JONES SCHOOL OF LAW
THE LIBRARY LINK
Vol. 2005, No. 1 August 2005
WELCOME, OR WELCOME BACK!
New students naturally may think the library has always looked like it does today. Returning students know otherwise! Our staff has been hard at work throughout the summer to make the library a more useful place for research and learning. Some of the changes (we hope you see them as improvements!) include:
New arrangement of the collection. We’ve arranged the hard-copy collection in a more functional manner. On the first floor are: Alabama materials; reference books; federal statutes, cases, and key administrative materials; and state cases (West’s National Reporter System). All of our microform materials, including the reader-printers, have been placed together at the rear of the first floor. On the second floor are: the general collection (arranged in call number order, including state codes and state-specific books); the law journals (arranged alphabetically); and a small archives section.
Reserve materials. The Reserve collection behind the Circulation Desk has been slimmed down to include some popular study materials (like the Lexis Publishing “Understanding” series) as well as items that professors place on Reserve for their courses. Students with a valid ID may check out these items for 2 hours at a time.
New electronic databases. A big part of our make-over is the addition of many new databases. These are accessible from any library computer, and most are also accessible from ANY computer anywhere that’s connected to the Internet. You’ll need your student login and password, of course. You can see a lineup of all our databases on our new library web page (coming soon!).
New computers and Computer Training Lab. Not only have we added new databases, but librarians and vendor representatives will be offering training sessions to help you learn how to use them. Check signs and the library web site for our new “Databasics” training session schedule. We’ve also updated the library’s computers and remodeled the computer lab into a training facility with a ceiling-mounted LCD projector.
Reference collection and Research Office. A major part of every library is its services. We’ve set up a “Research Office” on the first floor, with a librarian on duty during peak traffic periods to help answer your research and reference questions. A librarian will even be on duty for 4 hours each Saturday. If you have a research question during the week and no one is in the Research Office, just ask at the Circulation Desk and the “on-call” librarian will be paged to help you.
New furniture arrangement. Most of the study carrels and tables are now on the second floor. We are designating the second floor as the “quiet study area.” The university’s computer staff is working to ensure that network connections are available at the carrels.
LIBRARY COURTESIES
With our new functionality comes an old reminder – the library is a place where people come to study, so we ask that you help us by trying to keep noise to a minimum. A few common courtesies for everyone are: absolutely NO CELL PHONE conversations in the library; talking only in a low voice in the Computer Training Lab and elsewhere on the first floor; and observing the “quiet area” designation on the second floor (except in the group study rooms, where quiet conversation is permitted). Remember that GROUPS have priority for the group study rooms; a group wishing to use a study room may ask a single individual to vacate the room. Persons who do not comply with these rules will be asked to leave the library. Sadly, repeat offenders will be referred to the Dean’s office.
A complete list of Library Policies is attached to the email that is being used to distribute this newsletter, and will also be available on the library web site.
MEET OUR NEW LIBRARIANS
Since February we have added three new librarians, in addition to the new director. Elizabeth “DeDe” Bradsher joined us in February. She has a Masters degree in Educational Media from Auburn University and will receive her M.L.I.S. degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in the spring of 2006. Her duties include cataloging and overseeing the library’s technical services functions.
Georgette “Gigi” Panagotacos came on board in April. She has J.D. and M.L.I.S. degrees from Florida State University and has substantial experience in law libraries. Her duties include collection development, overseeing acquisitions, and research assistance (with a focus on faculty services).
D. Marin Dell joined us in May. She has a J.D. With Honors from California Western School of Law, an M.L.I.S. degree from Florida State University, and is working on a Specialist’s degree with a focus on law librarianship. Her duties include maintaining the library web site, overseeing circulation and library computer functions, and providing research assistance.
A fifth librarian, Robb Farmer, will join us in September. He has J.D. and M.L.I.S. degrees from the University of Kentucky and will focus on research assistance and instruction.
All of the librarians will help teach our “Databasics” workshops (see below).
COMING ATTRACTIONS . . .
“Databasics” workshops. We’re launching a series of short, informal, small-group refresher workshops on a whole range of research topics. We call these sessions “Databasics.” Watch for signs, emails, and notices on the web site for Databasics sessions that might interest you.
Library web site. The library web site is “under construction” and will be up soon. It will have links to the online catalog and our other databases, lists of our hours and services, and other helpful information.
Signage and locator tools. There will be new signs, maps, and guides to help you navigate your way around our new arrangement. The signs should go up this week.
“Cornerstones” research guide series. The librarians are putting together a set of research guides to help you jump-start your research, no matter what the topic is or what research tools you need to use. These guides will be available in hard copy and on the library web site.
Watch for the next issue of The Library Link!