Introduction Territorial search and seizure lies at the intersection of constitutional law, international law, and foreign relations. While domestic legal systems generally define clear rules governing when and how governments may search persons, property, or data, those rules become more complex, and often contested, when enforcement activities cross national borders.…
Articles Posted in law librarianship
AI and the Law/Justice Information Professional: What 2026 and Beyond Will Demand
Introduction. This posting draws on guidance and analysis from AALL, IFLA, ACRL, the ABA, Thomson Reuters, LexisNexis, NIST, Stanford HAI, and the World Economic Forum, among others. Artificial intelligence is no longer a speculative “future issue” for law and justice information professionals. By 2026, AI will be embedded, sometimes invisibly, into…
Between Fact and Fiction: Law, Literature and the Search for Truth
Introduction The search for truth occupies a central place in both the legal system and the literary arts, yet each pursues that goal through fundamentally different means. Courts promise truth through structure, rules of evidence, burdens of proof, and sharply defined issues designed to resolve disputes while safeguarding liberty. Literature,…
AALL: Body of Knowledge (BoK)
The American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) has introduced Body of Information,(BoK), an innovative information tool designed to serve as blueprint for fostering the career development of information professionals. It defines the the domains, competencies and skills todays legal information professionals need for success. BoK is future-focused and sets the…
H.R. 1 (119th Cong.): Summary of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” *
On July 4, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed into law H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” enacted as Pub. L. No. 119–21, 139 Stat. ___ (2025). Passed through the budget reconciliation process under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, this comprehensive legislation represents a central pillar of…
AALL: Executive Director Search Special Committee Announced
From the American Association of Law Libraries, 6-27-2025. Dear colleagues, As I shared in my June 20 message, Vani Ungapen will be stepping down as AALL Executive Director at the end of August. In preparation for this transition, I have appointed a Special Committee—composed of current and past Executive Board members,…
The Role of Law Librarians in Promoting AI Literacy
Introduction Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the legal profession, influencing how attorneys conduct research, draft briefs, analyze litigation risk, and advise clients. As AI tools like generative language models, legal search platforms, and predictive analytics systems become more prevalent, AI literacy has become essential for legal professionals. Law librarians,…
Behind the Curtain: AI, Automation, and the Looming Threat to Human Knowledge Work
Inspired by Axios’s “Behind the Curtain: A White-Collar Bloodbath” (May 28, 2025) Dario Amodei, cofounder and CEO of Anthropic, is issuing an urgent warning: advanced artificial intelligence may soon pose a serious threat to millions of white-collar jobs. While today’s AI systems, like Anthropic’s own Claude and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, are…
AALL Statement: Dismissal of Librarian of Congress and Register of Copyrights
FROM THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF LAW LIBRARIES (AALL) Dear Colleagues, The American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) is deeply concerned by the recent dismissal of the Librarian of Congress and Register of Copyrights. As the head of the Library of Congress, home to the Law Library of Congress and one…
Special Libraries Association Announces Dissolution After 116 Years of Service
To those of us who have benefited from SLA membership, this announcement is sad news. After 116 years of dedicated service to information professionals and specialized librarians, the Special Libraries Association (SLA) has announced its decision to initiate a dissolution process. The global organization, known for its unwavering support in…