Use/learn them while they are free

Welcome back to returning students!  Good luck to first years!

New students as well as experienced ones should take advantage of Bloomberg Law, Lexis and Westlaw while they are free (in Law School).  Once you graduate these services cost mega $$$.

First years, make sure to register for all three services before your training session on 8/27 or 9/1.  Second and third years, take advantage of training offered throughout the year.

All students - if you have any questions about registering or using these services ask your favorite reference librarian.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Bloomberg/Lexis/Westlaw Summer access reminder

Any Law student may use access Lexis Advance or Bloomberg Law during the Summer for any purpose. Graduates, you have access to Bloomberg for 6 months after graduation.  For Lexis, graduates may register for an additional 6 months access at www.lexisnexis.com/grad-access.

For Westlaw Next access, law students may register their ids if they doing Law School work.  You may not use your Westlaw account for your Summer job.  Graduates - you may extend your access for 6 months.  Go to www.lawschool.westlaw.com and sign in with your current user id to register/extend.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

1Ls - Lexis, Westlaw and Bloomberg made easier

WELCOME Class of 2016!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now that you are pretty much "oriented" it is time to get down to business.  Your Legal Analysis Writing & Research professor will expect you to attend training on Lexis, Westlaw and Bloomberg Law provided by one of your favorite librarians.  You need attend only one of the classes.

Sign up at the Library Circulation desk to get your preferred time.   Here is the schedule .

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

For Graduating students - access to Lexis Advance, Westlaw and Bloomberg Law

For those graduating, here are the access policies for Lexis, Westlaw and Bloomberg Law:

Lexis Advance  - Graduating students can register for a new ID that will be provided via email in early July. This new ID will be active until December 31, 2013 for educational, bar review and job search purposes only.  This is not an extension of your law school ID – this is a new ID for which graduates (and graduating LLMs) must apply.   Students cannot use this ID for commercial purposes.  Lexis has emailed graduating students details on the program.  You can register at http://www.lexisnexis.com/grad-access/ .

Westlaw - Graduates who extend their password get 5 hours for June and 5 hours for July.  To extend your password log into Westlaw and click on "Need Your Westlaw Password This Summer" (on the right).  You will have access to Westlaw's job searching databases until May 2014.

Bloomberg Law - You will have access for 6 months after graduation.  Go to Bloomberg Law registration to set up an account if you do not already have one.  Make sure to use your Hofstra email address.

As always, feel free to contact your favorite reference librarian at (516) 463-5908 if you have any questions.

Best of luck on all exams.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Effective Research

I usually do not like to repeat myself, but this is definitely worth saying a second time.

Don't miss the Library's workshop on Wednesday - Cost Effective Research for NY.  In today's world you HAVE TO be able to research cost effectively and efficiently.  You will find out about great free resources (what can be bad about free?).  And, you will get tips on using the expensive Lexis and Westlaw in more cost effective ways.

The workshop will be on presented on March 6, 12:10-1pm in Room 206.  

There is still time to sign up.  Please see the  complete schedule of the Research Life Line Workshop Series for details on how to reserve your seat.  

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Lexis/Westlaw training for 1Ls

Calling all first year students. Sign up for Lexis/Westlaw training at the Library Circulation desk. Here is the schedule. Make sure you have your registered Lexis and Westlaw usernames. Ask a Reference librarian if you need assistance with this.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Research web tutorials

Many of you are in the middle of researching for your papers. If you need a research refresher, check out our Research Instruction Webcasts off of the Library's homepage. You will find a link to a Paper Writing web cast - which will show you useful databases and techniques for your research. Other topic specific web casts are also available.

You will also find a Lexis and Westlaw web tutorial for a refresher on Lexis and Westlaw basics. As always, let us know what you think and if you have suggestions for web tutorials you would like to see.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Advanced tips for Lexis and Westlaw

Do you know that you can use Shepards and KeyCite on Lexis and Westlaw to find cases and articles on a particular topic? How about limiting your search by doing a search within a search using Focus or Locate? Both of these tools can help with writing research papers and memoranda of law for your classes. These are just some of the advanced techniques you can learn by attending the Lexis and Westlaw certification classes.

They start next week. Sign up by going to http://lawschool.westlaw.com for Westlaw and http://www.lexisnexis.com/lawschool for Lexis. Once you log in using your customized username and password you will see the Training links for Lexis on the MySchool tab and the Training link for Westlaw underneath the Home tab.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Advanced Lexis/Westlaw workshops

Start off the new semester with an advantage - attend a Library workshop on advanced Lexis/Westlaw techniques. We will introduce you to advanced Shepards and KeyCite features, key number searching on Westlaw and searching within a search as well as when to use the different connectors.

As an added bonus, all students attending may enter two raffles for 600 points from Lexis and Westlaw, respectively – generously donated by our representatives - as an added enticement for you to attend.

The workshops will be held during the following dates and times. No need to sign up, just bring your Lexis and Westlaw passwords, and laptop, where indicated. All students are welcome. First years, please note this is different than training for Appellate Advocacy. These workshops will cover searching in any subject area, not just techniques and databases for Appellate Advocacy.

WEEK OF 1/11

Monday 1/11	Tuesday 1/12	Wednesday 1/13	Thursday 1/14	Friday 1/15
XXXX	12:10 - 1:00 - Basement lab	12:10 - 1:00 - Rm 205**	XXXX	12:10 - 1:00 - Rm 242**
XXXX	2:10 - 3:00 - Room 206**	1:10 - 2:00 - Rm 205**	XXXX	1:10 - 2:00 - Basement lab

WEEK OF 1/18

Monday 1/18 - MLK Day	Tuesday 1/19	Wednesday 1/20	Thursday 1/21	Friday 1/22
no classes	12:10 - 1:00 - Basement lab	12:10 - 1:00 - Rm 206**	12:10 - 1:00 - Room 243**	XXXX
no classes	2:10 - 3:00 - Room 206**	1:10 - 2:00 - Rm 206**	2:10 - 3:00 - Basement lab	XXXX

**LAPTOP NECESSARY FOR THESE SESSIONS **

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat