Google Personalized Search (Beta)

In keeping with our (unintentional) Google theme this week, the ever-active folks behind Google now offer ways for you to personalize and customize your online searches. According to the Web site, Google Personalized Search offers the following features:

• Orders your search results based on what you've searched for in the past.
• Allows you to browse and search over your past searches, including the Web pages, images, and news headlines that you have viewed.
• Allows you to bookmark your favorite Web sites and add labels and notes to them.
  

Two caveats. First, you must create a Google account before using this service. Second, those who zealously guard their online privacy should be aware that, with regard to the personalized search results and past searches features, Google will be storing information about your searches on its servers.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Google Launches News Archive Search

As of yesterday, there is something new for Google News users. Anyone can now search magazine and newspaper archives directly from Google News for relevant articles covering over 200 years of historical information. By clicking on the"News Archive Search" link, users can search people, events or ideas to discover the most relevant articles and can also browse a historical timeline to focus in on articles from a specific time period, including the year an event took place. Sources of articles include both freely available archives, such as Time magazine or the Guardian, and web sites and databases where individual articles are available for a fee or by subscription, such as the Wall Street Journal or the Washington Post. For example, a search for Clarence Darrow, the famous Scopes trial attorney, produces a wealth of articles from the 1920’s to the present. Try it out.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

21st Century Library Workshops?

What are the 21^st Century Library workshops? Well, it is the virtual information world; Lexis, Westlaw, research databases, Google and everything we can find online. There is so much information available it is easy to develop comfort with one tool and ignore others. How does one start? Where does one start? Why one resource above another? See the previous post for our kick off workshop.

21^st Century Library workshops will demonstrate different tools and provide tips and strategies for effective and efficient research. We have 6 workshops planned for this semester and each will focus on a specific topic. So get a jump start on advanced research and join us. Everyone in the law school is welcome to attend one or all of the workshops.

The next workshop will be announced next week.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

More than Just Books

Sure, I love the books. But, as a Virtual Cat, my territory is in cyberspace. To kick off the 21st Century Library Workshops, the Reference Librarians will provide a guided 45 minute tour of the most useful online resources, research databases* and websites. Highlights include how to access past exams and great databases you did not know existed.

No need to sign up, just meet in the Lower Level Computer lab at one of the times below. All students are welcome.

Tues. 9/5 - 4:10pm and 8:10pm
Wed. 9/6 - 11:10am and 5:10pm
Thurs. 9/7 - 4:10pm and 5:10pm
Fri. 9/8 - 12:10pm and 2:10pm


* Lexis and Westlaw training will be provided separately

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Labor Day Weekend Prowling Hours

The Library is open during our regular hours on Saturday (10am-8pm) and Sunday(10am-midnight). On Labor Day Monday, we will be open from 10am-6pm.

You will find a Reference librarian available, as usual, on Saturday from 10am-6pm and Sunday, 12pm-8pm. On Monday, a Reference librarian will be available 10am-6pm. You can also check our Reference Librarians' hours link on the right (scroll down).

Have a great weekend!

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

High Court Opinions From Around The World

In keeping with last Thursday's "global" theme, this week I invite you to take a look at Global Courts. The aim of this Web site is "to serve as a guide for researchers and legal practitioners seeking information on Supreme Court decisions from around the World." It offers either direct access to decisions, or ways to find them. Although I discovered some broken links in my wanderings on this site, this fact should not deter those of you who need quick access to high court opinions world-wide.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Great Websites for Law and its History

During three (or four) years as a law student, almost everyone takes a course, writes a paper, or tries to track down information that involves an aspect of legal history or law and society in historical context. For links to over 1000 history websites, including nearly 100 annotated "Legal History" sites dedicated to subjects ranging from the history of American taxation to school integration to the U.S. Supreme Court, History Matters: The U.S. Survey Course on the Web is an outstanding portal for law students to explore and bookmark for future reference.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

So much to do, is 3 years really enough?

Law school is a very intense 3 years and will pass more quickly than expected. Our students are offered activities and opportunities above and beyond what is found in the class room. Be involved! Join an organization that interests you. Study abroad in Nice, France; Sorrento, Italy; Sydney, Australia; or Curaçao, The Dutch Antilles. Attend the workshops and lectures and ask questions. Have pizza with the Dean! Law school is so much more than presence in the class room. Go for it and enrich your law school experience.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Law & Humanities Blog

For those of you that like to mix your legal knowledge with your love of literature, movies and other artistic forms, the Law & Humanities Blog may be just to your liking. The Blog began in September of 2005 and is sponsored by the Law & Humanities Institute. Postings are made by five different contributors.

Some sample postings have been "Criminal Law and the 'Beggar's Opera' ", Harry Potter Goes to Law School" and "Melville's Billy Budd and Security in Times of Crisis".

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Does Pluto Have a Cause of Action?

The following was posted on the Wall Street Journal's Law Blog (WSJ.com "on law and business, and the business of law", a true favorite of the Ernster) :

"Does Pluto have a cause of action? We posed the question to Dan Hull of Hull McGuire, who writes the “What About Clients?” blog and has always, well, seemed a little out there. Here are his thoughts:

1. I think Pluto’s claim sounds in equity: quantum meruit. If Pluto no longer is part of the celestial contract, and apparently never really was, it at least has a beef for services rendered all these years.

2. Eminent domain: “Cosmic taking” damages under the Fifth Amendment is another theory since Pluto got bulldozed out of a long-standing scientific model.

3. Fraud, misrepresentation, or at least a detrimental reliance theory under the Restatement of Ks (2nd).

4. Even Justice Scalia might give standing to an aggrieved planet. We wait for Pluto’s phone call.

Click HERE for the entire post. The comments are a really good read!



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat