Seriously???

I hate to get serious, especially on a Friday, but when I learn that people have been smoking inside the Library (in Study Rooms), I feel compelled to meow (speak) out.  These are the real cigarettes people are smoking - the kind that cause fires, especially in places with lots of flammable material, like a Library!  Not to mention the lingering smoke smell, carcinogenic second-hand smoke and disgusting butts and ashes.

I know it's cold outside and you are stressed, but if you really need to smoke, you really need to go outside.

O.K., I'm done now.  Back to looking for a warm sunny (smoke-free) place to contemplate the meaning of life.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

U.S. Supreme Court Ruling On Fifth Amendment Issue

With criminal defendants’ psychological fitness much in the news of late, the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the introduction into evidence of a court-ordered mental evaluation of a criminal defendant to rebut that defendant's presentation of expert testimony seems timely. Read more here.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

FTC.gov: New Federal Trade Commission Website

The Federal Trade Commission "launched a redesigned FTC.gov website that’s easier to use and reader friendly on tablets and smart phones. Users can now sort FTC cases, early termination notices for merger investigations, advocacy filings and other documents by date, type, and more."

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Charging Your Device in a Bag!

A new crop of purses and bags (for men and women) are trying to fix the endless worries we can all have about keeping our mobile phones, music players and laptops charged up.

For some options in bag chargers, read more here.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Office of the Law Revision Counsel - United States Code

The United States Code is a consolidation and codification by subject matter of the general and permanent laws of the United States. It is prepared by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the United States House of Representatives. 

This site has browse, basic and advanced search options with a "search tips" page for guidelines on constructing an effective search query.

It also has the Popular Name Table; Other Tables and Tools; Classification Tables; and Currency & Updating information. 

There are sections for "Understanding the Code" and "Positive Law Codification".

You can download each title in 4 different formats.

There are links to FDsys and Thomas.

This is a free comprehensive site for the United States Code.  The search functionality and all of the tools/tables make it a one-stop place for USC research.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Online Research Resources: Occupational Safety & Health Reporter (BNA)

If you are interested in a weekly publication that provides federal/state occupational safety and health program documentation, then take a look at BNA's Occupational Safety & Health Reporter. The Reporter also provides industry news, standards, legislation, regulations, court/agency decisions and more.  Dates of coverage are from February 7, 1996 to the present.

To access the Occupational Safety & Health Reporter (BNA) :

• Click the "Online Resources Subject List" link
• Then, click "Health Law/Medicine" link
• Scroll down to "Occupational Safety & Health Reporter (BNA) "

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat