Google Launches "Account Activity"

I'm really trying to nap more during Spring Break while the Library is quiet.  However, a new announcement from Google this week got my attention.  On Wednesday, Google's official blog posted an announcement of a new feature called Account Activity.  If you sign up, Google will send you each month a link to a password-protected report giving you information about how you use your Google account services.  Items in the report include which browsers you searched, how many emails you sent, your top queries, and even a chart depicting "How You Spend Your Time Per Week," based on information Google has collected.  While promoted as a good way to manage your information and protect your account, it also provides insight into the information Google collects about us in the form of a simple report.  Take a look.  Google is also asking for feedback from those who try it out.

Hat tip to Law Librarian Blog.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Time for R & R

At long last, it is time for a well-earned break.  I will be taking some long overdue and postponed naps in the sun (hopefully the weather will cooperate).  In between naps, I will check out the Library and see what is going but only during limited hours since the Library will be operating on a reduced schedule - set forth below.  Please note that there will be times when there is no swipe card access.

** = NO SWIPE CARD ACCESS

SPRING BREAK SCHEDULE - Friday, March 30 - Sunday, April 8

Fri., March 30                                 8:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M.

Sat., March 31                              10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.

Sun., April 1                                  10:00A.M. - 6:00 P.M.

Mon., April 2 - Wed., April 4         8:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M.

Thurs., April 5                                8:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M.** 

Fri., April 6 (Good Friday)                     CLOSED**

Sat., April 7                                 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.**

Sun. April 8 (Easter)                              CLOSED**

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Supreme Court Wraps Up Health Care Arguments

Today, three days of unprecedented oral arguments on the multi-state lawsuit challenging the health care law wrapped up.  

On Monday, the justices heard 90 minutes of argument to decide whether the court action is premature – “whether penalties prescribed for those who do not buy health insurance by 2014 amount to taxes under the obscure 1867 Anti-Injunction Act –the law forbidding tax challenges.”  The act states that “no suit for the purpose of restraining the assessment or collection of any tax shall be maintained in any court by any person.” “It was designed to make sure that the flow of tax collection necessary to keep the government running was not disrupted by lawsuits.”

Transcripts of oral argument        Audio recording of oral argument

On Tuesday, the Court heard arguments “about the so-called “individual mandate.”  The argument covered the central issue of whether Congress overstepped its authority by requiring Americans to purchase health insurance starting in 2014 or pay a penalty.

Transcripts of oral argument        Audio recording of oral argument

On Wednesday, The Court heard arguments on the Severability issue and Medicaid issue of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act cases.

Transcripts of oral argument        Audio recording of oral argument

Transcripts of oral argument        Audio recording of oral argument

This has been a historic three days of arguments.  Now, we wait . . .  94 days, 93 days. . .

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Women and Social Movements in the United States, 1600-2000

In honor of Women's Herstory month, Axinn Library highlights a resource containing primary accounts of the role of women in social movements in the United States from 1600-2000.  This database includes 53,000 pages of full text sources and 5,000 additional pages are added on average each year.  It includes a chronology of U.S. Women's history which is useful to put movements and events into context.  The Scholar's Edition, which is the version licensed by the Library, also includes 90,000 pages of publications of federal, state, and local government Commissions convened on topics related to women's issues.  There is also a five-volume biographical dictionary, Notable American Women (1971-2004).

To access Women and Social Movements in the United States, 1600-2000 Scholar's Edition, or any other Hofstra University Library (Axinn) Research Databases, please visit the Axinn Library's homepage at

http://www.hofstra.edu/Library/index.html, and click on the Research Databases link. 

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Research Resources: Health Care Policy Report (BNA)

If you are interested in a daily report that provides health care regulation, policy and law, take a look at BNA's Health Care Policy Report. The Report provides coverage of federal and state health care policy proposals, insight and analysis from experts in the field, legislative and judicial news in health law policy and more.

To access the  Health Care Policy Report  (BNA):

• Go to the Library's home page, click "Online Resources"
• Click the "Health Law/Medicine" link
• Scroll down to "Health Care Policy Report (BNA)"

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat