I am a second year Library Information Technology student from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). In my program we are required to take part in two three-week practicums in our last semester of study. I was fortunate enough to be placed at the Legal Archives Society of Alberta (LASA) for the final three weeks of my program.
During my time at LASA, I aided with the processing of a very extensive book collection that had been donated by Graham Price, K.C., and needed to be added to LASA’s general collection. This meant helping with the cataloguing of new items into their customer facing system. I am confident that this work will be extremely beneficial to the staff at LASA as well as their clients. The establishment of an online public access catalogue that is easy to navigate will simplify research and improve results. I am also hopeful that my work will allow archive and library users to get a more comprehensive and holistic idea of what LASA’s library holds.
Working with the terrific staff at LASA, we developed distinct categories in which to arrange the collection. One of the most extensive categories, “Canada Legal History”, contains information on the history of Canadian law on topics such as the fur trade, policing, the Supreme Court of Canada, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Prime Minister biographies and more.
More specific texts pertinent to Alberta itself are classified in their own section which holds information such as the histories of significant Alberta law firms, Premiers and noteworthy lawyers from Alberta, Law Society 
of Alberta handbooks and more. LASA’s history library also houses a collection of over 200 items dedicated to the legal history of Indigenous Peoples of Canada, America, Australia, and New Zealand. Other notable categories include Commonwealth Law, books on famous trials, natural resources law, and women in law. One of the most interesting sections in this library is the legal fiction collection. This collection holds collectible and noteworthy fiction books and series written by lawyers. Unique categories such as this ensure that there is truly something to pique everyone’s interest.
My time at LASA has also allowed me a glimpse into the everyday world of the staff. I have seen firsthand just how dedicated everyone here is to the work they do, to preserve and promote the changes in Alberta’s legal history. Thank you very much to Brenda, Ewa, and Stacy, for being extremely welcoming and willing to share a glimpse into the incredible work they do. As I leave my program, now a certified library technician, and head out into the workforce I will always be grateful for this unique opportunity!
– Savanna Neiser
