Law and Political Science Section

The Law and Political Science Section (LPSS) was formed in 1975 and is a section of the Association of College and Research Libraries, which is a division of the American Library Association. The purpose of LPSS is to serve as an educational forum and information exchange for librarians with an interest or subject expertise in law or political science. Our activities include producing literature guides and resource reviews as well as sponsoring conference programs, discussion groups, a newsletter, and listserv. We welcome interested librarians to join our efforts.

Volunteer for an LPSS Committee by February 15th

Consider joining the LPSS ranks by serving on a committee, meeting interesting librarians, and doing interesting work. Read the committee descriptions then fill out a online volunteer form. Thank you for your willingness to serve!

Visit http://www.ala.org/acrl/membership/volunteer/volunteer for more information and a link to the volunteer form.

CQ Press/Marta Lange Award Winner Announced!

Congratulations to John Eaton!

Mr. Eaton is the 2012 winner of the CQ Press/Marta Lange Award, which honors the accomplishments of a law or political science librarian annually. He is a law librarian and associate professor at the E. K. Williams Law Library of the University of Manitoba.

"John Eaton's accomplishments to service and scholarship in law librarianship are exemplary," said award Chair Nadine R. Hoffman, natural resources, energy and environmental law librarian at the University of Calgary. "In particular, we recognize his dedication to the Canadian Association of Law Libraries/Association Canadienne des Bibliothèques de Droit (CALL/ACBD) in a variety of capacities, including president. The most notable scholarly work includes two recent legal bibliography monographs serving new and experienced researchers in the structure of legal research for Canada and the United Kingdom."

CQ Press, sponsor of the award, will present the $1,000 award and plaque to Mr. Eaton during the 2012 ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, California. 

The ALA press release is available here: http://www.ala.org/news/pr?id=9273

2012 Annual Conference - Save the Dates

Please join LPSS in Anaheim, California for the ALA Annual Conference. Plug these dates tentatively into your calendar while we wait for the final schedule:

Friday, June 22, late afternoon - Executive Committee meeting

Saturday, June 23, all morning - Committee Meetings and the General Membership Meeting

Sunday, June 24, afternoon - the Marta Lange/CQ Press awards event

2012 LPSS Midwinter Meeting

Most committee meeting took place virtually before the ALA Midwinter meeting in Dallas. For agendas, chair contact information, or more details, please see ALA Connect.

2011 Annual Conference Program

The Legal Consequences of Environmental Crises: What Librarians Need to Know about the Gulf Oil Spill
June 25, 2011: While the environmental cleanup of the BP oil spill will undoubtedly impact the Gulf region for years to come, its legal consequences may last longer.  Making sense of legal issues surrounding the gulf oil spill can be a challenge for patrons and librarians alike.  Hear about current research regarding the legal implications of the gulf oil spill as well as ways to make this information more accessible to your patrons.
Speakers:

• Jenna Ryan, Louisiana State University Librarian
• Robert Gramling, author of "Blowout in the Gulf"
• Jonathan Ramseur, Coordinator, Congressional Research Service, Specialist in Environmental Policy

View the annual program's pathfinder & bibliography. Read Western Kentucky University Library's summary of the program. 

2011 Marta Lange/CQ Press Award Winner Honored at ALA

Stephen E. Atkins, former curator of the Dawson Collection and French Studies at the Cushing Library of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, was named the 2011 Marta Lange/CQ Press Award Winner. This award honors an academic or law librarian who has made distinguished contributions to bibliography and information service in law or political science.

To quote Mary Gilles, Economics and Business Librarian at Washington State University, and chair of the Award Committee: “During his life, Dr. Stephen E. Atkins, scholar and librarian, made distinguished contributions to the field of political science. His encyclopedias, reference handbook and annotated guide to sources in the area of arms control, security studies and terrorism are standard works in academic library reference collections. In addition, Dr. Atkins was dedicated to the profession, serving as chair of LPSS, 1989-1990, as well as in other roles and positions within ALA. Dr. Atkins possessed some of the finest qualities sought in LPSS Marta Lange/ CQ Press Award recipients.

CQ Press, sponsor of the award, presented the $1,000 award and plaque to Atkins widow, Susan Atkins, during the 2011 ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans.

Political Science Research Competency Guidelines

The Guidelines are available as a .pdf file and as a Wiki.

Last updated: January 19, 2012

This page is maintained by Kathi Carlisle Fountain, Washington State University, Vancouver.

LPSS logo design by Candy D. McCormic, Digital Library Services, University of Texas at Arlington.