This week, we welcome Cornell Winston (current President of the American Association of Law Libraries) and Jenny Silbiger (President‑Elect). Speaking from sunny San Diego and O‘ahu’s courthouse halls, the duo joins the show to preview AALL’s 2025 Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon—and to talk candidly about the challenges and opportunities facing the legal‑information profession during a time of rapid technological and political flux.
Cornell and Jenny explain why open communication has become a strategic imperative for AALL. Although board books have long been public, they are doubling down on proactive updates—through e‑briefings, “Know‑It‑AALL” newsletters, and 80‑plus committee channels—because members crave clarity when the profession feels under siege. Their message is simple: phone numbers and inboxes are open; no question is off‑limits. The leaders frame transparency not as a defensive posture, but as an invitation to pull every member into the conversation and decision‑making process.
The discussion then turns to the vacant Government Relations role—often seen as AALL’s front line in Washington. Cornell reassures listeners that, despite the hiring gap, advocacy has never left the stage: the Government Relations Committee partners with ALA and other allies, tracks executive‑order whiplash, and issues public statements on IMLS funding or Library of Congress appointments. While lobby dynamics have shifted since COVID‑era restrictions, AALL continues to file comments, weigh amicus briefs, and equip members to speak up in their own jurisdictions until the position is refilled.
Next, the hosts probe changes to the volunteer pipeline. Under the new process, virtually every member who raises a hand gets a seat—whether on a jury, committee, or the coveted Annual Meeting Program Committee. Headquarters now monitors overlapping appointments to spread opportunities and ensure early‑career librarians experience the career‑shaping mentorship Greg once received from the late Bob Oakley. Jenny underscores that engagement options range from micro‑tasks to multi‑year leadership roles, accommodating both time‑pressed newcomers and seasoned veterans.
Turning to the July 19‑22 conference itself, Cornell shares upbeat registration numbers, hotel tips, and—importantly—news of no late‑registration fee increase. Portland’s light‑rail pass, tax‑free shopping, and Nike/Columbia/Adidas discounts sweeten the trip, but the intellectual draw is formidable: 65‑plus programs, four pre‑conference workshops, and a cross‑pollinated AI track that unites academic and private‑sector librarians. Keynote speaker Roosevelt Weeks, renowned for transforming Austin Public Library into a nationally acclaimed, radically welcoming space, will challenge attendees to double down on access and inclusion.
Asked for their “biggest challenge” predictions, Jenny cites the breakneck pace of AI and the resulting imperative to preserve integrity in an era of deepfakes and data deluge. Cornell echoes the warning: librarians must remain society’s trusted validators and proclaim that expertise without apology. As the gavel passes in Portland, Jenny’s presidential agenda crystallizes around three goals—meeting members where they are, converting dialogue into strategic action, and leaving the profession stronger for the next generation. Whether you are a long‑time AALL stalwart or a first‑time volunteer, this episode is a reminder that the future of legal information will be shaped by those who show up, speak up, and keep the channels open.
Listen on mobile platforms: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
[Special Thanks to Legal Technology Hub for their sponsoring this episode.]
Blue Sky: @geeklawblog.com @marlgeb
Email: geekinreviewpodcast@gmail.com
Music: Jerry David DeCicca
Transcript
Greg Lambert (00:00)
Hey everyone, I’m Greg Lambert with The Geek in Review and I am here with my friend Nikki Shaver from Legal Technology Hub. Nikki, I know you guys do the trend alerts, but I think you’ve picked up on something a little special this time around.
Nikki Shaver (00:12)
Yes, well, Greg, you know, we have our ear to the ground.
In the past couple of months, we have picked up on something really interesting. Firms are starting to have the tricky conversations all through 2024 as firms were piloting and licensing generative AI technology. We were starting to see uptick in adoption, but we heard very few reports of firms that were actually having conversations about changes to rates or pricing models. In fact, we kind of heard the opposite. We heard from some innovation leaders, for example, that
they were deliberately shying away from having those discussions because they were worried about a potential chilling effect on firm leadership that perhaps once they realized that a change in their financial model might be necessary in light of the technology that they would be reluctant to adopt it.
This year, though, for the first time in the past couple of months, we’ve heard consistently that most of the firms we speak to are actually having those serious discussions. Firms are actively undertaking financial modeling to understand how different strategies around pricing will play out over the next years in light of increased productivity and a move away from pure billable hours. Some firms have even hired people who are tasked with eliminating the billable hour. Can you believe
it. We’ve also heard that firms are getting new kinds of pushback from clients. One partner saying that where clients used to refuse to pay for first year associate time, they’re also now refusing to pay for second year associate time, but citing AI specifically as the reason. In other words, they feel that AI can do a lot of that work so they shouldn’t have to pay for human hours. Another firm has told us that clients have started pushing back on rate increases, again citing AI as the reason. I think many of us have been wondering whether
there would ever be a time when we would see true business model change in law firms. at Legal Tech Hub, we think these conversations are the first true sign that we’re approaching a seismic shift in the industry. Exciting times, Greg.
Greg Lambert (02:18)
Absolutely, well, you know, we do work in a business. It’s kind of nice to look at it from a business perspective.
Nikki Shaver (02:24)
That’s absolutely right.
If you’d like to learn more about these and other trends in the market, feel free to reach out to us and look us up at www.legaltechnologyhub.com. Thanks Greg.
Greg Lambert (02:35)
All right, thanks, Nikki.
Marlene Gebauer (02:45)
Welcome to The Geek in Review, the podcast focused on innovative and creative ideas in the legal industry. I’m Marlene Gabauer.
Greg Lambert (02:52)
And I’m Greg Lambert and this week we have with us Cornell Winston and Jenny Silbiger who are president and president elect of AALL respectively. A role I had at one point. we’re to have you both on and we wanted to grab you and talk about the July AALL.
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (03:06)
YAY!
Greg Lambert (03:15)
conference in Portland, which is going to be from July 19th through 22nd. So welcome.
Cornell Winston (03:22)
Thank you. Thank you for having us.
Marlene Gebauer (03:22)
Welcome and
aloha.
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (03:25)
Aloha, thank you so much!
Greg Lambert (03:27)
Yeah, Cornell is joining us from outside the courthouse in San Diego and Jenny is inside the courthouse in Hawaii. all right, both in a good way. So, we did bring you on to talk about the upcoming annual meeting in the great city of Portland. But before we get to that, I know that in…
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (03:37)
Correct.
Greg Lambert (03:50)
the May e-briefing for the AALL membership. There was a couple of things you guys highlighted that I wanted to discuss before we jump into the fun stuff of Portland. So, Cornell and Jenny, one of the things that stood out in the e-briefing was the focus on transparency and making members feel more informed and included. And I know from my experience when things are kind of turbulent,
People want to know more about what their organizations are doing. So you mind sharing with us how you’re thinking about making AALL’s making a little more visible to members and maybe give us a preview of what you think that looks like in practice, Cornell?
Cornell Winston (04:36)
Sure, sure, Greg. Thanks so much. You know, the first thing I’d say is that we have always tried to be open and transparent. Our board books back to 2008 or nine, somewhere back there, are available for everybody to see. when the board has a meeting, the membership can also check the meeting. As we say with our e-briefings, our know it all, all those things are available.
There are over 83 communication venues within AALL between committees and caucuses, AALL advocates, all those things are there. So if individuals have a question, you know, we always say reach out to me or Jenny or any member of the board. We are here to answer any and all questions. Cause you know, quite frankly, we have nothing to hide. The membership is important.
So, you know, going forward, I think it is going to be really important for the future to make sure that we communicate a little more and a little better people want to know it and this time it’s turbulent. I really think it’s important for us to let our membership know what’s going on, but also to say, if you have a question, don’t hesitate.
To ask, ask us, ask a member of the We’re here. We’re here.
Greg Lambert (05:59)
Yeah, I know when I was president and it was a very similar parallel path to what we have this year, I think it’s when people feel like their profession is under attack that the more you communicate, the better. So I understand where they’re coming from. I think this is a good move to
kind of rehash the idea that one, there are avenues of communication and two, one of the things my advice to members was don’t sit there and stew over something. Reach out. You got my email. Most of you have my phone number. Give me a call. And I’m sure you two are the same way.
Cornell Winston (06:38)
Yes.
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (06:45)
You
Yeah, I love that so much. It’s really about that invitation, like reminding the avenues like you both had shared, but also we’re inviting you. We know that we have to acknowledge that this is a pretty unpredictable time and everyone is reacting differently. So we have to acknowledge like the real impacts that it has and everybody communicates a little bit differently too. So we invite you to keep sharing and keep that communication channel open so we can meaningfully with you. We always center grace and kindness with how we want to speak with you and
I think we’re open books, right? Cornell, so come talk to us.
Cornell Winston (07:21)
You know, I always tell people, believe it or not, I answer my own phone. I don’t have an assistant. I don’t have three or four layers of staff in between. If you call me, I will answer. Or if I don’t answer, I will get a voicemail and I will call you back. that’s my commitment.
Marlene Gebauer (07:45)
So Cornell and Jenny, there’s been a lot of talk in the community about the open government relations position. And I actually, back in the day, was on the government relations committee. But it was kind of a staid type of committee. mean, it was interesting. But things kind of progressed normally. I can’t imagine that’s how it is right now. It’s probably a bit of a hot seat, particularly given how quickly things are shifting in DC.
How are you both thinking about keeping AALL’s advocacy efforts strong in the meantime? how do you see opportunities for members to play a bigger role in that work while the position’s being filled?
Cornell Winston (08:23)
Well, you know, I’ll say one of the great things about our government relations committee is that they have been on top of things. been a AALL member for 33 years. And when I joined Bob Oakley was our, then it was called the Washington affairs representative and he was in DC and there was a advocacy push because that’s what required at the time.
I’ll say post COVID things have changed quite a bit. know, the AALL president would testify before committee on government printing. I’m, drawing a brain freeze right now for the exact name of the committee post COVID. We’re not allowed to do that anymore. So we can’t do that. This position, quite frankly, for
since COVID, even before COVID. I’m going to borrow a line from Harry Truman’s 1948 campaign. We had a do nothing Congress. And so there was not much that came through Congress, came through the states. And so our government relations committee really was on top of it. And our relations person, our headquarters person really didn’t have that full level of work.
to justify a full-time position that was there. Unfortunately, you know, since this new administration has come in with the executive orders, it has been difficult because there have been some fast-paced actions that have been librarians. But rest assured, number one, we’re aware of them and we work with our partners at the American Library Association and other entities to make sure
that our members’ needs are heard and taken care of. Just because there is not a full-time person there doesn’t mean that there’s not activity going on to advocate for librarians in this position. As you know, during this time when the funding was cut for the IMLS, yeah, we issued a statement on that. I had to recuse myself because being a federal government employee, I could not
take part in that. when the law library, when the librarian of, Congress was like, though, as well as the copyright, as the copyright person, we did, we issued a statement. We’re working, with our partners in other associations, to address those issues. advocacy has never been put on the bag burner in AALL. It may not be in the same vein and scope as it was.
you know, 15, 20 years ago, but we’re still active with our partners, with other associations. We still hear what’s going on. I know many of our, our, our members have asked us to join in on a brief with IMLS there in the district court of district of Columbia. You know, the American library association said, don’t do that for us right now. And part of our policy.
is that we really, if we come in on a brief, it’s on a higher court, not on the district court, which is one reason we also had a listening session, just to make sure that many of our members, organizations and libraries, they may receive IMLS funding, but is it at a level that we could really come in on with the court to join in on that case? We’re still gathering information on that. So it’s not over.
as Yogi Berra would say, it’s not over till it’s over. So, you know, I can assure our members this is an ongoing situation. That position will be filled because we see right now that there are lots of new avenues and new things that are going on in this administration that require a heightened effort. Make sure that we maintain that contact ⁓ with our other partners.
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (12:13)
No.
Cornell Winston (12:16)
in the library world so we can take care of those things.
Greg Lambert (12:19)
And the last thing that I noticed in the e-briefing was some changes on the volunteer process order to, as you put it, to make space for everyone, no matter where they are in their career. are some of the ways that you’re hoping that newer members or folks who haven’t felt included are more engaged and supported in AALL?
