NCCU Law Library Blog

We've Moved!

2012-01-13T09:20:00.000-05:00

The NCCU Law Library Blog has moved! We now can be found on the NCCU Law site, under the Law Library Tab. Scroll down to the bottom of the page, and there you will find us:

Stop by and check out our new home!

Interested in the Guantanamo Bay military commissions?

2011-12-08T15:14:00.001-05:00

Are you interested in learning about the trials by the military courts at Guantanamo Bay? If so, the Department of Defense launched a website, Military Commissions, www.mc.mil, devoted specifically to covering those courts. From the Military Commissions website, you can view and download document and court filings from cases against specific individuals and locate summaries of the charges against those individuals.

You can also learn how the military commissions work. Another interesting part of the website provides a chart comparing and contrasting the rules and procedures in military commissions to those in court-martial and Article III courts.

If you are interested in learning more about military courts and law, you can also use resources in the Law Library. A sample catalog search for the Subject Heading military law -- united states should easily get you on your way. If you have any questions, ask a Reference Librarian for assistance.

Free Coffee and Tea!

2011-12-02T10:29:00.005-05:00

To help you get through finals, the law library is providing coffee and tea on the following days:

Day Students
12/5: Noon-2pm
12/7: 8am-10am

Evening Students
12/5: 5pm-6:30pm
12/8: 5pm-6:30pm

JUST BRING YOUR OWN MUG! The beverages will be outside of the Law Library & Downstairs by Room 100.

Lost or Forgot Your CALI Password?

2011-11-30T10:13:00.000-05:00

Now that finals are here, many of you may be planning to use CALI to help you study. But if you've forgotten (or lost) your password, you don't need to create a new account. Instead, click on the "Request New Password" link. Enter your user name, and CALI will send you a new password by email. If you've forgotten your user name, just enter your email address.

If you have any questions or need help, contact Professor DeWitt, and good luck with finals!

Show Your Library Some Love!

2011-11-28T12:01:00.000-05:00

It's true, finals are just around the corner. In order to help all of our students achieve academic success, we have instituted 24 hour library access for our students throughout the finals period. If you choose to make the library your home during finals, we hope that you find it a comfortable and quiet study space. But during your time here, please keep in mind the following library policies:

No Food is Allowed in the Library. Only beverages in a covered container are allowed.

No cell phones conversations.. If you need to take a call, please leave the library so that your conversation will not disturb your fellow students.

Please refrain from loud or disruptive conversations. While the library encourages a collaborative enviroment, we ask that you refrain from disturbing your fellow students. If you would like to participate in group study, group study rooms are available. Click here for information on group study rooms.

For more information on all library policies, see the Library Policy Webpage. We thank you for your cooperation, and wish you the best success in all of your finals!

Law Library Thanksgiving Hours

2011-11-22T12:49:00.002-05:00

The Law Library will be closing for a few days over the Thanksgiving holiday.

On Wednesday, November 23^rd, we will be closing at 5pm. We will remain closed on Thursday, November 24^th and Friday, November 25^th. Normal hours will resume on Saturday, November 26^th.

The Law Library wishes you a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday.

November is Native American Heritage Month!

2011-11-16T13:57:00.000-05:00

The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina

In 1990, President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November "National American Indian Heritage Month," but the history of celebrating Native American cultures dates back to the earl y1900s. The first recorded American Indian Day was celebrated in New York in 1916. Many states also choose to designate Columbus Day as Native American Day.

Indian Law is the body of law that focuses the status of Indian tribes and their special relationship to the federal government. It aims to address legal issues that affect indigenous peoples of the Americas, including the protection their land and environment, cultures and ways of life, and the achievement of sustainable economic development and self-government.

The law library has many great resources on Native American law and history. Check out our Federal Indian Law LibGuide and visit the book display in the library’s main lobby for more information about this exciting area of law.

http://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/about/index.html

http://www.lumbeetribe.com/History_Culture/History_Culture%20Index.html

Written by Miss Endia Sowers

Fun with Headnotes

2011-11-14T13:39:00.000-05:00

Have you ever read a headnote and thought it was funny, unique, or profound.? The editors at Westlaw realized that their Headnotes - part of the West KeyNumber System - can be particularly amusing and thought - provoking. As a result, Westlaw now offers the "Headnote of the Day," a subscription service the sends "especially humorous, profound, or interesting" headnotes to your email every morning. Westlaw however, does announce a caveat: These headnotes are meant only to be a diversion; that is, they may no longer represent good law. Always KeyCite or Shepardize to make sure that any law you want to cite is still good in your jurisdiction.

92 Constitutional Law

92XII Freedom of Travel and Movement

92k1280 k. In General.

Dog does not have fundamental right to travel.
City of Akron v. Tipton, 559 N.E.2d 1385 (1990)

If you are interested in subscribing to Westlaw Headnote of the Day, click here.

Happy Veterans Day!

2011-11-11T10:11:00.000-05:00

The Law Library wishes to thank all of our service men and women for their current or past service in the United States military. Your dedication and valor are appreciated.

If you are a veteran, please stop by the reference desk for a sweet treat.

Library Now Open 24 Hours with Card Access

2011-11-07T17:30:00.003-05:00

With exams on the horizon, the law library is now open 24 hours to law students with card access. Public patrons are able to use the library Mon-Fri 8:00am-8:00pm.

Please remember that there is still no food allowed in the library and please keep beverages in approved containers.

Save your Research and a Tree!

2011-11-02T14:03:00.000-04:00

As we approach the end of the semester, many of you are busily researching and writing seminar papers. If your search is particularly fruitful, you may find yourself with a stack of law review articles, legislative histories, administrative rules, statutes, case law, and other resources. While you can always print out your results, don't forget that there are ways to save your research so that you can pause, eat (or sleep), and come back. This way, you can not only save your research trails, but you'll also be saving a tree.

