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As I prepare to leave law librarianship, I keep returning to one realization: the library changed—and ultimately saved—my life.

As a child, I was dyslexic, off the chart hyperactive, and so unable to self-regulate that I was expelled from multiple schools. Ritalin, touted in the 1970s as a miracle drug, was offered as a solution to my exhausted parents. It subdued my hyperactivity enough that I could make it through the school day, though it did little to address the challenges I faced as a learner. Unable to read until third grade, academic and social struggles led to such relentless bullying and rejection that I eventually tried to run away.

There was, however, one place where I didn’t feel judged: the library.

Librarians encouraged me, helped me become a reader, and gave me a sense of safety. The library became a place of hope and healing. I’ve since realized libraries offer that same refuge, possibility, and human connection to many whose stories often go unseen.

Years later, that refuge became my calling.

My first library job was at Hartford Public Library at The American Place. There, I met people whose struggles far exceeded my own: adults learning to read after missed opportunities in childhood, parents navigating technology just to support incarcerated children, the Digital Divide, patrons facing mental illness, loneliness, and housing insecurity.

In Hartford Public Library’s Immigration Program, I witnessed extraordinary resilience.  I met women who had survived unimaginable violence. I met the Bosnian couple who had lost their spouses and children in the war and found each other in a Refugee camp, giving them a second chance at happiness.

I met a Polish widow who continued attending ESL classes even after mastering English, because her fellow students had become her only source of companionship, and a man from Brazil with Alzheimer’s who cried when he was granted the disability waiver and awarded U.S. Citizenship. 

I celebrated with a pre-literate woman from Ghana who passed the writing portion of the citizenship exam through determination and the help of volunteer tutors. Their stories reminded me that libraries are places of dignity, hope, and belonging.

In serving others, I began to heal. Over time, I came to see my learning disability not as something to hide, but as part of the person I had become and a call to help others. It feels especially meaningful to reflect on that journey during Disability Pride Month, which reminds us that our differences are not barriers to belonging—they are part of who we are.

I arrived to UConn Law Library with enthusiasm and a deep belief in the mission of libraries, but not yet the confidence nor skills to succeed.  In law school and the workforce, I worked hard to hide my disability,  compensating, and afraid to disclose it for fear of judgment. 

My intelligent, generous and patient law library colleagues shared their knowledge and skills.  I saw that eccentricities and challenges could be celebrated, rather than disparaged. What I viewed as shortcomings could also be strengths.  I learned from them, and together, we supported students and public patrons who need an ear to listen to, to feel accepted and belonged. 

Libraries taught me that every person deserves a place where they are welcomed. I carry profound gratitude for the colleagues, mentors, patrons, and libraries that saved me.

Libraries save lives every day. Mine just happens to be one of them.

I can only hope that, in some small way, I have helped libraries do the same for others.

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. While the Emancipation Proclamation became effective on January 1, 1863, the news took time to make its way around the country. As such, it was not until June 19, 1865, when the Union army brought word of the proclamation to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, making them among the last to be freed, thus Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed.

On February 25, 2021, H.R. 1320 and S. 475 were both introduced to establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday. S. 475 was signed into law on June 17, 2021 and Juneteenth National Independence Day became a Federal holiday. In June 2026, the vast majority of these states (30 plus D.C.), Juneteenth is a permanent holiday by law and commemorated annually, according to records compiled by the Congressional Research Service. At least 33 states have designated Juneteenth as a legal holiday.

Juneteenth became a legal state holiday in Connecticut through Public Act 22-128, which Governor Lamont signed into law in 2022. It requires every June 19 to be observed as Juneteenth Independence Day beginning in 2023. If June 19 falls on a Saturday, the legal state holiday will be on the prior Friday, and if it falls on a Sunday, the legal state holiday will be on the following Monday.

Governor Ned Lamont noted the significance of Juneteenth his press release of June 14, 2023:

For far too long, Juneteenth and the end of slavery have not been truly appreciated as a major part of United States history to the extent that they should…embracing this history is an important component of educating everyone about how our nation was built and the significance of what this day means. When we ignore the impact of slavery, we ignore who we are as Americans and the extraordinary injustice that it created. Making Juneteenth a legal state holiday does not erase the cruelty of slavery, however it makes it clear that Connecticut acknowledges this gross injustice in our collective history and recognizes its impact.

HeinOnline’s database Slavery in America and the World: History, Culture and Law is available through the UConn Law Library.  This database brings together all known legal materials on slavery in the United States and the English-speaking world. Read more about this database in the HeinOnline Blog.

Learn more about Juneteenth with the following sources:

• Congressional Research Service Fact Sheet: Juneteenth: Fact Sheet
• National Archives News: Juneteenth
• Check out On Juneteenth in the UConn Law Library DEIAJ collection

UConn Law Library will be open on Juneteenth from 9-5. You can check out which offices are closed  in Connecticut on Juneteenth as well as Juneteenth celebrations across our Nutmeg state.

Juneteenth stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of the African American community in the face of oppression and injustice. Its significance underscores the enduring struggle for freedom and equality in America. As we commemorate Juneteenth, let us not only celebrate how far we’ve come but also recommit ourselves to the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality for all.

Summer at UConn Law Library sees graduates preparing for the bar exam and students beginning internships, many students are managing significant demands all at once.

But no one succeeds entirely on their own. Whether students need a study space, research assistance or support, librarians are here for them throughout the summer.

Our pets are our “support squad” that help remind us of the importance of patience, routine, and care along the way.  Some are highly skilled at interrupting Zoom meetings or sitting directly on important papers. But all contribute to the sense of connection and balance that can be difficult to maintain during stressful periods.

In fact, the library pets seem uniquely qualified to give summer survival advice:

• Take a walk (or a zoomie break) when your brain needs it.
• Keep a routine — the cats are onto something.
• Never underestimate a strategic nap.
• Touch grass occasionally. Literally.
• Ask for support when you need it; even cats meow for attention.
• Reward yourself after hard things. Treats work on humans too.

So this summer, we’re introducing some of the behind-the-scenes members of the law library team: the pets who keep librarians company while we support our students all summer long.

Meet the UConn Law Library Support Squad

The law library’s “Summer Support Squad”may be furry, feathered, four-legged, or even plastic, but they play an important role in reminding all of us about something easy to forget during bar prep and summer internships: support matters.

To everyone studying, working, interning, or preparing for the bar this summer: the law library is cheering you on. Whether your support system includes classmates, coworkers, family, friends, librarians, pets, or all of the above, remember that you do not have to get through this season alone.

We’re here to help — and our pets are rooting for you, too.

Summer is upon us!  Whether you are preparing for a summer internship or post-graduate plans, there are online resources available to you.  Here’s what you need to know about access to Bloomberg Law, Lexis Nexis, Westlaw and library databases. Need a dose of research help?  Research & Instruction librarians are available  throughout the summer to assist with job or internship questions!

Lexis

Returning Students

Lexis access continues through the summer with no restrictions on time or usage.

Graduates

Graduate Gift: The Graduate Portal has been updated to reflect the new Graduate Gift Program. Graduates must enroll using the new, program-specific Insider link to activate their Lexis+ AI access with their graduate ID. Once signed up, the process of adding Lexis+ with Protege to their IDs is a manual process that will be completed within two weeks of them filling out the form. LexisNexis Insider 

Aspire Program

The LexisNexis ASPIRE Program provides 12 months of free access to federal and state cases, codes, regulations, law reviews, Shepard’s® Citation Service, and Matthew Bender® treatises to graduates who are engaged in verifiable 501(c)(3) public interest work.

           Westlaw

Returning Students

You can use Thomson Reuters products, including Westlaw®, Practical Law, and CoCounsel over the summer for non-commercial research. You can turn to these resources to gain understanding and build confidence in your research skills, but you cannot use them in situations where you are billing a client. Examples of permissible uses for your academic password include the following:

•  Summer coursework
• Research assistant assignments
• Law Review or Journal research
• Moot Court research
• Non-Profit work
• Clinical work
• Externship sponsored by the school

You do not have to do anything to gain access to these tools over the summer. If you have any questions, please contact your Thomson Reuters Academic Account Manager.

Graduates

You can use Thomson Reuters products, including Westlaw, CoCounsel and Practical Law, for 6-months after graduation. Your “Grad Elite” access gives you 60-hours of usage per month to gain understanding and build confidence in your research skills. While you cannot use it in situations where you are billing a client, Thomson Reuters encourages you to use these tools to build your knowledge of the law and prepare for your bar exam.

YOU MUST OPT IN TO GRAD ELITE Access:
1) Go to www.lawschool.tr.com; Log in; Use the drop-down menu by your name to go to Grad Elite Status
2) Or Click on this link: https://lawschool.westlaw.com/authentication/gradelite

Bloomberg Law

Returning Students

Bloomberg access continues through the summer, this access is automatic (no registration required) and is unlimited and unrestricted.

Graduates 

2026 graduates have continuous access for six months following graduation, through November 30, 2026. This access is automatic (no registration required) and is unlimited and unrestricted (if students register for Bloomberg Law access before graduation).  For any questions on using Bloomberg Law, students and graduates continue to have free access to the  24/7 Help Desk at (888) 560-2529 or help@bloomberglaw.com.

 Other Library Databases

Returning Students

Returning students have full access to all of our databases, such as Hein and Proquest throughout the summer. Need help with a summer research project?  Stop by, call or chat with us, or schedule an in-person or virtual research consultation!

Graduates

Alumni are always welcome to use the library and seek research help from the reference librarians.  If you stay in the area as you begin your legal careers, remember that the majority of our electronic resources can be accessed by any patron from within the library, including Westlaw. We look forward to see you back in the library!

The UConn Law Library wants to extend our congratulations to UConn Law Class of 2026! Remember although you will be transitioning from the role of student to alumni, please remember that the law library wants to help you continue your path to that of lawyer.

• Studying for the Bar? Check out our summer library hours so you can maximize your study time.
• Still making employment decisions? Use the tools in our Career Resources Research Guide to research potential employers and the right fit!
• Research question? Don’t forget, you can always chat, call or email a law librarian a reference question throughout your entire legal career!

We are always happy to help you find resources and many of our databases are available for in-library use – that means you will have to come back and visit!

Congratulations and we wish you the best of luck on the bar exam and your legal practice.!

In our recent post celebrating our graduating student employees, we highlighted the many ways they contribute the the law library and UConn Law. This time, we’re turning the spotlight over to them.

We asked each student to reflect on their experience working in the law library- what they learned, and what they’ll carry forward.  Here’s what they had to say.

 Matt Shor, UConn Law Class of ’26

Working in the knowledge mine has been one of the most unexpectedly rewarding experiences of my law school tenure! From the people who staff this excellent institution to the faculty requests for research help, I’ve learned so many unique aspects of the law that literally aren’t taught in classrooms. It’s been a pleasure and an honor. Thank you!

 Kayla Kelly, UConn Law Class of ’26

“This job was the best first decision I could ever make as a 1L. I still remember opening the incoming student newsletter and spotting the job posting for a Student Library Assistant starting in Summer 2023. I was probably the only person I knew excited to work 40+ hours a week on the library’s cold first floor all summer, shifting dusty book collections dating back to the 1900s. When you work front desk in the most populous building, you are the first impression that people have about the library (and arguably, the campus) and the first greeting they receive for the day. As a 1L, it was the biggest “cheat code” to making new friends since everyone’s scrambling to scan their assigned readings before their textbooks arrived and learning how to navigate institutional resources.

Over time, the role became much more than a shift, it has become a space for connection and care. The front desk turned into a place where 1Ls could confide in me as I helped rewrite networking emails, where classmates shared outlines, where I connected two individuals and watched their friendship blossom, where we held impromptu discussions about current events, and even serve as a therapy corner for someone could pause and be heard while carrying something heavy. It also became a place where members of the broader Hartford community reminded me of the need for more attentive, compassionate attorneys in the world. To the library staff who watched me grow from a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed 21-year-old 1L into an almost 24-year-old (slightly bright-eyed) graduating 3L; to the past and present student staff I’ve have the pleasure to bother during their shifts and laughing with; to our colleagues across the library (IT, Student Services, Café staff, etc.)—THANK YOU! It’s been an immense privilege to grow within a community grounded in fellowship, support, and care. Thank you for keeping my heart warm all these years.”

 Austin Robertson, UConn Law Class of ’26

My experience working in the law library was one of the most meaningful parts of my time at UConn Law. I had the opportunity to learn from the incredible team behind the library while also engaging with the student body each day. I will always be grateful for that experience!”

Something I’ll take away from working in the law library is how important the library is to the student experience on campus. Working behind the scenes with the incredibly talented reference librarians and library staff showed me how much time and effort goes into creating such a wonderful learning space for the students. I will always remember how dedicated to the students the members of the library truly are.

 

Thank you Kayla, Austin and Matt!  We will miss you all!  Once part of the law library team, always part of it.