Cornell Winston (12:47)
You know, the one thing that I can say for the last two years that I know about, really the last three years, everybody who has volunteered for a position on a committee or a jury has been appointed. I’ll say again, back in the day, was, I was, gosh, it’s been many years ago now, but I was on two committees and chair of one. And it was like, okay, that was fine, but
You know, back then we had quite a few members and I said, that’s not right. So now, you know, we, make sure through headquarters that, uh, when a person is, uh, assigned to a committee, their name is, is noted. So they ask to join another committee, or if there’s some reason, like say, for instance, if you’re a member of one committee and you, you asked it and it’s a two year term.
and you want to join AMPC. Then you can’t be on that other committee. were there before if you were selected for AMPC. So those avenues are available. You know, the great thing is that people usually, if you volunteer, you will get selected. And I know in the year that I was vice chair appointing the committees, most of the individuals got their first or second choice.
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (14:05)
That happened this year too!
Greg Lambert (14:07)
Great.
Cornell Winston (14:09)
But I’ll admit,
a lot of people’s first choice is the annual meeting program committee. So they may not get that first choice, a spot for you. And I can be glad for that.
Marlene Gebauer (14:20)
There’s so many opportunities,
like there’s so many opportunities, whether you have a little time or a lot of time and all different types of things. mean, that’s, what, what I know. So.
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (14:22)
Yeah.
Greg Lambert (14:31)
Yeah, yeah. Well, I remember, you know, getting in early your career is really important, I think, because speaking of Bob Oakley, I mean, I was a very green, wet behind the ears law librarian at the Oklahoma Supreme Court when he pulled me into a special committee. And really, I would say if it weren’t for that, I probably would not have been on the career trajectory that
that I got on. So, you know, if you’re a newer person, I think sometimes they’re confused on the fact that they have to submit the paperwork to volunteer. But, you know, check that out, ask questions, submit your name to be a volunteer, and, you know, get ready to, you know, 33 years later, write your name.
Cornell Winston (14:57)
Thank
Greg Lambert (15:24)
So luckily you were only 12 when you joined, right?
Marlene Gebauer (15:27)
ehhhh
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (15:28)
I’m
Cornell Winston (15:29)
Greg Flattery will get you everywhere, but, but, ⁓
Marlene Gebauer (15:32)
Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
Greg Lambert (15:32)
All right, good.
Marlene Gebauer (15:34)
All right, so gonna switch the topic to the conference for this year. And Cornell, the conference is in beautiful Portland, Oregon. This is the first time there’s been a West Coast conference in a while. So how’s the buzz about the conference going with the membership? Are they excited?
Cornell Winston (15:52)
You
know, the buzz is going really well. I was in Portland last week for the site visit to make sure things were all in place. Our headquarters hotel is booked, but there’s still other hotels there in the area. The Hyatt in Portland is a lot smaller than the Hyatt in Chicago. there’s literally, there’s another hotel.
across the street, that’s part of our block. If individuals are looking for a cheaper hotel, there’s the Dunwoody in downtown Portland. don’t know if individuals were there in 2008 when we were there before, all the hotels were downtown and we had to take the light rail. Well, the Dunwoody, which is a Hilton property,
is right on the light rail line. And if you sign up for the conference, you get a free pass on the light rail. And it’s literally a five minute maybe ride. And it drops you off literally right in front of the convention center. So very convenient. So yeah, it’s going good. The programs are there, registration is going good. We did not increase the price for late registration.
Greg Lambert (16:57)
Yeah, it’s very convenient.
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (17:07)
Mm-hmm.
Cornell Winston (17:08)
So
the registration is still there, but don’t wait till the end.
Greg Lambert (17:13)
Yeah,
good luck. Good luck. So talk to us about the keynote Roosevelt Weeks. What do we expect from him?
Cornell Winston (17:22)
Well, know, Roosevelt is a very dynamic and inspirational speaker. was the director at, read, I met him. was director of the Austin public library there in Austin, Texas. he will tell you he was the library director of a blue city and a red state that had a whole lot of challenges, but he has been innovative in building the library.
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (17:44)
you
Cornell Winston (17:48)
taking access to individuals throughout the Austin area. The library was named one of the places that you must visit when you’re in Austin. He left that early last year. he’s the director of the law libraries of the county law libraries at Fort Bend County, which is outside of Houston. So I am looking. ⁓ wow.
Greg Lambert (18:07)
as Marlene’s stomping ground.
Marlene Gebauer (18:09)
That’s my stomping ground. Yep.
Cornell Winston (18:13)
So I’m looking forward to an exciting keynote from him. We’ve talked, you know, I’ll just say he may say this in his speech, but he said when he was a youngster growing up in Mississippi, he said when he tried to go to the library, he didn’t feel welcome. And he said, you know, when he ended up, he did a back door.
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (18:34)
Bye.
Cornell Winston (18:39)
into the library. And you know, he said he made it his mission to make sure if you come to the library, you will feel welcome. And he has done that. And I think in these challenging times that we’re going through, we have to know that our places, our libraries, they’re welcoming spots because we have so much to offer in those places. And what we do, we service everybody, Koku comes in, where there’s a
County law library, whether it’s a government library that I’m in, whether it’s your law firm, we’re there. We’re there and we’re the resource that I think in this times of wild notions of where information comes from, is it valid? The library is that source that will help people do their jobs better.
Greg Lambert (19:34)
And beyond the keynote, Jenny or Cornell, do you guys have some key programming topics that people should know about?
Cornell Winston (19:42)
Well, as always, there are what 65 plus programs that will be put on important as well as vendor showcases. there are really programs for everybody. There’s programs on AI. There’s several programs on AI on that Saturday. There’s there, there are two AI programs. One is directed toward academic librarians and the other toward private librarians.
But in the afternoon session, they’re going to join together because we can learn from one another. We’re not siloed. There are things on budgeting. There’s things on really how to manage your staff and those things. So there’s a whole lot to gain in the program. It’s…
Greg Lambert (20:24)
Jenny, anything to step out to you?
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (20:26)
Well, know there’s those four pre-conference workshops. I’m super psyched, though, because I think the breadth of the programming offerings during the regular conference are everything. I remember thinking, no, is it not all an AI conference? Which is fine with me, by the way. I’m fine, because I’m here for that. But I also know that there was really thoughtful intention to make it more than just an AI conference, right? About every level, every experience, how can we cultivate learning, and all the ways that we can advance professional excellence in the legal information field.
There’s a lot about interpersonal. There’s a lot about the work that we do, the research, and very focused specialized topics that Cornell actually probably knows more than I do. But I’m really excited to come together. Like, it’s so energizing to be together with people. And I’m really glad to hear that the headquarters hotel has actually been booked out. So that means people want to come. Come to Portland and let’s go to Powell’s.
Marlene Gebauer (21:16)
you ⁓
So Cornell, Jenny, and Cornell, you referenced this a little bit. There’s been a lot of things going on in the law library world or tangently to the law library world over the past year. So looking at the work of AALL, what do you want to highlight as some of the accomplishments? Actually, this is a question for Cornell. I’m sorry.
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (21:40)
That’s fine!
Marlene Gebauer (21:42)
Because Jenny hasn’t done her accomplishments yet. So if she does that next year, we’re queuing her up. OK. So Cornell, what do you see as some of the highlights that you want to show in terms of accomplishments that you’ve had while you were president?
Greg Lambert (21:44)
Don’t worry, we’re queuing her up next.
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (21:46)
AYAAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA
Cornell Winston (21:58)
You know, this has really been an active year on many levels, on many levels. But you know, the thing I’d like to highlight really is that, you know, every month there’s something going on, whether it’s a webinar,
Marlene Gebauer (22:03)
That’s the understatement of the year.
Greg Lambert (22:04)
a bit.
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (22:06)
I
Cornell Winston (22:17)
coffee chats. There have been programs there that people can access. Those things that we really get things to our membership as best we can. And that has been a good thing.
Greg Lambert (22:31)
Good. So Jenny, and Cornell should probably know this by now, but when the closing gavel goes down, no one’s going to talk to him anymore. They’re all going to come to you. ⁓ So, which remember that next year when you hand the gavel over. So you’ll take over when the gavel drops at the end of the conference in July.
Marlene Gebauer (22:41)
Yeah.
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (22:49)
Thank you for that advice, Craig.
Greg Lambert (22:58)
Can you give us just a little sneak peek of some of the things, the agenda items that you’d like to cover in your presidential term?
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (23:07)
Yes, I would love that. And I have a heart up here because it really is not to minimize things, but just to know that I’m coming into this role with my whole heart out there for everybody. So there’s three things, so I’ll be kind of fast. the first is what we talked about earlier about meeting members where they’re at. And in this climate, it’s so unpredictable. So I’m trying, I’m hoping to make space for the whole person so we can come together in meaningful connection and really have a way to talk to each other, to cultivate communication.
to talk about the hard things that really center that grace and kindness and curiosity for each other. So we can figure out how we can lean into each other for support, right? Because sometimes when we respond to unpredictability, like human beings, we’re not hardwired for that. We’re not hardwired to live peacefully with unpredictability and uncertainty, right? Like ⁓ congratulations to us, we’ve arrived at this moment 300,000 years because we’ve honed that fight or flight survival instincts.
And so really just making space for communication so we can hear everybody because people communicate differently. Some people are very vocal, some people lean into themselves. So how can we make space to engage with our members meaningfully to cultivate that connection, to understand what the challenges are so we can support each other? And then the second piece, okay, sorry, that was long-winded, but my second piece is then that information that we gather, then we can put together as the board and in leadership to make really thoughtful responses.
Cornell Winston (24:17)
and what the challenges are so we can support each other. And then the second piece, okay, sorry, that was long-winded, but my second piece is in…
to
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (24:31)
because there’s a difference between doing a thoughtful response and then reacting, which we all are human beings, of course we’re gonna react, but then as an organization, how can we take all this information about how can we support our members and then put together a strategic response that really uplifts our profession, which is the third piece, right? So that third piece is to leave our profession better than we found it, to make space for all of our members of veterans among us, like you all, right? And I guess me, because I guess I got to be the…
old auntie in the room, but whatever. Okay, so all of us veterans, right? But then also to make space for the new voices that are coming into our field. Like just the last couple of years, I’ve been had reached out, hi Georgie, I love you. I love your dog Marlene, but like all the new voices that come in to the conversation and making space for them. And how can we leave this profession better for them too, right? And for us and for them. So.
Marlene Gebauer (25:06)
you
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (25:18)
So those are my three things, meeting members where they’re at, cultivating meaningful connection, turning their responses into action, and then leaving our profession a better place. Also to rock and roll in Cleveland in 2026, right?
Greg Lambert (25:29)
Yeah, it’ll be honest before we know it.
Marlene Gebauer (25:33)
Hahaha.
Greg Lambert (25:34)
Ha ha.
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (25:34)
But thank you for asking me. I get really excited when I talk fast. So thank you for your grace and patience with that. ⁓
Greg Lambert (25:39)
Really, it doesn’t show at all.
Marlene Gebauer (25:40)
Hahaha.
Cornell Winston (25:41)
You
Marlene Gebauer (25:43)
All right, so Cornell and Jenny, we have come to the crystal ball question. So what do you all think is the biggest challenge or change that’s going to be for legal information, for the legal information profession over the next couple of years?
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (25:58)
Do you want to go first, Cornell, or do want me to go?
Cornell Winston (26:01)
I’ll let you go.
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (26:03)
great, thanks a lot. No, but I think that with technology and with the questioning of reality, that the piece that Cornell brought up about we as information professionals and legal information professionals, we are the stewards of the truth that is needed for all of our legal work to be done. So whatever sector that you find yourselves in, we have to maintain that level of integrity because…
technology is changing so fast. Like I’m giving a talk to some prosecutors on Thursday about AI, and I already know that in a month what I tell them will have to change, right? Because it’s just moving so fast. And so we have to think about what are the changing, keeping our eyes on the ball of what’s changing, and then how can we keep our legal field, our legal information field, like just walking that narrow path of integrity and truth and looking at the facts and the critical thinking piece. So is that a good answer? I hope so.
Okay.
Greg Lambert (26:55)
Yep. Let’s see if Cornell can top that. Cornell, what’s your projection?
Marlene Gebauer (26:55)
It’s a great answer.
Cornell Winston (27:00)
What was my project? You my project is kind of in the same vein. You know, when you think about it, three years ago, we were not talking about AI at all. No chat GPT. And now, you you have been creating briefs. I’ll be at it creates some with hallucinations, but it creates them. You know, and I think one of the things that we’re going to be challenged with is how to
remain relevant in an age that thinks everything is available online and it’s true. get so many questions that, I saw it online. It’s a in point. We had a situation where an individual submitted a brief and one of our AUSAs was asking me about it. They this public lie. I was like, no, this bill.
It’s not law. was introduced, but it’s not. No, it said, you know, I saw it and it’s like, no, it doesn’t, you know, it doesn’t have a public law number and it doesn’t have a statute at large number. You know, you can go through and look, it didn’t, and, you know, they wanted to argue me down until it was like, you know, finally it was like, you know what, I’m talking to ⁓ a wall. ⁓
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (28:20)
dear.
Cornell Winston (28:22)
But, you know, I think we’re going to get that here in the community. So we have to remember that we are, quite frankly, the guardians of truth. There is so much false out there that there’s some place that people need to go to say, this is true. This is accurate. This is important, as opposed to, just, you know, I saw it online and it’s true. here in the library world, you know, I think
In the coming days, you know, it’s like our expertise, as you can see, is needed now more than it’s ever been. And I think when we go in, we speak, you know, I know some people are trying to shy away from the word library, but I think when we come in and speak, we speak, library speaks with authority. Librarian speaks with authority. There’s something behind who we are, what we say.
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (29:00)
Hmm, hmm.
Cornell Winston (29:19)
that kind of says, yes, this is true and it can be trusted. So I think that’s, if my crystal ball would be there, it’s like, we have to make sure that we not only stay in our lane, but we highlight our role. And that, think that’s going to be a challenge in the days to come.
Greg Lambert (29:38)
Well, Cornell Winston, President, and Jenny Silbiger, the President-elect of AALL. Thank you both for talking with us today, and I really look forward to seeing you both in person in Portland in July.
Cornell Winston (29:52)
Ditto, thank you.
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (29:53)
⁓
Thank you so much, Greg and Marlene. I’m so excited to see you too. Sorry, Cornell.
Marlene Gebauer (29:59)
And, and, and thanks to everybody, our listeners, our listeners for listening to the geek and review podcast. If you enjoy the show, please share it with a colleague. We’d love to hear from you on LinkedIn and blue sky.
Cornell Winston (30:01)
Yeah, dead-out. Dead-out.
Greg Lambert (30:15)
And Cornell, if anyone wants to find out more, they haven’t registered yet for AALL conference, what’s the best place for them to go?
Cornell Winston (30:24)
they can go to our website, aallnet.org and click on the banner. It’s going to say education. If you click on that, it’ll open up to the annual meeting and there you’ll be able to register. And we look forward to seeing you in the beautiful city of Portland because Portland has so much to offer. And let me just add this one little added feature. If you’re there and you’d like to shop, Portland does
Portland does not have sales tax, which is scaring me because my wife is coming. And I found out when I was there, it’s a little ways away, but we’ll get a 40 % discount with Nike, Columbia, and Adidas who are in the area. So ⁓ as long as you have your convention badge. ⁓
Greg Lambert (30:59)
Ha
Marlene Gebauer (31:00)
you
Cornell Winston (31:18)
So if you don’t have the badge, you don’t get the discount. But it’s going to be a great conference. It is going to be a great conference.
Marlene Gebauer (31:26)
That sounds terrific. know everybody’s looking forward to that. I do want to mention that as always, the music you hear is from Jerry David DeCicca So thank you, Jerry.
Greg Lambert (31:37)
Thanks, Jerry. Bye, everyone.
Marlene Gebauer (31:39)
Aloha.
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (31:39)
Aloha.
Cornell Winston (31:39)
Bye bye.
Jenny Silbiger (she/her) (31:40)
Bye.