Languages of Law – CALL/ACBD’s Annual Conference in Montreal

I recently attended the Annual Conference of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries / Association canadienne des bibliothèques de droit (CALL/ACBD) held from June 25 to 28 in Montréal, and it was a highly enriching experience. The conference was meticulously organized under the theme of “Languages of Law”, offering a robust lineup of sessions and activities that catered to various interests within the law library community.

One of the standout sessions was the keynote titled “Navigating Bill 96: Legal, Linguistic, and Societal Perspectives,” presented by Jean-Pierre Corbeil and Julius Grey. This session provided valuable insights into the multifaceted implications of Bill 96. Prof. Jean-Pierre Corbeil explored the rationale behind the adoption of Bill 96 and discussed whether the bill effectively meets its objectives. Me. Julius Grey delved into the legal complexities associated with the bill, including the implications of its use of the notwithstanding clause, and highlighted ongoing litigation related to Bill 96. The session concluded with a lively discussion between the panelists, followed by a Q&A segment, allowing for an engaging discussion.

Another essential session was “Increasing the Prominence of Indigenous Legal Orders in Library Collections,” presented by Emma Scott, Erica Friesen, Amy Kaufman, and Leslie Taylor. This session addressed the shift in recognizing the internal legal orders of Indigenous Peoples and the rising interest in their study, as highlighted by TRC Calls to Action 27 and 28. The presenters emphasized the role of law libraries in supporting the growth of awareness, study, teaching, and learning of Indigenous laws. They shared initiatives from the Lederman Law Library at Queen’s University, including reclassifying Indigenous legal materials to the more accurate and respectful KI classification in the Library of Congress schedules, expanding the library’s collection development policy, and collaborating with other universities to identify resources and publishers of Indigenous legal materials. Attendees were encouraged to consider elements of these projects for their own libraries to increase the prominence of Indigenous law in their collections.

A special substantive session titled “Within Bars But Not Without Rights: Legal Information And Library Access for Incarcerated Persons,” presented by Kirsten Wurmann, The Honourable Kim Pate, Ava Sinclair, Helen Anderson, Romy Otayek, Alan Kilpatrick, and Karen Sawatzky, was particularly impactful. This session highlighted the fundamental role of prison libraries in providing access to information about the rights of incarcerated individuals and the necessary tools to access those rights. The panel discussed the significant lack of adequate access to legal information and library services for imprisoned Canadians, especially given that most provincial prisons do not have formal libraries. Without a legislated requirement for library access to books and materials, incarcerated persons are deprived of recreational, cultural, educational, and legal reading materials. As legal information increasingly moves online, the exclusion of incarcerated individuals from this “language of law” becomes more pronounced. The panelists, who are advocates from across the country, shared their efforts to better connect their provinces’ incarcerated populations with legal information and library services.

The keynote sessions were particularly insightful, featuring prominent speakers who discussed the evolving landscape of legal information and the role of technology in law libraries. Topics ranged from artificial intelligence and its application in legal research to cybersecurity and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the profession.

The networking opportunities were also excellent. The social events and breakout sessions facilitated meaningful connections with peers from across Canada and beyond. It was encouraging to share experiences and best practices with other professionals who are facing similar challenges and opportunities in their respective institutions.

Overall, the CALL/ACBD 2024 conference was a well-rounded and highly informative event. The organizing committee did a fantastic job in curating sessions that were relevant and forward-thinking, making it a must-attend for anyone involved in the law library sector.

Next year in Calgary!