The Dawn of ORALL, 1949
1949
On March 31st, Ervin Pollack, The Ohio State University College of Law, mailed letters to a handful of law librarian colleagues across Ohio asking to meet "for the purpose of forming a state association with the thought of eventually becoming affiliated as a chapter of the American Association of Law Libraries."
On April 30th, a group of 13 law librarian visionaries convened in Page Hall on the campus of The Ohio State University: Ervin Pollack, Law Librarian at The Ohio State University College of Law; Helen Maclean, Law Librarian at Chase College of Law, Y.M.C.A. in Cincinnati; Robert Mace, Assistant Law Librarian at University of Cincinnati College of Law; Thomas Buker, Law Librarian at Columbus Law Library Association; Virginia Engle, Law Librarian at Akron Law Library Association; Arthur Fiske, Law Librarian at Cleveland Law Library Association; Ralph Klapp, representing Franklin University Law Library in Columbus; Doris Fenneberg, Law Librarian at University of Toledo Law Library; R.C. McCoy, representing Ashland County Law Library; G. Nesbitt, Assistant Law Librarian at Ohio State University College of Law; Pauline Carleton, Cataloger at Ohio State University College of Law; Russell Leach, Reference Librarian at Ohio State University College of Law; and Viola Allen, Law Librarian from Dayton Law Library Association.
The first officers of the newly formed Ohio Association of Law Libraries (OALL) were: Ervin Pollack, President; Virginia Engle, Vice President; Viola Allen, Secretary; and Robert Mace, Treasurer.
1950
By November, total membership was at a record-setting 38, and the first meeting of OALL, on November 10-11, saw 26 hard working librarians hammering out the road to the future.
The First Decades, 1950 - 1969
1950 (cont.)
The Chair of the Special Committee on Interlibrary Loans, Pauline Carleton at The Ohio State University Law Library, inaugurates a plan to expedite interlibrary loans and cooperative buying as a "partial solution to the difficulties created by limited budgets."
Miss Helen C. Little, U.S. Court of Appeals Library, advances the Association's plan to establish a formal system for the exchange of duplicate materials received by libraries through donations.
1951
Virginia Engle, Akron Law Library Association, proposes an amendment to the Association's original constitution to provide for full membership to interested colleagues from neighboring states.
Viola Allen, Dayton Law Library Association, prepares the first Directory of Ohio Law Libraries.
1952
A decision on formal affiliation with AALL is deferred due to the AALL requirement that 50% of a chapter's members maintain AALL membership; the national organization would benefit more than OALL.
1953
The first 3 Michigan law librarians join OALL: Betty Gallagher, Detroit College of Law Library; Helen Snook, Detroit Bar Association; and Charlotte Dunnebacke, Michigan State University Law Library.
1954
Doris Fenneberg, University of Toledo Law School Library, initiates the idea of a Newsletter. Editor Fenneberg's first issue was published in November 1954. The last issue was published in April 1956.
Robert Mace, University of Cincinnati College of Law Library, prepares a "weeding policy" for the Association's members. Dividing materials into two categories: "desirable and necessary" and "desirable but not necessary." Also, along with George Buttafoco, Chase College of Law Library, a clearinghouse for the exchange of duplicates is maintained.
Helen Garee, Western Reserve University Law School Library, prepares a compilation of data on library standards and statistics including physical standards as well as personnel, administration, and collection contents.
1955
Doris Fenneberg, University of Toledo Law School Library, compiles and distributes the first Ohio Legal Bibliography.
1962
Nancy Miller, The Ohio State University College of Law Library, is applauded for her efforts in reviving interest in OALL as the organization almost folded in the previous year.
A proposed amendment to OALL's constitution creating an "associate membership" category for non-law library employees is defeated - reinforcing the policy that "any...person who has an active interest in the promotion of law libraries may become an individual member of the Association."
1966
As Chair of the Membership Committee, Bethany Ochal at Wayne State University Law Library encourages more participation in OALL by Michigan law librarians.
1967
Matthew Dee, The Ohio State University College of Law Library, resumes the publication of the Association's newsletter under his editorship. It is called the OALL Bulletin.
Gertrude Johnson, University of Akron Law Library, begins the compilation of a union list of serials of Ohio law libraries. In addition, she distributes, as a 38-page enclosure with the OALL Bulletin, her Index to Ohio Judges.
1968
To more accurately reflect the diverse membership composition of the Association, the name is changed to Ohio REGIONAL Association of Law Libraries (ORALL).
Members of the Association receive their first explanation of the Ohio Bar Automated Research Project (OBAR). Twenty volumes of the Ohio Reports are converted to an electronic format for keyword retrieval. (This was the forerunner of Lexis-Nexis.)
1969
The Membership of ORALL passes a resolution asking AALL to eliminate or modify the qualification that 50% of a chapter's members must maintain AALL membership in order for the chapter to be an officially chartered AALL chapter. This was in response to AALL's reported dissatisfaction with ORALL's autonomy.
Nancy Miller, The Ohio State University Law Library, organizes the formal archives of ORALL at The Ohio State University College of Law.
Major Milestones, 1970 - 1985
1970
At the annual AALL convention in Washington D.C., an unanimous vote is cast in favor of granting ORALL official chapter status. This vote followed the amendment of the AALL Bylaws to no longer require 50% of a chapter's membership to maintain AALL membership.
The first scheduled ORALL breakfast is held at the AALL annual convention.
The first ORALL scholarship grants are awarded to defray expenses for attendance at the AALL Institute. The first grant recipients are Anita Shew, University of Akron Law Library, and Paul Fu, Ohio Northern University Law Library.
1971
Case Western Reserve University Law School is the first law school in the country to install an OBAR terminal (later known as Lexis-Nexis). Law Librarian Simon Goren arranges for staff training and integrates its use into the Legal Research and Writing Program for students.
173
ORALL President Art Hohlmayer, Springfield Bar & Law Library, reports to the Executive Board that employees of the county law libraries that serve smaller populations are losing interest in ORALL. He urges the creation of a special committee for county law librarians to provide a forum for their issues. This is the first mention of what would become the County Law Library Special Interest Group (C-SIG).
The Association votes to pursue the project of converting the Records and Briefs of the Ohio Supreme Court to a micro format using the company Microcard Editions (later known as IHS).The work of Arthur Fiske, Cleveland Law Library Association, as Project Chair is monumental.
The first Model Bibliography of Texts for County Law Libraries is prepared by Carol Meyer Bratton, Cincinnati Law Library Association, and distributed by the Ohio State Bar Association Law Libraries Committee.
1974
ORALL turns 25 years old!
The first ORALL conference program utilizing "break-out sessions" for workshops that divide participants by library type is held in Toledo. High on the list of topics is salaries.
1975
ORALL's Union List of Serials is electronically maintained at the University of Louisville Information Referral Center.
The practice of an invocation prior to the annual ORALL banquet is suspended.
The Finance Committee, chaired by Mary Ann Roman from Barnes, Hickam, Pantzer & Boyd, formalizes the Guidelines for ORALL's revenues and expenditures.
1976
The Model Bibliography Project is expanded to include materials from Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan.
1978
At a Business Meeting in Dayton, Ohio, a vote is taken on the options proposed for a change in the name of the Association. The results are as follows: ORALL (18), MEALL (12), IMORALL (6), GLOVALL (7), NCALL (12), AND MALL (13).
1979
At the AALL Annual Meeting in San Francisco, the announcement is made that the law libraries of Michigan have formed a new chapter, MichALL. Many maintain membership in both ORALL and MichALL and a tradition of joint meetings begins.
1981
A Survey Report on Public Access to Legal Information, under the direction of Anita Shew of Butler County Law Library, is generated through the coordinated efforts of ORALL and the Ohio Library Association. It receives national attention and AALL President Roger Jacobs, Librarian at the Supreme Court of the U.S., distributes copies to liaison organizations.
1982
The Bylaws are amended to establish two ORALL Recognition Awards. The Distinguished Law Librarian Award honors an ORALL member of at least 5 years, who has demonstrated on a consistent basis, a commitment to law librarianship and ORAL above and beyond an expected level. The Outstanding Service Award honors an individual for a specific achievement in the form of an idea, publication, or organizational project that benefits ORALL members.
1983
A specific and permanent address for ORALL is established in order to simplify business transactions and ease the confusion which accompanies the change in officers. The Association's permanent address is now at the University of Dayton Law School Library.
1984
ORALL joins the newly established Ohio Council of Library and Information Services (OCLIS), which is created to promote cooperation among all of the state library associations.
ORALL's Executive Board takes a strong stand in favor of ALA's Library Bill of Rights and issues a Newsletter editorial applying the provisions to all types of law libraries.
1985
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are formed within ORALL to act as forums through which library concerns and activities by type of law library are addressed. The first two groups established are the County Law Libraries and the Indiana SIGs.
The Arrival of the "ORALL-iens" and Moving to the New Millenium, 1986 - 1999
1986
The first ORALL Salary Survey is conducted by Sue Schaefgen, Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur, and is published in the summer Newsletter as an aid to members in identifying adequate salaries for all library positions.
The Core Legal Collection bibliographies are updated by ORALL members and published by the Ohio State Bar Association. One copy, free of charge, is distributed to each ORALL member.
1987
In order to reduce costs, the publication and printing of the Newsletter migrates from Banks-Baldwin in Cleveland to the University of Toledo.
1988
ORALL institutes the sale of advertising space in the Newsletter.
Publication of the Newsletter moves to a joint effort of Cleveland State University and the University of Akron.
1989
ORALL is officially incorporated in the State of Ohio as a corporate non-profit.
ORALL joins in the Midwest Conference of Law Librarians "Navigating the Nineties: Resource Strategies" held in Chicago, IL.
1990
ORALL member Anne McFarland, University of Akron Law Library, and the Public Services Committee complete Ohio Legal Resources: An Annotated Bibliography and Guide 1990. It is then published and distributed by the Ohio Library Association (OLA) and workshops are provided by committee members upon request to local OLA chapters.
The Executive Board votes to reduce ORALL's meeting schedule to one per year starting in 1992.
1991
The last spring meeting of ORALL is held in Cincinnati, OH on May 15-17.
The AALL Executive Board chooses ORALL to host the 1996 Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, IN. This is to be the first AALL meeting in Indiana since the French Lick Conference of 1928.
The ORALL Executive Board sends written testimony to the Ohio Supreme Court Task Force on the Unauthorized Practice of Law urging the adoption of narrow and explicit rules which exempt a librarian from unauthorized practice provisions in the performance of duties.
1992
ORALL is host chapter to the 2nd Midwest Regional Meeting of Law Librarians in Columbus, OH, November 1-3.
Members of ORALL's County Law Library SIG, together with the Ohio State Bar Association Law Libraries Committee Funding Task Force, present a 27-page report with recommendations to the OSBA Council of Delegates in an effort to statutorily affect the financial support of county law libraries in Ohio.
1993
ORALL Executive Board sends a motion to the AALL Executive Board recommending changes to the AALL Constitution to create a representative body to control, formulate policy, and administer the Association. The furtherance of such a motion is not approved by the AALL Board.
The Core Legal Collection, 1993 is prepared by the Core Legal Bibliography Committee and edited by Melanie Putnam, The Ohio State University Law Library.
A revised ORALL Handbook is prepared by the Bylaws and Guidelines Committee, chaired by Ted Potter, University of Toledo Law Library.
1994
ORALL begins the tradition of preparing a table display for the Exhibit Hall at each AALL Annual Meeting.
ORALL's Internet Buddy Program is created to pair "experienced onliners" with novices in order to share the wealth of talent in the Association.
1995
ORALL sponsors two delegates to attend AALL's National Conference on Legal Information Issues held in conjunction with the AALL Meeting in Pittsburgh, PA. They are Dean Richard Perna, University of Dayton School of Law, and Roger Stevenson, Roetzel Adress, in Akron, OH.
The Guide to ORALL Officer Duties and Responsibilities, prepared by Past-President Ted Potter, is distributed to the entire membership as a Newsletter insert.
1996
The ORALL Listserv is created by the Internet Committee, chaired by Randy Wilcox, Case Western Reserve University Law Library, and is hosted by the Cleveland State University Law Library. Electronic discussions begin amongst members.
ORALL forms an alliance with the Ohio Library Council to publish the 4th edition of Ohio Legal Resources, An Annotated Bibliography and Guide. It is compiled by Anne McFarland, University of Akron Law Library, and the Public Services Committee who negotiate an arrangement to share the profits made from sales.
Captained by Al Podboy, Baker & Hostetler, ORALL's "Olympic Team" picks up a second place check for $1000 at West Publishing's Law Library Decathlon at the AALL convention in Indianapolis, IN.
1997
ORALL members are nicknamed "ORALLiens" by President Joanne Beal, Dayton Law Library Association, who furthers the timely sci-fi connotation throughout her year of service. An alien-shaped pinata is spied at the ORALL display table at the AALL convention in Baltimore, MD.
ORALL's presence on the World Wide Web is announced! Created by Newsletter Editor Shaun Esposito, University of Kentucky Law Library, a web site for the benefit of members and visitors becomes a reality.
1998
ORALL holds its first spring retreat at Ohio's Mohican State Park. A casual, less expensive, and shorter meeting than the annual fall meeting, the retreat provides a mid-year opportunity for Committee and Executive Board activities as well as Special Interest Group programs.
The Executive Board votes to reinstate the ORALL Distinguished Law Librarian Award and the Outstanding Service Award, the practice of such tributes having been suspended since 1990.
1999
Three years of preparation by the 50th Anniversary Committee, chaired by Paul Mitchell at Ernst & Young, culminates in a year-long celebration of ORALL's fiftieth anniversary. A champagne and dessert reception is held on July 20th at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C., providing an opportunity for ORALL members, past and present, attending the AALL Annual Meeting to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the chapter's founding. The ORALL Annual Meeting is held October 13-15 at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Columbus, OH, commemorating the 50th Anniversary! A reception is held at the State Capitol on October 13 and an elegant banquet is held on Thursday, October 14, at the Adam's Mark.
The Golden Years, 2000 - 2024
2000
ORALL contributes to the AALL time capsule at the Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA.
2001
Law librarians from Kentucky form the Kentucky SIG.
ORALL informally approaches law librarians from West Virginia to test interest in joining the Association.
ORALL finally has enough money in its accounts that it is required to file a tax return, even though no taxes would be due.
2002
The Executive Board decides to discontinue spring meetings beginning in 2003, though there is still a budget for Board and SIG meetings.
Members now have the option to receive the Newsletter in electronic form only. (The cost of printing and mailing each issue is about $1000!)
2003
Due to the expense and effort of a joint event between ORALL and MichALL at the AALL conference each year, the Executive Board proposes discontinuing the joint event.
2004
March Newsletter discusses a proposed name change so that website snafus do not continue. Difficulties abound in thinking of a more inclusive name for the three major states of Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.
2005
A Name Change Task Force and an Archives Task Force are formed to take care of two outstanding issues.
2007
The Ohio Law Library Consortium begins! Driven by a significant financial need facing county law librarians Thirteen county law libraries and several other libraries are the founding group.
Anita Shew, former ORALL President from 1986-87, retired from the Butler County Law Library Association. January 18th was declared "Anita Shew Day" in Butler County.
2008
The ORALL Listserv moves from the University of Louisville to Northern Kentucky University as host.
2009
ORALL increases its dues from $15/year to $20/year.
The ORALL County SIG holds a meeting at the Annual Meeting to discuss the creation and implementation of new Ohio County Law Library Resource Boards.
Members of the ORALL Government Relations Committee participate in the AALL's "Day on the Hill." (The first "Day on the Hill" occurred in 1999.
2010
The ORALL County SIG turns 25 and celebrates with cake prepared by Ardis Stein.
In July, ORALL's Ohio County Law Library SIG receives the AALL 2010 Robert L. Oakley Advocacy Award.
2011
ORALL joins Facebook and LinkedIn!
The ORALL Member Directory goes online.
ORALL passes new policies on maintaining closed listservs and prohibiting the following on the listservs: use of defamatory or abusive language, using the list to solicit business, and using the list in a manner that violates copyright or antitrust laws.
ORALL makes a financial contribution for a commemorative donor plaque for a seat in the National First Ladies' Library Education and Research Center Theatre.
2012
ORALL institutes a credit card payment option for annual dues.
A Logo Task Force is created to examine the possibility of creating a new logo for ORALL. Two logos are created and approved by the Executive Board and voted on by the Membership at the October meeting.
2014
ORALL conducts a membership survey. There were many suggestions for educational opportunities, statistics on annual meetings were reported, and social media use was reported.
2019
The first ORALL Peep Show is held.
2020
Due to the pandemic, ORALL hosts its very first virtual meeting.
2021
ORALL launches a new website on the Wild Apricot platform. This ends the listserv and replaces it with online forums.
ORALL establishes the Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
2022
Thanks to the folks at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, the ORALL listserv has been revived!
2023
The ORALL Private Law Libraries Special Interest Group (PLL-SIG) is revived.
2024
ORALL turns 75!! Celebrations take place at the AALL Annual Meeting in July and at the ORALL Annual Meeting in November.
The ORALL ad-hoc Rebranding Committee is formed to discuss rebranding and possibly changing the chapter's name.
Future Projections, 2025 - Beyond
ORALL has flourished throughout the last 75 years, thriving on the love of the professions that created it. Judges, lawyers, and law school administrators have shared the belief that the law library, though maybe not the nerve center, is at least a key and integral part of their organizations. In addition, librarianship in general has grown into a viable profession rather than simply an occupation. Law Librarians have become an even more special and prestigious breed.
Our exceptional Association of law libraries has been a tremendous aid in helping librarians clear the hurdles before them. During the twenty year explosion of print materials in the 1970s and 80s, ORALL's programs focused on building larger law libraries, planning for expansion, and housing collections bloated with duplicate copies. By the end of the century, different topics had developed such as "downsizing" of both collections and staff, serving patrons in remote locations, the authenticity of electronic resources, and the unsettling concern over the continuing viability of law librarians in the face of a growing number of end-user information products. As we entered a new millennia, the conversations over downsizing collections continued as libraries lost valuable space, the increasing debate of digital resources over print has quickly shifted to the digital winners, and the evolution of technology is leading to advances in research and in the world with the possibilities of artificial intelligence.
The forecast continues to call for ORALL to promote amongst its professional ranks perceptive law librarians who are well versed in the skills of critical analysis, credible reasoning, and technological competency. It will also be a critical time for ORALL to pull together and make some differences in the field of law librarianship.
As evidenced by the past, it can be anticipated that whatever the profession requires in the future will be readily perceived by ORALL's intuitive members. The Association's role as an educator and supporter of librarians will continue as long as people search for justice and the righteousness of law and ask, "Why?"
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