AALL Chicago Review from LIT-SIS Grant Award Winner, Brandi Ledferd

Guest post by Brandi Ledferd, Manager, Technical Services, Library & Research Services, K&L Gates

A heartfelt thank you goes to LIT-SIS for awarding me the Annual Meeting Grant for Experienced Librarians, which facilitated my attendance at the AALL Annual Meeting in Chicago. The support from LIT-SIS enabled my participation in not only the Annual Meeting but also the pre-conference workshop, “Unleashing Innovation: A Rollercoaster Ride to Implement, Plan, and Fund Your GenAI Toolkit.”

Much of the programming was particularly relevant for me as it was tech heavy, with numerous sessions on generative AI, as well as excellent sessions on electronic resources management, and using data and reporting to tell stories and convey value. Attending these sessions, I gained insight as to how other institutions are using technology to provide access to knowledge and materials, to gather statistics and report on data. It also offered an opportunity to assess the progress of my current firm and library team in these areas, confirming that our team is on the right track and even leading in several aspects. The event was a showcase of new ideas, technological applications, and an appreciation of the ingenuity and persistence of law librarians in navigating the challenges and potential of technology, such as generative AI.

Engaging with colleagues and vendors, both long-standing connections and new acquaintances, was an enriching experience. The event provided me an opportunity to expand my networks and become more involved in AALL.

Having not attended an Annual Meeting for several years, it was a reminder of how invaluable such opportunities are. Being a law librarian involves immersion in a whirlwind of change, innovation, data management, troubleshooting, and more. There is immense value in stepping away from this whirlwind to participate in events like the Annual Meeting. The time devoted to education, networking, and rejuvenating enthusiasm for the profession was truly beneficial. I returned to work inspired and ready to take on new challenges.