NYLI’s Ghosts of Research Past (& present AND FUTURE!)

Like Scrooge in Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” The New York Law Institute is being haunted by ghosts this Holiday season…. Spirits from the Research Past, Present, and even Future have made their presence known at our 9th floor location at 120 Broadway….

NYLI’s “Equitable” doorknob, historical & seasonally decorated –but not ghost-proof!

Ghost of Research Past came in the form of an Elf, who wandered NYLI’s extensive superseded and historic collections and began to communicate with the O’Conor Bust….

Ghost Elf popped up in NYLI’s superseded McKinney’s statutes (a collection that dates back to the 1900s)

Caught on survelliance film, the atmosphere glowed green while Elf talked in picture format to NYLI benefactor Charles O’Conor..

“Scrooge” (1970)– The Ghost of Christmas Present is a reveling spirit….. (this is my favorite version!!)

And Just like in the Dickens tale, The Ghost of Research Present brought with him the spirit of abundance –

FB Cutting came alive in haze of blue smoke, singing of NYLI’s 2025 highlights —

Nearly 300,000 eBooks & and extensive print collection –– nearly 1800 loans in 2025 so far!

Nearly 2500 queries answered by our reference librarians in 2025 so far!

In 2025 we renovated our space –an even more welcoming place created for our book club, CLE’s & individual conferences. We’ve had over 50 individual visits….

Records & Briefs and New York Law Journal (from 1888!) on fiche are continually being accessed by members. Nearly 100 delivered thus far….

NYLI partnered with New York Legislative Services in 2025 and our services will be integrated throughout 2026. Combining NYLS expert legislative tracking and history services with our extensive legal resources makes NYLI THE place for legal research…..

Peter Fong is now part of our team. As Head of Legislative research, he brings over 25+ years of knowledge and expertise regarding NY State and NYC legislation…..

Ghosts of Research Future…. invisible in a yellow haze…. puzzling us as to what the future will bring….

And what of the Ghost of Research Future? Although we couldn’t see the Ghost, the spirits moaned out AAAA IIIII over & over…. and that led us to NYLI’s AI webinars that bring the future into the present ……

And for all of NYLI’s webinars — on AI and all NYLI matters… click here….

The entire NYLI staff gained kinetic energy from these ghostly visits, and look forward to providing even greater research services to our members in 2026. From all of us at NYLI (past, present, ghost or otherwise) –Sincere Best wishes for a Happy Hanukah, Merry Christmas, Joyous Kwanzaa and a healthy and prosperous New Year !!

Current NYLI staff members pictured– Lucy, Brooke, Peter, Ellyssa, Eileen, Emily & Carolyn… as well as recent retirees Martha & Pheobe…