www.loubar.org 12 Louisville Bar Briefs PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE When I was in grade school back in the 1970s, the library was by far the biggest (and the quietest) room in the whole build- ing. It was chock full of what people called “books.” These book things were all arranged according to a system devised by a an evil-genius named Dewey who, before he got in the book-hiding business, made maps for paranoid pirates who wanted to make sure that no one could possibly figure out where their treasure was buried. As a result, we kids found our- selves wandering endlessly (and silently) among the stacks in the vain hope of finding what we were looking for and, in the process, experiencing the unintended delight of looking at hundreds of other distractingly interesting volumes with attention-grabbing titles and eye-catching covers. Even if we didn’t find what we were looking for, we always found something and often times, something even better. Sister Jean-Therese, who was in charge of the library, was an Ursuline nun with all- seeing eyes and all-hearing ears. As best as I can remember, she was around 115 years old, stood roughly 11 feet tall and sported the then still required full-dress nuniform, and—for reasons we were too scared to ask about but about which there was much wild childish speculation—a cervical collar. She may have been unimaginably old, but she was by no means unimaginatively old-school. In addition to lovingly curat- ing all of the books on the library shelves, she also created the space to house all of the new-fangled gadgets in the newly christened “audio-visual” room. Cassette tape recorders. Record players. Projection screens of various sizes and all three kinds of projectors—9 mm film, filmstrip and the wonderous modern marvel that was the “overhead.” Many of her librarian contemporaries would likely have regarded these contraptions, doohickies and thingamabobs as an invasive species—library kudzu, if you will. Sister Jean-Therese, however, recognized even back then that, as much as she loved her books and periodicals, libraries had to do more and be more if they were going to remain relevant and vital. That lesson and vision is fully embraced by our Jefferson County Public Law Library as most recently revealed in the soon-to-be completed and soon-to-be-named Moot Court Courtroom. Whether it’s being used for a full-scale mock trial or moot court, a class, a training session or a focus group, this scaled down model courtroom was created by and is housed in the Law Library as a place for current and future lawyers to practice their craft. It is a well-designed and well-appointed space with the look and feel of a real courtroom, complete with a fully functioning JAVS-8 audio-video system to record the presenta- tions in HD for the presenters viewing and reviewing pleasure/anguish (NOTE: While it can be humblingly painful sometimes, there is no better way for a lawyer to get better at what they do than to see and hear themself doing it.) Construction will be completed this month with everyone being invited to a grand opening celebration. You can take a tour, watch a live demonstration and then, if you like, just wander the stacks of books—yes books—still there for anyone who is still into that kind of thing. There will also be important information on ways you can support this wonderful project. Please come join the excellent library staff, the JCPLL board of directors and friends of the library starting at 3 p.m. on October 30, 2024 as we unveil and show off their latest efforts to ensure that our library remains a vital part of our legal community. I am confident that you will be duly and suitably impressed and, as if that weren’t enough, it’s my understanding that there will be cupcakes. Judge McKay Chauvin (Ret.), Jefferson Circuit Court, is the Chief Court Administrator and board member of the Jefferson County Public Law Library. For more information about the Jefferson County Public Law Library or giving opportunities, please contact Imani Smith at [email protected]. n Judge McKay Chauvin (Ret.) Law Library 2.0 William F. McMurry & Associates, PLLC Trust us to handle your clients’ Legal Malpractice Claims William F. McMurry Board Certified as a Legal Malpractice Specialist by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys (ABPLA.ORG) The ABPLA is accredited by the ABA to certify specialist in the field of Legal Malpractice - SCR 3.130 (7.40) [email protected] (502) 326-9000 William F. McMurry will personally handle each case while some services may be provided by others.