Unusual U.S. Government Publications, Part Six: The Golden Age of Bathing

Not to be confused with Monty Python’s Golden Age of Ballooning, it seems that there actually was such a thing as a golden age of bathing, at least according the National Park Service. See an example here, and, if you really want to know more, then click here to find a freely downloadable copy of the document in various formats.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

On This Day in 1929: Small-Size Currency

On July 10, 1929, the first small-sized and newly designed U.S. currency notes were placed into circulation.  The reduced size notes replaced paper notes issued since 1861. 

 Adopted in part to cut paper costs, the notes enabled the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to convert from 8 to 12 notes per sheet. However, before the small-currency could be issued, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing had to prepare for the new design by developing new procedures, engraving new plates and altering old or installing new equipment.

  Federal Reserve banks and branches were authorized to 
make available to commercial banking institutions of their respective districts limited amounts of the new small-size currency.  

Introducing the new currency required the development of a marketing plan.  The Treasury Department Circular 415, together with a statement fixing July 10, 1929, as the date for the initial issue of new small-size currency, Federal Reserve banks were authorized to offer exhibit sets of the new currency to banks in their districts, and Undersecretary Mills delivered a radio address describing the initiative

Bureau of Engraving and Printing images are from the Library of Congress' National Photo Company Collection.  Click here for additional images and descriptions.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

50 Ways to Market Your Practice

The ABA Journal recently published an interesting article entitled "50 Simple Ways You Can Market Your Practice."  The article was compiled from strategies straight from successful lawyers and consultants who who have focused on a marketing plan to increase their practice.  Some tips include volunteering at various organizations, taking advantage of Google tools, increasing social media and more.  For the full article, click here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Free Field Trips Add Fun to Google's App

This month Google has made life better for anyone who's running its Field Trip app on a phone. The Google Field Trip app was designed to make exploring fun places easier by suggesting cool cultural attractions near your current location and providing instant helpful information on these museums, historical sites, zoos and entertainment centers. Now, through the end of July, your phone's Field Trip App will automatically provide a free pass when you are close to 23 of the most popular art, nature, and history attractions in major U.S. metropolitan areas, including the Bronx Zoo and six others in New York City.  Mashable explains more about it and provides the full list of free admission sites.         

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

What would the planets in our system look like if they replaced the moon?

Former NASA art director Ron Miller created images of how the planets in our solar system would look to us if they were as close as the moon.  Jupiter and Saturn would fill the night sky while Mercury is only slightly larger than our moon.  The images are incredible so enjoy this new perspective.

Thank You Mail Online (UK)for the pictures and story.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

How Does Your Beach Rate?

Sooner or later this summer--even if it's after the Bar exam for some of them--most humans will head to the beach.  But what kind of water are you running into?  Find out how your local or vacation beach rates by taking a look at "Testing the Waters 2013:  A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches."  This guide and report on beach water quality on the East and West coasts and around the Great Lakes is prepared annually by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a well-known environmental advocacy organization.  It includes a chart rating 200 of the nation's popular beaches, including a sampling of favorites in Nassau County and New York City, based on their water quality, monitoring frequency, and notification practices.  In addition, you can find information about the data used in the report and the most common pollution sources,  data for both rated and unrated beaches, and special coverage of the Great Lakes. Check it out before you dive in. 

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Fun with Tech

One of my favorite places to keep up with my virtual colleagues and technology generally is with David Pogue.  He is a technology columnist for the New York times and Pogue's Posts - the Times' technology blog.  He reviews tech gadgets, tools and site - all with a sense of humor and in language you humans can understand.  His latest State of the Art Column reviews Wearable Devices that Nudge You To Health .

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Unusual U.S. Government Publications, Part Five: Bureau of Education Home Reading Courses

Once upon a time—beginning during the World War One era, and extending into the 1920’s, to be precise--your federal government would grade you on your reading of Dante’s Inferno, among other works. Those who successfully completed the program received a certificate.

All this was part of the Bureau of Education Home Reading Courses of the time. See an example here (scroll down to read more about the program).

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

New Summer Hours!

Begginng July 1, 3013 and ending Aug. 11, 2013 the Hostra Law Library will have the following hours:

Monday -Thursday: 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 10am -6pm

 Remember to Plan Accordingly! Happy Summer!!!

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

ConSource: The Constitutional Sources Project

From the ConSource "About" page:

The mission of The Constitutional Sources Project is to increase understanding, facilitate research, and encourage discussion of the U.S. Constitution by connecting individuals — including students, teachers, lawyers and judges — with the documentary history of its creation, ratification, and amendment.

The countless letters, speeches, and journals of the Framers and later Amenders of the Constitution are housed in hundreds of libraries, archives, and private collections throughout the United States and Europe. These documents together embody the “best” history of our Constitution and its amendment over time. Yet many of these documents are virtually inaccessible to most of us, whether a fourth grader or a Supreme Court Justice. Even diligent researchers cannot gain access to all of them. As a result, far too many Americans lack an understanding of the ideas that influenced the Framers, many of which still lie at the root of current conversations and debates concerning our government and our laws.

To address this lack of access, ConSource.org is building the preeminent online resource for constitutional research and education. Continually expanding in scope, it provides free public access to what is fast becoming the world’s most comprehensive online library of source documents related to the U.S. Constitution.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat