Hearsay | Spring 2025

HEARSAY

News from KU’s Wheat Law Library | Spring 2025

IN THIS ISSUE • Meeting the Tides of Change with “Pick and Scan” • What the Librarians are Reading • The Spring of 2024 Brought a Different Kind of Weeding • 73 33 Questions with Trenton

Green Hall | 1535 W. 15th St. Lawrence, KS 66045-7608 law.ku.edu/library lawref@ku.edu

DIRECTOR’S CORNER Hello from the Wheat Law Library — and Happy Spring!

The days are getting longer, the flowers are starting to bloom and the Law Library is buzzing with fresh energy. In this spring edition of our newsletter, we’ve got updates, tips and a few surprises to help you finish the semester strong. Whether you’re gearing up for finals, polishing off a paper or just looking for a sunny spot to study, we’re here for you.

A Year of Change This past year has seen many changes.

In May of 2024, we began the process of revising our collection with the goal of moving the School of Social Welfare to the third floor. This was a summer-long process that began with identifying books that could be removed from our collection. To help us identify those items in our collection we could part with, an outside consultant, University of Florida Levin College of Law’s Jane O’Connell, Associate Dean for Legal Information and Technology, was hired. With access to our catalog, she was able to identify items that we could eliminate while still maintaining our collection’s core value of supporting the University of Kansas School of Law’s research needs.

With Prof. O’Connell’s final report, we were able to go through our entire collection, marking items for deselection. This took the efforts of not only the Wheat Law Librarians, Melissa and Didem, but also the librarians from across KU’s campus: Kent Miller and Jeromy Horkman who helped us line up the talent, Miloche Kottman who helped us with the cataloging and numerous student workers who spent hours combing through our collection.

Once the collection was labeled, our new collection was loaded onto 2

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portable shelves and stored in the firstfloor commons until their new homes were assembled on the first and fifth floors. During this time, we got to know quite well Annie Handshy, the Project Managing Architect, who guided our every move. Paul and Brandon Wilson from Total Transition Management handled the physical part of our move, including loading books onto carts at the beginning of the summer and reshelving our collection a mere 24 hours before our students’ return.

in Advanced Legal Research. We wish him well in his future endeavors!

As the school year winds to a close, please do not hesitate to reach out — your librarians are just a question away.

Here’s to a bright and productive spring!

Settled into a newish space, we began looking for two new librarians to join our ranks. In August of 2024, Trenton Keim became our Circulation & Collections Manager and on April 14, Neal Axton joined us as our new Research & Reference Librarian.

Please join us in helping both feel welcome.

In some sad news, Chris Steadham has moved on to other opportunities.

Chris Steadham graduated from KU Law in 2004 and Emporia State University School of Library & Information Management in 2007. He started with the Wheat Law Library in 2004 as a Research & Reference Services Attorney, moved up through the ranks and was made Director of the Wheat Law Library in 2016.

During his tenure he taught the Kansas Supreme Court Research Practicum, Advanced Legal Research and Topics

Blake Wilson

Wheat Law Library Interim Director

Meeting the Tides of Change with “Pick and Scan” Didem Blum Technical Services Assistant A quick glance at the history of library cataloging makes one appreciate the conveniences of our time. At least those of us who work in library technical services should be grateful that the days when library catalogs were chiseled into clay tablets are long gone. Yet, the search for faster and more efficient ways to ensure our patrons’ access to our collections is ever present.

“The need for efficiency is most acutely felt during times of major change.”

The need for efficiency is most acutely felt during times of major change. The summer of 2024 was such a time here at the law library. Major renovations

taking place at Green Hall meant that a large number of items in our collection were taken off the shelves, to be temporarily housed on a different floor in the building until the end of the construction, before making the journey to their final destination at the library. Ultimately, the changes in the physical world had to be mirrored in our databases. Fortunately, our Integrated Library System Voyager’s “Pick and Scan” feature enabled us to do this with the efficiency required by such a massive undertaking.

“Pick and Scan” is a tool that allows libraries to perform bulk updates on item records as well as their associated holdings and bibliographic records.

Using this tool, we can select items by scanning their item barcodes

individually or by uploading batches of record IDs, and then process batch updates to item location, status, copy number, item type and other relevant data. We relied on this feature’s time-saving qualities in updating the location information on thousands of records once the physical relocation of the items was completed. This is especially true for some of our special collections, which, after years of being shelved on the third floor, were moved to the fourth floor as part of the new spatial layout. The technical guidelines provided by the main library proved beneficial throughout the process.

Overall, “Pick and Scan” is a useful tool which assisted us in helping our patrons have access to up-to-date information about our collections in a timely manner.

UPCOMING EVENTS Media & the Law Seminar May 8-9, 2025 Hooding Ceremony May 17, 2025 University Commencement May 18, 2025 Recent Developments in the Law CLE May 22, 2025

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What the Librarians are Reading

Blake Wilson is reading “How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy” by Jenny Odell.

He chose the book — the author’s first — because he is trying to be “more purposeful with how I spend my time.” Blake likes the book because Odell doesn’t take Melissa Doebele an anti-technology viewpoint but provides a plan to Technical Services Manager help people achieve balance. Blake believes that the I have just started reading “Deliver Me from Nowhere: book is a must-read and went on to say, “I would The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Nebraska’” by encourage everyone to explore their relationship with Warren Zanes. The book was a birthday gift from technology. How do you balance staying connected my brother this year. One of my favorite memories and informed with being present in your life?” is going to a Springsteen concert with my brother in Kansas City. I have often described that show as “three Trenton Keim is perusing an impressive five hours of mind-blowing awesomeness.” Zanes’ book books on a variety of topics. The first is “Extinction describes the circumstances that led Springsteen to Events: Stories” by Liz Breazeale. Calling Breazeale make the 1982 album that’s often referred to as “dark” an “amazing and talented writer,” Trenton chose it and “surprising.” Springsteen recorded the songs because it made him consider the fragility of life. The alone, the title track is about Charles Starkweather’s second book is “Lies Sleeping” by Ben Aaronovitch.

1958 killing spree, and the artist isn’t even pictured The novel is a part of the “Rivers of London” series on the album cover. Zanes interviews those involved that follows a constable and apprentice wizard as with the making of Nebraska as well as musicians he solves crimes. Calling it a “fun read” Trenton is who were influenced by it. He also lists resources interested in the author’s theories about magic. The that inspired Springsteen while he made the album, third book is “Private Government: How Employers like the 1973 film Badlands and the works of author Rule our Lives (and Why We Don’t Talk about It)” Flannery O’Connor.

by Elizabeth Anderson. Trenton said he’s reading it

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because of its subject matter — the rights of workers and “profits over people” in business. Trenton is also looking at “Queer as Folklore: The Hidden Queer History of Myths and Monsters.” The author, Sacha Coward, designs escape rooms for museums. Trenton chose the book for its discussion of history, folklore and literary criticism. Also, he thought the cover was cool. The final book Trenton is reading is “Revealing the Universal in the Specific in A Different World: An Interpretive Approach to a Television Depiction of African-American Culture and Communication Patterns” by Venita Ann Kelley. A Different World is one of Trenton’s favorite shows, which is why this 1995 dissertation by KU alum Kelley caught his eye.

“I’m really enjoying learning more about the use and analysis of language through a lens I’m not familiar with.”

Didem Blum is reading “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig. She commented that this book has been recommended to her more than once since she started her library job. The books in the “Midnight Library” of the title represent alternate universes. When the main character picks a book, she is transported into her “self” from that universe to see how her life may have changed if she had made different choices. Didem

mentioned that she enjoys books where characters get to live several lives, creating a story within a story.

She also appreciated that the main character is guided by a librarian, and liked that librarians are compared to “soul-enhanced search engines.” Referring to the book as an “augmented stocktaking exercise,” Didem has liked what she’s read so far and is interested in the story’s ultimate outcome.

Neal Axton is reading “The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred” by Chanda Prescod-Weinstein. Neal decided to pick up the book after attending the author’s presentation at the Hall Center for the Humanities. While this work starts with sub-atomic particles, it expands to include the role of dark matter in the creation of the Universe and the movement of galaxies. Returning to life on Earth, the book illustrates how hierarchies and cultural blinders can limit the ability of scientists to shift paradigms — to accept novel information. Challenging topics like quantum mechanics and cosmology are made more accessible with allusions to works as disparate as Moby Dick, Star Trek and hip-hop culture.

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The Spring of 2024 Brought a Different Kind of Weeding Blake Wilson Wheat Law Library Interim Director

As I mentioned in this issue’s Director’s Corner, we did a lot of weeding in 2024. But what exactly is weeding and how is it done?

Weeding, or deselection, is the process of removing materials from a library collection to ensure it remains accurate, useful and relevant to users.

Like pruning a garden, effective weeding helps a collection thrive by clearing out outdated or unused items and making space for new resources.

