Check out our new design

I am sure some of you have already noticed the Library's web site has a new look and feel.

Of particular excitement to me is the ability to search for databases, research guides and eventually webcasts (this is still in progress)  using keywords.  You can still browse our databases by topic and alphabetically.

Check out the new search feature  . . . and the rest of the new site and tell us what you think.  Use the comments below or stop by and chat with your favorite Reference librarian.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Stanford Intellectual Property Litigation Clearinghouse

A good while ago, we mentioned the launch of the Stanford Intellectual Property Litigation Clearinghouse, an online database that offers comprehensive information about intellectual property disputes within the United States.

An update: This publicly available online research tool enables users to review real-time data about intellectual property suits that have been filed nationally, and now offers the most comprehensive source of data available on more than 100,000 such cases.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

The Wayback Machine Has Been Updated

From the Internet Archive Blogs: "Today we updated the Wayback Machine with much more data and some code improvements.  Now we cover from late 1996 to December 9, 2012 so you can surf the web as it was up until a month ago.  Also, we have gone from having 150,000,000,000 URLs to having 240,000,000,000 URLs. . ."

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

No catalog or remote database access on Tues. 1/15

On Tuesday, January 15 there will be no access to the Library catalog and you will not be able to access our databases remotely (from off campus).  This is due to a server upgrade.  Please see a Reference librarian for assistance.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Visual Look Back at Digital Publishing in 2012

Digital publishing will continue to make big strides in 2013.  So many publishers are joining the bandwagon of digital publishing with the upgrade of smartphones, tablets and laptops.  Even the legal world has seen an increase in digital publishing in the past few years.  Before the new 2013 changes and additions begin, let's take a look back at what happened with digital publishing from the site Lean Back 2.0.  They recently created a number of charts and infographics that best capture what 2012 meant for digital publishing.  Click here to read full article.
(credit to Law Librarian Blog)

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

IssueLab

Taking a seminar or paper course this semester?  Writing a law journal Note?  Your legal topic is likely to involve some aspect of a public policy issue, such as health care, the environment, immigration, education, consumer protection, human or civil rights, crime and safety, or judicial reform.

Many excellent studies, statistical reports, white papers, and other documents on policy issues are published by nonprofit research and advocacy groups, including foundations and institutes.  Thanks to a recent merger of online resources, more than 12,500 of these free, full-text PDF documents are now available at IssueLab, a service of the Foundation Center, an authoritative source of information on American private philanthropy.

IssueLab is not only keyword searchable, but browseable by issue areas, authors, and organizations.  It's a good place to start locating sources on a wide range of law-related issues and causes.  

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Remembering passwords

How many times have you had to click on those "forgot password" links on web sites where you do business, check accounts, do legal research?

With LastPass, you need to remember only one password.  LastPass is a fantastic, free, well-respected for security tool for keeping track of the passwords required for web sites.  LastPass is also quite easy to install and use.  You can use LastPass on your laptop/desktop for free.  For a $12 annual fee you can access your LastPass database on your cell phone and tablet.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Law School Academic Support Blog

A member of the Law Professor Blogs Network, the Law School Academic Support Blog offers advice for students about various aspects of studying law.

It is not the most prolific or frequently updated of blogs, but it is worth a visit for the articles about outlining and study habits, which are especially germane to the start of a new semester.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Register for Spring 2013 1L Lexis/Westlaw Training

1L Students are now able to register online for Lexis and Westlaw training sessions at http://lawschool.westlaw.com and http://lexisnexis.com/lawschool.  Look for the "Training" link on Westlaw and the "Training Calendar" link on Lexis to access the registration page for Hofstra Law.

These training sessions are meant to coordinate with the 1L's Legal Analysis Writing and Research II coursework.  Reserve your time now, as space in the training lab is limited.

Lexis Legal Analysis Writing and Research II  training weeks:*

Mon, 1/14 – 10a-12p, 12p-2-p
Wed 1/16 –12p-2p
Thurs 1/17 – 12p-2p, 2p-6p
Fri 1/18 - 12p-4p
Thurs 1/24 – 12p-2p, 2p-6p
Fri 1/25 - 12p-4p
Mon 2/4 – 10a-12p, 12p-2-p
Wed 2/6 –12p-2p
Thurs 2/7 – 12p-2p, 2p-6p
Fri 2/8 - 12p-4p
Wed 2/20 – 12p-2p

Westlaw Legal Analysis Writing and Research II  training weeks:*

Mon 1/28 – 10a-12p, 12p-2-p
Wed 1/30 –12p-2p
Thurs 1/31 – 12p-2p, 2p-6p
Fri 2/1 - 12p-4p
Mon 2/11 – 10a-12p, 12p-2-p
Wed 2/13 –12p-2p
Thurs 2/14 – 12p-2p, 2p-6p
Fri 2/15 - 12p-4p
Thurs 2/21 – 10a-12p, 12p-2-p (Mon schedule)
Fri 2/22 - 12p-4p

(*see the training calendar on your Lexis and Westlaw homepage for the most up to date days/times of available 1L training)

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Tech Circuit: Legal Communities Predictions for 2013

The Law.com Technology News polled the legal community asking, "What do you predict will be the most unexpected legal technology development or trend in 2013, and why?"

An interesting overview of the legal technology issues practitioners across the United States view as important and why.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat