FAULKNER UNIVERSITY, JONES SCHOOL OF LAW
THE LIBRARY LINK
Vol. 2006, No. 4
September/October 2006
THE LIBRARY’S RESEARCH OFFICE:
WE’RE HERE TO HELP
Is learning the “language of law” more difficult than it should be? Are you having trouble getting started on a research assignment or paper? Or, do you just need a little help finding something in our library? Our Research Office at the front of the first floor of the library can help with these and other subjects. Feel free to stop by to see the librarian on duty, to call the Research Office (386-7533), or to email us at “JSL Reference” (jslreference@faulkner.edu). A librarian is available to assist you from 8:00a to 9:00p Mondays and Tuesdays, 8:00a to 8:00p Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8:00a to 5:00p Fridays, and 2:00p to 6:00p Sundays. We’d like to help if we can!
DIVE INTO LIBRARY “DATABASICS” TO REFRESH RESEARCH SKILLS
The library’s Databasics series of workshops is designed to help you refresh your research skills, or even branch out into a new area, through informal, 30-40 minute, small-group sessions. Most sessions are held in our Computer Training Lab on the first floor of the Library. A calendar of this month’s Databasics sessions is posted around the law school and on the library website. Here are the Databasics sessions that will be offered during October:
Ø Case Law & Digests – A trip down memory lane with tools that are still very useful in our wireless age. (Thur. 10/5 at 6:30p; Fri. 10/6 at 10:30a)
Ø Law Journal Research – Good law journal articles are invaluable research tools. (Mon. 10/2 at 11:00a; Fri. 10/6 at 11:15a)
Ø Deciphering Codes: Statutory Research – Statutes trump cases; learn how to find and read them. (Tue. 10/10 at 10:30a; Mon. 10/16 at 3:00p; Fri. 10/20 at 1:30p)
Ø Good Law & Good For You: Shepard’s & KeyCite Citators – Cite checking is a crucial skill that can be used both defensively and offensively. (Wed. 10/11 at 4:00p; Thur. 10/19 at 11:00a; Fri. 10/20 at 2:30p)
Ø Edited For Content: Researching with Headnotes – Learn how to search headnotes to find what you need while saving time (and, time = money). (Tue. 10/24 at 2:30p)
Ø Other People's Stuff: Finding Sources Outside Our Library – Libraries love to share; we’ll teach you how to use that to your advantage. (Wed. 10/25 at 10:00a)
WELCOME OUR NEW LIBRARIANS ON BOARD
Please welcome our newest full-time librarian, Ned D. Swanner, Jr. Ned joined us on September 18 as our Electronic Services/Research Librarian. Ned has his law degree from Campbell University School of Law and his master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Missouri at Columbia. Ned also has an L.L.M. degree in constitutional law (with an emphasis in religious freedom issues) from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Before coming to Faulkner University Ned served as Head of Faculty and Student Law Library Services at St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, Florida. His job duties with us will include maintaining our growing number of electronic databases, expanding the content and design of our library website, providing research assistance to students and faculty, and helping teach the library’s informal workshops and the Advanced Legal Research course to be offered in the Spring Semester.
Also joining our fine library staff is R. Eric Ledwell. Eric is our Part-time Reference Librarian. He will be covering the Research Office on Sunday afternoons and on some evenings. Eric also serves as a Reference Librarian at the Alabama State University library. Eric has a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Alabama, and his undergraduate degree is from Faulkner University.
COMING SOON: 2-CREDIT ADVANCED LEGAL RESEARCH COURSE
A 2-credit hour elective course titled “Advanced Legal Research” will be team-taught by our librarians in Spring Semester 2007. This course will help you prepare for the “real world” of law practice during a summer job or after graduation. Look for registration information soon!
Watch for the next issue of The LibraryLink!