by Tracy Z. Maleeff, Legal Division Chair, Duane Morris LLP (Published April 9, 2012)

Name: Caroline Frances Jones

Title: Reference Librarian

Firm: Crowell & Moring LLP

Location: Washington, D.C.

Full Disclosure is pleased to introduce you to the Legal Division’s Chair-Elect-Elect, Caroline Frances Jones.  She is a Louisiana native currently residing in Washington, D.C.  An SLA member since 2009, Caroline has been working professionally as a librarian for almost four years.  She has the unique distinction of coming from a family of law firm professionals; her father is a lawyer and her mother a law librarian.  Caroline will be Chair for the 2014 SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO in Vancouver, B.C., Canada.  Get to know your future Chair!

Q: In one sentence, what does your job entail?

As a reference librarian, I am at the beck and call of our attorneys and it’s my job to find any information they need.

Q: What’s your biggest work or career-related challenge?

Career-wise, my biggest challenge is fielding questions like, “You went to library school? Does that mean you have a degree in Google?” While I know we all spend a lot of time on the computer, our jobs are so much more than banging requests into a search box online. I think people say this because that’s what passes as research these days. For the most part it’s lost on the general public how much critical thinking and theory and practice go into our jobs.

Q: What is your educational background?

Art History & Religion double major at the University of Georgia and an MLIS from the Catholic University of America.

Q: What was your first job or your first library-related job?

My first job ever was in retail at a spa. I was 15 and a Christmas-time gift wrapper. I kept that job (part time) until I finished college. My first library job was at Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection as a technical services library assistant. Not only was the working environment beautiful and state of the art it was my first introduction to how libraries run out of the stacks.

Q: How has SLA and/or the Legal Division helped you professionally?

How hasn’t SLA helped me professionally?! I look at belonging to SLA and other professional organizations like lawyers having to attend CLE classes. What good would I be to the attorneys if I wasn’t aware of new resources, products or research strategies? Being in communion with all of SLA’s wonderful members – and in particular our fantastic Legal Division – allows me to grow and develop into a better and more prepared professional.

Q: Do you also belong any other professional organizations?

Yes, I belong to LLSDC – Law Librarians Society of DC.  Also, I am fortunate enough that I am able to belong to both AALL and SLA. I have attended conferences for both as well. I think both organizations have their own merits. What I loved about SLA is exposure to all types of librarians in so many fields gives you access to perspectives you wouldn’t get from surrounding yourself with people who are all in the same type of field. However, the benefit of AALL is that everyone knows where you’re coming from. They understand what issues you may be facing with your patrons or vendors or products because they’re all facing the same thing.

Q:  What’s one law library or librarian-related blog, website, or Twitter account that you just can’t go one day without checking?

I feel so embarrassed to say Above the Law. I feel like I should have something more professional to say – but it’s like the legal world’s 24-hour cable news/TMZ hybrid and I can’t look away.

Q: What hobbies or interests do you have?   

I have run since high school but it wasn’t until moving to DC that I began running long distances. I have now run several 10-milers and four half-marathons. I love football, but really only enjoy watching my teams: UGA (Go Dawgs!!) and the New Orleans Saints (Who Dat?!). Finally – little makes me happier in the world than standing in the sunshine.

Q: Who is your favorite librarian – living or dead, real or fictional?

Obviously, my mom! Is that a cop-out? Visiting to her office as a child was like going to a playground – Books! Book stamps! A typewriter! She’s the reason I’m a librarian today. But looking at that list of what made her office a “playground” I think it’s pretty clear I may have been on that track anyway.

Q: Lastly, do you have a message for the Legal Division membership?

I am still slightly in shock that I am the Legal Division’s Chair-Elect-Elect! However, I could not be more excited, honored and thrilled. I am really looking forward to seeing people at Convention and getting to know others around the country through our online webinars, the LDQ and our listserv.

[Author’s Note: The Legal Division is thankful for Caroline’s involvement on the Executive Board.  Her enthusiasm and ideas will help guide our division into whatever the future brings for us as information professionals.]

“Full Disclosure” and the Legal Division Docket thank Caroline Frances Jones for her participation.

Would you like to be featured in the next installment of “Full Disclosure”?  Or, would you like to nominate someone? Please contact Tracy Z. Maleeff .