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

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

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

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 !!!!

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

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

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!!!

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.