Victoria Tokar

What is it about being a librarian that inspires or motivates you?

That I am fortunate enough to have found a job that keeps me on my toes and rewards curiosity! My day can involve anything from assisting a student with developing a research strategy to hunting down sources for article citations to conducting research on an unfamiliar area of law. It’s rewarding to see that my work directly supports Boyd’s students and faculty, as well as members of the public.

 
When students ask you what they should read outside the required textbooks and other law related books, what do you suggest?

Anything that interests them—fiction, non-fiction, news articles, anything. Reading something non-law related is a great way to de-compress after a full day of classes. More practically, writing is a huge part of the work lawyers do, and reading is one of the best ways to hone your craft as a writer. Read critically and think about what engages you as a reader. Additionally, I’m a firm believer in the fact that no knowledge is ever wasted. Recently, I put the ancient Greek I learned as an undergrad to use in a research project! You never know what is going to be helpful.

What’s something about research you wish you’d known as a law student?

I could have used a reminder that research takes patience, both with the process and yourself. Research can be a daunting task and hitting a dead-end when you really need that one specific piece of information right now is genuinely frustrating. Try not to get too frustrated with the process, give yourself a break before coming back to the project with fresh eyes. It’s also helpful to remember that research is a skill that improves with practice!