New Staff Makes Extended Service Hours for Law Students Possible

We are delighted to announce that Sarah Kammer, who has previously served as a volunteer at the Law Library, joined the Law Library staff as a temporary staff member this week.  Sarah earned her JD from Duke University and her Master of Library Science and Learning Technologies from the University of Missouri.  The McKusick Law Library "Meet the Staff" LibGuide provides more information about our new staff member.  Beginning September 9th, Sarah will be working some alternative hours.  This will allow us to offer extended circulation/reference services for law students as well as access to the Reserve Room until 6:00pm Monday-Friday.  

(This entry was originally written and posted by Darla Jackson)

Law Students Studying in 90 Plus Degree Heat This Week

Law Students studying in 90 degree temperatures and above this week.

(This entry was originally written and posted by Karyl Knodel)

Start Off the Academic Year on the Right Foot

Whether you are new to law school or returning to your studies after the summer break, the law library is here to help you advance your skills to perform at your best academically.  The library is currently featuring a display which highlights many of our books which focus on academic success in the law school environment.

Featured in the display are the following titles:

Law school survival manual : from LSAT to bar exam / Nancy B. Rapoport and Jeffrey D. Van Niel

The elements of style / by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White

The language of law school : learning to "think like a lawyer" / Elizabeth Mertz

The eight secrets of top exam performance in law school : an easy-to-use, step-by-step approach for achieving great grades / by Charles H. Whitebread

Law school exams : preparing and writing to win / Charles R. Calleros

1000 days to the bar, but the practice of law begins now / Dennis J. Tonsing

Law school success in a nutshell : a guide to studying law and taking law school exams / by Ann M. Burkhart, Robert A. Stein

(This entry was originally written and posted by Sarah Kammer)

Welcome Back, Class of 2014 and Class of 2015

Just a note to let you know that it is great to see you back with us once again.  Remember that your Law Library Staff continues to strive to serve you in any way we can while you are here.

Remember to visit the Law Library website to search the Law Library catalog.  Use the Law Library's research guides and log on to the research databases.

If you are taking the Introduction to Intellectual Property Class you may want to explore the Intellectual Property LibGuide.  You also may want to check out the Copying and Printing LibGuide as printing options have changed.  For significant printing issues, contact the USD IT Department.  Log in to the myU Portal, click on the Technology Tab, and click on "Help Desk."

(This entry was originally written and posted by Karyl Knodel)

Welcome Class of 2016 - Library Tours and Information

We are delighted to welcome the Class of 2016 and hope the library tours provided during orientation were helpful. 

As a reminder, if you need information about the Law Library staff, guidance on printing, or help researching select legal topics, we suggest that you review LibGuides prepared by the Law Library staff.

Also, if you are looking for some academic success materials or study aids, remember to stop by the display on the main floor of the library to review a sample of the resources available in the Law Library.

(This entry was originally written and posted by Darla Jackson)

American Bar Association Annual Meeting

During the American Bar Association (ABA) Annual Meeting, the ABA House of Delegates considered resolutions regarding a wide range of issues, including the the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Law's Uniform Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking Act, adequate housing rights, and computer network hacking.  A summary of some of the resolutions adopted is available from ABA Now.  A full list of resolutions, including withdrawn resolutions such as the resolution regarding repeal of the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, is also available.  Additionally, Attorney General Eric Holder addressed the House of Delegates and announced major changes to Department of Justice policy regarding mandatory minimum drug sentences. 
 
The ABA Council of the Section on Legal Education and Admission to the Bar also met during the ABA annual event.  As reported by National Law Journal, one of the topics discussed by the Council was the tenure requirement for law professors.

The National Law Journal is available in print and electronically via the Law Library as is Uniform Laws Annotated, a resource that contains the uniform laws promulgated by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (see above).

(This entry was originally written and posted by Darla Jackson)

Course Casebooks and Supplemental Readings

Law students often ask the law librarians if the library has the required casebooks for current law school courses.  According to the law library's collection development policy, the library does not purchase law school casebooks.  The collection may contain older editions of the casebooks that were donated to the library or acquired by other means.  Students should not rely on the content in these older editions, as it may differ from the content in the newer editions listed in the course syllabi. 

Students also ask the law librarians for course supplemental readings suggested by professors.  These supplemental readings usually are found on the course TWEN site.  If you need help in locating supplemental readings on TWEN or in other resources, please stop by the circulation/reference desk, or call or e-mail the library for assistance.

Students also may want to do their own supplemental reading in a subject area.  The law library has many "hornbooks," or one volume, condensed treatises of law written for law students, that provide a synthesis or summary of one area of law.  These books can be valuable in obtaining background information or reviewing course topics.  You may search the Law Library's Lib Guide on Legal Treatises by topic, or ask for assistance in locating a hornbook at the circulation/reference desk.

(This entry was originally written and posted by Marsha Stacey)