Previous events
On January 11, 2012, CUA-SLA student group hosted Dept. of Justice (DOJ) librarians, Bridget Gilhool and Jennifer McMahan. They spoke about their jobs at the main DOJ Justice Libraries and the libraries' internship program. Below are some highlights from the discussion.
Great statement of the evening:
Working as a DOJ librarian allows you to answer "real-world" questions and be involved in "real-world" work.
Unsurprising things about DOJ librarians:
- Librarians are extremely well-versed in numerous research areas and research functions: both Bridget and Jennifer provided numerous exampls of how the DOJ libraries serve a number of different interests (e.g. civil, criminal, civil areas of law) and functions (reference, research - investigative and legal, bibliographic and cataloging, and digitization)
- Librarians know how to promote themselves: Bridget and Jennifer spoke about their online presence and training courses that make their users (attorneys and various DOJ agencies workers) aware of how the libraries can save them time and money
- Librarians know their sources: like most librarians, Bridget and Jennifer work with several commercial databases (e.g. LexisNexis, WestLaw) and public records databases. They know what they have and don't have and how to quickly assess how to get to the information their users need fast.
- Librarians are highly networked: even if you only have a general area of DOJ interest, you can send along your resume to Bridget and she'll try and link you to a DOJ library (even if it's outside of her own Antitrust Library) that might be of interest
- There is one main DOJ library and a handful of other DOJ library locations spread throughout the country by regions that serve numerous DOJ agencies and employees
- The Justice Management Division is responsible for the DOJ Main library. Various DOJ agencies (including the FBI, ATF, among others) may also have library opportunities (contact Bridget if you're interested in a specific library and she'll try and put you in touch with any contacts)
- Government documents classes and a general background are helpful if you are interested in working at DOJ libraries
- Let DOJ libraries know about your "past lives" and experiences -- you never know how those skills can be of interest to DOJ librarians!
- There are opportunities to transition into other investigative and intelligence roles with your DOJ library experience
- DOJ libraries' public web page
- DOJ libraries' resources and guides (currently being updated)
- DOJ libraries "Guide to Court Resources"
- DOJ Justice Libraries' Internships
If you attended this event, please feel free to add your comments to this post.
If you've participated in a DOJ libraries' internship please feel free to add your comments to this post.
SLIS Students: 'Chat' at with Federal Librarians on Monday Oct 18 6pm -7pm
Information Commons
Insights and perspectives from our friendly local federal librarians - here is your chance to ask those burning questions before your career path looms too large! My question - can I avoid those KSA's?
The Chat program instituted at UMD's iSchool in January 2009 is expanding to Catholic University's SLIS. The topic is Federal Libraries and will feature three distinguished librarians from our area. They are:
- Robin Dixon, Branch Head, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Library
- Eleanor Frierson, Deputy Director, National Agriculture Library
- James King, Acting Chief of the Information & Education Services Branch and Information Architect at National Institute of Health Library
Hosted by SLA Maryland and the CUA/SLA Student Group
INFO from our Sept 13 2010 Meeting :
Sept 13 Meeting Photos
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