Posted on: April 8, 2026
Updates from the Law Library
Co-written with guest author Michelle Terriss, JD, MLIS, Law Librarian at Thompson Rivers University
This was a busy and engaging semester in the TRU Law Library, with events, displays and projects that highlighted faculty expertise, legal developments and forthcoming improvements to the space.
Library Events
The Law Library hosted several well-attended events throughout March, bringing together students, faculty and members of the wider legal community.
As part of the ongoing Faculty Research Series, the library welcomed a faculty presentation that showcased current legal scholarship and sparked thoughtful discussion among attendees.
We also hosted an information session led by lawyers from the Canadian Space Agency, offering a fascinating look at space law and the legal frameworks shaping Canada’s activities beyond Earth.
Rounding out the month was a detailed explanation of the Cowichan Tribes decision, presented by David Robbins, one of the lawyers involved in the case. This session provided valuable context and insight into the legal significance of the decision and its broader implications.
Thank you to faculty, staff, students and guests for making these events such a success. We appreciate the strong engagement and look forward to hosting more opportunities for learning and discussion.
Library Displays
Our March display highlighted the Law Library’s property law collection, including several titles authored by TRU faculty members. This display showcased the depth of the collection while celebrating the research and expertise produced within our own community.
Our upcoming display will focus on the careers and publications of Canada’s Supreme Court justices, offering an opportunity to explore their contributions to Canadian law and legal scholarship.
Upcoming Space Changes
Over the summer months, the Law Library will be making a small but meaningful change to support student well-being. The final row in the stacks will be removed to create a low-stimulus space for students who benefit from a quieter, less visually busy study environment.
We look forward to sharing more details as plans progress.
KI Classification Project
Beginning in May, Eva Lu (Discovery Librarian) and Michelle will begin implementing the Library of Congress KI classification in the Law Library. The KI schedule is a classification system developed by the Library of Congress to better represent Indigenous laws and treaties, legal traditions and governance systems, which were historically scattered or misrepresented within past classification structures.
By adopting KI classification, the Law Library will be creating a dedicated and identifiable section for Indigenous laws. This change will make materials easier to find, support Indigenous legal research and teaching, and better reflect the distinct legal orders that exist within Canada and beyond. Rather than fitting Indigenous law into colonial legal frameworks, KI classification recognizes Indigenous law as law in its own right.
This project aligns with broader efforts in libraries to support truth, reconciliation and decolonizing practices in knowledge organization. As the work progresses, students and faculty will see clearer pathways to relevant resources and a collection that more accurately reflects the diversity of legal systems studied and taught at TRU.
We look forward to sharing updates as the KI section takes shape and welcome questions from anyone interested in learning more about the project.
Stay tuned for more updates from the Law Library as we move into the spring and summer terms. For more information on the Law Library or to book an appointment, please reach out to Michelle Terriss, JD, MLIS at mterriss@tru.ca.
Feature photo: “Student in the Law Library” by Thompson Rivers University
Book display photo by Jesse Dana, library technician at Thompson Rivers University Library.
