Saturday, December 04, 2010

Heavenly Escapes

Yes, you can escape to a galaxy far, far away, where law school exams are not the center of the universe. Take a few minutes to relax and be inspired by the breathtaking space photos at two of my favorite web sites. The National Space Science Data Photo Gallery features views of the planets, galaxies and comets, all collected from NASA space missions. And for a fresh perspective on our planet and human endeavors, browse through some of the best photos of the Earth taken from the Space Shuttle. These "Human Imprints from Space," including a night view of New York City and Long Island, are provided by the Lunar and Planetary Institute, a scientific forum and research institute that supports the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and shares their explorations with the world.




Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Friday, December 03, 2010

Study Location Strategies

Our Library's design is rather convoluted, having evolved over time, but it presents you with some excellent studying alternatives. For example, for those of you who like it as quiet as possible, go to the Lower Level stacks area. There are no offices, restrooms or other potential noise generators. Of course, if you like a bit of background noise, try the Talking Areas.

As always, if you have any concerns about noise or other issues, you can contact the Reference Librarian via IM from wherever you are sitting during Reference Hours and he/she will try to resolve it. Remember to tell the Reference Librarian where the problem is. Since our IM service is just for Law Students, ask the Reference Librarian for our IM address.

Best of luck with your studying and exams.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Thursday, December 02, 2010

EU Launches Antitrust Probe Into Google

According to this Associated Press story, European Union regulators are looking into “whether Google Inc. has been manipulating its search results to stifle competition, funnel more traffic to its own services and protect its global stranglehold of the online search market”.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Helpful Tips During Exam Period

Knowing where to find helpful study guides, the archived exam, and study room policies may prove helpful when preparing for final exams.


Click here to access helpful study guides. Most current study guides are located in our Reserve collection and can be charged out for three hour periods.


To access the Exam Archive:

Go to Hofstra Law School Library home page http://law.hofstra.edu/Library.
In the middle column under "Resources," click “Exam Archive.”
You will be prompted to log in to the Hofstra University Portal using your Novell Username and Password.
Click on “OK”
Click the professor’s folder to access the exams.

Library Study Rooms:

Click here to access the Library’s study room policy.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Monday, November 29, 2010

Law school clinics and academic freedom

The current issue of Academe Online ("Kneecapping" Academic Freedom) highlights increasing attacks on law school clinics. Clinics are an important opportunity for students to receive hands on legal experience, but clinics may be challenged when they represent clients opposed to corporate or legislative interests. The AAUP has a brief time-line of publicized challenges to law school clinics here.

Hat tip to Law Librarian blog for the story.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Monday, November 22, 2010

European Library

The European Library is a free resource that permits you to search resources of the 48 national libraries of Europe. Quality and reliability are guaranteed; although, resources are not translated. Many of the resources are digital.

A bonus are the exhibitions the European Library makes available. For history buffs check out the Napoleonic Wars exhibition:

The Napoleonic Wars online Exhibition held by The European Library and discover more than 200 exclusive rarities across Europe!

Battles, grenadiers, artilleries, attacks, victories and defeats!

Napoleonic Wars were portrayed differently across Europe. Explore the understated! Dresses, headgears and sideburns from 1802 to 1896. A selection of portraits immortalizes public figures, sumptuous houses, crowds & daily life.

Military maps, city plans and magnificent representations of the well documented assaults launched by Napoleon Bonaparte in Europe. Challenge your knowledge of geography!

Rare letters, books, manuscripts and other prints chronologically displayed. Discover the handwriting of Napoleon Bonaparte or the original "Charte Constitutionelle"!

Playing cards, comics, music scores, coins Napoleon Bonaparte’s marble bust. Discover the specials collected across Europe during "Le Premier Empire".


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Cyber Crime Resources

Anyone interested in internet law, including computer crime, should be aware of several online resources for collecting, compiling, and utilizing information on cyber crime complaints. The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), a partnership between the FBI the National White Collar Crime Center, has logged over two million consumer complaints of internet fraud, scams, identity theft, and other crimes on its web site since it began operations in 2000. In the past decade, it has referred over 750,000 of these complaints to law enforcement agencies around the world. The IC3 also uses the complaints to track emerging trends in cyber crime and to educate the public through its consumer education website, LooksToGoodToBeTrue.com. A good starting place for understanding the parameters and consumer impact of internet crime is the 2009 Internet Crime Report, a statistical overview of the current shape of cyber crime based on complaints received and processed last year by the IC3.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Friday, November 19, 2010

Planning for Turkey day

As you might imagine, we felines (even the virtual ones) are quite fond of the day you humans set aside to eat birds. (We just wonder why it is only once per year). Although we cats tend to be more spontaneous in our bird eating, we can respect your need to plan and to take time off to celebrate.

So, for your planning convenience, here are the Library and Reference librarian hours. As always, you can also find this information on the Library's web site .

PLEASE NOTE: the Library closes completely at 8 p.m. on Wednesday night, Nov. 24 and will reopen for regular 24/7 access at 12:01 Saturday a.m.

Circulation Desk Hours
Sun. (Nov. 21) 10am - Midnight
Mon.-Tues. (Nov. 22-23) 8am - Midnight
Wed. (Nov. 24) 8am - 8pm
Thurs.-Fri. (Nov. 25-26) LIBRARY CLOSED
Sat. (Nov. 27) 10am-8pm
Sun. (Nov. 28) 10am - Midnight

Reference Desk Hours
Sun. (Nov. 21) No Reference
Mon. (Nov. 22) 9am - 9pm
Wed.-Tues. (Nov. 23-24) 9am - 5pm
Thurs.-Fri. (Nov. 25-26) LIBRARY CLOSED
Sat. (Nov. 27) No Reference
Sun. (Nov. 28) Noon - 8pm



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Facebook Can Legally Terminate Users' Accounts

Are you curious as to the circumstances under which your Facebook or other online social networking account might be legally terminated? This article should help to satisfy that curiosity.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Bill Jackets Online

An update to this post from two years ago: bill jackets through 2008 are now available online. (Bill jackets contain the most important legislative history documents for New York statutes.)

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat