Legal Research

Think The Law Library?s Signs And Policies Are Mean?

Posted on April 22, 2010
Have a look at this assortment of policy signs from various libraries, just for fun. Some are witty, and some are even literary.Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

How do you say Eyjafjallajokull?

Posted on April 21, 2010
By now, I'm sure you've heard of the Icelandic volcano that has disrupted flights across Europe -- but can you pronounce it? According to a librarian for NPR, the correct way to pronounce it is "AY-yah-fyah-lah-YOH-kuul." Read more about it here. Be sure to listen to the audio clip of Rognvaldur Olafsson, chief inspector of Iceland's Civil Protection Agency, saying "the Eyjafjallajokull volcano...

A Blog Worth Repeating: Study Guide Handout

Posted on April 19, 2010
"For a quick reference to study guides we have available in the library, check out our Study Guide handout . This handout is also available in print in the handout rack near the Reference desk."The most recent edition of each study guide is located in the Library's Reserve collection...

Laptop Locks

Posted on April 18, 2010
Did you know that laptops have "security slots"--places to lock in laptop locks. Laptop locks are pretty much the same as bicycle locks, but for laptops. We have no guarantees that these locks cannot be broken or picked (some of them even had the same ballpoint pen problem that bicycle locks ran into a few years ago), but they do provide some people with peace of mind...

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Exams, Papers, Perspective

Posted on April 17, 2010
It's the time of year when a virtual library cat senses that the stress of finishing papers and facing exams is taking its toll. Sometimes a shift of perspective can help. One of the best ways to get a different take on the importance of law school and lawyers is to spend less than six minutes watching this wonderful video with movie clips, Carl Sagan, and music--The Pale Blue Dot...

Extended Library Hours

Posted on April 16, 2010
Just a quick reminder - the Law Library is now open for extended hours. Our longer hours which started this past Wednesday and will continue through Wednesday, May 12 are:Monday - Friday 7am - 2amSaturday & Sunday 10am - 2amException - On Wednesday, May 12, we will be open 7am - 10pm...

FedFlix

Posted on April 15, 2010
FedFlix is a joint project of the National Technical Information Service and PublicResource.org. FedFlix falls within the Internet Archive?s U.S. Government Films collection, which, in turn, appears in the News and Public Affairs collection. The subjects of the films range from training, to history, to health, and much more...

Kindle or iPad?

Posted on April 14, 2010
Kindle or iPad? Or both?! Take a look at this article from the Houston Chronicle to find out the pros and cons of each device. The article considers the readability, ergonomics, convenience, and cost for each one.Hap tip to The Faculty Lounge.Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Justice Stevens retires

Posted on April 13, 2010
You should all know by know that Justice Stevens announced this past Friday that he will retire from the U.S. Supreme Court at the end of this term. For a good round-up of the coverage check out this SCOTUSblog article. And of course, SCOTUSblog is also a good source for coverage and analysis of possible appointees...

Bankruptcy Law Reporter

Posted on April 12, 2010
The Bankruptcy Law Reporter provides, in-depth coverage of developments in state and federal bankruptcy law.Dates of coverage are from March 7, 1996 to present.To access the Bankruptcy Law Reporter:Go to the Library's home page, click "Online Resources"Click the "Commercial and Corporate Law" linkScroll down to "Bankruptcy Law Reporter (BNA)"Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

The 'Library Voice'

Posted on April 11, 2010
A new post on the NY Times City Room blog complains about how libraries are becoming ever-noisier.It is true that something like our library's "talking areas"--rooms where low talking about schoolwork is permissible--would have been unthinkable in a law library 20 or 30 years ago, and some of our library's patrons think that making phone calls where no one can see them also means that no one can hear their conversations (cell phone calls are not permitted inside the library)...

Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission

Posted on April 10, 2010
The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission is the bipartisan panel of 10 prominent citizens that was established by law in 2009. Its mandate and mission is to "examine the causes, domestic and global, of the current financial and economic crisis in the United States...

Research refreshers now on the Web

Posted on April 09, 2010
Missed the Top 10 Research Skills - What Employers Want You to Know workshops? Just want a research refresher before you interview or go for a summer position? Webcasts of the Library's workshops are now available on the Library's webcasts page . The handouts distributed during the workshops are also available...

Helpful Policies During Exam Period

Posted on April 08, 2010
Knowing where to find the archived exam and study room policies may prove helpful when preparing for final exams.To access the Exam Archive: Go to Hofstra Law School Library home page http://law.hofstra.edu/LibraryScroll down. In the lower, left-hand margin click ?Exam Archive?In the Hofstra University Library Electronic Reserves (ERes) window logon with your Novell Username and Password (this is the same username and password used to logon to the portal)You will be prompted to enter the password (contact the reference or circulation desk for the password)Click on ?Accept?Click the professor?s folder to access the exams...

GovDocs

Posted on April 07, 2010
Explore GovDocs is a directory of government documents put together by the University of Michigan Government Documents Center. You can search or you can browse topics, including federal government, the census and statistics.Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Online Resources for Information on Health-Care Reform

Posted on April 06, 2010
The Washington Post published a list of sites worth looking at on the topic of health care reform. It is a big bill so unless you have been following and studying most of us don't know the details. These site guides are a good way to figure out what we may expect from the bill...

A Different Civil Rights Archive

Posted on April 03, 2010
The April anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., is a good time to mention a recent, unique addition to digital archives of the American civil rights movement. The Civil Rights Struggle, African-American GI's, and Germany brings together films, oral history videos, photos, and other materials that document the experiences of the 2-3 million African-American soldiers and civilian employees who lived in Germany between 1945 and the end of the Cold War...

Easter-Themed Legal Case

Posted on April 01, 2010
According to this news story, a woman is suing over an eviction caused by her edible Easter decorations. This is no April Fool?s Day jest, as you?ll see if you read more about the background of the case, here.Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

What is it like to live on Death Row

Posted on March 30, 2010
Amnesty International just released its annual report on the death penalty. The BBC news story on the report includes an audio of an individual on death row. Listen to what he has to say. Amnesty International has more on the status of the death penalty around the world...

Who You Gonna Call?

Posted on March 28, 2010
West's Reference Attorneys have now been around for 25 years. Reference Attorneys are the people who answer Westlaw's 1-800 helpline, and almost every law student or attorney needs to call them at one point or another. Librarians use their services too...

C-SPAN Video Library

Posted on March 27, 2010
While looking forward to Spring Break, you may have missed the recent news that all of C-SPAN's programming from 1987 forward--on all three C-SPAN networks--is now available free online in the just launched C-SPAN Video Library. This site is well organized, with a great browse page, and searchable to provide easy access to material such live and unedited Congressional debates and speeches actually made on the House and Senate floor and videos of Congressional committee hearings...

Recent U.S. Supreme Court Bankruptcy Law Decisions

Posted on March 25, 2010
Signs of the times? An article on Jurist not only discusses a recent Supreme Court decision upholding the validity of a discharge of student loans in bankruptcy, but mentions several other bankruptcy-related cases that the court has heard this term, as well...

Case Law for the United Kingdom

Posted on March 24, 2010
Looking for British or Irish cases? Bailii is the place to go. Bailii has databases for the United Kingdom as well as European case law. It is a very handy site.Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

United States Census

Posted on March 23, 2010
As you should be aware the Census Bureau is conducting a census of the population as required by the U.S. constitution Article 1 Section 2. The primary purpose is for the apportionment of congressional house seats but it does serve other important needs...

LLAGNY's 2010 Bridge the Gap Program

Posted on March 22, 2010
It isn't too late to register for the Law Library Association of Greater New York's (LLAGNY) 2010 Bridge the Gap Program! Just contact Yasmine Alexander at yasmin6363@msn.com. Several practice area research sessions will be offered, including: Bankruptcy, Business/Company Research, Criminal Law, Employment/Labor Law, International Arbitration, International Law, Patents, and Securities & Corporate Law...

Yale Exhibits Supreme Court Bobbleheads

Posted on March 20, 2010
Yes, there is a collection of Supreme Court justice bobbleheads, and they were recently given to the Yale Law Library for permanent safekeeping. They will be archived in the Library's Rare Book Collection, where an exhibit featuring some of them recently went on public display...

Research Skills Employers Expect

Posted on March 19, 2010
If you missed some of the Research Skills workshops last week, we will have repeats this coming week. The schedule is:1. ?Civics 101: What Every Lawyer Should Know, But Doesn?t" ? Monday, March 22, 12:10-1pm in Room 2422. "Location, Location, Location: Where to find Statutes and Regulations? ? Monday, March 22, 1:10-2pm in Room 242 3...

Analysis of Recent Miranda Warning Decision

Posted on March 18, 2010
Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the case of Florida v. Powell. This case raised the question whether an unusually-worded set of Miranda warnings comports with the Constitution. A brief but informative discussion and analysis of this case appears here...

Research Guides

Posted on March 17, 2010
Writing a paper? Need help finding a source? A topic? The library has many research guides to help you find what you need. You might want to take a look at finding articles to help you get started.Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

LLAGNY's Bridge the Gap, 2010

Posted on March 16, 2010
LLAGNY (Law Library Association of Greater New York) presents 2010 Bridge the Gap. This is a day long program addressing the most pressing needs of novice researchers. The day consists of a general overview session of the research process followed by a choice of break out sessions for specific practice areas, including: Bankruptcy | Business/Company Research | Criminal Law | Employment/Labor Law | International Arbitration | International Law | New York Internet Legal Research | Patents | Securities & Corporate Law...

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