Cornell Winston, president of the American Association of Law Libraries, brings a unique perspective to law librarianship, having spent 45 years in libraries across diverse settings \u2014 from a hospital library where he started as a student worker; to the former Whittier Law School; to prominent law firms Munger, Tolles & Olson and Orrick, Herrington [\u2026]<\/p>\n
Cornell Winston<\/a>, president of the American Association of Law Libraries<\/a>, brings a unique perspective to law librarianship, having spent 45 years in libraries across diverse settings \u2014 from a hospital library where he started as a student worker; to the former Whittier Law School; to prominent law firms Munger, Tolles & Olson and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe; and, for the last 24 years, as law librarian in the U.S. Attorney\u2019s office in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n Winston joined me to record this interview just weeks before AALL\u2019s annual meeting in Portland, Ore., July 19-22, with the theme \u201cBe Bold.\u201d It\u2019s a fitting theme for a profession that\u2019s undergone dramatic transformation, evolving from traditional book-focused roles to becoming essential gatekeepers and evaluators of legal technology and information.<\/p>\n In our conversation, Winston discusses the evolving challenges facing law librarians \u2014 from safeguarding disappearing government information to testing AI-driven legal research tools. We explore why he considers it critical for law librarians to have \u201ca seat at the table\u201d in their organizations, the opportunities for newcomers to the profession, and why Winston believes the profession\u2019s future remains bright despite predictions of its demise.<\/p>\n Winston also shares insights on AI adoption, the importance of law librarians as strategic partners rather than just support staff, and how the profession continues to prove that while Google may find you a million answers, a librarian will find you the best one.\u00a0<\/p>\n Listen here:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Watch here:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n