DETROIT (June 30, 2010) - Wayne State University Law School congratulates Arthur Neef Law Library Director Virginia C. Thomas on her recent election as vice-president/president elect of the Michigan Association of Law Libraries (MichALL). She will hold the position for the 2010-11 term.

As vice-president/president elect, Thomas will serve as a member of the MichALL executive board and chair MichALL's education committee, which is responsible for planning the organization's annual meeting programs and other activities that advance continuing education of Michigan law librarians. She will become president of MichALL for a one-year term at the close of the 2011 annual meeting.

MichALL, a chapter of the American Association of Law Libraries, was formed in 1979 to promote law librarianship, foster a spirit of cooperation among members of the profession, and develop and increase the usefulness of law libraries.

"On behalf of the Law School, I congratulate Virginia on her accomplishment," said Wayne Law Dean Robert M. Ackerman. "She has done a remarkable job leading the Arthur Neef Law Library, providing students and community members with the best resources available. Her election to this prestigious post illustrates the high regard in which she is held by the community of law librarians."

Thomas joined Wayne Law and the Wayne State University Library System as the Arthur Neef Law Library director in February 2009. As director, Thomas is responsible for overseeing one of the nation's 30 largest legal collections.

Prior to her current role, she was employed as Law Library and Information Technology director at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, where she also served as an adjunct law professor. Previously, Thomas held positions at the University of Miami School of Law, Loyola University of Chicago School of Law and the Chicago-Kent College of Law at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Thomas received a B.A. in philosophy and German language and literature from DePaul University, an M.B.A. and J.D. from the Illinois Institute of Technology, and an M.A. in library science from the University of Chicago. She has taught, lectured and coordinated instructional support in law and is currently developing a course in empirical legal research. The author of numerous publications and presentations, Thomas is active in professional and community service activities and organizations.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research university offering more than 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 32,000 students.

For more information about Wayne State University Law School, visit law.wayne.edu.