Research AND Participate in creating law

Researching an administrative area, such as environmental or securities law? Need to follow recent developments in the federal regulations in your area? Want to give the appropriate agency your 2 cents on pending regulations? If you answered yes to any of these questions, check out Regulations.gov .

On this site, you can find, review, and submit comments on Federal documents that are open for comment and published in the Federal Register, the GovernmentÂ’s legal newspaper. As a member of the public, you can submit comments about these regulations, and have the Government take your views into account.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

PROHIBITION REPEALED!!!!

Yes, the Library has tentatively ratified the 21st amendment - in other words, you may now bring your coffee, your soda, and all other manner of beverages into the Library. To ensure that this new policy is ratified permanently (and to keep our new carpet in good condition), please make sure to IMMEDIATELY report any spill to the Library staff.

Also, since I adamantly REFUSE to hunt creepy crawly creatures, do not succumb to the temptation to bring in food. The creepy-crawlies are especially fond of chips, candy, and other snacks and like to hang out in the Study Rooms, so please take a study break outside of the Library when you are hungry.

Now, time for my morning coffee. Purrrrrrrr.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

To the Graduates

First, and foremost, WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I also want to make sure that you know that as Law School alum, you are always welcome to visit and use the Library, as well as to purr with me here in the blogosphere. In fact, as Hofstra Law alum, not only may you use the Library materials, but you can get a free network account which will allow you to use the computers in the Library. You will even get a one-time $20 printing credit. To get this account, you must first get an Alumni ID and then apply at Hammer Lab. Contact us for details.

Have a great time at Commencement and don't be a stranger. Once again . . .

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Access to Library

A little follow-up to the earlier post. During the summer there are often students from other law schools taking bar prep/review classes at Hofstra. During the time the class is given, these students will have access to the Library. Just bring your ID showing you are attending a bar prep/review class at Hofstra to the Circulation Desk and you will be given access to the Library.

To see our general access policy, just go to http://www.hofstra.edu/libraries/lawlib/law_lib_access.cfm. And good luck on the Bar!

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Summer hours

A reminder for those of you who will still be using our library after finals end - whether to study for the bar or just because you like it here - our hours will be changing beginning this weekend. Friday we will close at 7:00 P.M. and then Saturday our summer hours begin.

Our summer hours through July 3rd are:

Sunday: Noon - 6:00 P.M.
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 P.M.
Friday: 9:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M.
Saturday: 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.

We are closed Memorial day and July 4th. For a complete list of summer hours see our website.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

James Madison Papers

While we are on a historical bent, for any of you Constitutional history buffs in the blogosphere, check out James Madison's Papers at http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/madison_papers/
At this site, you can find digital images of his correspondence, personal notes and drafts of legislation.

James Madison came to be know as the "Father of the Constitution". He kept a daily record of the Constitutional Convention which has come to be known as Madison's Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787, and is considered an important source of legislative history for the Constitution.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Einstein Year

Einstein Year marks the centenary of the three papers that Albert Einstein published in 1905, which included the paper on photoelectric effect that led to his Nobel Prize in Physics, as well as the publication of the equasion E=mc2. To mark Einstein Year, the online magazine Spiked has conducted a survey of over 250 renowned scientists, science communicators, and educators, including 11 Nobel laureates. Each was asked: if you could pick just one thing, what would you teach the world about science... and why? Click HERE to read their responses, as well as watch a few video clips.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

xtra-Google

You keep hearing about all the wonderful features Google has and all the cool things you can do with it. The problem is remembering how to use it or finding the search box you need to use. Well, somebody has decided to make is easy for us by taking many of Google's best searches and putting them all on one page: xtra-Google. You will find a google search box with icons for Google Scholar, Google Print, Google Local, Froogle, Google Government (formerly Uncle Sam), weather, maps, movie reviews and many more. If you are not sure what an icon stands for just hold your mouse over it and the name will appear.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

More Web searching tips

Is your casebook or study aid using a term you don't know? If you have your laptop open, go to either Yahoo or Google and type the word define: followed by the word causing confusion. For example: define: sanguine . Once you try it, I am sanguine you will not be sorry! ;)

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Google Calculator

Did you know that Google is a calculator? Just type a calculation into the search box and hit enter or press the search button. The calculator can solve math problems involving basic arithmetic, as well as fairly complicated math. My favorite is the ability to instantly convert units of measure (ie "150 miles in kilometers" , "1997 in roman numerals", "3 cups in tablespoons"). Complete instructions can be found here.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat