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Library Librarian

Association of Wisconsin Special Librarians

Special Librarian Profile: Megan Wiseman

Position: Law Librarian

Library: Weiss Berzowski Brady LLP in Milwaukee

Describe your current job:
I am currently "living the dream" working as a law librarian for the nicest bunch of people over in Milwaukee. While our library does also have a part-time library assistant, I am generally It for reference and research, budgeting, training, and all those other little library tasks that crop up from time to time. We still have books. That will be likely true for a good long time, as my corner of the legal world is embracing change but also holding true to tradition as best we can. I nerdily prefer tax law to most other types of law research (then again, I also really enjoyed my cataloging class back at SLIS, so that makes sense) and enjoy having a marketing component to my position.

Previous professional endeavors:
While working towards my Master's in Library Science at UW-Madison, I worked in the Preservation department of Memorial Library. I'd worked there as an undergraduate and the position turned into an LTE at the end of my time in the graduate program — disappearing when the limited term ran out. This catapulted me to back to Milwaukee, where I am originally from. There I volunteered for a time at Greendale Public Library while I looked for something permanent and preferably in the legal field. In the midst of a rather scary economy I then got lucky and am now doing my best to give back through professional involvement.

Why did you decide to work in the library profession?
As I mentioned above, I worked in Preservation at Memorial Library during the majority of my undergraduate days. There simply came a time when I didn't want to leave and it was then that I became aware of the existence of a Library Science Master's degree. Honestly, I don't even remember what little bird whispered the words "law library" in my ear, but by the time I began the program, I knew that was the environment that most interested me.

What is the favorite part of your job?
I love the really tough questions that make my brain hurt. (…Again with the tax law.) Once, someone at the office called me "Sherlock" and it made my day.

What is the least favorite part of your job?
Giving people non-satisfactory results. Librarians tend to know that it's not "all online" and are not surprised to have to look under every rock for an answer. But even so, sometimes the answer isn't anywhere and you end up looking for a phantom article or case that simply does not exist. Or worse, the answer is not the one the patron was hoping for.

Do you have a role model as a librarian?
This may sound odd, but some of my best encouragement has come indirectly — through authors, comics, and the characters they create. Sure, I know a lot of inspiring people, but applying their experiences to my life doesn't come as naturally to me as adopting a piece here and bit there from someone who won't mind a little hero worship.

What is your favorite book of the last year?
Oh, good, another opportunity to tell more people: Everyone should read "Anathem" by Neal Stephenson. I read so much science fiction and fantasy that not much fazes me anymore, but this one is striking and so deliciously long that it really lets you enjoy it for a good while. (I can admit that it is one of the few books in recent memory where I enjoyed it so much that I forced myself to not read ahead.)

What is your dream vacation?
I'd like to think that my dream vacation is a long, luxurious train ride somewhere exotic, Orient Express style.

What are your hobbies?
Varied and odd, my hobbies include juggling, unicycling, ballroom dancing, and sailing. I also perform with a Croatian folk orchestra.