Under Construction

So clearly, there's some updating going on here at the Prairie Law Blog. We thought since ya'll probably got new school clothes and shoes and notebooks and pens and pencils, and thought that we should get a new look and work space as well. Please keep in mind though, that this is a work in progress and there will likely be more changes. However! Your input can be nothing but useful for rebuilding this site. Tell us what you'd like to be more informed on, or features you'd like to see changed and modified. Everything from content to fonts and colors will be considered. 

Until next time, let's not get too overwhelmed with our many projects and jobs, and remember what Uncle Henry says. Keep up the good work law scholars!

Library Tour

As a post-tour reminder, we are providing you with an overview of the library layout and offerings.

General Information

Circulation Hours for Students and Faculty

Monday	7:45 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Tuesday	7:45 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Wednesday	7:45 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Thursday	7:45 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday	7:45 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday	Circulation & Reference Closed
Sunday	12:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

• Open 24/7 with Coyote Card for law students and faculty.
• Books are cataloged according to the Library of Congress Classification. Search the online catalog for call numbers.  

Main floor: 

• The main floor houses reference materials such as the Legal Dictionaries & Thesauri, Encyclopedias, South Dakota Collection, Federal Reporters & Northwestern Reporter, American Law Reports, Forms, and the Study Aids Collection.
• Circulation Desk – Of course you can check out books but there’s more! Nooks, iPads, Kindles, laptops, portable projectors, and their various cords and wires are also available.
• Card swipe machine located to the right, and on the side of the circulation desk.
• Reference Office and services
• Reserve Room - Includes course reserves, career services, and archived faculty/student publications.
• Displays showcasing new and topical books and resources, as well as faculty publications (Faculty publications are also available online through the repository of SelectedWorks sites).
• Copier/Printers
• Technology Learning Center

Lower Level

• Displays – Covering topics of interest to 1Ls
• Lounge - Be noisy, but close the door. *Note that new computers and furniture are coming.
• Print periodicals – Most are available electronically through HeinOnline.

Upper Level - Silent Wing!

• Used mainly for quiet study and 3Ls carrels.

 
 

Welcome 1Ls to Orientation Week!

"Papa's Maze" Credit: Kya7y

The McKusick Law Library would like to welcome all incoming students!  Tuesday, August 11 is the beginning of Orientation Week.  Orientation Week is designed to be an informative event to help you navigate the Law School environment, which might seem a lot like a "maze" at first!  

Law School Orientation begins bright and early at 8AM on Tuesday August 11, 2015. You'll pick up orientation materials at the Law School.  Several of the events during Orientation Week will focus on Law Library services. Here's a quick run-down of those events:

• On Tuesday from 8AM to 9AM, students with last names beginning with A-G should obtain their new Coyote Card at the Muenster University Center (MUC). After getting a Coyote Card, a visit to the library is necessary to test 24/7 access and library privileges
• On Wednesday from 8AM to 8:45AM, students with H-O last names can get their Coyote Cards and check in at the Law Library.
• On Thursday from 8AM to 9AM, the P-Z's can get their Coyote Cards and check in at the Law Library.

Wednesday, August 12: Computer-based/Online Research: Presentations by Bloomberg, Lexis, and Westlaw. Becoming research savvy in these databases will be crucial not only to your education, but your career as well. Sessions begin at 10:45 AM and last until noon.

Thursday, August 13: Introduction and Tour of the McKusick Law Library. At 2:45 PM you'll meet staff and librarians, and learn about what your library has to offer. 

Join Us in Welcoming Meg Anthony!

The McKusick Law Library would like to welcome Meg Anthony to the staff! Meg will be working primarily at the Circulation/Reference Desk, and providing service during the Law Library's extended service hours which begin August 17 (Mondays and Wednesdays until 9:00 p.m. and Sundays, 12:30 to 9:00 p.m.). Meg will also be involved in the Law Library's marketing and outreach efforts, including keeping you up-to-date right here on the Prairie Law Blog!

Meg has a Masters Degree in Library and Information Science from Wayne State University (MI) and holds a BA in Fine Art from Northern Michigan University. Meg worked in both public libraries and academic libraries in Michigan before moving to South Dakota.

 

So it Begins

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Welcome returning students and class of 2018! As summer draws to close and the fall 2015 semester begins, the McKusick Law Library wants to help you start out the new semester with a bang. To this end, we are showcasing some of our services, tools, and study aids throughout the library. The lower level features a display offering information on study aids for 1L courses. On the main floor you'll find titles covering academic success and study tips for Law School students.

Be sure to check out the Law Library's LibGuides as well! Curated by our Law Librarians, these guides provide additional research assistance and resources to help you reign triumphant over the first semester of the school year. And of course, always come see your librarians with any questions and/or suggestions. 

Again, welcome! We look forward to meeting you, and assisting you with your information and legal research needs. 

Welcome to Our Newest Staff Member, Daniel Burniston

The McKusick Law Library is pleased to welcome Daniel Burniston as the Law Library's Head of Technical and Collection Services.  Daniel assumed this position on July 1.

Prior to joining the Law Library, Daniel served as the Interlibrary Loan and Electronic Reserves Manager, and Interim Archives Manager at the University of South Dakota University Libraries. Before joining the University of South Dakota, he held a position as a public library director, as well as job responsibilites including technical services and circulation.

Daniel received his Masters Degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh and holds a BA in History from the University of Sussex.

Please join us in welcoming Daniel!  For more information about all the staff members at the McKusick Law Library, please visit our Meet the McKusick Law Library Staff LibGuide.