21st Century Library Classes

The humans in the Library just finished up 4 classes this week on various topics: government Web sites, Congressional Universe (twice), and statistics on the Web. If you have any topics you would particularly like to see taught, please let us know. You can either let me know here by dropping a comment, or drop a note in the Suggestions Box by the Circulation Desk.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

YaGoohoo!gle

Need to search the Internet and not sure if you want to use Google or Yahoo. Why not use both at the same time? Now you can with YaGoohoo!gle. Your search is run simultaneously on Google and Yahoo and the results are posted on a split screen. Your results will vary more than you probably think.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

21st Century Library - Workshops Today

21st Century Library
Workshops Today

11:10 to 12 noon: Discover Congressional information. Learn how to find bills, reports, and hearings. The easier way to compile a legislative history. Congressional Universe is a powerful resource and provides an interface that you will not see on Lexis or Westlaw.

12:10 to 1:00 PM: Go to the source. Don’t cite statistics from a newspaper article. Judicial caseload, criminal justice, employment, tax/income and much more!

All workshops are held in the Lower Level Computer Lab

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Comfy Chairs

Among my many duties, I curl up on each and every chair to test its suitability for, well, curling up on. Trust me, I KNOW that many of the chairs in the Library and Computer labs are less than ideal. I have been assured by The Powers That Be that new chairs will be forthcoming with the new furniture on the main floor of the Library, including the lab. According to my sources, we await final plans and approval of said plans.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Instant Information

If you would rather FIND then SEARCH check out Answers.com. This ready reference website provides ~instant information~ Not a list of links which may or may not contain the information you are looking for. Answers.com compiles information on over a million topics. It covers people, places, words and names, drawing from reliable dictionaries, encyclopedias, websites, and more. A great tool for your arsenal!

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

21st Century Library

We are holding a series of workshops the week of April 4th highlighting locating and retrieving federal and state government information. You know it must be out there, but how to find it?

Monday, April 4th 12:10 - 1:00 PM: The topic is government websites including United States, New York and other states. Government sites offer a wealth of information and some of the resources available on these sites are part of the invisible web that you will not find using google.

Monday, April 4th 5:10 - 6:00 PM: Congressional Universe is a wonderful tool for U.S. Congressional research. Need to find a federal legislative history, what an expert has to say about a subject or trace the development of
the debate on a topic over the years? This is the database for you!

Wednesday, April 6th 11:10 - 12 noon: Will repeat the Congressional Universe workshop. This really is a great resource!

Wednesday, April 6th 12:10 - 1:00 Statistics on the Web: the focus will be on government sources but others may be shown. Don't rely on a newspaper article for your statistics, go to the source. Discover the statistics
on labor, income, demographics and much more.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Spring Break Schedule

Since many of you are either off to points distant, or enjoying some well deserved R &R here at home, the Library will be open on a Spring Break schedule. We are closed tomorrow (Friday, 3/25) and Sunday, 3/27 for the Easter holidays and will be opening later and closing earlier during the week of 3/28. Check the Spring Break Schedule on the hours page on the Library's website for details.

The Reference desk will be closed after 5pm on Thursday, 3/24 and will reopen Monday, 3/28 at 9am. During Spring break week there will be a Reference Librarian available between 9am - 5pm

Enjoy the break!!

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

How to find library materials

If you are looking for a book, journal, video or any item that either the Deane law library or Axinn library owns, then our library catalog, Lexicat, is the place to go. You can get to it from either the Law library or University libraries home pages. Then if you know the title or author of the item you want you can easily find it. If you are looking for materials on a particular subject, you can do a subject or keyword search. If you need help, just ask your friendly reference librarian.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Bridge the Gap programs

What are Bridge the Gap programs? Well, when there is a "gap" between the theory and the practice of an activity someone will develop a program or workshop that is intended to assist those who are making the transition from theory (school) to practice - in this case law. The Law Library Association of Greater New York (LLAGNY) has for many years offered such a program to New York area law students. The program is designed by law firm librarians who have first hand experience with Summer and new associates. Yes, the focus is on legal research, but they will give practical tips and advice on questions you should be asking and the reasons why you need to ask.

The program this year will be held on Friday, April 15th at Columbia University. The flyer for the program may be found here: LLAGNY Bridge the Gap. You are invited to attend.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Frequently Asked Questions - and Comments

Many of you have commented on several issues of concern - e.g. noise, the facilities, outlets, food and hours. I will continue to answer your comments as soon as I can. When these concerns are raised by several different students, in order to conserve my energies for prowling (and na**ing - although I am still a bit hesitant to mention that activity after the last time), I commissioned a Library FAQ . On this main page of the Blog, scroll down and in the right-hand column, below the Previous Posts and Archives, and you will find a Links section, with a link to the FAQ.

Keep those comments coming - to my postings, in the comment box, your favorite Reference Librarian, wherever... !

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat