Supreme Court Watch

June is a big month for Supreme Court decisions and developments. So it's time for a reminder about SCOTUSblog, the place for the latest news, analysis and discussion about what's happening in Supreme Court jurisprudence. Brought to you by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld LLP, a law firm with an extensive Supreme Court practice, SCOTUSblog was created by attorney Thomas Goldstein, who leads the firm's Supreme Court litigation. The site content is nicely organized into "Commentary and Analysis," "New Filings," "Orders and Opinions," and a very interesting group of statistical packages, mapping 5-4 decisions, unanimous cases, and other trends on the court. Check it out.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Growing Up in Public

The Wall Street Journal online posted an article examining the implications for job applicants when an HR office googles the candidates name. Stories do float around that a job candidate was denied a position because of something found on MySpace or YouTube. Of course a web presence may also show candidates interests and activities that make them more attractive to an employer.

People are unlikely to give up their web presence and no one really knows how it will all play out. Just be aware that HR will google you.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Where It's Happening: Tracking the States

In law and public policy, state legislatures often provide the impetus for cutting-edge innovation and reform. Tracking down new state laws and pending legislation on issues such as health care, identity theft, the environment, stem cell research and juvenile justice is easier if you take advantage of two free online resources. "The Government Domain: State Government Fundamentals," published this week on the legal information site LLRX.com, is a good place to start. This short guide by information consultant and author Peggy Garvin provides links to state government web sites, statistical and legislative tracking sites, and related sources. Another great tool is the "NCSL 50-State Legislative Tracking Web Resources" page, a topical listing of 50-state compilations covering many policy issues, with summaries of recently passed laws and current bills, links to state legislative and statutory databases, and state maps and charts. This free tracking resource is maintained by the bipartisan National Conference of State Legislatures.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Health Updates For Travel Abroad

Planning a trip abroad this Summer to exotic locales? Then remember to consult the Center For Disease Control's "Traveler's Health" Web page. It contains health information for specific destinations, as well as information regarding vaccinations, safe food and and water, and much more.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Professor's Copyright Video Creates Buzz

If you haven't seen it yet, take a look at "A Fair(y) Use Tale," one of the most popular videos on YouTube this week--and one that's been generating much online discussion about copyright law. This creative and entertaining 10-minute production by Eric Faden, a Bucknell University assistant professor of English and film studies, and some of his students, uses visual and dialogue cuts from many Disney films to teach some basics of copyright law while poking fun at the extent of its protections for copyright owners. The Chronicle of Higher Education's technology blog noted that Faden, concerned about the possibility of being sued for infringement, "has retained Stanford University law professors." (The Chronicle: Wired Campus Blog, May 22, 2007). In the meantime, the video has been attracting praise as a teaching tool and a spur to public debate. But is it fair use? That poses an interesting question for law students to weigh in on.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Google Universal Search

Google announced last week, May 16, 2007, that with Universal Search it is making a big move in the direction of combining all of its search systems into one. The result of this change is to allow just one search to find results for web, news, images, books, blogs, etc. instead of searching one at a time for each result. Read Google's announcement on its press page for more information.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

National Priorities Project

The National Priorities Project analyzes and clarifies federal data, so that citizens may better understand and influence how their tax dollars are spent. The aim of the site is to provide data on the impact of federal spending policies for states, cities and counties; to educate and train citizens, activists, media and elected officials on the federal budget, as well as the budget’s local impact and community needs; to collaborate with national groups on federal budget initiatives; and to facilitate dialogue and action between national social justice and security policy groups.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Latest Technology Gadgets

When exams are over, enjoy a few minutes with "Gadgets, Gadgets, Gadgets!"-- a very cool presentation from the 22nd annual Computers in Libraries Conference held last month. "Gadgets" has been posted on LLRX.com by Sabrina Pacifici, founder and editor of the award-winning legal resource site and co-presenter of this fast paced overview of what's new and on the way in techno-gadgetry. From the latest Treos to a "projector phone" and the "smallest MP3 player ever," from the inexpensive and practical to the most sophisticated new inventions, this is a great sampling of items, along with prices, release dates and direct links to vendor web sites. There are even some "just for fun" gadgets that would make unique gifts for friends.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

NationMaster: World Statistics

NationMaster compiles statistics from such sources as the CIA World Factbook, United Nations, World Health Organization, World Bank, World Resources Institute, UNESCO, UNICEF and OECD. All sorts of stuff on this site in addition to statistics: encyclopedia, forum, Countries A to Z and more.

NationMaster goes far beyond providing a simple table. It shows the statistics as tables, graphs, charts and maps; and may show the correlations betweens sets such as the relationship between the number of McDonalds restaurants and the number of couples with children.

This is a great site for background information on all sorts of topics.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Summer Hours

With finals ending on Wednesday our hours will be changing for the summer. On Wednesday night we will be closing at midnight.

Then on Thursday our Summer Pre-Bar Exam Schedule begins. It runs from Thursday, May 17 to Tuesday, July 3:
Monday - Thursday 8am - 10pm
Friday 8am - 7pm
Saturday - Sunday 10am - 8pm

We are closed Wednesday July 4

Our Summer Bar Exam Schedule runs Thursday July 5 to Tuesday July 24:
Monday - Thursday 8am - 11pm
Friday 8am - 10pm
Saturday - Sunday 10am - 10pm

For hours for the remainder of the summer see our website or the signs both inside and outside the library.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat