Google+ is Here

While some of you have been (understandably) occupied with bar exam study and work assignments, Google announced its new social networking project, Google+, on June 28. This lead to the predictable speculation about how this latest Google foray into social network building would fare against Facebook. Right now Google+ is in a limited field trial, available to a limited group of invited users and temporarily at user capacity. However, you can still take an interactive tour on the Google+ site, and read a little about what the tech experts and bloggers are saying, while you wait for your chance to try it out. The major features are reviewed in Avi Rappoport's article this week in Information Today. For a more conceptual take on Google+ and its social network vision, read Scott Rosenberg's post on Open Salon.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

U.S. Supreme Court To Rule Next Term On FCC’s Indecency Policy

With one Supreme Court term having just ended, perhaps it seems premature to focus on future terms. Nevertheless, one upcoming case of interest will involve the Court’s consideration of First Amendment questions relating to content that broadcasters can air when children are likely to be among the audience. Read more about that forthcoming case, and others, here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Lexis Access

If you sign into Lexis and don't see all of the content that you are used to seeing, click on "change menu," and select "LEXIS-NEXIS Law School Menu." (Although this says "charge per search," that is incorrect, Hofstra Law users still have unlimited access.) Lexis is aware of this error and will have it corrected as soon as possible.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

In honor of July 4th

The best way I know of to celebrate July 4th is to read the Declaration of Independence or hear it being read. My favorite reading is from the voice personalities at NPR.

The Library will also observe the Independence holiday and will be closed. This includes swipe card access for 24/7 hours. The schedule is as follows:

Fri., July 1 8am - 5pm

Sat. July 2 10am - 6pm (No Reference Librarian available)

Sun. July 3 10am - 6pm** (No Reference Librarian available)

Mon. July 4 LIBRARY CLOSED**

** The Library closes completely as of Sun. July 3 at 6pm through Tues. July 5 at 8am .

There is no swipe card access during this time.***

Tues. July 5 8am - 8pm Swipe card access resumes at 8pm

Enjoy the holiday weekend.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

On Televising Federal Trials

In a very interesting article that recently appeared in The Philadelphia Lawyer and some other bar journals, Pepper Hamilton attorney M. Kelly Tillery writes about the Supreme Court's 2010 5-4 decision to stop arguments in Perry v. Schwarzenegger from being streamed to multiple courthouses, the Federal Judicial Conference's 1994 decision to reject the recommendation that some federal civil proceedings be broadcast, and his own positive experience as counsel in one of the few federal trials to have been televised, Neely v. Club Med, which appeared on Court TV in 1993.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Do you know these LinkedIn tips?

If you are on LinkedIn, this article "5 LinkedIn Tips You Didn't Know" is an update of useful features on the service. With the need to network today, articles like this are a quick way to find out if we are using our online presence to meet our needs.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

New York Passes Bill Legalizing Gay Marriage

The New York State Senate voted to legalize same-sex marriage on Friday. The Marriage Equality Act was passed with a vote of 33 to 29. Currently, gay marriage is legal in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Iowa, as well as Washington, D.C. To learn more about the new bill click here. Read the full Marriage Equality Act Bill No. A-08354 here.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

End of term

It is Supreme Court decision season. Two of my favorite places to keep up to date and to read about the significance of new Supreme Court decisions:

SCOTUSblog

Free and also provides the decisions explained in "Plain English" and interesting analytical statistics regarding the Supreme Court decisions (scroll to bottom)

BNA Supreme Court Today (click on Supreme Court Today link on left)

Gives a short summary of the decision. To access from home, you will need to log in with your Hofstra 700 number.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

New Connecticut Law Offers Protection For Transgendered Persons

The Connecticut Senate recently passed a bill that adds the phrase "gender identity or expression" to all existing state sex discrimination laws. Upon the governor’s signing the bill into law, Connecticut will become the fifteenth state to offer such protections. Read more here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Plane travel

For some fun check out 3 things you can't do on a plane. Yes there really are more things one shouldn't do on a plane, but these are kind of funny.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat