Osgoode names a new law librarian

Patrick Monahan, dean of York’s Osgoode Hall Law School, has announced the appointment of Louis Mirando as Osgoode’s chief law librarian, effective March 1.

Mirando, who has a master of library science degree from the University of Toronto and has also done postgraduate studies at the University of Cologne in Germany and at U of T, was director, library services, at Torys LLP in Toronto for the past 15 years.

Prior to that, he held a variety of library-related positions, including acting library manager at Aird & Berlis LLP, reference librarian at U of T’s Bora Laskin Law Library and special collections librarian and instructor at the University of Western Ontario. He also worked as a senior account executive at LexisNexis Canada and was senior legal editor at Carswell Legal Publications.

Right: Louis Mirando

"Mr. Mirando is extraordinarily conversant about current and emerging developments in legal knowledge as well as the delivery of law library services," Monahan said. "I am confident in his ability to provide leadership to our Law Library, particularly as we embark upon major renovations to the library as part of the overall rejuvenation of our building."

Mirando succeeds Yemisi Dina, head of public services at the Law Library, who served as acting chief law librarian over the past several months while the international search process was underway. In announcing Mirando’s appointment, Monahan also paid tribute to Dina, who has provided strong leadership to the library prior to and during the search process.

The Law Library of Osgoode Hall Law School has the largest collection of any law library in the British Commonwealth, currently approaching 500,000 volumes, which includes a unique collection of historical Canadian legal texts and primary sources.

A staff of professional librarians, all highly qualified in law as well as librarianship, helps students and faculty access this outstanding print collection as well as a growing range of online resources including Quicklaw, LexisNexis and WestlaweCarswell.

The Law Library, which opened in 1969, is slated to undergo major renovations as part of a $25-million expansion and renovation of the entire law school building that is set to begin later this year.

For more information, contact Virginia Corner, communications manager, Osgoode Hall Law School of York University, at 416-736-5820 or by e-mail at vcorner@osgoode.yorku.ca.