Articles Tagged with American Association of Law Libraries

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At its April 2026 meeting, the AALL (American Association of Law Libraries) Executive Board approved two proposed revisions to Article IV of the AALL Bylaws, both related to student membership. These proposed changes align with AALL’s Strategic Plan—specifically on strengthening the pipeline to the profession. By broadening the definition of student membership and increasing flexibility in dues, the Association aims to reduce barriers to entry, support a wider range of educational pathways, and expand opportunities to engage future legal information professionals. This approach also supports efforts to increase visibility of the profession and foster early connections through mentorship, skill development, and community engagement.

HOW TO VOTE

To access the online ballot, please log in with your email address and the unique voting PIN provided below. Ballots must be submitted by Tuesday, June 30 at 3:00 p.m. EDT.

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Artificial intelligence is now woven into the daily fabric of legal work. From case law research to contract analysis and compliance monitoring, AI systems are accelerating tasks that once required hours of manual review. But as these tools become more capable, the legal profession faces a central challenge: How can lawyers trust AI in high‑stakes environments where accuracy, transparency, and defensibility are non‑negotiable?

Two concepts have emerged as foundational to answering that question: interpretability and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG). While distinct, they work together to create AI systems that are transparent, grounded in evidence, and aligned with professional legal standards. Although both have existed for some time, their integration into legal research remains in its infancy, and there is much to learn. This post explores how these systems are reshaping AI legal research based on a review of current industry sources.

Understanding Interpretability in Legal AI

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The March 30, 2026 issue of Information Insights, published by Association for Information Science and Technology, offers a timely snapshot of a profession in transition. From the growing centrality of artificial intelligence to the strategic implications of the ASIS&T SLA merger, this edition highlights how information professionals are redefining their roles in an increasingly data-driven and interconnected world. The selected items underscore a clear message: adapting to technological change while strengthening professional collaboration is now essential to the future of information science. The following includes a Synopsis of the March 30, 2026 issue for the convenience of some, followed by a link to the entire issue.

SYNOPSIS:

The March 30, 2026 issue of Information Insights highlights a profession in transition, shaped by artificial intelligence, organizational consolidation, and a renewed emphasis on global collaboration and professional development. The newsletter blends association updates with broader trends affecting information science, libraries, and knowledge management.

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The March 25, 2026 edition of the ABA Legal Tech Newsletter arrives at a pivotal moment for the legal profession, coinciding with the opening of ABA TECHSHOW 2026, the American Bar Association’s flagship legal technology conference. The newsletter reflects a profession that has moved decisively beyond experimentation with technology and into a phase of strategic integration, governance, and long-term transformation.

1. From AI Adoption to AI Maturity

A central theme is the profession’s rapid transition from initial adoption of artificial intelligence to operational mastery. Over the past year, AI has become embedded in daily legal workflows—impacting research, drafting, case management, and client service. The newsletter emphasizes that the key challenge is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to manage it responsibly, including training, oversight, and measurable value.

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Welcome to The Education Edge—the new name and refreshed look of what was formerly the [AALL] Education Update. Designed to keep you learning and moving forward, The Education Edge highlights timely resources, ideas, and opportunities to support your professional growth.

Explore resources of The Education Edge.

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FROM THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF LAW LIBRARIES:

The legal information landscape is shifting faster than ever—AI, staffing changes, and innovative services are reshaping the profession. The 2025 AALL State of the Profession Report delivers the data, trends, and real-world insights you need to stay ahead. Use this essential resource to guide planning, showcase impact, and anticipate what’s next. Available in digital, print, or bundle formats… The AALL State of the Profession report offers a comprehensive view of the law library and legal information landscape, highlighting the contributions, challenges, and aspirations of legal information professionals. Designed as a tool for benchmarking, advocacy, strategic planning, and personal growth, it serves as a valuable resource for navigating and advancing the field. The 2025 State of the Profession was published on June 24,2025.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.

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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 many legal research platforms, court systems, compliance workflows, and knowledge-management environments. The central question is no longer whether AI will affect our work, but how it reshapes professional responsibility, judgment, and value.

From Research Assistance to Research Accountability

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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 stage for continued development; regular reviews and updates which will maintain BoK’s relevance as shifts in the profession occur.

AALL’s Body of Knowledge (BOK) Competencies Self-Assessment  is an innovative tool that “will help you gauge not only where there is alignment with the BoK, but also where opportunities exist for improvement and enhancement. This tool is self-scored with no right or wrong answers. Use the results to make a professional development plan and complete the competencies tool at desired intervals to measure growth over time. Receive a curated list of AALL educational resources based on your individual responses.”

For more information, click here

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As generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) systems become increasingly integrated into search engines, legal research platforms, healthcare diagnostics, and educational tools, questions of factual accuracy and trustworthiness have come to the forefront. Erroneous or hallucinated outputs from large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude can have serious consequences, especially when these tools are used in sensitive domains.

The sheer volume of information processed by AI systems makes comprehensive auditing a significant challenge. This necessitates finding efficient and effective strategies for human oversight.  In this context, the question arises: Should librarians, especially those trained in research methodologies and information literacy, be involved in auditing these systems for factual accuracy? The answer is a resounding yes.

The Librarian’s Expertise in Information Validation

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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, including myself—to lead the search for AALL’s next Executive Director. The committee represents all three primary library types and brings valuable insights and experience working closely with this role.

I am pleased to share that AALL Past President Beth Adelman has agreed to chair this committee. The full committee includes:

  • Ramon Barajas Jr.
  • Emily R. Florio
  • Kris Niedringhaus
  • Diane M. Rodriguez
  • Jenny Silbiger
  • Abby Walters
  • Jessica Whytock
  • Cornell H. Winston

The committee’s first step will be to engage a professional search firm to assist in identifying and vetting candidates. We are issuing Requests for Proposals and anticipate selecting a firm by mid-August.

We will continue to keep you informed as the process unfolds. If you have comments or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at president@aall.org.

This is an important moment for AALL, and your continued support and engagement will help ensure a strong and thoughtful leadership transition.
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Cornell H. Winston

AALL President
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