For example, HeinOnline allows you to "bookmark" your results. Simply create a HeinOnline account, click on the "save/bookmark" link on the tool bar and follow the prompts.

Likewise, BNA (Bureau of National Affairs) uses folders to save searches, documents, charts, and other information. First, you must log into Preferences, and from an open document click on the "Add to my Folder" link on the tool bar. You will then be guided to a box that will give you the option of using a pre-existing folder or creating a new one. You can name your project and take notes on content.

Finally, CCH Intelliconnect also offers users a folder saving system. In CCH, you can park documents in the Document Tray for later access during a search session, or create a folder for future reference. To use the Document Tray, simply click in the check boxes next to the documents you want to save and then click on the "Send to Tray" link below the document. These documents will be purged at the end of the session. To save documents for multiple research sessions, you can use a "Research Folder." Simply click on the "Create a folder" link, type in the name of the folder, and click "Ok" To save a document to your folder, click the save/email button, and then click "Save to Research Folder."

If you have any questions about these or other resources, come and see your reference librarians. We are here to help.

It's Halloween!

2011-10-31T17:18:00.001-04:00

Happy Halloween!

In the spirit of Halloween, here are some spooky cases that will send shivers down your spine...

Stambovsky v. Ackley, 169 A.D.2d 254
Mrs. Ackley owned a fabulous - and haunted - waterfront Victorian home. Not one to be undone by the presence of poltergeists, Mrs. Ackley told her friends, her neighbors, the media, and anyone who would listen that her house was haunted. The one person she did not tell was Mr. Stambovsky, the man who eventually bought her home. Upon discovering that he would be sharing the house with the dearly departed, he sued to rescind the contract. The court found that Mrs. Ackley's promotion of paranormal phenomenon required her to disclose the supernatural activity to the buyer. So, if you see a spook and shout it out, who you gonna call?
The buyer!

Ferlito v. Johnson & Johnson, 983 F.2d 1066
Mr. and Mrs. Ferlito attended a costume party in homemade Halloween costumes. Mrs. Ferlito was the lovely Bo Peep and Mr. Ferlito was her lost little sheep. Tragedy ensued when Mr. Ferlito caught on fire after he lit a cigarette. The Ferlitos sued Johnson and Johnson on the ground that the cotton gauze used for the sheep costume was flamable; however, the court held for Johnson & Johnson based on the fact that the Ferlitos know that there was a flame hazard and that Mr. Ferlito was not paying attention when he lit the cigarette. Beware of smoking sheep...

Baribeau v. City of Minneapolis, 596 F.3d 465
Do zombies have constitutional rights? Sometimes. In Baribeau, a group of citizens contracted the disease of "mindless consumerism", causing them to turn into zombified versions of themselves. While the traditional method of dispatching zombies can be witnessed in several films (e.g. Dawn of the Dead and Zombieland), in Minneapolis the police opted for arrest and incarceration on the charge of disorderly conduct. The zombies brought suit, and the court found that the zombies were engaging in expressive conduct that did not give the police probable cause under the Minnesota disorderly conduct statue. So if you contract a zombie virus and you live in Minnesota, the police have to have probable cause before they arrest you....

Contribution by Miss Endia Sowers and Adrienne DeWitt

Spotlight on: Foreign Law Guide

2011-10-27T16:34:00.003-04:00

So it happened. The moment you’ve dreaded – you’ve been tasked with locating the law and legislation of a foreign country. If you aren’t familiar with the legal landscape of that country, the task can be daunting. What will you do? One option is to turn to Reynolds and Flores’ Foreign Law Guide.

The Foreign Law Guide provides users access to information about the primary and secondary legal resources for over 170 countries. This information includes what those important legal resources are, where to find them, and how to use them. The Foreign Law Guide also provides users with web addresses to as many resources as possible. What does this mean for you, the researcher? This means the Guide will tell you where to locate civil, commercial, and criminal codes as well as session laws and court reports (just to name a few types of documentation) all while providing users with a link to those resources on the Internet if one is available.

The Foreign Law Guide also works to maintain a Subject Heading Index for each jurisdiction it covers. This means you can not only get an introduction to a jurisdiction’s legal history and judicial system, but you can also use the Subject Heading Index to locate the laws applicable to your specific subject.

If you have foreign law question, check out the Foreign Law Guide! You can locate it on the Law Library’s Electronic Resources page.

Law Library Halloween Research Contest

2011-10-25T12:26:00.002-04:00

Interested in winning a $10 Target Gift Card? Between Oct. 25-Oct. 31, stop by the library and answer a research question. A new question will be available each day and completed questions can be turned in to our pumpkin. The more questions you answer correctly, the more entries you will earn towards winning the Target Gift Card!

Can you pass a social media background check?

2011-10-21T16:08:00.003-04:00

Can you pass a social media background check? Do you really understand how privacy settings work? Do you want to learn more about marketing yourself using social media?

Then come to the Law Library’s Cyber-Stalking 101: Making Social Media Work for You workshop!

Prof. Dickerson will talk about how employers are conducting social media background checks, how privacy settings work with different social media tools, and provide tips on how to market yourself in the best possible way through social media.

Sign up in the Law Library, via the Law Library’s TWEN page today, or simply come to the Law Library Conference Room at 2pm on Monday, Oct. 24^th!

Cyber-Stalking 101: Making Social Media Work for You

When: Monday, Oct. 24^th, 2011

What time: 2:00pm

Where: Law Library Conference Room

October 20th is Conflict Resolution Day!

2011-10-19T09:14:00.000-04:00

Conflict Resolution Day is an international event celebrated every third Thursday in October. This exciting occasion was established by the Association for Conflict Resolution in 2005 to:

Promote awareness of mediation, arbitration, conciliation and other creative, peaceful means of resolving conflict;
Promote the use of conflict resolution in schools, families, businesses, communities, governments and the legal system;
Recognize the significant contributions of (peaceful) conflict resolvers; and
Obtain national synergy by having celebrations happen across the country and around the world on the same day.[1]

The North Carolina Central School of Law Library has several resources available to assist you in fine tuning your conflict resolution skills.

Stop by the main floor of the library to view a display of our Alternative Dispute Resolution resource collection. We also have an Alternative Dispute LibGuide.

For more information about Conflict Resolution Day visit http://www.acrnet.org/crday/

[1] Association of Conflict Resolution, Conflict Resolution Day, http://www.acrnet.org/crday/ (Oct. 18, 2011).

Content submitted by Endia Sowers, JD/MLS 2012

Check out what's happening in the library this week!

2011-10-17T13:44:00.005-04:00

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Getting to Know BNA Training Session! Tuesday, October 18th at 11:00 a.m. in the Law Library conference room. SNACKS! Also, Stop by the Information Table in the Fishbowl from noon -2:00 p.m.

AND

Exploring Job Search Resources: Tricks for Searching databases and the internet to find your dream job. Tuesday, October 18^th at 1:00 p.m. in the Law Library conference room. SNACKS! Also, all attendees will be entered into a drawing to win a Westlaw Portfolio case.

Other training opportunities from LexisNexis and Westlaw-

Westlaw Trainings-Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Advanced WestlawNext :

11:00 AM - 11:45 AM- Room 201

12:00 PM - 12:45 PM-Room 201

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM-Room 20

2:00 PM - 2:45 PM-Room 200

For other Westlaw training opportunities, see the NCCU School Training calendar.

LexisNexis Trainings –Wednesday, October 20, 2011

· 2:00 PM / Room 200 / 45 minutes

2Ls/3Ls: Legislative History Research: Efficiently complete thorough legislative history research.

· 3:00 PM/ Room 205/ 45 minutes

2Ls/3Ls: LexisNexis Refresher : Overview of general searching techniques, retrieving documents, formulating searches, Shepardizing, and more. (45 min )

· 4:00 PM/ Room 205/ 45 minutes

2Ls/3Ls: Seminar Paper Topic Selection & Research Tips for identifying and researching a unique paper topic

For other LexisNexis trainings, see the NCCU School of Law LexisNexis Training calendar.

Last Chance to get your Free NCCU Law Library Water Bottle

2011-10-13T10:25:00.002-04:00

If you were unable to get your water bottle during our give away, you still have a chance. Students that did not get their water bottle can stop by Prof. Dickerson's office, room 222 in the law library and get their bottle. You must stop by Prof. Dickerson's office by Monday October 31 to claim your water bottle!

The Law Library Presents: Midterm Coffee & Tea Break

2011-10-11T13:10:00.003-04:00

Feeling a little sluggish as you study for a midterm?

Need a little pick me up before you sit down to take an exam?

Then stop by the Law Library's Coffee & Tea Time!

Where: Outside of the Law Library
When: Tuesday, Oct. 11th from 5 to 7pm & Wednesday, Oct. 12th from 7 to 11am

Just remember to BYOM (Bring Your Own Mug!)

MIDTERMS!

2011-10-07T14:59:00.000-04:00

Yes, it's already time for midterms. If you are looking for a study aid to help in your test preparations, be sure to stop by the library. We have several types of study aids on reserve for every type of learner. For example, there are Sum & Substance Audio CDs on various first year courses. We also have Law in a Flash flashcards to help you memorize legal elements. We have Crunch Time and Emmanuel outlines, and various Nutshells, Examples and Explanations, and Understanding the Law study aids. If you have questions on which study guide would be best for you, stop by the reference desk; we are more than happy to help.

Library Water Bottles for Students

2011-09-29T13:24:00.004-04:00

You may have seen some students walking around with library water bottles. All upper class students (day and evening 2Ls, 3Ls, 4Ls) can stop by the reference desk and get their water bottle. The water bottles contain the contact information for the library circulation desk and reference desk. Additionally, you will have a wonderful approved beverage container to use while you study. Stop by the desk today or tomorrow!

Free PACER Training

2011-09-27T18:25:00.002-04:00

Once you graduate law school, you may find yourself needing to use PACER to access court documents. PACER stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records. It provides users with access to case and docket information from federal district and bankruptcy courts along with the federal appellate courts.

Registering for PACER access is free, however researching within PACER is not. The cost of accessing PACER materials is currently $0.08/page and it was recently announced it will soon to be rising to $0.10/page. This increase will impact how many users interface with PACER, but fear not Legal Eagles, there is hope. For PACER users not accruing more than $10/quarterly billing cycle ($15/quarterly billing cycle when the new rate takes effect), PACER access is FREE. Also, PACER is now offering FREE training via a new site that is populated with real court documents. This site allows users to learn how to use PACER and sharpen their PACER skills to help them keep costs down.

If you are interested in learning more about PACER, please visit: http://www.pacer.gov/. If you are interested in learning how to use PACER or already are a PACER user but want to work on your searching skills to keep costs down, please visit: https://dcecf.psc.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/ShowIndex.pl.

Focus on the Reference Desk

2011-09-21T09:52:00.000-04:00

You may see us without noticing us...your reference librarians sitting at the reference desk. You may even wonder what is the purpose of the reference desk, or even what we do. To be succinct, our purpose at the reference desk is to help you find information. So, come up and ask your research questions! We are happy to help.

But besides in-person communication, we also available via instant messaging. If you live off campus and cannot make it into the library, simply click on "chat with a reference librarian," and you can ask your question via AIM, Yahoo, or MSN messenger. You can also contact us via email or by telephone. There is, however, one caveat: We do not provide any legal advice.

More information on our reference services can be found at http://law.nccu.edu/library/reference-services/ .
Please come and see us!

Seminar Topics...Oh My!

2011-09-19T15:14:00.000-04:00

The semester is moving along quickly, and for those of you in seminars, it is time to start researching your topic. Your library is the place to go for help in starting, help in researching, and help in general. For those who may be struggling with finding a topic, the library offers LibGuides. LibGuides are online research guides that information about the library's print and online sources. We offer a variety of LibGuides, ranging from Constitutional law and First Amendment resources to Environmental law and Intellectual Property, among others. Check them out at http://ncculaw.libguides.nccu.edu/. Look for your subject specific LibGuide by entering the subject name in the search box.

And for those who've chosen their subject but are having difficulty beginning their research, we have a variety of secondary sources that can help you get off and running. We have current legal encyclopedias, ALRs, and Restatements. Treatises, hornbooks, and Nutshells can be found in the online catalog, and legal periodicals can be researched via our online resources, available through our e-resources page at http://law.nccu.edu/library/electronic-resources/. For those who are looking for legal periodicals, see what HeinOnline, LegalTrac, or Index to Legal Periodicals have to offer.

Finally, for those of you who might need some general reference help, don't forget about your reference librarians. We can help you get started on your research, as well as show you some outstanding (and helpful) resources along the way. Our reference desk is open from 9am to 9 pm Monday through Thursday, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Friday. During the semester, we also have Sunday hours from 1pm to 5 pm. And for those who commute and who may find it difficult to make it to campus, we also offer instant messaging reference services!

So, don't forget, your library is here and waiting to help you with your seminar research needs!

Happy Constitution Day!

2011-09-16T16:01:00.002-04:00

Constitution Day celebrates the signing of the United States Constitution 224 years ago on September 17^th, 1787. Not only does Constitution Day celebrate the signing of the Constitution, but it also serves as a day to recognize all who, by coming of age or completing the naturalization process, are citizens of the United States of America. This year’s Constitution Day theme is Federal Courts: Guardians of the Constitution. Every federal judge in the United States is required to take an oath of office as required by the Judiciary Act of 1789. The text of the oath is as follows:

"I, _________ (name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as a __________ (title) under the Constitution and laws of the United States. So help me God."

If you’d like to see an interesting short video of about the oath, check out the U.S. Court’s Constitution Day website. The video shows federal judges saying the oath and discussing what it means to them.

Due to Constitution Day falling on a Saturday this year, most institutions are celebrating today, September 16^th. The NCCU Law Library is celebrating by giving away free pocket U.S. Constitutions courtesy of the Law Library and LexisNexis as well as showcasing several of our resources on constitutional law and the federal courts. Please feel free to stop by and pick up a free U.S. Constitution and check out the various materials we have on display.

Learn more about HeinOnline

2011-09-13T12:59:00.004-04:00

Stop by the Fishbowl on Thursday September 15 from Noon-2pm and learn more about HeinOnline!

HeinOnline is a great service because you can get historic versions of documents in addition to current versions in PDF format. HeinOnline has law review articles, CFRs, and even information related to Moot Court. For a complete list of products offered through HeinOnline please click here. Remember, when accessing HeinOnline off campus, you must be logged into Web VPN. For directions on accessing Web VPN, please click here.

For additional information on HeinOnline, you can check out their YouTube Channel.

Kicking Off Your New Semester - Library Workshops and Free Federal Rules E-Books at CALI

2011-09-07T08:47:00.000-04:00

Now that the semester is underway, it is time for us at the Library to begin our monthly workshop schedule. Your library is dedicated to promoting resources and services to our student body, and one way that we do this is by presenting practical workshops highlighting a certain resource or giving an overview of several resources.

This month, the Workshop Season kicks off with an Introduction to E-Resources. For our 1Ls, this quick (1/2 hour) workshop is purposed to introduce to you our long list of E-Resources. For 2 and 3Ls, this workshop is purposed to refresh your memory on an important part of the Library's collection. Introduction to E-Resources will take place at 2 pm in Room 205. I hope to see you there!

Oh, and did I mention free Federal Rules e-books - I believe I did! CALI (Computer Assisted Legal Instruction) is offering free Federal Rules E-Books. Just go to www.cali.org and click on the Federal Rules E-Book box. (It should be noted that while CALI is offering these books for free, they are asking for a voluntary donation to offset the cost.)

HORNBOOKS!!!

2011-09-05T18:56:00.006-04:00

1Ls are you having trouble understanding your casebooks? Do you need to supplement what you are reading? Well stop by the Law Library and check out a Hornbook. What are Hornbooks? Hornbooks are secondary sources that analyze and explain a single area of the law(i.e.. Torts.) They are excellent supplements for your casebooks. So 1Ls if you are interested, you can find a list of helpful First Year Law School Resources at:

http://ncculaw.libguides.nccu.edu/firstyearlawschoolresourceguide

If you need any additional help, stop by the reference desk and ask one of our friendly reference librarians for assistance.

DVD Collection is now here!

2011-09-01T11:18:00.003-04:00

The Law Library now has a DVD collection filled with many popular movies with a law theme. Come check it out! Watching a movie is a great way to take a break from studying. The DVD location is located on the first floor of the library by the study tables. You can also view the available titles on our DVD LibGuide available at http://ncculaw.libguides.nccu.edu/dvdcollection.

DVDs circulate for 3 days. In order to check out a DVD we have created a process similar to Blockbuster: retrieve the case from DVD display and take it to the Circulation Desk. They will put the DVD in the case and check it out to you.

You can also make recommendations. Find a popcorn bowl located through out the library and let us know what you would like to see in the DVD collection.

Congratulations Law Library Orientation Scavenger Hunt Winners!

2011-08-30T16:23:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to the winners of the Law Library's Orientation Scavenger Hunt!

Grand Prize iPod Shuffle Winner: Tesleigh Eure

2nd Prize Camelback Water Bottle and Panera Gift Card Winner: Latoya Blackwell

3rd Prize iTunes Gift Card Winner: Saiyani Mukombe

Congratulations to all and thank you to everyone who participated. Watch the Law Library's Facebook page, bulletin boards, and this blog for more chances to participate in Law Library fun and games.

Remember: your friendly Reference Librarians are here to assist you with all of your legal research needs!

West's New Casebook Rental Service

2011-08-24T15:03:00.015-04:00

Can't afford to purchase those expensive law school casebooks? If it is a West published casebook, consider renting. Currently West offers many of its most popular casebooks for rent and plans are in the works to add more books to the program over time.

Check out the You Tube video and the West FAQ page.

Welcome 1Ls, 2Ls, 3Ls, and Everyone et al.

2011-08-22T11:33:00.000-04:00

It is finally here - the first day of school. I want to extend a hearty "Welcome" to everyone, as well as take a moment to introduce myself. I am your new reference librarian / legal research instructor here at NCCU. I am a native Hoosier (that is, I am from Indiana), and I am a member of the Indiana bar.I am also a graduate of Indiana University's School of Library and Information Science. I am thrilled to be here, and I am excited to be working with you this semester.

Now, let me take a moment to share with you some information about electronic resources available here at the NCCU Library. Computer Assisted Legal Instruction - better known as CALI - is available to you. If you need a password, come see me or one of the reference librarians.The Library also has access to several excellent databases, including HeinOnline, RIA, and Intelliconnect. Simply click on the e-resources link on the Library's homepage for access. If you want to access these databases off campus, you will need to sign in using your VPN.

I'm looking forward to meeting you and helping you with your information needs. Go Eagles!

Law Library Hours Update

2011-08-08T09:51:00.004-04:00

Law Library hours are changing this week and next as we prepare the for upcoming school year. Our hours for the next few weeks are as follows:

August 8th to August 12th: 8:00am - 5:00pm
August 15th to August 18th: 8:00am - 9:00pm
August 19th: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Fall Semester Hours
August 21st - January 11th, 2012
Monday - Thursday: 7:00am - Midnight
Friday: 7:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm - 10:00pm

Get research support with LibGuides

2011-08-01T15:01:00.009-04:00

If you need help navigating a research project, don't forget to check out our LibGuides! LibGuides are always available 24/7 at http://ncculaw.libguides.nccu.edu/. LibGuides are created by NCCU's reference staff and are useful because they can give you a solid starting place for your research, or point out a database that you didn't know NCCU had access to. They also contain tips to help you understand the subject matter or to better use a database. LibGuides are offered in several subject areas including the following:
A guide just for first year law students;
General, such as our subject guide to legal treatises;
Specific, such as the Bluebook, criminal law, legislative history, and so much more.
When you need research assistance, don't forget to see if there is a LibGuide that can help you.

Welcome Adrienne Dewitt !!!!

2011-07-25T15:25:00.011-04:00

North Carolina Central University School of Law Library welcomes our newest Reference Librarian, Adrienne DeWitt. She comes to us from Indiana University where she recently received her Master of Library Science. She also received her Juris Doctor from Valparasio University School of Law. Ms. DeWitt will be working with the Law Library's electronic resources and teaching first year legal research. She is currently a member of the American Association of Law Libraries and the Indiana State Bar.

Monkeys and Copyright Law

2011-07-18T19:54:00.004-04:00

Perhaps you've seen the images floating about the news in recent weeks - images of smiling Indonesian macaques taken with British photographer David Slater's camera by those very same macaques. These images have stirred up quite a bit of controversy in the few last weeks - mostly because the answer of who actually holds copyright on those iconic photos is in question. Is the holder of the copyright Mr. Slater, owner of the camera? Is it Caters News, distributor of Slater's images)? Or is it the picture taking macaques?

If you are interested in learning about copyright law so you can enter this interesting debate, check out the Law Library's holdings on copyright law. These materials are located on the 2nd floor of of the Library in call number range KF 2990 - 3091 or by using the Law Library's catalog. Some suggested searches are:

copyright-- United States
copyright infringement-- United States

You can also stop by the Reference or Circulation Desks for assistance locating books on copyright law.

LexisNexis Law Student Webinar: Finding an Original Note Topic and Preemption Checking

2011-07-11T14:09:00.002-04:00

Did you know that LexisNexis offers free webinars to lahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifw students? This Saturday , July 16 at 3:00 PM Lexis will be offering a session on "Finding an Original Note Topic and Preemption Checking". Preemption checking is important if you would like to get published. It is also useful in helping you find a great topic for your seminar course. For more information on this webinar please visit the LexisNexis Student Webcast Page.

Supplement your Bar Studies with a North Carolina Treatise!!!

2011-07-06T14:36:00.017-04:00

Do you feel like your North Carolina Bar outlines are skimpy? Do you need to supplement what you are reading ? Well stop by the Law Library and checkout a Legal Treatise. A Legal Treatise is an excellent resource because it provides in-depth treatment of a single legal subject and some analysis of the law. Our Law Library also has North Carolina Specific Treatises. These treatises can be extremely helpful to a North Carolina Bar Exam Student because they focus on North Carolina State laws and Cases.

If you are interested, here are a few North Carolina specific treatises you may find helpful

1. Lee's North Carolina Family Law

2. Webster's Real Estate Law in North Carolina

3. Wiggins Wills and Administration of Estates in North Carolina

4. North Carolina Law of Torts 2nd ed (Written by Professor Morris)

5. Shuford North Carolina Civil Practice and Procedure

6. North Carolina Corporation Law and Practice

7. North Carolina Law of Damages

8. Brandis & Brown on North Carolina Evidence

9. Criminal Procedure in North Carolina (Written by Irving Joyner)

Most of these books can be found in our reserve collection located behind the circulation desk. If you need any assistance ask a circulation clerk or a reference librarian.

Don’t forget legal dictionaries

2011-06-27T09:25:00.003-04:00

Legal dictionaries aren’t just for defining legal terms. Researchers can also use them to determine what an abbreviation stands for, where a phrase comes from, synonyms, and in some instances - citations to cases or other legal research resources.

Legal dictionaries are located in the ready reference section of the Law Library (next to the reference desk), on a podium on the second floor (opposite the stairwell), and online.

In Westlaw, researchers can access Black’s Law Dictionary, the Mexican Legal Dictionary, Norton’s Bankruptcy Dictionary and others. In LexisNexis, researchers can access a variety of legal dictionaries including Ballentine’s Law Dictionary, Bieber’s Dictionary of Legal Abbreviations, and the Modern Dictionary for the Legal Profession to name a few (greater detail about LexisNexis’ legal dictionary access can be located here). Researchers can also access several free online legal dictionaries from websites like Law.com, FindLaw.com , or Cornell’s Legal Information Institute.

ABA Blawgs

2011-06-20T13:00:00.005-04:00

While you are away for the summer, you can stay up-to-date on legal trends by following one or more of the many ABA Blawgs. Blawgs or Blogs are a great way to get information on current trends. Blawgs are also a good source of inspiration for seminar paper topics. A list of ABA Blawgs by topic can be found here.

JOIN ALL4JDs!!!!

2011-06-15T16:42:00.010-04:00

Are you looking for some additional practice MBE questions? Or maybe some practice essays? Well join ALL4JDs(www.all4jds.com)
ALL4JDs is a discussion forum where you can interact with other bar takers. You can ask bar questions and gain access to a wealth of student posted bar exam resources such as MPRE Outlines, Bar Exam Outlines, Bar Exam Mnemonics and Sample Bar Exams.

If you know of any additional helpful bar resources or websites feel free to email them to craiford@nccu.edu

Training your brain for the bar exam

2011-06-07T14:04:00.004-04:00

The Lawyerist recently published an article comparing studying for the bar to running a marathon. The author offers a good deal of useful advice for those of you studying for the biggest exam of your law school career. See below for a brief summary or check out the full article here.

Train in Intervals - Runners use short bursts of hard work partnered with rest to reach their goals. You should too. Study hard, but remember to take breaks. If you've worked on a subject you find difficult for a few hours, go out and do something you enjoy for a little bit before you start studying a new topic. Your brain needs some down time to process the information you are forcing into it.
Have the Right Equipment - Runners have special shoes, clothing, gadgets and more to help them train for peak performance. Take some time before the bar exam to make sure you do too. Ensure that your computer (if you are using it to take the bar exam) is working properly and you've properly loaded the exam software. You'll be happy you did come bar exam time.
Run Hills - Runners can't just do easy workouts and achieve greatness. They need to incorporate running tough hills into the mix to make sure they can truly perform. When studying for the bar, don't just focus on the easy topics and questions. Challenge yourself. Work through the tough essay and multiple choice questions. If you prepare for the hardest test the bar examiners can throw your way, you know you'll be prepared for the actual exam.
Rest - Any athlete can tell you that your body needs down time when training for an event. So does your brain. Take a night or afternoon off from time to time and visit with friends, go to the movies, or read a book or magazine unrelated to the law. Rest can make you stronger and help you retain more vital information.
Don't Try New Things On Exam Day! - Come exam day, do not try new things. Don't try a new route to the exam site, eat a breakfast you don't know if you'll like, or alter your routine in any way. The more routine you can make exam days the better. You will have less to stress about and be able to focus exclusively on your big exam.

Study hard and good luck!

THOMAS.GOV

2011-06-06T18:28:00.002-04:00

If you are at a job or working for a professor who needs bills, the congressional record, or other government documents, don't forget that THOMAS.GOV is a great resource and it is free! You can also access an unofficial version of the U.S. Code on their website.

Interested in working with veterans?

2011-05-31T08:41:00.003-04:00

For those of you interested in working with veterans, the ABA has a new portal called ABA Home Front. This portal provides information for veterans and lawyers assisting veterans on topics such as legal programs for veterans, information about about the Military Pro Bono Center, and an information center for the families of service members. The ABA will continue adding to this portal in the future, making it a valuable resource for both service members and individuals providing legal assistance to service members.

FREE MARKETING WEBINARS!!!

2011-05-27T15:09:00.003-04:00

Avvo Blog is offering the following Free Legal Marketing Seminars:

June 2- The State of Law Firm Email Marketing: Benchmarks,Trends and Best Practices.

June 6- Bootstrapping a New Law Firm with Free Software: Practice Management on $0 Budget.

June 16- Adwords Pay Per Click Advertising for Lawyers.

June 23- Public Relations for Lawyers

If you are interested go to http://avvoblog.com/2011-free-legal-marketing-webinars.

Tips for Summer Associates

2011-05-24T15:12:00.002-04:00

The always entertaining Above the Law recently published the first of a series of articles offering advice for summer associates. This article series, which will be posted at Above the Law's Career Center, will be updated throughout the summer and offer helpful tips and advice for summer associates who are looking to "manage assignments, juggle conflicting demands, account for time, handle feedback and criticism, and much more." If you are hoping to turn your summer associate work into a job, perhaps Above the Law can help. To access the articles, click on one of the hyperlinks above or here.

More Bar Exam Study Tips

2011-05-23T13:36:00.002-04:00

Bar exam prep is now in full swing. The Lawyerist has provided 12 tips to help you get through the exam. If you are currently in bar review, tips 4 - 12 will be most helpful. If you will be applying to take the bar exam in 2012, tips 1 - 3 are for you.

Thanks to the Legal Skills Prof Blog fhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifor pointing this out!

NFL Lockout Update - Tom Brady, et al v. National Football League, et al.

2011-05-19T13:05:00.002-04:00

Earlier this week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled in favor of the NFL – holding that the lockout could continue until the full appeal is heard. This decision delays the start of free agency and eliminates the likelihood of organized mini-camps during the month of June.

Many fans were hopeful back in April when U.S. District Court Judge Susan Richard Nelson decided that the lockout should be lifted. However, that hope was quickly extinguished when the Court of Appeals issued a stay on her order.

The NFL argues that its issues with the players should not be resolved with litigation because the NFLPA is still operating as a union (and therefore, issues should be resolved through negotiation). Will the Court of Appeals ultimately agree with the NFL? Stay tuned…oral arguments are scheduled for June 3, 2011.

Interested in learning more? The enormous amount of public interest in this case has prompted the decision to make all documents available without charge via the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit’s website (http://www.ca8.uscourts.gov/).

Searching for US Government Information?

2011-05-17T08:44:00.003-04:00

If you've been using Google to search for government information and feel overwhelmed by the results, check out Search.USA.gov. Search.USA.gov is the U.S. government's official search engine. It has over 50 million pages indexed from federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal websites. Search results pull from government websites, images, forms, and recalls to provide you with government information straight from the source. You can also run advanced search queries allowing you to specify what document formats you are searching for, what agency websites you'd like to search (or don't want to search), and what type of government domains are searched.

Don't Forget you can Chat with a Reference Librarian

2011-05-16T14:49:00.002-04:00

Whether you are in town or several states away, don't forget that you can chat with a reference librarian using Meebo.

You can get to Meebo by going to our LibGuides page or by going to the Law Library home page and click on "chat with a reference librarian."

Reference services are also available in person and by phone 919.530.5241.

Free Bar Review Advice and Study Schedules!!!

2011-05-13T18:18:00.003-04:00

Graduates, want some FREE Bar Review Tools???If so, go to www.BarReviewSolutions.com and download a host of FREE BAR REVIEW MATERIALS.
BarReviewSolutions.com is offering the following:

1. Improve Your Bar Review: A Guide for Effective Bar Exam Preparation,

2. Free Bar Exam Review Study Schedule Templates, and

3. Free Study Advice-Filled Newsletter for Your Bar Exam.

The Rule Against Perpetuities Strikes Again

2011-05-11T15:04:00.002-04:00

Remember learning the rule against perpetuities? Remember how frustrating it was and thinking "I'll never actually need to know this"? Well, think again. Recently a court in Michigan wrapped up a thorny case involving Michigan lumber baron Wellington Burt's will. This wouldn't be so interesting had Mr. Burt not died in 1919. The presiding judge called working with the case "one of the most complicated research projects" he's had in 12 years on the bench. However, after hours of research and years of patience, heirs of the lumber baron, ages ranging from 19 to 94, will see the trust open soon.

To read about this interesting case, check out the online ABA Journal article here or an article about the life of the lumber baron who caused this legal mine field to exist here.

Intersession Hours Begin Tomorrow

2011-05-09T15:39:00.006-04:00

The Law Library's hours during Intersession (May 10, 2011 - May 22, 2011) are:
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Law Library's hours during Summer Session I (May 23, 2011 - June 29, 2011) are:
Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Please note that the Law Library will be closed on May 30, 2011 (Memorial Day Observance).

In addition, NCCU Law students will have 24-hour access to the library on June 28th and 29th in order to study for final exams.

Free Seminar: How to Succeed as a Summer Associate 2011

2011-05-06T09:31:00.009-04:00

Join PLI for the following FREE SEMINAR:

How to Succeed As a Summer Associate 2011
Date: June 6, 2011 Time: 5:30pm (EST)

This free seminar is offering practical advice from Law Firm Partners who supervise summer associates at their respective firms.

If you are interested go to: www.pli.edu

Michelle Cosby Receives Minority Leadership Development Award

2011-05-04T12:34:00.005-04:00

Congratulations to our Faculty Services Librarian, Michelle Cosby! She is this year's recipient of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) Minority Leadership Development Award.

Each year, AALL grants one award to a member of a minority group who demonstrates leadership and excellence in law librarianship.

Ms. Cosby has a J.D. and M.L.S. from Indiana University and has been at NCCU Law since May 2010.

Don't forget CALI!

2011-05-03T10:15:00.003-04:00

Tired of staring at your textbook, outline, or class notes? Looking for a different way to review for your upcoming exams? Then remember that CALI.org is home to over 800 different lessons on 33 different topics that can help you make the grade this semester.

If you've already registered, but forgotten you password - click on Request a New Password beneath the sign-in area. If you've never registered for CALI, stop by the Reference desk and pick up your registration code today!

Keep up the good work, finals are almost over!

Summer Access to LexisNexis and Westlaw

2011-05-02T13:52:00.003-04:00

Before you leave for the summer don't forget to sign up for summer access to LexisNexis and Westlaw to avoid headaches later!

To sign up for Westlaw Summer Access click here.

Westlaw access my be granted for the following reasons:
Summer Law School Course
Journal or Moot Court Research
Employed as Faculty Research Assistant
Unpaid, Non-Profit Public Interest Internships/Externships
Pro Bono Work for credit

To sign up for Lexis Summer access click here and look for "Aspire".

Summer access to Lexis will be granted for the following reasons:
Summer Course Prep and Assignments
Journal or Moot Court Research
Grant or Scholarship Research
Employed as Faculty Research Assistant
For Credit Internship, Externship, or Clinic Position
Bar Review
Research Skill Improvement for Educational Purposes

Full access to Lexis and Westlaw will be restored to continuing students in mid-August.

If you are a graduating 3L or 4LE please click here for summer Westlaw access and here for Lexis access.

Nichelle J. Perry selected to attend Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Harvard Institute for Academic Librarians

2011-04-29T15:27:00.009-04:00

Nichelle J. Perry, Assistant Director of the NCCU Law Library, has been selected to participate in the Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians sponsored by the Harvard Institutes for Higher Education and the Association of College & Research Libraries.

The program will be held from July 31-August 5, 2011 at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Participating in the Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians will provide Ms. Perry with the opportunity to discover important leadership concepts and apply them to the practical challenges of leading and managing the contemporary academic library.

“As an Assistant Law Library Director at a Historically Black Law School, it is imperative that I am ready to deal with the many challenges facing academic libraries efficiently and effectively. I am thrilled to be attending a program which recognizes the challenges facing the leaders of academic libraries” said Perry.

