2009 Sandy Peterson Memorial Lecture

         Negotiation is always an important skill to have in the law library workplace, especially in the private sector. And it was negotiation that was the topic of the 2009 Sandy Peterson Memorial Lecture, which was held on October 22, 2009 at Jenner & Block LLP.

         Nan Siemer, founder of BREAKERS Consulting, was the guest speaker. Siemer works with a variety of government, business and professional groups, as well as individuals around the country, to help them improve their negotiation skills in the workplace. She presented on this same topic earlier this year at the AALL Annual Conference in Washington, DC.

         Siemer talked about four categories that we as professionals can and should negotiate in our jobs. The first is money. Siemer said that all negotiation of money is based on your ‘worth’ to the company, and not need.   We are “working to live,” and not “living to work.” The second is quality of life. Things that we can negotiate that fit into this category include four-day work weeks, shorter work days, or even working from home to allow you to take better care of your kids.

         The third category is education. Siemer said that we can negotiate to have employers pay for education to help you grow professionally such as attending classes or professional development seminars. The final category that Siemer discussed is management. As you grow in your job position, she said you can negotiate for more responsibility and authority in the workplace. In addition, negotiating for ‘toys’ such as a company car, laptop or Blackberry would be great ‘perks’ in lieu of salary.

         The Sandy Peterson Memorial Lecture is a biannual lecture program in honor of Sandy Peterson. Peterson was an active member of LLSDC for many years, including tenures as Society President and President of the Private Law Libraries/Special Interest Section (PLL/SIS). She was also a Board member of AALL and an adjunct professor at the College of Information Studies at the University of Maryland.