A Different Civil Rights Archive

The April anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., is a good time to mention a recent, unique addition to digital archives of the American civil rights movement. The Civil Rights Struggle, African-American GI's, and Germany brings together films, oral history videos, photos, and other materials that document the experiences of the 2-3 million African-American soldiers and civilian employees who lived in Germany between 1945 and the end of the Cold War. This fascinating archive is a collaborative project of German Historical Institute, Heidelberg Center for American Studies at the University of Heidelberg, and Vassar College. Take a look and expand your understanding of the civil rights story to encompass the role played by the largest group of African-American soldiers stationed outside the country at a time of great social change, and the impact of the American civil rights movement on the wider world community.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Easter-Themed Legal Case

According to this news story, a woman is suing over an eviction caused by her edible Easter decorations. This is no April Fool’s Day jest, as you’ll see if you read more about the background of the case, here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

What is it like to live on Death Row

Amnesty International just released its annual report on the death penalty. The BBC news story on the report includes an audio of an individual on death row. Listen to what he has to say. Amnesty International has more on the status of the death penalty around the world. A PDF of the complete report is available on the site.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Who You Gonna Call?

West's Reference Attorneys have now been around for 25 years. Reference Attorneys are the people who answer Westlaw's 1-800 helpline, and almost every law student or attorney needs to call them at one point or another. Librarians use their services too. See them talking about their work on West's blog here.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat