Bridge the Gap Program for Summer Associates, Interns

Will you be working for a law firm this summer? Or maybe a court, government office or non-profit group? If there’s a “gap” between what you remember about legal research from law school classes and the skills you'll need to hit the ground running at a real-world job, there’s a program for you. Each spring the Law Library Association of Greater New York (LLAGNY) offers a "Bridge the Gap" program for law students, to ease the transition from law school to employment. Law librarians who have first hand experience with Summer and new associates come together with leaders of the bench and bar to focus on legal research strategies and key skills, practical tips and advice. Learn how to approach work assignments, ask the right questions, and use skills efficiently to meet and exceed your employer’s expectations.

This year’s program will be held on Friday, March 24 at the New York City Bar. The information flyer and registration form may be found here (scroll down to Bridge the Gap, PDF link). For more information, ask for Tricia or Toni at the Library.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Speaking of Handouts

We have a growing collection of print and online handouts to help you in your research. The handouts provide guidance and tips on not only the EU and other international topics, but cover the best places to find forms - both general and New York specific, the best treatises on various legal topics, legislative history, etc. . . I could go on and on. Check out our handout racks by the Reference desk (one right in front and one somewhat behind).

We also have an increasing number of handouts and research guides on the Library's website. If you have ideas for useful handouts, you know where the comment link is.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

State And Local Government Web Sites

Do you need information from, or regarding, state or local governments and agencies? The State and Local Government Internet directory provides convenient access to the Web sites of thousands of state agencies and city and county governments. Users may employ the drop-down menus on the left to view directory pages to find state government offices (all the Web sites in a given state, ranging from a state's home page or a governor's site to the smallest counties or townships). Users may also search by topic (For instance, the Web sites of state government constitutional officers, state legislatures, state judiciaries and departments across all states), as well as for local government links by county government.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Speaking of EU

Perhaps you aren't doing EU Research, but instead looking into Canadian Law? Well, we have help for you there as well. Hot off the presses, a new research handout called Researching Canadian Law has just been written by one of our Reference Librarians. Stop by the handout rack by the Ref Desk to take a look.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

European Union research online

Interested in the EU? This evening (Tuesday) at 5:10-6:00 PM in the lower level computer lab a 21st Century Library workshop will be held on European Union research. The EU portal is a wonderful resource but not always easy to use. The workshop will demonstrate some of the features of the portal and give tips on other electronic resources that cover the EU.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Presidents' Day

Today is Presidents' Day. Once upon a time we celebrated George Washington's birthday on the actual date of his birth, February 22. The same was true of Abraham Lincoln's birthday on February 12. In 1968, Congress passed the Monday Holidays Act, which went into effect in 1971. This moved the official observance of Washington's birthday to the 3rd Monday in February. Although many acted as if it included Lincoln also and began calling it "Presidents' Day", the Federal Government has never changed the name from "Washington's Birthday" to "Presidents' Day". However, states can do whatever they want with the holiday. Some still celebrate on the original birthdays, and some have declared an official "Presidents' Day".

To read more about the history of this holiday see President's Day - What does is mean and Presidents' Day or Washington's Birthday? Also, if the day has gotten you in the mood to learn more about the presidents, go to the White House - Past Presidents page and read the biographies of Washington, Lincoln or any past president you choose.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Adios Jeeves the Butler

In the near future, the Ask Jeeves website will be saying goodbye to their butler "Jeeves" who has served as their corporate logo for ten years. Jeeves is a highly recognizable character who has reached near pop icon status, having appeared in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, and mentioned on TV shows such as Arrested Development. For those of you who have not used the Ask Jeeves search engine in recent years, it really has improved in EVERY way. For this reason, the powers that be have decided that:

"we're going to take the leap and strike out for a fresh identity, one that fits more with who we've become than who we used to be. One that revolves more around the site, and what it does for our users, rather than around a character".

Its all true. Please pay today's Ask Jeeves a visit. If you want to help pick a place for Jeeves the butler to retire, bid him a fond adieu, and take a tour of some cutting edge features, you can do so here.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat