LiRN recently hosted a session featuring smart innovations learned during the site visits by our Roving Librarian. Many of the tips are free and your colleagues have shared their templates with you in case you might want to implement them. Link to October 22, 2024 Recording of the session which has more helpful tips than just those provided below.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), Subject Checklist Flyer, 5×7 Shelf Guides
Carleton
Jen Walker from Carleton County Law Association shared several of their innovations that you may find useful:
- Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) flyers indicate the steps to take for those whose preference is to access e-LiRN resources using their own devices. They have created a bit.ly and QR Code instructing users how to do so via their Wi-Fi.
- Library staff created flyers with QR codes that quickly direct users to find the electronic resources that they need when browsing their shelves: 5″x 7″ Shelf Guides.
- Criminal Law Resources guide in booklet format with handy checklists so that users can easily see where to locate the key resources in this subject area.
- Lawyer computer terminals’ displays e-LiRN resources with logos that take up all the real estate on the terminals making it easy for the lawyers to find which resource they need to help them with their online research query. It also includes their catalogue and other electronic resources.
e-LiRN Book Labels with Vendor logos, Indigenous Resources
Renfrew
- Sheri Proulx and Laura Keuhl highlighted the Indigenous professional resources and initiatives they are using to engage the community. LiRN shared this on our blog as well.
- They also created labels for their texts that identify that they are part of the e-LiRN collection, using the appropriate vendor labels. They report that the lawyers find this information handy (and staff have too when reviewing their collection for new purchases etc.). A handy list of the e-LiRN titles is available in OCLA’s Core List of Electronic Titles, This was published in 2022 and reflects the e-LiRN titles that your lawyers have access to, with some news titles from Irwin Law added since then.
- They recently created a stand-alone reference collection of their Emond Criminal law books and other key books based upon feedback from their uses. Lawyers have noticed and commented how handy this is! See photos in presentation link below.
- Renfrew’s presentation of their innovation which includes photos: Renfrew’s innovations for LiRN’s roving librarian
- Renfrew photo of labels using Avery Multi Purpose labels (2314) 1 x 3 inch
Eras Tour Celebration of Association Anniversary
Northumberland – Ciara Ward was inspired by the omnipresent Taylor Swift tour to create an Eras tour for her association’s 100th anniversary, reaching the eyes and ears of her younger lawyers so that they can learn more about her association’s Reputation so that there is no Blank Space. She created a timeline using Excel and coordinated colours for each era, following the palette from Swift’s Era’s branding including of course, Red.
Donation Box of Clothing Box for Discharged People
S.D.G. – Justin Ball has created some custom flyers for his lawyers but also has started a clothing box for duty counsel to use for prisoners who are discharged from the courts but without proper clothing or footwear to go home. Duty counsel, police and others have contributed clothes for this collection. Justin tries to have an entire outfit of shirt, pants, socks and shoes available for this potential aid for people who are being released without proper attire for the weather, etc. Durham mentioned that they offer “blessings bags” for people as well.
DIY Efficiency Hacks
Lambton – Michelle Gerrit provided her cost-saving DIY hacks to make the library set-up more efficient. View photos of the under desk printer cart, the luggage scale she uses to weigh packages, and other creative under-shelf storage.
CPD Binder Insert Cover Sheets Template
York – Luisa Yepes has shared her LSO Binder Insert/Cover page template that she has created since the LSO CPD materials are no longer printed & shipped automatically. This helps for those who still wish to print off CPD contents and reuse their binders to hold their contents for new sessions.
More Tips from your colleagues
Below is a list of additional tips acquired from your LiRN network colleagues:
Research Services Request Form
Research Services Request form (created using JotForm) (electronic & print), All things DRLA Library booklet & their fiction lending library that started when a judge requested as reading material for those awaiting their trial. Donations piled in and they now have a great collection.
-Durham Region Law Association
Video Chats
“Pod People” Zoom / Privacy booths – learn from their experience if you are building a business case for these in your upcoming budget.
Privacy Pods/Zoom booth vendor: Kube Booth – Contact Rachel Sekler for LiRN Bulk Rate. OR AtWork for their Wheelchair-accessible booth.
Library Signage & Wayfinding book recommendation
–Jo-Ann McQuillan, Peel
Vibe Smart Board & Owl Camera
Sheri Proulx / Laura Keuhl did a live demonstration of their cool new Vibe smart board & Meeting Owl (camera & mic) that they use for CPD/Training/Meetings. Benefits of system including vendors & prices
-Renfrew Law Association
Reference Tracking Tool
Megan Strain shared a live demo of Gimlet, their reference tracking software and how they use tags, time tracking for multiple staff members, resources, reports. etc.
-Toronto Law Association
Time / Calendar Tracking Tools
Betty Dykstra‘s presentation for Toggl, their time tracking database (not Big Brother) Free up to 5 users & Calendly.com External users can book an appointment using Outlook, Google calendar. Courts in CE using it. Works with Zoom, etc. Free for basics. Frontenac uses Clockify.
-York
Therapy Dogs
Brenda Lauritzen shared that they have started organizing monthly drop-in stress-relief sessions with the courthouse therapy dogs called Take a Paws with Therapeutic Paws of Canada (Eastern Ontario). Good tips on promotion & event.
-Carleton
Travel Bag for Conferences
Item to add to your Conference Packing List from Gena Lowe – Perth County Law Association
Foldable Travel Bag – for all your swag and purchased items
https://www.mytravelshoes.com/
More to come after Learn with LiRN 2023
Have your own cool tips?