What the Educational Journey of a Law Librarian Entails
However, before arriving at UD, Wellinger journeyed from one university to the next, receiving degree after degree. From Indiana University she received both a psychology and sociology degree. In 1990 Wellinger acquired her J.D. from the University of Denver College of Law before furthering her education with a master's in sociology. After receiving her MLS from the Indiana University School of Library and Information Science in 1992, Wellinger returned once more to UD and received her third master's in applied communications in 2002.
"I would have to say that my internship at the IU School of Law Library Bloomington was my most valuable course in library school," she says. "It gave me an opportunity to synthesize all of my other coursework in a practical way. It built my confidence that, yes, I really could do this, and hey, after the first bit of terror, it was actually fun!"
The Arrival of Mary Wilder: A Mentor in Wellinger's Life
When asked about a mentor in her life, Wellinger mentions librarian Mary Wilder.
"[She]...worked at the UD law library when I was a law student, [and she] was a wonderful mentor," Wellinger says. "I worked at the circulation desk while in law school, and she was the person who suggested law librarianship as a career for me. She used her contacts to get me a summer job at a law firm library to see if I liked it. (I was resisting the whole idea of yet another year of graduate school.) She also wrote me a letter of recommendation to get into IU as well as one which helped me win an AALL [American Association of Law Libraries] Scholarship."
The Joys and Challenges of Being a Law Librarian: Wellinger Shares Her Career Ups and Downs
Wellinger's enthusiasm for her job is almost palpable as she discusses both the joys and challenges in her legal career. Regarding the joys, she considers flexibility and creativity two favorite aspects of her job. Helping teach students legal research, creating educational materials, and interacting with various law school and university departments are also enjoyable to Wellinger.
But the challenges?
"It can be frustrating when law students don't understand the importance of what we are trying to teach, but this usually changes once they start a job or internship."
"[And] one of the greatest challenges for our staff is the pressure to provide more and better services with the same or declining resources," continues Wellinger.
On a personal note, "learning how to be an effective manager" has challenged her as well. While the classes she took in school and the HR training she acquired have helped in her career, it was through trial and error that she learned the most.
Wellinger's Successes as a Law Librarian: Awards and Publications
For Wellinger, however, volunteering her time has not only been rewarding but beneficial as well.
She says, "There are a lot of benefits to getting involved in a local, regional, or national library organization. Through my various activities I enjoy learning new skills, building a network of colleagues and friends throughout the profession, and having the opportunity to renew my enthusiasm about the profession."
"For example," she continues, "volunteering in library organizations has given me the opportunity to develop my interests in writing and marketing/public relations. I edited the CoALL newsletter for three years and recently completed a stint as one of the editors of the 'Legal Research Corner' — a column on legal research published in the Colorado Lawyer, the journal of the Colorado Bar Association. I was also the editor of the member news column of the AALL Spectrum for four years."
Just as her awards are numerous, so are Wellinger's publications. Her work has appeared in the Law Library Journal, Colorado Libraries, University of Denver College of Law Alumni Magazine, and the Colorado Lawyer.
What Aspiring Law Librarians Need to Know: Career Advice from Wellinger
So, after working 13 years as a law librarian, what kind of advice does Wellinger have for those eager to join her?
"Librarianship is a service profession," concludes Wellinger. "Get involved in your organization as well as a professional association! It can lead you to a lot of exciting and unexpected places that will benefit you as well as others. Seek out and participate in the activities that are available to you as students.
"I am currently chair of the AALL Call for Papers Committee, which sponsors a yearly writing competition. Papers don't have to be on a legal topic; they can also be about general library issues. In the student category last year, we only had one entry even after we sent notices to every library school in the country. The same thing goes for scholarships. Take a chance and apply — the odds are with you."
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