SMU Underwood Law Library Week 1

Aug 19th & Aug 21 7:45-11:15 (TOTAL: 7 HOURS)

During my first days, I had the opportunity to meet with a number of staff members who will be guiding me through this practicum. My supervisor, Angela Jones, who works in technical services, welcomed me warmly and gave me a tour of the facility, set me up with a computer, and walked me through the kinds of projects I’ll be taking on. I also met Donna Wolf, the associate director and my professor for the legal research course I’m auditing, as well as David Black and Shannon Dekat, both of whom oversee technical services. They explained their processes for cataloging, evaluating which materials should be removed, and integrating new acquisitions into the collection.

I also received an introduction to several essential tools and resources. These included Westlaw and Lexis, the primary databases used in legal research, and Alma, the cataloguing system the library relies on for managing its materials. To top it off, I was issued my SMU ID card—adding to my growing collection of student IDs. At this point, I could probably walk into half the museums in town armed with a formidable student discount arsenal. While there’s a lot to absorb, these initial steps gave me a clearer picture of both the scope of technical services and the expectations for my role.

How they stamp the books in their catalog. SMU - Underwood Law Library

That said, I’ll admit that I feel somewhat out of my depth. The world of legal research and technical services is complex, and it’s clear I have a steep learning curve ahead. Still, I’m excited to dive in. The legal research class is fascinating. We recently covered a case involving adoption by estoppel and its impact on inheritance rights, which was something I had never heard of before but find so interesting. I’m especially looking forward to contributing to the archives, even if I’ll need time and guidance to fully grasp the systems and concepts at play. For now, my goal is simply to keep learning, stay curious, and gradually make sense of this new professional landscape.