Study area tips

Exams have begun and you need to find that perfect spot.  Since it is my job to prowl the Library, I am expert in what goes on where.  So here are my tips:

• For study groups - reserve a Study Room.  These go quickly so plan ahead.
• If all of the Study Rooms are booked, find a table in the Reading Room.  Remember, these are for quiet group study.  When you need a break  - or chat about the weekend - please take a break outside of the Library
• For a more relaxed setting, try the bean bag chairs in the lower level (down stair by Reference desk) or the lounge area with comfy chairs toward the back on the main level
• For close to absolute quiet - go down the stairs by Rm 104

Good luck on your exams!!!

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

This Day In The Law: OAS Established

April 30, 1948 saw the establishment of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Bogota, Colombia, the date of the signing of the Charter of the Organization of American States at the Ninth International Conference of American States.

Acknowledgment to Jurist.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

New on LLRX: How To Conduct Free Legal Research Using Google Scholar In 2015 (Part 1)

Google Scholar includes journal and conference papers, theses and dissertations, academic books, pre-prints, abstracts, technical reports and other scholarly literature from all broad areas of research. You'll find works from a wide variety of academic publishers, professional societies and university repositories, as well as scholarly articles available anywhere across the web. Google Scholar also includes court opinions and patents.

In an updated two-part blog post series on Google Scholar, Nicole Black explains the ins and outs of using Google Scholar to conduct legal research.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

One stop access for New York Law

New York Lawz provides one stop access for New York State and New York City law. Some of the documents and information provided are only available from this site, but most of links direct the user to other websites. Among some of the documents and information connected include: information for pro se court users; books and articles on legal subject matter; forms; how to find an attorney or free legal services; how to make an official complaint about an attorney; available attorney jobs; and free or low fee CLE courses.  Another great  feature is a comprehensive index A to Z. 

Check it out for yourself.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Summer and 3L graduate access for Bloomberg/Lexis/Westlaw

Summer access policies for Bloomberg Law, Lexis and Westalaw are as follows.  Graduating 3Ls, see below, for post graduating access.

Summer access:
Bloomberg - summer access automatic, no action on your part required
Lexis - summer access automatic, no action on your part required
Westlaw - Students may extend their passwords for Summer access only for the reasons listed below.    See Summer Password Extension page.

• Summer law school classes and study abroad programs
• Law Review and Journal, including write-on competitions
• Research assistant
• Moot Court
• Unpaid internship/externship

3L Graduate Access:
Bloomberg - you will have access for 6 months after graduation with no restrictions
Lexis - your ID will remain active until 8/1. For access after 8/1, you need to register for a special ID here .  It is important to register for your Grad ID before 8/1 since you will need a current Lexis Advance ID to register.

Westlaw - you will need to complete an online password extension request on the Westlaw homepage.  Choose the "Need Westlaw this Summer" option.  You will have access until 11/30.

As always, if you have any questions ask your favorite Reference Librarian.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

New York To Consider Chimpanzee Personhood Claim

According to a news story via Reuters, “an animal rights group has been granted a court hearing in which it will argue that two chimpanzees who live at a New York state university cannot be held captive because they are autonomous, intelligent creatures.

New York State Supreme Court Justice Barbara Jaffe in Manhattan issued an order late Monday, called a writ of habeas corpus, requiring the State University of New York at Stony Brook on Long Island to defend its right in court to keep the primates.”

Read more here.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Net Neutrality Update

"On April 13^th, the FCC published its final rules entitled “Protecting and Promoting the Open Internet” in the Federal Register (https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/04/13/2015-07841/protecting-and-promoting-the-open-internet).  The rules are set to become effective on June 12, 2015 – 60 days after publication.  Once rules have been published, there is a 10-day period to make legal challenges to the rules.  Although net neutrality has been popular with citizens, the new rules have been opposed by many powerful interest groups."

Hat Tip Patricia Morgan, AALL GRC Committee
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

CALI for Exam Success

Along with study guides and past exams, don't forget CALI.org as you review for finals. CALI Lessons, a library of over 900 online interactive tutorials for IL as well as 2L and 3L law school subjects, can be found at the CALI welcome page.  CALI, the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction, is a nonprofit consortium that facilitates the creation of these tutorials by law school faculty from across the country.

CALI Lessons are free to all Hofstra law students. They can be searched by topic (Constitutional Law, Business Associations), by casebook, and by individual subtopics, such as probable cause, within a subject outline. CALI is a great tool for revisiting those concepts or cases that were difficult to understand or that you need to review and gain confidence in before the final exam.

You will need to register online with a password, or school code, the first time that you use CALI Lessons. Just contact or visit the Reference Desk to obtain this code from a reference librarian.





Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Past Exams

A number of our law faculty have made their past exams available for students to review.  They are available through the Law Library's site under the Students link.  Access is password protected so please contact the Reference Desk for the password.  If you have any problems, please visit us at the Reference Desk. 

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Study Aids

As you start to plan for studying for final exams, think about investigating the Library's Study Guides.  These guides are available on Reserve at the Library Circulation desk.   A few (relating to the UCC) are available online on Bloomberg Law.  (If you need assistance registering for Bloomberg Law, come see your favorite Reference Librarian.)

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat