Online Resources for Information on Health-Care Reform

The Washington Post published a list of sites worth looking at on the topic of health care reform. It is a big bill so unless you have been following and studying most of us don't know the details. These site guides are a good way to figure out what we may expect from the bill. Thank You to the Washington Post for this compilation.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

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

C-SPAN Video Library

While looking forward to Spring Break, you may have missed the recent news that all of C-SPAN's programming from 1987 forward--on all three C-SPAN networks--is now available free online in the just launched C-SPAN Video Library. This site is well organized, with a great browse page, and searchable to provide easy access to material such live and unedited Congressional debates and speeches actually made on the House and Senate floor and videos of Congressional committee hearings. In addition, hundreds of C-SPAN public affairs programs from the "America and the Courts" and "Newsmakers" series provide valuable background material on issues, legislation, and people for law school research papers. You'll find more about this constantly growing resource and how to use it to best advantage in this helpful article from Information Today.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Recent U.S. Supreme Court Bankruptcy Law Decisions

Signs of the times? An article on Jurist not only discusses a recent Supreme Court decision upholding the validity of a discharge of student loans in bankruptcy, but mentions several other bankruptcy-related cases that the court has heard this term, as well.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Case Law for the United Kingdom

Looking for British or Irish cases? Bailii is the place to go. Bailii has databases for the United Kingdom as well as European case law. It is a very handy site.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

United States Census

As you should be aware the Census Bureau is conducting a census of the population as required by the U.S. constitution Article 1 Section 2. The primary purpose is for the apportionment of congressional house seats but it does serve other important needs. The U.S. Census Bureau actually tracks many aspects of U.S. society on an on-going basis. It is a measurement of our states and communities.

Health care has been in the news and the Census Bureau pulls together the primary data on insurance and coverage.

If you receive a census survey take the time to fill it out. It won't take long.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

LLAGNY's 2010 Bridge the Gap Program

It isn't too late to register for the Law Library Association of Greater New York's (LLAGNY) 2010 Bridge the Gap Program! Just contact Yasmine Alexander at lawyea@hofstra.edu.

Several practice area research sessions will be offered, including: Bankruptcy, Business/Company Research, Criminal Law, Employment/Labor Law, International Arbitration, International Law, Patents, and Securities & Corporate Law.

LLAGNY'S annual Bridge the Gap Legal Research Program helps new summer associates and judicial clerks refresh their research skills in preparation for summer employment, and offers tips from practitioners about how to make the summer a success. This year, additional programs will focus on legal career development. The registration fee is $30, which includes breakfast, lunch and course materials. The program will be held at the NYC Bar Assn, 42 W. 44th St. from 8:30 AM -4:00 PM on Friday, March 26, 2010.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat