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Interview with Richard Wismer

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This week’s interview is with Richard Wismer, a summer intern with the Public Services Division, Law Library of Congress.  The Law Library’s internship program is in full swing and we are introducing all our summer interns to In Custodia Legis readers during the coming weeks.

Describe your background.

I live in Ellicott City, Maryland, which is about an hour train ride from the District of Columbia. After one year of college, I have been exposed to a variety of coursework, including economics, journalism, law, and mathematics. My primary interests are economics and law.

What is your academic/professional history?

Richard Wismer standing in front of wood paneled wall with gold letters spelling, "The Law Library of Congress" in a circle in the background.I attended high school in Baltimore at Mount Saint Joseph, a private Catholic school in the south west region of the city. In the fall I will be returning to college for my sophomore year at the University of Richmond. Last year I worked in my school’s library. During the summer months of high school I spent my days in the sun as a lifeguard.

How would you describe your job to other people?

Many people have asked me about my experience here so I am well-prepared for this question! I conduct research at the Law Library of Congress for the purpose of helping to expand the Global Legal Information Catalog (GLIC) which is a database focused on international and comparative law. I read books from the Law Library’s stacks, and then enter their jurisdictions and subjects into GLIC.

Why did you want to work at the Law Library of Congress?

I have been pondering a career in law for a long time now, and working here struck me as an opportunity to expand my legal knowledge by leaps and bounds. I have no doubt that my experience here will prove invaluable to me during my law school years and beyond.

What is the most interesting fact you’ve learned about the Law Library?

That the Library holds the world’s largest collection of legal books!

What’s something most of your co-workers do not know about you?

That I played tennis in high school.

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