(and some Arguments that May Help Persuade Your Employer to Fund Your Attendance)
By Mark Engsberg – President of IALL
The International Association of Law Libraries (IALL) plays an important role in fostering meaningful international collaboration and cross-cultural exchange. The Association values its longtime practice of meeting annually, learning about the law and legal information in other jurisdictions, discovering new ways to share that information, and building connections with legal information professionals from around the world. And at its core, IALL’s mission is fundamentally grounded in valuing and promoting the rule of law.
To do that, IALL hosts Annual Courses every year. These take place in different countries each year, at meaningful venues in those countries, and they offer a deep dive into the law and legal information of the host country. It is my firm belief that travel of this kind has the potential to change the lives of the people we visit as well as change our own lives. Of course, I probably don’t have to convince longtime IALL members that travel is an excellent way to expand your personal horizons – it changes the way you see the world by exposing you to things you might not otherwise see and do. Immersing oneself in another culture, another legal system, and the process of doing legal research there is a unique and enriching experience. And for those interested in the political landscape in various countries where IALL has its conferences, attending an IALL Annual Course where the rule of law is the fundamental underpinning of every session can be an effective way to voice one’s support for the rule of law, as well as for the work of fellow legal information professionals from all over the world.
In addition to proclaiming one’s value for the rule of law, attending an IALL Annual Course will help you in very practical terms, too, such as helping you to:
- Stay ahead of the curve by exploring emerging trends, innovative strategies, and best practices that shape the future of legal information.
- Discover new tools and solutions from IALL’s generous sponsors in the Exhibit Hall.
- Build a powerful network of peers and influencers who can inspire new approaches and lead to meaningful change in your work.
Your next opportunity to attend an IALL Annual Course will be at the 43rd Annual Course on Law and Legal Information. The theme of the 2025 Course is Space City Houston: Legal Gateway to the World, and Beyond, and it will occur on October 19-23, 2025 at the South Texas College of Law Houston in Houston, Texas, USA.
The IALL Annual Course in Houston offers a half-day workshop for 21st-century librarians, sessions by top legal professionals on diverse topics like international trade and space law, and cultural events such as an opening reception at the Heritage Society and a dinner at the Julia Ideson Building. Houston, the 4th largest U.S. city, is known for its diversity, culinary scene, and ease of travel, with major airports and Amtrak service. The city combines southern charm with space exploration, is LGBTQ+ friendly, and has a liberal political leaning, making it a vibrant and welcoming destination for the conference. Read he program here: IALL 2025
If you need more grounds to convince you to register for the Annual Course in Houston, or if your boss is still not entirely convinced to support your presence at the IALL Annual Course in Houston, there are twelve additional reasons across four categories (identified by AI) for why librarians absolutely should gather at the IALL Annual Course:
Professional Development and Skill Enhancement:
- Networking and Collaboration: Librarians can connect with colleagues, learn from each other’s experiences, and share innovative ideas and best practices.
- Continuing Education: Gatherings can provide opportunities for professional development, workshops, and training on new technologies, information literacy, and emerging trends in the field.
- Staying Current: Keeping up with the latest research, policies, and trends in the library and information science field is crucial for librarians to remain effective and relevant.
Community Building and Support: - Shared Identity and Purpose: Librarians can build a sense of community and shared identity by connecting with colleagues who share their passion for libraries and information access.
- Mentorship and Support: Experienced librarians can mentor and support newer librarians, providing guidance and encouragement as they navigate their careers.
- Advocacy and Collaboration: Librarians can work together to advocate for libraries, library funding, and the importance of information literacy in their communities
Improving Library Services and Outreach: - Data-Driven Decision Making: Librarians can share data and insights to improve library services, collections, and outreach programs.
- User-Centered Approach: Gathering can help librarians understand the needs and preferences of their library users, leading to more relevant and effective services.
- Community Engagement: Librarians can collaborate to develop and implement community engagement initiatives, such as book clubs, author talks, and literacy programs.
Addressing Challenges and Promoting Social Justice: - Critical Thinking and Reflection: Librarians can engage in critical discussions about social justice issues, equity, and inclusion in libraries and the information world.
- Advocating for Diverse Collections: Librarians can work together to ensure that libraries have diverse and inclusive collections that reflect the needs and interests of their communities.
- Combating Misinformation: Librarians can share strategies for combating misinformation and promoting media literacy, empowering users to become critical consumers of information.
I hope this post has thoroughly convinced you to attend the IALL Annual Course in Houston this October. Because IALL is an international organization, the Association is sensitive to the fact that recent US political actions and rhetoric may give one pause before deciding to attend any conference in a US city at this time – or perhaps it is causing employers to reexamine their policies about funding professional development in the United States right now. I do hope, however, that actively supporting the rule of law through your presence at an IALL conference, engaging with fellow legal information professionals from around the globe, and having unique opportunities to learn about critical and cutting edge US domestic and international legal issues from top legal scholars and practitioners will encourage you (and employers) to consider joining IALL this year in the beautiful, historic, and dynamic Space City of Houston, Texas.
This Blog contains entries by members of the International Association of Law Libraries on issues germane to the Association’s areas of focus. Views expressed in an individual entry only represent the views of the author, and not those of the International Association of Law Libraries or the author’s employer.