Hello everyone! My name is Mitch Counts and I’m currently the Associate Dean of Library and Information Services here at the Ave Maria School of Law. I began my tenure at the Law School as the founding Director of the Library in 1999. I then left Ave Maria in 2006 to serve as the Associate Dean of Library and Information Services at the newly-created Elon University School of Law in Greensboro, North Carolina. I’m proud to say that both law schools received ABA-accreditation in the shortest possible period of time, and I like to think that the quality and performance of the library at each institution played an important part in those excellent accreditation results. Thus, I like to say that I did for the Protestants in the 21st century, what I did for the Catholics in the 20th. I was requested by Dean Milhizer to come back to Ave Maria in May of 2008 and I did so as the Acting Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. I am glad to be back in my natural home, the Law Library
Just as location, location, location are the three most important elements to the real estate market, service, service, service are the three most important components of library success. For me, this phrase means, “finding the right resource, for the right person, at the right time. For students, service means access to the latest technology from both inside and outside the Library. It means the Library should establish a liberal food and drink policy so that students can feel comfortable during their many hours within its walls. Service includes the Law Library’s Notebook Computer Check-out Program; it means having access to a "Law in Popular Culture" video series. Finally, service to students mean expanded library hours before and during the final exam period.
From my over 20 years serving in academic law libraries, I’ve learned that students want a knowledgeable staff from their library; they want the latest in technology with access to the most current databases from everywhere and the easiest, comprehensive form of access. They're desirous of a relaxed library environment, including food and drink and casual conversation being permitted. They want as many group study rooms as possible and they like the idea of ample soft-seating scattered throughout the facility.
Thus, we hope to bring all these things to the Ave Maria School of Law Library. For those items that don't currently exist, we'll be working to make them a reality in the shortest possible period of time. The Ave Maria Law Library will make the electronic access format the preferred format for most library material. We will adopt a "just in time" access philosophy relying on databases rather than the "just in case" access philosophy relying on hardcopy materials that has ruled academic law libraries in the past.
Be assured that the Ave Maria School of Law Library exists to provide outstanding service to all its patron constituencies. We are aware that without students, faculty and members of the bar and public using our facility and services, there would be no need for any of us. We feel we have our priorities in order and our priority is YOU.
