AALL Annual Meeting and Conference

Target Audience: All librarians

Learning Outcomes:
1. Participants will learn the rationale and learning theory for embedding librarians in support of clinical teaching in law schools.
2. Participants will be able to analyze the tools and techniques needed for starting an embedded librarian project at their law schools.

This program describes the Mason Law Library's experience of embedding librarians in clinics at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, rated second highest in the nation for clinical teaching. The project's rationale is based on adult learning theory, teaching at the point of need, and recommendations from Educating Lawyers: Preparation for the Profession of Law (2008) for teaching legal research as a part of lawyers' "expert performance." Embedding librarians in a practice environment enables users to learn and integrate advanced legal research skills, professional judgment, and ethics through modeling, practice, coaching, and feedback. The panelists include the embedded librarians and clinic directors, who will discuss the effectiveness of this experiment.

Speaker

Coordinator/Moderator/Speaker: Vicenç Feliú, University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke Law Library; Speakers: Kaitlin Banner, University of the District of Columbia Law School, David A. Clarke Law Library; Helen Frazer, University of the District of Columbia Law School, David A. Clarke Law Library; Brittany Kolonay, University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke Law Library; Gail Mathapo, University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke Law Library; Laura Rinaldi, University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law