While specific criteria may vary based on the type of library, the following considerations were used in the weeding decisions at the Wheat Law Library:

1. Content Accuracy

Materials that contained outdated or incorrect information were candidates for weeding. Superseded editions were removed when more current versions were available, unless the older edition held special significance.

2. Usage

Low circulation is a strong indicator 6

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for removal. Items that hadn’t been checked out in five to 10 years were deselected, unless they were unique or in high demand. Duplicate copies were also weeded.

3. Relevance to the Collection

Books that no longer support the library’s mission, curriculum or community interests were removed. If a subject is no longer taught or a topic has fallen out of favor, its materials were phased out, unless it held some type of special significance.

4. Availability Elsewhere

Many items were removed that were easily obtainable through interlibrary loan or that exist in more accessible digital formats such as Westlaw, Lexis and HeinOnline. We also evaluated how widely available items were through shared collections or consortia.

5. Special Considerations

A significant number of materials were retained despite meeting other weeding criteria. Local history

resources, works by faculty, rare titles and historically significant publications warranted preservation.

6. Condition

While not included in the list of items to weed, there were books that were physically damaged — such as those with torn pages or broken bindings — that were removed, when replacement copies were available. Also, outdated formats like VHS tapes or floppy disks were pulled unless they had archival or historical value.

Guided by collection development policies and frameworks like the CREW Method (Continuous Review, Evaluation and Weeding), librarians approach deselection with care and intention. Thoughtful weeding helps maintain a vibrant, user-centered collection that reflects current needs while preserving essential resources for future use.

Books, Boxes and Big Changes With the arrival of the School of Social Welfare to Green Hall came the relocating of the third floor of the Wheat Law Library. This massive move spanned several months and took the work of dozens of hands to complete.

The removal of decades-old bookshelves revealed flooring that hadn’t seen the sun since the 70s.

Dusty corners were cleared, hidden outlets rediscovered and the smell of old paper lingered in the air.

As books were boxed up and carts rolled down narrow hallways, librarians, staff and student workers navigated the emotional and physical labor of uprooting a beloved space. Some volumes found new homes within the remaining floors of the library, while others were carefully packed away or removed from the collection entirely.

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73 33 Questions with Trenton Trenton Keim Circulation & Collections Manager

In homage to Vogue’s 73 Questions, Blake Wilson peppered Trenton Keim, Circulation & Collections Manager, with questions to get more information about him. Prior to the Wheat Law Library, he worked in library services, as a baker and business owner, an editor and a technical writer. He declined to continue after question 33.

1. How’s your day going? Why, what have you heard?

2. What’s your biggest weakness? My inability to photosynthesize.

3. What’s your biggest strength? Empathy or my RBF. 4. What’s your idea of a perfect date? Piarom.

5. What causes are important to you? Intellectual freedom, information equity, reproductive rights.

6. What do you want to see more of in the library? A lemon tree, plants, a better HVAC system, more care for the window blinds, Blake on roller skates.

7. What songs can you listen to on repeat?

• “Happiness & The Fish,” Our Lady Peace • “Gas Pedal,” Sage the Gemini • “Stuck in the 90’s,” Moxy Früvous • “The Young Crazed and Peeling,” The Distillers • “Strobe,” Deadmau5, the Evan Duffy piano cover 8. What social media do you wish would make a comeback? Tumblr.

9. What three books did you recently finish? “Lies Sleeping” (Aaronovitch, Ben), “Angela Davis: an autobiography” (Davis, Angela) and “Fifties Ethnicities: the ethnic novel and mass culture at midcentury” (Floreani, Tracy).

10. If you were in a band, what would it be called? My Stepmom’s Mitochondria.

11. Do you think mountains are alive? Yes. 12. Are shadows made of atoms? No. 13. How would you define yourself in three words? Little Birthday Boyy.

14. How much do you think your heart would weigh? I could fight off Ammit if needed.

15. What’s a good piece of advice you received? People don’t change, their priorities do.

16. What’ s a guilty pleasure of yours? Reading reviews on Amazon.

17. What’s something you notice when you first meet someone? If they are seated.

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18. What’s your biggest regret? Not being born into generational wealth in late capitalism.

19. Would you want to travel to Mars? No, all my stuff is here.

20. What is your usual coffee order? Americano, hot or iced.

21. If you could rain on someone’s parade, whose would it be? I hate parades so I would rain on them all.

22. What do you wish you knew at age 16? You’re still a minor, go have some fun and commit some petty crimes.* Work will always be there but your access to free time and the whimsies of youth will not.

Permanent records in high school are siloed at best and only exist within the confines of that school. Learn as much as you can, read widely, travel, exercise.

23. Where was the last place you vacationed? Tahoe.

24. What’s one city you’ve always dreamed of travelling to? Sunnydale, California.

25. Favorite food? Legumes in most forms.

26. Favorite dessert? Dark chocolate cookie with walnuts topped with fleur de sel.

27. What are your four favorite movies? Empire Records, Last Holiday, The Fifth Element and My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

28. What’s the one talent you wish you had? Telekinesis.

29. What do you usually eat for breakfast? Sad dad oatmeal or Greek yogurt with berries and pistachios.

30. What’s one thing you had to learn the hard way? Dental work is expensive.

31. What unpopular candy opinion do you have? Salmiak licorice is delicious.

32. What is something that you think more people should know? There is nothing patriotic about the Patriot Act. 33. What is your go to karaoke song? “From a Balance Beam” by Bright Eyes. *Trenton is not advocating that an individual commits any crimes, this is purely hypothetical in nature.

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The Faces Behind the Desk Student law library assistants help students, faculty and library patrons at the circulation and reference desks at the Wheat Law Library. They provide legal reference assistance, directional information, put up with the printer and all of its issues, check library materials in and out and assist with opening and closing the library. As law students, they also spend time studying, researching, writing and being some of the first faces new and returning students see in the library.

If you haven’t already (and if not, where have you been?), meet the student law library assistants.

Chrissy Crowell, 3L “I am a triplet!”

Jude Lane, 2L

“I make a mean cookie.”

Katie King, 3L “I am a certified yoga instructor.”

Kelli Ludlum, 3L

“I love state fairs and my goal is to visit every one of them. I’m at 21 so far!”

Kate Rues, 3L

“I was born during an active tornado.”

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Albert Lyu, 3L

“Before law school, I ran a real estate business in China helping clients invest in U.S. properties.”

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Ayaan Musse, 3L

“I grew up in Vancouver, Canada.”

Peyton Schow, 3L

“I’ve been to four Taylor Swift concerts.”

Brena Levy, 3L

“I have spent six months collectively in Latin America.”

Neil Pol, 2L

“I enjoy camping and try going several times a year.”

Corrinne Yoder-Mulkey, 3L

“In my free time I do live event DJing, including the last two Barrister’s Balls!”

Returning to Wheat Law Library Please join us in welcoming Neal Axton, L’98, as a Reference & Research Librarian. As a 3L, Axton staffed the Wheat Law Library reference desk on evenings and weekends, which inspired him to obtain his master’s degree in Library and Information Science from UCLA in 2006. In 2017, he became the Government Information Librarian at KU’s Anschutz Library. Prior to that, Axton spent a decade working at several law libraries in the Twin Cities and served as president of the Minnesota Association of Law Libraries. Axton’s research interests include administrative law, public health law, disaster law and firearms law. Axton recently co-authored an article on “red flag” laws with three sociologists. “‘I Know It When I See it’: Public Opinion on Removing Guns from Compromised Owners” (2024) (DOI: 10.1016/j.ijlcj.2024.100698). Axton is married to Sarah Deer, L’99.

Axton’s KU Law composite photo from 1998.

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Library Staff Directory

OUR MISSION As the largest and oldest law library in Kansas, the Wheat Law Library is an integral part of the School of Law. It serves the law school and university community in legal and interdisciplinary scholarly pursuits and provides attorneys, judges and the general public with access to legal information.

Key components of this mission include collecting and preserving Kansas, national and international legal documents, teaching legal information literacy, and serving as a legal information gateway by providing access to sources beyond the scope of the physical collection.

Blake Wilson Wheat Law Library Interim Director wilsonwb@ku.edu | 785-864-9253

mdoebele@ku.edu | 785-864-3360

Trenton Keim

Didem Blum

Circulation & Collections Manager

LIBRARY HOURS

Melissa Doebele

Technical Services Manager

trenton.keim@ku.edu | 785-864-2640

Technical Services Assistant didemblum@ku.edu

March 23 - April 25, 2025 Mon - Thur 7:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.

FINALS HOURS April 26 - May 9, 2025 Mon - Fri 7:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Sunday 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.

FOR THE MOST UP TO DATE HOURS, PLEASE VISIT LAW.KU.EDU/LIBRARY

Neal Axton

Reference & Research Librarian 12

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neal.axton@ku.edu

Emily Gay

Post-Doctoral Researcher emilygay@ku.edu