Heidi Frostestad Kuehl named director of NIU Law Library

Sycamore resident Heidi Frostestad Kuehl has joined the Northern Illinois University Law faculty as director of the school's law library and associate professor. In her new role, she directs the library staff in providing reference assistance to faculty, students and other library users. In addition, she teaches various legal research and legal technology classes at the school.

Before joining NIU Law, Kuehl was the associate director for research and reference services at Northwestern University School of Law's Pritzker Legal Research Center. Prior to that, she worked at the Marquette University Law School as a law librarian and adjunct professor.

"We are so fortunate to have Heidi heading up our law library, bringing an impressive background as an administrator for a top-tier research library and as a gifted and creative teacher of research and technology. Top-notch legal research skills continue to be a valued differentiator for our students in an increasingly complex, high-tech legal marketplace, and will be strengthened further under Heidi's leadership," said NIU Law Dean Jennifer Rosato Perea.

"The age of a digitalized legal practice makes it more important than ever to instruct students in the nuances of efficient legal research. I look forward to extending the role of the library as a valuable partner in our student's education in legal research, and to continuing these lessons beyond the confines of a traditional classroom - with workshops, simulations, and interactive formats. I also relish the opportunity to reach out into the community by offering legal professionals access to the law library at the school, as well as to augmenting library resources at each of our legal clinics," Frostestad Kuehl said.

Kuehl received a J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law in 2000 and an M.A. in library and information science from the University of Iowa in 2002. She received her undergraduate degree from Luther College in 1997.

The only public law school in Northern Illinois, NIU College of Law has been named a top law school nationally for diversity, value, and careers in public interest/government service. NIU Law provides unique opportunities for its students, beginning with its highly accomplished faculty who are personally invested in the success of every student throughout their professional lives. Although many alumni serve as public interest attorneys, prosecutors, defenders, elected officials, and judges, they are equally prepared for careers as solo practitioners or lawyers in multinational firms.

For more information on Heidi Frostestad Kuehl see www.niu.edu/law/faculty. For background on NIU College of Law, see www.niu.edu/law.