UIC Law Open Access Repository

Lee, Richard

English

Insider Trading Law Should Be Void for Vagueness

Lohan, Nicholas

The Wild West of Crypto Shows Signs of Being Tamed

Robinson, Paul H.

Seaman, Jeffrey

Electronic Prison: A Just Path to Decarceration

Whelan, David

UIC School of Law 
UIC Law Open Access Repository 
UIC Law Open Access Faculty Scholarship 
2024 
Navigating the Path from Law Librarian to Organizational Leader: 
Three Law Librarians Discuss How They Transitioned to Higher 
Leadership Roles 
David Whelan 
Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.law.uic.edu/facpubs 
 Part of the Law Commons 
https://repository.law.uic.edu/facpubs/1025 
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by UIC Law Open Access Repository. It has been accepted 
for inclusion in UIC Law Open Access Faculty Scholarship by an authorized administrator of UIC Law Open Access 
Repository. For more information, please contact law-reference@uic.edu. 
E
xploring the trajectory into the law librarian 
profession is undeniably crucial, but equally 
significant is examining the pathway at 
the other end of the pipeline. The question 
arises: where can a career as a law librarian 
ultimately lead? To explore this question, I 
sought insights from colleagues who not only ascended 
to the role of law library director but also ventured 
beyond, climbing higher on the organizational ladder. 
Curious about their transitional journeys, I hoped to 
uncover the strategies and experiences that propelled 
them to new heights in their professional pursuits. 
Allow me to present my sources: Shawn Friend, the dep-
uty court administrator responsible for overseeing var-
ious court functions, including her previous role in the 
Maricopa County Superior Court Law Library Resource 
Center; Michael Whiteman, who recently served as the 
Three law librarians discuss 
how they transitioned to higher 
leadership roles.
BY DAVID WHELAN, SHAWN FRIEND, 
EMILY JANOSKI-HAEHLEN & MICHAEL WHITEMAN
NAVIGATING  
THE PATH 
FROM LAW LIBRARIAN TO 
ORGANIZATIONAL LEADER 
14  AALL SPECTRUM | WWW.AALLNET.ORG
interim dean—his second stint in such a role—at the 
University of Cincinnati School of Law, previously hold-
ing the position of associate dean of library services; and 
Emily Janoski-Haehlen, the dean of the Akron School of 
Law, who previously served as the associate dean at the 
University of Akron Law Library. I was intrigued to learn 
about their ascent up the professional ladder to their 
current esteemed positions and to uncover insights that 
could potentially guide other law librarians in replicat-
ing their trajectories.
What career path in law librarianship led you to your 
current role?
Michael Whiteman: I think this is best summed up 
in a few words: essentially, “I do not know how to say 
no.” Throughout my professional career I have always 
viewed myself as a team player, so when asked to help 
in areas within and outside the law library I have always 
said, “Sure.” For example, early on in my career, our 
technical services librarian retired. My then director 
asked if I was interested in learning about tech ser-
vices and leading the department. While this was not 
something I had considered for my career, I said yes. 
That early act of jumping outside my role helped me 
tremendously as my career moved forward. Saying yes 
to opportunities, even if I had not contemplated them 
as things I desired for my career, has led to my becom-
ing involved in many interesting projects. I chaired 
the law school committee to prepare for an ABA site 
visit, I served on an ABA site visit to another law school, 
assumed managerial oversight of the law school’s IT 
department, and so on. By becoming more involved in 
the law school’s administration, I was seen as a “go-to” 
individual over time. The leadership at the law school 
and University see me as someone they can trust to take 
on more responsibility, which ultimately led to me serv-
ing as interim dean at two separate law schools.
Shawn Friend: I worked in libraries in college. I went 
straight to law school and then practiced for 10 years. 
I returned for my MLS and worked in public libraries 
before serving as a professor at a community college in 
paralegal studies. I then became head of reference at 
Florida Coastal School of Law. I returned to Arizona as 
the head of the Maricopa County Superior Court Law 
Library Resource Center (LLRC). The position I am in 
now is the next step up in administration from head of 
the LLRC. 
Emily Janoski-Haehlen: In law school, I worked in the 
Northern Kentucky University (NKU) Law Library as a 
student assistant. I loved it so much that I applied for a 
staff position and switched to being a part-time law stu-
dent when I was hired. After law school, I went to library 
school and taught legal research as an adjunct professor 
while still a staff member in the library. When I earned 
my MLIS, I was converted to a law librarian and faculty 
member. I moved up to associate director at NKU and 
then applied to be the associate dean at Valparaiso Uni-
versity Law School. I then moved to the University of 
Akron School of Law as associate dean of the library and 
soon became the associate dean of academic affairs. 
After earning tenure and full professor status at Akron 
Law, I decided to apply to be the dean and have been 
serving in that role since February 2022. 
