JONES SCHOOL OF LAW
THE LIBRARY LINK
Vol. 2005, No. 2
October 2005
FINDING YOUR WAY AROUND THE LIBRARY IS NOW EASIER
Finding what you’re looking for in the library is quick and easy with our new “Library Locator” guide. This handy one-page finding aid lists major items in our collection and shows the section of the library and the aisle numbers where those items are located. If you have questions that are not answered by the Library Locator, please ask for help from a member of the library staff.
If you have not visited the library in a while, you will notice that we’ve rearranged the collection in a more user-friendly 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.
REVAMPED LIBRARY WEB SITE IS YOUR INFORMATION GATEWAY
Be sure to check out our completed revamped library web site at /jsl/library.asp. The site should be the starting point in your search for legal and non-legal information. The new site lists our library and Research Office hours, shows staff contacts, features a “web site of the week,” and has links to a wide variety of useful information resources: our online catalog; library guides and publications; free Internet research resources; and our growing inventory of subscription databases.
Use the library web site as your first source for library and information-related needs.
NEW ONLINE DATABASES ARE ACCESSIBLE FROM OFF CAMPUS
The library keeps adding to its collection of online databases for students and faculty research. A continually-updated annotated list of databases to which we subscribe is available on the library web site at /jsl/library/databases.asp. Recent additions to our outstanding lineup of electronic databases include: ADR World (current ADR news, statutory summaries, and more); BNA All (all research products published electronically by noted legal publisher BNA); HeinOnline (full-text access to hundreds of law journals, as well as international law materials); the LexisNexis Serial Set (full-text, searchable access to millions of pages of pre-1970 Congressional documents); and the United Nations Treaty Collection.
All of the library’s databases are accessible from any library computer, and most are also accessible from any computer anywhere that is connected to the Internet. Log in and start researching!
STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME THROUGH DATABASICS” WORKSHOPS
The library offers a continuing series of short, informal, small-group workshops on a whole range of research topics. We call these sessions “Databasics.” Use these Databasics sessions as refreshers for topics that you need to brush up on, or attend to learn something new. Databasics classes will be offered on the average of three times per week at different times and days, in order to maximize the possibility that you’ll be able to fit some into your busy schedule. Monthly listings of Databasics sessions are posted in the library and on the library web site.
Topics to be covered during October include: Library Grand Tour (Oct. 5, 7, 11, 14); Case Law/Digest Research (Oct. 6, 7, 10); Westlaw Tips & Tricks (Oct. 18, 24, 28); Introduction to Library Databases (Oct. 19, 21, 27); and Exam Preparation (a Halloween special on Oct. 31!). See the library web site or watch for signs listing the starting times.
All Databasics workshops last from 30-45 minutes and will be held in our ecently renovated Computer Training Lab on the first floor of the library.
If you need help on a topic that is not listed on the Databasics schedule, be sure to suggest it to our Instructional/Research Librarian Robb Farmer.
WELCOME ANOTHER NEW LIBRARIAN ON BOARD
Please welcome our newest librarian, W. Robert (Robb) Farmer. He joined us on September 19. Robb has J.D. and M.L.I.S. degrees from the University of Kentucky. He has practiced law, worked as a librarian in a busy law firm, and most recently served as a reference librarian at the Arizona State University College of Law. He will focus on research assistance for faculty and students, and will coordinate the library’s instructional programs.
Robb joins our fine library staff that includes: DeDe Bradsher, Bibliographic Services Librarian; Tim Chinaris, Associate Dean for Information Resources and Library Director; Barbara Daniel, Administrative Assistant; Holly Davis, Cataloging Assistant; Marin Dell, Electronic Services/Research Librarian; Carol Leah Hatfield, Circulation Assistant; Gigi Panagotacos, Collection Development/Research Librarian; and Joy Smith, Acquisitions Assistant. Visit any of us in the library or contact us via the contact information listing on the library web site.
VISIT THE LIBRARY’S “RESEARCH OFFICE” EARLY AND OFTEN
We would like to remind you to visit the “Research Office” on the first floor of the library for help with your research and information needs. Our librarians take turns staffing the Research Office throughout the day. A librarian is on duty until 8:00 pm Monday through Thursday evenings, and from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday. We appreciate your interest and look forward to working with you.
Watch for the next issue of The Library Link!