Prior to becoming the Assistant Director of the NCCU Law Library, Perry served as the Reference/Electronic Services Librarian at the Kathrine R. Everett Law Library and as the Reference Instructional Librarian at the NCCU Law Library.

Perry is a member of the North Carolina State Bar.

Justia.Net is offering Free Web sites for Lawyers & Law Firms

2011-04-29T13:51:00.010-04:00

3Ls, Don't miss this opportunity!!! If you are planning on opening your own law firm and your budget is tight, Justia is offering FREE Web sites for Lawyers & Law Firms.

All Web sites include:

1.Template Web Design
2.Search engine optimized pages

3.Firm Home Page

4.Practice Area Profiles

5.Firm Profile Page

6.Attorney Profiles

7.Web Resources Page and

8.Legal Articles Section

If you are interested go to www. Justia.net.

Library Etiquette

2011-04-27T17:53:00.004-04:00

Students please remember to use proper library etiquette at all times (and especially during final exams)!

Remember:

Do not leave your personal belongings unattended.
Be considerate of those around you and keep noise to a minimum (i.e., lower the volume on your iPod, type gently on your laptop, etc.)
Refrain from using your cell phone or having loud conversations while in the library.
Hold study group meetings in appropriate locations (i.e., study rooms, the fishbowl, etc.)
Avoid bringing food into the library and use spill-proof containers for your drinks.
Return study materials promptly so that other students can use them.
Do not attempt to reserve the library carrels -- they are first-come, first-serve.

Best of luck on your finals!

Happy World Intellectual Property Day!

2011-04-26T16:02:00.003-04:00

Today is the day to celebrate intellectual property and all the ways it touches our lives. Intellectual property laws foster creativity and innovations that make our lives better - by protecting authors who pen great works of literature and inventors who design a machine that makes life easier.

The aims of World IP Day are:

to raise awareness of how patents, copyright, trademarks and designs impact on daily life;
to increase understanding of how protecting IP rights helps promote creativity and innovation;
to celebrate creativity, and the contribution made by creators and innovators to the development of societies across the globe;
to encourage respect for the IP rights of others.

To learn more about World IP Day check out the World Intellectual Property Organization's website and facebook page.
To learn more about notable dates in American copyright history, check out the Copyright Office's World IP Day page.

Justia Opinion Summaries Alert Service

2011-04-25T10:13:00.003-04:00

Interested in staying current with trends in case law? You can sign up for the Free Justia Opinion Summaries and receive daily or weekly emails that meet your interests. You can receive emails by circuit (all Federal and select State Supreme Courts) or by practice area.

Sample Daily Summaries can be found here.

Sample Weekly Practice Area Summaries can be found here.

Countdown to the Bar Exam!!!!

2011-04-22T22:01:00.003-04:00

3L's its about that time. Graduation is right around the corner and so is the Bar Exam. It's time to buckle down and get serious.

So, let's kick off your Bar Exam prep with a few helpful tips to jump start your planning process:

Tip 1: Make sure you are properly registered for your state bar,

Tip 2: Gather Old State Bar Exams (past 10 years) and Practice Multiple Choice Questions,

Tip 3: Prepare a study schedule and stick to it (Make sure you schedule breaks or days of rest), and

Tip 4: Make sure you extend your Lexis and Westlaw Passwords. Both databases are allowing graduating 3L's to extend their passwords until the July Bar Exam study period.

CALI.org experiencing technical difficulties

2011-04-21T14:15:00.004-04:00

Some of you may have noticed that CALI's website went down this morning. According to Austin Groothuis, CALI Marketing & Communications Representative, the outage is a result of problems with Amazon EC2 (CALI's cloud service provider).

We realize that many of you would like to use CALI Lessons to prepare for finals and although we have no idea when CALI.org will be up and running again, we do have a solution -- CALI DVDs!

Please stop by the Law Library Reference Desk to get yours today.

White House Easter Egg Roll

2011-04-20T15:51:00.003-04:00

To many, the White House Easter Egg Roll is a joyful American tradition. However, things weren't always so "joyful."

The first press account of an organized Easter Egg Roll was in 1872 on Capitol Hill. Between 1872 and 1875, the annual Easter Egg Roll practically destroyed the Capitol grounds. And in 1876, members of Congress proposed a bill banning "egg-rolling" at the Capitol. The "Turf Protection Law of 1876" was signed by President Ulysses S. Grant on April 21, 1876 and enforced by police in 1878 (no Easter Egg Rollers showed up in 1877 due to rain).

Reluctant to face thousands of upset children (including his own), President Rutherford B. Hayes decided to allow the event to be held on the South Lawn of the White House. Since then, the Easter Egg Roll has been held at the White House nearly every Easter Monday.

Over the past 100+ years, the White House has had thousands of visitors on this day. So to keep things orderly, Easter Egg Roll tickets are now distributed through an online lottery system. This year's 30,000 winners will head to the White House's South Lawn on Monday, April 25, 2011 between the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. First Lady Michelle Obama's theme for this year's event is: Get Up and Go!.

To read more about the history of the Easter Egg Roll, see this National Archives' article.

Need help selecting a study aid?

2011-04-19T13:32:00.003-04:00

Feel the pressure of finals creeping up on you faster than you'd like?

Don't have your outlines done?

Having trouble spotting issues or memorizing rules?

Never fear - the Law Library is here! Currently on display in the Law Library are various types of study aids along with information sheets listing the pros, cons, and recommended uses for each type. Still not finding what you're looking for? Stop by the Reference Desk and talk with a friendly Reference Librarian today!

Tax Day

2011-04-18T15:04:00.002-04:00

If you are interested in learning more about the history of tax day, Westlaw Insider has the history of income taxation.

Solo Practice Resources

2011-04-15T14:16:00.007-04:00

Are you are interested in starting your own solo practice? If you are, the ABA General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division has a list of free resources, podcasts and helpful links to help jump start your business.

Go to : http://www.americanbar.org/groups/gpsolo/resources/start_run_a_law_firm.html