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

Neuromyths

Further to our recent theme of getting smarter.

Now that the academic year is starting, and our brains are shifting into high gear, it seems a good time to reconsider certain erroneous beliefs about the brain and its functions. For instance, the commonly accepted view that we use only ten percent of our brain is actually false. Read about more such “neuromyths” here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Fall 2013 Library Hours

REGULAR HOURS - Monday, August 12   Tuesday, December 17

Monday   Thursday                                        8:00 A.M.  - 9:00 P.M.
Friday                                                          8:00 A.M.  - 6:00 P.M.
Saturday & Sunday                                       10:00 A.M.  - 6:00 P.M.

EXCEPTIONS:
Monday, August 12 - Tuesday, August 13     8:00 A.M. -   6:00 P.M.
Monday, September 2 (Labor Day)            10:00 A.M. -  6:00 P.M.
Wednesday, November 27                         8:00 A.M. -  6:00 P.M.**
Thursday, November 28 (Thanksgiving)      CLOSED**
Friday, November 29                                CLOSED**

                   **CLOSED-NO SWIPE CARD ACCESS
                 Wed., Nov. 27, 6:00 P.M.–Sat., Nov. 30, 10:00A.M.

      Exam Period Hours resume November 30, 10A.M.


EXAM PERIOD SCHEDULE- Monday, Nov. 18 – Tuesday, Dec. 17

Monday-Friday                                             8:00 A.M. – 11:00 P.M.
Saturday & Sunday                                      10:00 A.M. – 11:00 P.M.

EXCEPTIONS:
Tuesday, December 17                                 8:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.

   
INTERSESSION SCHEDULE -Wednesday, Dec. 18 - Monday, Dec. 23**

Wednesday - Friday                                     8:00 A.M -  5:00 P.M.
Saturday & Sunday                                     10:00 A.M.   6:00 P.M.
Monday                                                       8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.   


WINTER BREAK - Tuesday, Dec. 24 – Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014** 


THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2014            INTERSESSION / SPRING HOURS


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Do You Know TED talks?

Have you listened to a good TED talk lately?  If you are new to TED talks, here is the thing about TED.  "TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading and provides a clearinghouse of videos that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world’s most inspired thinkers. ...Although it started out as a conference that brought together technology, entertainment, and design, a few thoughtful law-related presentations made their way into the world-class library of what has become known as TED Talks."

A good way to start out with TED talks is to listen to one of the 10 legal TED talks listed here.  For a wider range of TED talks on other topics, you can check out your Netflix account, find videos on YouTube or choose one on the TED talks website.

Get smarter with TED!

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

ConSource: The Constitutional Sources Project

The Constitutional Sources Project (ConSource) is revolutionizing the way people interact with history by democratizing access to source materials of the U.S. Constitution — letters, journals, newspapers, articles, speeches, and other first-hand records — so that any citizen can research and learn from the document’s rich intellectual history.
The countless letters, speeches, and journals of the Framers and later Amenders of the Constitution are housed in hundreds of libraries, archives, and private collections throughout the United States and Europe. These documents together embody the “best” history of our Constitution and its amendment over time. Yet many of these documents are virtually inaccessible to most of us, whether a fourth grader or a Supreme Court Justice. Even diligent researchers cannot gain access to all of them. As a result, far too many Americans lack an understanding of the ideas that influenced the Framers, many of which still lie at the root of current conversations and debates concerning our government and our laws.

There is much more, ConSource is a valuable resource for U.S. constitutional law and history.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Top Mobile Travel Apps for Lawyers

Law Technology News recently published their picks of the top mobile travel apps for lawyers.  The list was created based on the busy life of lawyers who are often traveling for business meetings, hearings, conferences, and other obligations.  The aim of the travel apps is to reduce the chaos by saving time, organizing costs and using productivity tools for practice .  Some of the apps recommended include Evernote, SkyScanner, Due and more.  Read more and learn about the top fifteen recommendations here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Something Different: Aztec and Maya Law

In a few days, law school libraries will be filled with new 1Ls digging into case briefs and their first law school assignments.  But law libraries offer much more than books, databases, a comfy and collaborative environment, and the help of your favorite librarians. Many law libraries have produced outstanding online exhibits of law related history and art, drawn from their own collections and archives. One of my favorites--fun to explore and beautifully illustrated--is "Aztec and Maya Law," from the Tarlton Law Library at the University of Texas School of Law.  Before the new semester starts, spend a few minutes with this absorbing presentation of criminal, commercial, family, military and international law as practiced by these ancient civilizations. You'll discover some surprising similarities, as well as dramatic contrasts, with our 21st century judicial systems.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Gotta love the Library and Librarians

O.K., maybe as a "Virtual Library Cat" I am biased in my fondness for the Library.  So, don't take my word for it, check out this story I heard on NPR this week - Libraries' Leading Roles: On Stage, On Screen and  In Song .

Enjoy the pop-culture review of  libraries and librarians from Star Trek (the original, of course!) to Keith Richards (I kid you not, check out the link).  And yes, It's a Wonderful Life is acknowledged but is countered with Harry Potter and Dr. Who among many others.

With links to some of the clips and references to books, shows and songs, what a great way to spend a rainy Friday.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

U.S. Census Bureau: My Congressional District

The U.S. Census Bureau has released My Congressional District the first interactive tool geared exclusively toward finding basic demographic and economic statistics for every congressional district in the U.S.  

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Archaeology: The Milk Revolution

Yes, Ernster understands that most humans are lactose intolerant and cannot drink milk.  This article Archaeology:  The Milk Revolution is an overview of how people came to consume dairy products.  Some interesting factoids:  Only one third of people produce the lactase enzyme as adults that enables them to drink mile.  Most people who can drink milk can trace their ancestry to Europe.

This is a fun bit of intersection between science and history.  

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat