled to see Kelly Grant’s article in the Globe & Mail about how today’s libraries are (surprise, surprise) not just about books, and are actually keeping up and adapting very well to our digital reality.

From the article:

“For an institution whose fundamental goal is to give people literacy and access to knowledge, you can’t ignore the new world,” said Jane Pyper, the top librarian in Toronto, where all 99 branches offer free wireless and patrons “borrowed” 88 per cent more electronic titles in 2009 than they did in 2008.

Now obviously, this article focuses on large urban library systems. I know that not every public library is doing this well. But let’s give some credit, here, to the many, many libraries that are finding innovative ways to keep up with our rapidly changing world. And while recognizing that our needs change, they also fortunately remember that human nature doesn’t. We still want the content of that library material – from fiction to reference to films and beyond – we just want new ways to access it.

The problem is that if someone of Godin’s prominence doesn’t realise this, then libraries need to work a lot harder to promote their newer, digital-friendly services. As Sarah Glassmeyer concludes:

Like I said, we’re trying. Some of us, at least. There is a definite component of librarians who don’t want to explore all the possibilities of user engagement that are currently available, but I think that there are few out there that don’t want to help users find and use information. Obviously we’re not doing a great job on marketing this fact.

But at the same time, I couldn’t have said it better than Pete at Thoughts While Waiting:

Please take care with your words. When a strong influencer says that a certain institution “can’t survive” he may be inadvertently assisting in its demise, however good his true intentions. Words, even digital ones, have power.

~ Emma

Filed under: Marketing   |  4 Comments
Tags: Advocacy, Marketing

New Year, New Projects

20Jan10

I am a big believer in volunteering in the professional community and giving back to it. But it is easy for people to get over-committed and over-stretched. From time to time, we should evaluate why we are volunteering and if we are still being challenged.

I am lucky enough that I have time and energy to volunteer with both the Special Libraries Association and the Toronto Association of Law Libraries (TALL). Recently I took over as chair of TALL salary survey committee. but one of its members has left. Amy Barton had done her time with over 5 years of service. She has developed skills, met people and enhanced her reputation but it was time to move on, and devote her energy elsewhere.

When I volunteer, I think strategically about skill development or networking. Many SLA activities have been great for networking, as I learn more about Toronto or Ontario library services. My survey work with TALL is an extension of developing similar surveys in British Columbia before 2003. I developed skills in creating a survey instrument, and understanding issues with print and electronic distribution in a project environment. I plan to continue on.

After awhile some people get reputations as the go-to person and get involved in many extra curricular activities, so how do volunteer for projects that you really want to do? I found this post from the Harvard Business Review blogs about setting priorities and streamling social web communications. The author Alexandra Samuel isn’t saying anything new but her intention is to manage extracurricular activities so you are really doing the stuff you love. Like many things in life, we are afraid of being judged or don’t want to disappoint someone, so we get roped into things reluctantly. Using a standard e-mail template for firmly and gently saying “great idea but I can’t commit the time” is a great idea and softens the guilt of saying no.

A flurry of both positive and negative comments follow the post, and have some insights. Alexandra Samuels has this rebuttal below:

I often find myself saying yes to things because I’m afraid that I’ll get judged or criticized for saying no, or because I don’t want to disappoint someone.

Saying no is a positive way to honouring commitments to your own priorities in life. And I agree that Alexandra Samuel’s post works best with volunteer work or social activities. Some commenters don’t think the strategies are adaptable for work environments. I leave it up to you, when you read the original post. A new year and a new way to do things, even if it is to say no.

- Brenda

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Tags: Communications, time management

The future of the library?

19Jan10

I’ve mentioned Seth Godin before – marketing guru, engaging speaker (he was the closing keynote at the SLA 2008 conference). He recently got the library world in a tizzy when he published a very short post on The Future of the Library. I don’t think I’ve ever read such divergent responses from people I respect!

As always, Seth gets you thinking. Here are some other opinions on “The future of the library” (I’m sure there are alot more out there):

Sarah Glassmeyer: Seth Godin and the Future of Libraries

Thoughts while waiting: Pundit Godin drives me nuts

Ryan Deschamps (The Other Librarian): Neither libraries nor information is free

Wealth Management Technology Musings: Seth’s blog: The future of the library

I am honoured and privileged to work in a library that is recognized as valuable  by my (corporate) community.  I hear very sad stories from my colleages in academic and public libraries about cutbacks in purchasing as well as jobs.

Please let me know what you think about the future of the library!

~ Karen

Filed under: Advocacy, Marketing   |  1 Comment
Tags: Marketing, New Ideas

Clawbie Finalist!

05Jan10

As you can see from the badge proudly on display on the right, Library technician dialog was a finalist in the 2009 Canadian Law Blogs (or Clawbies) awards. Although the awards are given in fun, it’s still a great honour for Brenda and I to be recognized by our peers for our little rants! (Well, okay, only I rant.)

We’ve been blogging here for almost 2 years, and sometimes it’s really hard to come up with a great new topic. Fortunately we’ve had some help, with Emma D-W guest posting. And we would certainly welcome anyone else in the libtech community who would like to participate as well. We’ll continue to do the best we can to comment on topics of relevance to library technicians in the legal community, and hope you’ll continue to follow.

Be sure to check out all the winners here. There are some great legal blogs just waiting for you to subscribe to them!

~ Karen

Filed under: Advocacy, Clawbies, Social Media, Uncategorized   |  1 Comment
Tags: Clawbies, Social Media

More Clawbies 2009 Nominations

17Dec09

As Karen posted a few days ago, it’s Clawbies season! Working on the ever-growing directory at lawblogs.ca has been one of my most enjoyable roles as a Stem-ployee, and I am always amazed at how active and dedicated the community of Canadian legal bloggers is. The sheer variety of subject matter and the quality of posts is really something we can be proud of. Even though I’m conflicted out of the real nominations process, I wouldn’t miss the chance to recognize a few outstanding contenders.

1. Toronto Estate Law Blog (Hull & Hull) – this blog is an excellent source for timely, on point information on new estate law cases and topics, and the content is suitable both for the layman and legal professional. I’m amazed at how often their posts turn up in searches I do in my work as a law library tech. Hull & Hull also integrates podcasts and video into their blogging efforts. To me, it’s the gold standard for legal blogging – content is always written in an understandable, plain English format, published at regular intervals, covers a wide variety of topics, and is presented in an aesthetically pleasing format. I’m not the only one who thinks this blog is top-notch: the firm just earned the honour of “Best Multi-Media Website for Lawyers”, awarded by the Canadian Bar Association’s National magazine.
2. The Stream (Courthouse Libraries BC) – Connie Crosby summed it up perfectly when she wrote, ”The folks at the B.C. Courthouse Libraries have set the new standard for design and engagement by a law library in Canada.”  I have come to expect great things from any new project of CLBC, and this one lives up to those expectations. Backed by a  team of strong, enthusiastic writers, The Stream is sure to become a key blogger in the years to come.
3. Shaunna Mireau on Canadian Legal Research – There really is a scarcity of law library bloggers, but Shaunna’s one of the few of us who’ve kept at it consistently over the years. She posts on practical, useful topics (working with students, internet and technology, social media, etc.)  and frequently includes real-life applications and anecdotes, which I really appreciate. Keep up the great work, Shaunna

Those are my nominations – hope to see lots more before the December 28th deadline. And congratulations to all the nominees and nominators who make the Canadian legal blogging community such a vibrant, exciting place. Here’s to a great 2010!

~ Emma

Filed under: Clawbies, Social Media   |  1 Comment
Tags: Clawbies, Social Media

Reading devices

14Dec09

I got to play with new Sony Reader recently. Sorry Kindle as I did not trial it as well. I am admittedly a pounder on the keyboard and I clicked or scrolled too fast on the Reader and it froze on me. We don’t know if it was a glitch on the page, or the device needed to catch up to my clicks. What I liked and disliked about it randomly:

• lightweight
• size similar to trade paperback
• nifty things like highlighting and annotating
• poor instruction as 3rd way to markup text but did not compute
• display of grey type on grey screen is hard to read
• comparable print book experience

But, as recent Globe and Mail writer put it succintly that he was not going out to buy e-books for his dad, nor was there the excitement and serendipity of browsing for e-books at a rummage sale. Maybe soon one day…Here’s hoping Santa brought either a Kindle or a Sony Reader for you!

– Brenda

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Tags: reading, wireless

My picks for the 2009 Clawbies

07Dec09

The Clawbies, or Canadian Law Blog Awards are open! Time to nominate your favourite Canadian law blog. Here are my three:

1. All About Information by Dan Michaluk at Hicks Morley. Dan writes timely and thoughtful posts on privacy as well as labour and employment issues. By following him on Twitter, I manage to appear all-knowing to my firm! Thanks, Dan, for making me look good!

2. Human Rights in the Workplace by Donna Seale. Donna is a solo practitioner in Manitoba providing training in human rights issues. I usually forward her posts to my HR director for comment and discussion. I met Donna in person at the recent Pitblado lectures, and she’s as sincere as she comes across in her blog. I appreciate the education I’m getting in workplace human rights from Donna.

3. The Stream by the B.C. Courthouse Libraries. While there aren’t really enough posts to judge this blog, considering its pedigree, I’m sure it will be one I look forward to on a regular basis. I wish all courthouse libraries were as progressive and dynamic as B.C.’s, but in the absence of that, I’m grateful for free access to their resources.

Who are your picks?

~ Karen

Filed under: Clawbies, Social Media   |  1 Comment
Tags: Clawbies, Social Media

Musings on the future

15Nov09

I just attended the 2009 Isaac Pitblado Lectures jointly presented by the Law Society of Manitoba, the Manitoba Bar Association and the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba. This year’s topic was on practicing law in the 21st century. (Yes, I was the only law librarian there – these lectures are aimed at lawyers, but the lineup of speakers captivated me!) The closing keynote speaking, Professor Richard Susskind, is the author of The End of Lawyers?, and a major thought-leader on the evolution (or revolution) in the future of legal service delivery. The opening speaker, Jordan Furlong, is the former editor of National, the journal of the Canadian Bar Association, and currently is a partner at Edge International and a senior consultant at Stem Legal. I have been an avid fan of Jordan’s writing at Law21, and was thrilled to meet him in person.

The format of the lectures was a mixture of lectures and workshops. We heard about where legal services would potentially be going in the next ten years. We also heard from Dr. Krista Uggerslev, a professor at the Asper School of Business, who explained the differences in the generations currently working as lawyers. With four generations now practising, it’s no wonder there is friction in the expectations of everyone. As Bruce King, managing partner of Pitblado LLP said (I’m paraphrasing here), “I used to think when I was recuiting students to join our firm, that it was enough to say with hard work, all this can be yours too! After listening to Krista, I realize now that they don’t want to be me!”

From a local perspective, I really enjoyed hearing from Don Douglas, CEO at Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP. This firm has taken the role of managing partner and made it into a full time position to better serve the direction of their firm. We also heard from the challenges faced by rural lawyers regarding succession planning, and strategies the Law Society was undertaking to help deal with this, such as funding students from rural communities who are accepted at law school, with forgiveable loans if they return to their communities after graduation.

The role of technology in future legal service delivery was a huge part of this presentation. Dan Pinnington, practice advisor at Lawpro.com, spoke about all the different technology available to assist lawyers in meeting their regulatory requirements, as well as providing better client service. While he mentioned specific software and hardware, he was also careful to inform practitioners to make sure they spent their money on technology that would work for them. It’s not prudent to purchase all the bells and whistles, when all you need are the bells.

I loved Professor Susskind’s talk. He’s an engaging and entertaining lecturer. I especially appreciated his definition of bespoke (I will never forget the meaning, and my lawyers may hear me using it when I talk about my services at the firm!). He sees the legal services delivery being driven by clients telling their lawyers to do more with less, leading to the commoditization of particular functions, like contract writing. The traditional legal model has had clients pay for junior lawyers to learn how to do the “grunt” work, like document review, at a fairly high rate. Clients are now saying they’re not going to pay for the junior lawyers, and firms have to figure out a new model.

One area I felt was not addressed was the fact that the field of law practice is an apprenticeship model. If the apprentices are not going to be paid for by clients, who is supposed to provide the training? It was mentioned that private law firms spend a lot of money recruiting and training articling students, only to have them jump to corporate counsel at the end of three years, when they’re just starting to become productive. How many private corporations are taking in articling students, and paying for that apprenticeship?

This lecture series raised more questions than it answered. I was thrilled with the demographics of attendance – there was definitely attendance by all four of the generations that Krista Uggerslev mentioned, and there was representation from private firms, government, rural and solo practitioners. I will certainly be using the knowledge I gained to provide assistance to my firm in filling some of the niches that were uncovered. To paraphrase, we live in interesting times. And that’s a good thing.

~ Karen

Filed under: Advocacy, Professional Development   |  1 Comment
Tags: conferences, New Ideas, Professional Development, Technology