What challenges did you face in moving beyond the 
law library? What skills have you found the same, 
and which did you find you needed to build?
SF: At every higher level there is a bit more “political” 
maneuvering, and that was probably my biggest chal-
lenge. Usually, if I had a good idea, I would pitch it and 
it would get a thumbs up or thumbs down. In this role 
as deputy court administrator, there is a much greater 
MARCH/APRIL 2024 | AALL SPECTRUM  15
need for finesse in determining who should even sign 
off on a new idea. The delegation issue is also a problem, 
but only because I like having finite tasks and working 
at a reference desk. That doesn’t happen as often in court 
administration as it did in the library.
EJH: When I became associate dean of academic affairs, 
I had to fulfill two full-time positions while still teaching 
and working toward tenure. I think I could have done 
a better job with my workload in the law library, but I 
had amazing librarians and staff who took charge and 
helped me when I needed it. When I became dean, I had 
to learn to work with more constituents, fundraise, and 
navigate the politics of collaborating with other deans 
and the university administration. 
What experiences from your career in law librari-
anship, which you initially did not anticipate being 
valuable, ended up preparing you for transitioning 
into new roles?
MW: I am sure I am not the only one to joke that “they 
don’t teach copier repair in library school,” but that 
really did become a useful skill. Not necessarily copier 
repair per se but being a jack of all trades. Through-
out my career I have had to deal with everything from 
unjamming a copier, assisting a patron with a complex 
research issue, working with tightening budgets, and 
facing difficult patrons and colleagues, as well as a hun-
dred other small and big challenges. While each of these 
may, on their own, appear trivial, the volume of such 
experiences culminates in preparing law librarians for 
responsibilities in other areas of the law school that we 
might not have thought we were prepared for.
EJH: The public speaking skills that I gained presenting 
at conferences like the American Association of Law 
Libraries (AALL) Annual Meeting & Conference and 
Ohio Regional Association of Law Libraries definitely 
helped to prepare me for the numerous speeches I have 
to make as dean. I did not realize how valuable those 
early presentations at major conferences would be and 
how they would prepare me for this new role. 
SF: One of the things that libraries do well is manage 
information. The thing that library work prepared me 
for was seeing the big picture and being able to look for 
efficiencies between departments and practices. Ref-
erence interviews are more helpful than anyone would 
think. Being able to ask someone the questions to go 
from what they tell you they need to what they really 
need is invaluable.
You three are all still well connected to the law 
library world. Do you find that moving beyond the law 
library and into your current position opens up new 
networks or makes it harder to maintain older ones, 
given that the demands of your role become less simi-
lar to your colleagues and law library peers?
MW: There is a tradeoff. I do have less time than I once 
did now that my role has expanded to attend law library 
specific conferences. I also find that I am not attending 
as many local library functions with my other library 
colleagues. On the flip side, I have definitely expanded 
my network within the University and in the larger 
academy. I believe this has been a benefit to the law 
library. My newer contacts often enable me to circum-
vent traditional channels when we need things done 
and have allowed me to go to the “top.”
For example, I was put in charge of the law school’s 
representation in the new building project here. I 
became intimately familiar with our colleagues over in 
campus planning. That has enabled me to reach out to 
people in charge of various departments, often finding 
answers or getting help faster than if I was a nameless 
campus face.
EJH: Making connections as a dean has been more 
difficult than I anticipated. The phrase “it’s lonely at 
the top” really hit home when I was no longer regularly 
chatting with my peers and colleagues at the law school. 
My new role changed how some people interacted with 
me, as I guess it should, but it was still something to get 
used to. I am still connected to the law library world and 
value my friendships and connections with librarians 
even more because of my new role. Deans make great 
colleagues, and I have enjoyed getting to know them at 
conferences, but deans are also incredibly busy, and we 
often only see each other and interact at conferences or 
via email. 
SF: Both. And a weird third option that may reflect my 
capacity for maintaining connections: I have new net-
works; I maintain the law library ones (although I am 
not as close to the law libraries as I was—not as many 
committees, etc.), but I have not thrown myself into 
court administration networks with the same fervor I 
had for law librarianship. I am going to have to remedy 
that, I think.
How can law librarians prepare themselves in their 
careers to make the same sort of change? How can 
they replicate your success?
SF: I planned for some progression. I think the “how” of 
that is really saying yes to opportunities without overex-
tending yourself and then asking for help and guidance. 
Do not be afraid to say “yes” to helping out 
in areas that are beyond your traditional 
comfort zone. Most law librarians I know 
are already very service-oriented and 
willing to help out where needed. 
16  AALL SPECTRUM | WWW.AALLNET.ORG
When I was a lawyer, I worked on committees at the 
statewide level (there are always committees!). I volun-
teered to lead the law firm litigation group I was in even 
though no pay came with the management responsi-
bility. I met several people that I now interact with on 
a regular basis, some 20 years later. When I became a 
public librarian, I volunteered and looked for opportu-
nities to do more. I organized a health fair at one library. 
I worked to set up a program with nursing homes in the 
area to provide them with weeded books for reading or 
for crafts. When I became a community college profes-
sor, I was on every committee and part of every group 
that would have me. Because of that enthusiasm, the 
chair of my program stepped down and offered me the 
position. 
Be open to opportunities. I had not imagined becom-
ing a professor at a community college, but I applied for 
a librarian position, and they asked me to apply for the 
professor position. If I was focused on only libraries, I 
would have missed some amazing opportunities that 
set me up for future success.
MW: Do not be afraid to say “yes” to helping out in areas 
that are beyond your traditional comfort zone. Most 
law librarians I know are already very service-oriented 
and willing to help out where needed. Volunteer with 
nonprofits or other groups on campus. One of my former 
colleagues was very involved in the Children’s Law 
Center. He asked if I would join the Board; I eventually 
became the president. The connections that I made 
served me very well, especially since many of our 
alumni were involved. So having our alumni telling 
the dean that “Mike is a great guy, he gets things done,” 
must surely have helped build my reputation with the 
decision-makers at the law school.
EJH: I think law librarians are well suited to adminis-
trative positions of any type. The skill sets we develop as 
librarians in our daily work life and the skills we develop 
in professional associations like AALL prepare us to be 
leaders. I would say that librarians are natural leaders, 
both internally and externally. We know how to man-
age complex situations, look at problems from multiple 
angles, research before answering, and we are good 
with people. These traits are the foundations of great 
leaders. I would tell anyone seeking a position outside 
of libraries to volunteer for leadership positions in the 
workplace and in associations. I also tried to learn as 
much as possible about the different departments in a 
law school during my time as library director, and that 
has helped me in my role as dean. I think the best piece 
of advice I would give to anyone is to just go for it: take 
the chance, do not doubt yourself or your abilities, and 
reach for positions you want. 
FINAL THOUGHTS
I trust that this guidance will prove beneficial as 
you advance in your career. Each fall, AALL invites 
volunteers for committee and award jury positions. If 
editorial work aligns with your interests, consider vol-
unteering for an editorial board. Additionally, leader-
ship roles within special interest sections, chapters, and 
local groups present valuable opportunities for service. 
Embrace the chance to step forward; the experiences 
gained through such involvement may well shape and 
prepare you for your future professional endeavors.  
  Professionalism + Leadership at Every Level
DAVID WHELAN
DIRECTOR OF LIBRARIES
San Diego Law Library
San Diego, CA
dwhelan@sdlawlibrary.org
©
 2
02
4 
B
Y 
D
AV
ID
 W
H
EL
AN
SHAWN FRIEND
DEPUTY COURT ADMINISTRATOR
Maricopa County Superior Court Law 
Library
Phoenix, AZ
friends@superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
©
 2
02
4 
B
Y 
SH
AW
N
 F
R
IE
N
D
EMILY JANOSKI-HAEHLEN
DEAN & PROFESSOR OF LAW
University of Akron Law Library
Akron, OH
ejanoskihaehlen@uakron.edu
©
 2
02
4 
B
Y 
EM
IL
Y 
JA
N
O
SK
I-
H
AE
H
LE
N
MICHAEL WHITEMAN
ASSOCIATE DEAN OF LIBRARY SERVICES, 
DIRECTOR
Robert S. Marx Law Library
University of Cincinnati College of Law
Cincinnati, OH
whitemme@ucmail.uc.edu
©
 2
02
4 
B
Y 
M
IC
H
AE
L 
W
H
IT
EM
AN
MARCH/APRIL 2024 | AALL SPECTRUM  17


Navigating the Path from Law Librarian to Organizational Leader: Three Law Librarians Discuss How They Transitioned to Higher Leadership Roles

Schwinn, Steven D.

Can Plaintiffs Sue a State in Federal Court for Just Compensation under the Takings Clause?

Consistent with the First Amendment, Can a State Restrict How Social-Media Platforms Moderate Content and Require Them to Provide Notice and an Explanation to Users When They Do?

Does a Civil Rights Plaintiff  Prevail  and Qualify for Attorney\u27s Fees by Obtaining a Preliminary Injunction?

Igori, Dolapo

Good Intentions Gone Wrong: The Copyright Act’s Safe Harbor Provision and the Requirements of Actual Knowledge

Ginsberg, Marc

The Illinois Medical Studies Act: A Practical Guide to Its Understanding and Application

Dávila, Sarah

Palacios, Alejandra

Thompson, Brad

CBP One Mobile Application: Violating Migrants’ Rights to Privacy and Freedom from Discrimination

Not a member yet