Digital Public Library of America

Once exams are over--or as a study break--take a look at the debut of a landmark online project: The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA).  Launched April 18, the DPLA ultimately aims to make the holding of American research libraries, archives, and museums available free to everyone in the world on the internet.  Right now, the DPLA has taken the first step by offering a wide array of over 2 million books, documents, photos, media, and works of art that have already been digitilized by the libraries and cultural institutions that own them.

Everything in the Digital Library of America is searchable by keyword, time period, geographic location map, and subject.  The site also includes special exhibitions. With a view to a future "world library" for all, the DPLA is designed to be interoperable with Europeana, Europe's digital culture portal.  A current exhibition of photos and artifacts, "Leaving Europe: A New Life in America," was jointly produced by Europeana and the DPLA.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

An old favorite worth revisiting

When I get frustrated scanning through my Google results for what should be a simple question - like finding a reverse phone directory -  I got to  refdesk.com .  Just be careful - you can spend a lot of time there.   I just spent the last hour looking at my favorite comics, finding how to clean things, finding calculators, medical information and good online games.  Their Just for Fun heading is sure to keep you occupied, or distracted for quite some time.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Recent Federal Gun Control Decision

Earlier this week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld a law that prohibits federally licensed gun dealers from selling handguns to anyone under the age of twenty-one. Read more here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Knowledge@Wharton

If you are looking for an interesting online business journal, try Knowledge@Wharton.   Articles provided by Knowledge@Wharton, the online business journal of the Wharton School. Knowledge@Wharton covers research in Finance, Strategic Management, and Marketing,among others.  

Articles are based on research papers, often with links to the original paper.  It includes, academic summaries and abstracts of research papers, book reviews and author interviews, and analysis of current business issues.  There are also discussions between Wharton faculty members and business leaders and reports on conferences and seminars

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

iTunes Turns 10 today

iTunes officially turns ten today!  Believe it or not but iTunes began ten years ago and has pretty much dominated the music world since then.  Not surprisingly, iTunes accounts for almost two-thirds of all music sales around the world.  In commemoration of the ten year anniversary, PC Magazine has compiled two great articles.  The first features a slide show of iTunes decade of milestones, the second provides history, features and a photo gallery of iTunes from the last ten years.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Insider's Guide to Studying in the Library

On Wednesday, I gave you some helpful tips for what resources to use to study - try past exams and Study Guides.

Today - I give you the Virtual Cat's insider's guide to where to study.

• For group study - Library Reading Room and down stairs near restrooms - these areas have tables for group study but will not be absolutely quiet.  (Note; only quiet talking here - in consideration for your fellow studiers,  for study breaks best locale is outside of the Library)
• For absolute quiet - down stairs near Room 104 - there are a group of carrels near the stairs that are usually nearly empty
• For very close to absolute quiet - carrels in perimeter of room down stairs near Reference desk
• For study breaks - atrium, student lounge, outside building on a nice day and coffee/snack bar outside Library

Best of luck on your exams!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Re-Sales of "Used" Digital Music

A fairly novel question of copyright law has recently arisen: Can “used” music in digital form, such as paid downloads from Apple’s iTunes store, be re-sold? See what the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York says, here. A summary also appears here.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Helpful Tips During Exam Period

Knowing where to find helpful study guides, the archived exam, and study room policies may prove helpful when preparing for final exams.

Study Guides:

Click here to access helpful study guides. Most current study guides are located in our Reserve collection and can be charged out for three hour periods.

Exam Archive

Knowing the archived exam and study room policies may prove helpful also. To access the Exam Archive:

• The exam bank can be accessed from http://law.hofstra.edu/academics/library/students/index.html.
• Click on "Past Exams."
• You will be prompted to enter the password (contact the reference or circulation desk for the password).
• Click on “Accept”
• Click the professor’s folder to access the exams.

Library Study Rooms
Click here to access the Library’s study room policy
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Prosthetic Hand Control...With An iPhone!

Breakthrough technology is here for those who have lost a hand due to injury or disease.  The iLimb is a prosthetic hand that has remarkable dexterity and can be programmed to be even more lifelike while performing everyday tasks, while using the iOS operating system on an iPhone.  For those who are using or need a prosthetic hand, it can mean mobility that was previously almost impossible to duplicate.

See the incredible video here..

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Earth Day 2013: The Face of Climate Change

Today is the 43rd celebration of Earth Day.  Events are held in over 192 countries to demonstrate support for environmental protection. The day focused on melting polar ice in 2007, Rock (geology) in 2008, a waterfall and marine life in 2009 to parrots in 2010, pandas in 2011 and animated flowers in 2012.

2013 is the Face of Climate Change with people sharing their stories on the impact of Climate Change.  You can see these stories and take part at the Earth Day Network. At this site you can learn what you can do to protect the environment and on going environmental protection activities.

Think about the role that environmental laws and regulations play in protecting our natural resources.  At one time the Cuyahoga River was so polluted that it caught on fire.  Thanks to such laws as the Clean Water Act, the water quality of the river has improved.

These questions are important.  What can you as an individual do?  What should be the role of law? 

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat