Last Sequential Date of the Century

Yes, today is 12/13/14, at least for those of us writing our dates in the preferred American format. And it will be the last sequential date of the 21st century, with the next one not arriving until 01/02/2103, 89 years from now.  Most law students will not be around to see that one, so enjoy a break from exam outlines exploring our popular fascination with calendar dates and other number sequences.

A good place to start is an article by Jessica Contrera in the Washington Post, covering the sequential date as a recent social phenomenon--the sequential date as "cool." Other types of special calendar dates are featured on timeanddate.com.  And for those interested in number sequences as intriguing mathematical tools, Victoria Jaggard's recent article at the Smithsonian Magazine site covers some of the basics. It even includes a quick and easy way to convert kilometer road signs into miles using the "Fibonacci sequence."  But, of course, I really liked the cats holding the 1897 calendar best. 

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Study (or napping) area suggestions

Hang in there, you are almost finished with the semester.

As you know, one of my many areas of expertise is napping - which requires quiet.  So, if you require quiet for napping, studying or anything else, go down the stairs by Room 104 and check out the lower level of the Library.

Also, just a reminder, check out the Library's list of available Study Guides.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

New Uses for Old iPhones

Are you getting a new iPhone for the holidays?

LawTechnologyNews.com has a list of interesting ways to repurpose your old iPhone, using apps and/or the tech that already comes with your current iPhone.  Download a free app like Presence and turn your old iPhone into a high-quality security camera and motion detector.

Read about more ways to get more life out of your old iPhone here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Lexis Case Law Games for Exam Preparation

Lexis Advance provides Case Law Game which is designed to help law students spot and analyze issues in preparation for exams. This free fun tool allows students to compete against their friends and compare scores against other law schools.  It includes games for 1L's and upper level courses.  Click here to play.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

This Day In The Law: Federal Alcohol Control Administration Established

"On December 4, 1933, President Franklin Roosevelt established the Federal Alcohol Control Administration (FACA) by executive order under the National Industrial Recovery Act just prior to the formal end of Prohibition.

FACA was charged with guiding legitimate wineries and distilleries under a system based on brewers' voluntary codes of fair competition. It effectively vanished from history after just twenty months, when President Roosevelt in August 1935 signed the Federal Alcohol Administration (FAA) Act, lodging alcohol regulation exclusively with the US Treasury Department, where it currently remains under the jurisdiction of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, formerly the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)."

Acknowledgement to Jurist.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

New CRS Report: The Evolving Congress

This new CRS report on “The Evolving Congress "is a compendium of 22 reports that examine how and why Congress evolved over the previous decades to where it is today.

• Congressional Research Service. 2014. The Evolving Congress. Senate. Committee on Rules and Administration. Senate Committee Print 113–30 (“89–394”) (Y 4.R 86/2) Washington: Government Printing Office. (December 1, 2014).

"The goal of this project is to inform the legislative debate moving forward by examining how and why Congress evolved over the previous decades to where it is today."

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

The Illustrated Courtroom blog

Ever wonder about those art illustrations made during trials? We usually see one or two illustrations during news coverage but at the Illustrated Courtroom blog you can check out numerous illustrations of newsworthy trials and cases. The blog contains illustrations by Howard Brodie, Aggie Kenny, Bill Robles, Richard Tomlinson and Elizabeth Williams.  According to the blog, "much of the artwork is used for TV news, but not seen in print or online, so here it is available to the public."  Click here to access the blog.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Turkey Data

Thanksgiving weekend is a good time to focus on turkeys--and the surprising data available on the bird and the turkey industry from government web sites and trade associations.  Did you know, for example, that American turkeys have been getting bigger and bigger every year for at least 40 years, doubling in weight since 1929?  Check out this 2013 synopsis of interesting turkey facts from the  Economics & Statistics Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. For some different data and turkey history, the National Turkey Federation, a turkey farmer trade association, is a good source.  A overview of today's turkey industry, which the United States leads as the world's largest producer and exporter, and the legislative and policy concerns of turkey farmers, is available in the Federation's 2013 Annual Report.  

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

How Lawyers Use Evernote

Are you already using Evernote, but wonder how colleagues are using it?  Or are you new to productivity apps and want to gauge how you might use Evernote in your clerkship or legal job?

Legalproductivity.com has a blog post with real world stories of lawyers and Evernote here. See how lawyers are using a mobile app, Evernote, to streamline their productivity and consider the ways you can begin to take advantage of the convenience of your mobile device or add to your productivity.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

CALI Lessons for Finals

Finals are almost here, and most students are heavy into outlines, study guides, and past exams. But don't forget CALI (the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction) which has interactive computer-based lessons keyed to typical IL and upper level law school courses. Check out the CALI welcome page, where you can search for “Lessons” by topic, casebook, subject outline, new lessons and more. You will need to register online with a password the first time that you use CALI lessons. Contact or visit the Law Library Reference Desk to obtain this password from a reference librarian.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat