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A light grilling!

With only three days until the official start of the BIALL Conference 2009. The BIALL Blogger asked current President Jackie Fishleigh a few probing questions about the Conference and her stint as President.

BB - There are only three days until the the start of the Conference, what reasons would you give for attending?

• The programme which has been described as "excellent" by the editor of CILIP Update,Elspeth Hyams. Elspeth has seen a lot of Conference programmes in her time!


• The networking opportunity - where else can you meet and mingle with over 300 legal information professionals for 3 days?


• The social events - thanks to the generosity of our sponsors we have dinners at both Imperial War Museum North and the iconic Midland Hotel

BB - What one piece of advice would you give anyone attending the Conference for the first time?

JF - Relax and enjoy it! Work hard and play hard in the best BIALL tradition. My first Conference was in York in 1991. I remember hearing the distant sound of law librarians whooping it up in the early hours from my study bedroom?

...in years to come you may be a Committee Chair, Conference committee organiser or even a speaker so make the most of having everything laid on for you!

BB - What session are you looking forward to most?

JF - Your session on Law Librarians and Social Networking obviously James!

BB - *shucks* - thanks Jackie!

BB - Have you been to Manchester before? If so what are the "must-see"sights?

JF - After the site visit in January I visited two attractions on the Oxford Road - one was the University of Manchester Museum which is practically opposite the Conference Centre - there was an interesting exhibition on Lindow Man. The other was a longer walk but still on the Oxford Road - the University's Whitworth Art Gallery.

The latter is very strong on textiles. I went to see "Putting on the Glitz" which showcases some fabulous art deco wallpapers. The Gallery is in a park and the wholefood café looked good!

BB - Aside from the Conference session themselves, what do you most look forward to at the BIALL Conference?

This probably sounds rather shallow but in these troubled times a laugh and a glass of wine with fellow legal information professionals ! Make that a large one...

BB - What do you feel has been your greatest achievement as BIALL President?

When you grilled me last year you asked me how I would describe myself in three adjectives. I think I said friendly, resilient and constructive. I was recently characterised by a member as "upbeat, energetic and fearless". So I think I have got a lot out of it in professional development terms and would recommend it to others as such.

But you are probably looking for something more concrete. Well?it was my idea to have a 40th birthday party for BIALL. Justis were keen to sponsor an event and I suggested it. Date for diary: Friday 11th September. Location: London. It won't be expensive.

BB - What have you enjoyed most?

JF - I had a fabulous time representing BIALL at the Canadian Association of Law Libraries Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia! It was very exciting and an honour.

BB - Is there anything or anyone you're going to miss?

In these straightened times I will miss having my Conference fees paid for by BIALL!

BB - How do you think the legal information landscape has changed in the last year?

JF - Many of our members especially in law firms have been made redundant, have had pay cuts/shorter hours imposed or fear losing their jobs. This happened quite suddenly and I think we are all still reeling from it.

BB - What do you think are the biggest challenges affecting legal information professionals?

JF - To stay positive and flexible if still in work or to face the future for those who are job-hunting. I really hope for the latter group that it will be a case of one door closing and another opening...

Many thanks to Jackie for answering the BIALL Blogger's questions.

Full post as published by The BIALL Blog on June 15, 2009 (boomark / email).