Ballot Measures Database

Law students tracking public policy issues across the states for research papers often rely on the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and their superb web site. But they may not know that beyond 50-state surveys of state legislation on a wide range of topics, NCSL also has a Ballot Measures Database. This database makes it easy to locate and track past and upcoming state ballot initiatives by providing background and descriptions, along with passage or failure status or when these initiatives are scheduled for a vote. Users can search four types of of measures: the legislative referendum, popular referendum, and the initiative, as well as ballot measures from other sources, such as state commissions, back to 1902. A clear explanation of the distinction between an initiative, a referendum, and a recall can be found here.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

The Pardoning of the Turkey

Today, President Obama pardoned two turkeys -- Courage and Carolina. Both turkeys will live out their days "in peace and tranquility" at Disneyland. You can read the Remarks by the President on the Pardoning of the National Turkey on the Whitehouse website.

For more information on presidential pardons (of the non-turkey variety), take look at the Office of the Pardon Attorney.

As a reminder: the library will be closed on Thursday 11/26 and Friday 11/27 for the Thanksgiving break.

Enjoy the break!




Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Blue Tips

Have trouble figuring out the Bluebook? This is not uncommon, but there is now some help in addition to the reference librarians. The Bluebook - Blue Tips is a compilation to Bluebook format in the following catagories:
Cases
Citation Structure
Cross-References
Miscellany
Periodicals
Punctuation
Quotations
Signals
Statutes
Subdivisions

This is a place to look when there are no librarians around.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Research Resources: BNA Securities Regulation and Law Report

If you are looking for a current awareness resource about securities regulations, try BNA Securities Regulation and Law Report. This publication is a weekly report covering regulatory,legal and legislative developments affecting the regulation of securities and commodities at the federal and state level. It reports the activities of Congress, the Administration the SEC, the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, FASB, and the professional associations regulation accounting practices in the securities and commodities industries.

To access BNA Securities Regulation and Law Report:

• Go to the Library's home page, click "Online Resources"
• Click the "Commercial and Corporate Law" link
• Scroll down to "Securities Regulation and Law Report (BNA)"

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Copyright Watch

While prowling the web this week, I was led to Copyright Watch, a newly launched website created by copyright experts from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Electronic Information for Libraries and other international groups. The focus of Copyright Watch is global, as it aims to be a comprehensive, up-to-date and user friendly online repository of national copyright laws and developments. Users can select a continent or browse for a country. The brief country descriptions include links to relevant international organizations of which the country is a member. In addition to providing quick access to foreign copyright laws and monitoring copyright developments around the world, the site and its blog will be updated to include proposed amendments and commentary from national copyright experts.

Copyright Watch is a great resource for foreign and comparative law research, and for anyone who wants to keep up with global copyright law and its impact on business and information access around the world.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Talking Turkey (day)

Amazingly, Thanksgiving is nearly upon us. In between menu planning and feasting on leftovers (yes, virtual cats love turkey dinner), if you want to come to the Library we will be open next week during the hours listed below. Right after Thanksgiving, and I mean RIGHT after Thanksgiving the Library will start our exam period schedule and will be open for extended hours.

As always, you can check the Library hours page for when the Library is open and the Reference Desk hours page for when you can get Reference Librarian assistance.

Week of 11/23
Mon 11/23 8am-midnight
Tues 11/24 8am-midnight
Wed 11/25 8am-8pm
Thurs 11/26 LIBRARY CLOSED
Fri 11/27 LIBRARY CLOSED
Sat. 11/28 10am-2am
Sun 11/29 10am-2am



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Finland Makes Broadband Internet Access A Legal Right

It is interesting to follow the creation of new legal rights as they appear around the world. One such new right is Finland’s government’s decision to make access to a one megabyte broadband Internet connection a legal right for its citizens. Read more about this story here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Search for Legal Opinions using Google Scholar

Google Scholar has added full text searching of caselaw and legal journals. Just go to scholar.google.com and choose the "Legal Opinions and Journals" radio button. You can also use the advanced search feature to limit your search by jurisdiction.

In addition to the text of the case, Google Scholar offers a nice looking "How Cited" feature that shows how the case has been cited and provides a list of citing cases and related documents.

Many bloggers have already expressed excitement about this development and are naturally wondering how this will affect Westlaw/Lexis products. Read more about it here,
here and here.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

ABA Legal Technology Resource Center

You are comfortable with your computer, phone and other tech devices, but legal technology may be something you don't really think about. Technology is technology, right? Well, yes and no. There is software and applications that are developed specifically for law firm needs (e-discovery) and there are those pesky legal implications for what you may or may not be doing online.

The ABA is helping lawyers deal with what they should and need to know about legal technology. Check out the ABA Legal Technology Resource Center(LTRC). It provides an FYI, Overview of legal technology that is useful for giving you an idea of the specific types of software required: calendar & docket, conflict of interest, document assembly, etc.

There are articles and presentations on what is happening with legal technology and tips on how to maximize use of resources. This is a good site to discover what you need to know and help you keep on top of the latest trends and developments.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Research Resources: Electronic Commerce & Law Report (BNA)

If you would like to get national and global perspectives on the digital economy with news of trends and developments, try Electronic Commerce & Law Report. Electronic Commerce & Law Report (BNA) features comprehensive coverage of the major legal issues surrounding digital communications content, transactions, and infrastructure, on federal, state, and international levels.

To access Electronic Commerce & Law Report (BNA):

• Go to the Library's home page, click "Online Resources"
• Click the "Commercial and Corporate Law" link
• Scroll down to "Electronic Commerce & Law Report (BNA)"

The Report is published weekly on Wednesdays, except the Wednesday following July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The archive provides access to Reports from April 12, 1996.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat