This week in the Law Library we’re introducing 1Ls to legal research and sources of legal authority, how to research secondary sources, and cases and citators. We’re also teaching technology in law practice, and highlighting Law School Success resources.
This Week’s Research Sessions
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Lawyering I, sec. 2
Susan Boland, Associate Director & Ashley Russell, Instructional & Reference Services Librarian
Room 135
9:00am – 10:25pm
Researching Secondary Sources
Lawyering I, sec. 3
Laura Dixon-Caldwell, Instructional & Reference Services Librarian
Room 145
10:40am – 12:05pm
Introduction to Legal Research & Sources of Legal Authority
Lawyering I, sec. 5
Susan Boland, Associate Director & Ashley Russell, Instructional & Reference Services Librarian
Room 230
10:40am – 12:05pm
Researching Secondary Sources
Technology in Law Practice
Shannon Kemen, Legal Technology & Research Instructional Services Librarian
Room 107
11:10am – 12:05pm
Lawyering I, sec. 1
Laura Dixon-Caldwell, Instructional & Reference Services Librarian
Room 145
1:30pm – 2:55pm
Introduction to Legal Research & Sources of Legal Authority
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Lawyering I, sec. 4
Ronald Jones, Electronic Resources Instructional Services Librarian
Room 135
10:40am – 12:05pm
Researching Secondary Sources
Lawyering I, sec. 3
Laura Dixon-Caldwell, Instructional & Reference Services Librarian
Room 145
10:40am – 12:05pm
Researching Case Law & Using Citators
Technology in Law Practice
Shannon Kemen, Legal Technology & Research Instructional Services Librarian
Room 107
11:10am – 12:05pm
Lawyering I, sec. 1
Laura Dixon-Caldwell, Instructional & Reference Services Librarian
Room 145
1:30pm – 2:55pm
Researching Case Law & Using Citators
Lawyering I, sec. 6
Susan Boland, Associate Director & Ashley Russell, Instructional & Reference Services Librarian
Room 170A
1:30pm – 2:55pm
Researching Secondary Sources
Library Services on Labor Day
The Law Library Service Suite will be closed Monday, September 4th. Law students, faculty, and staff will have their 24/7 access to physical spaces and to electronic databases but circulation and reference services will not be available.
Featured Study Aid
In this expanded and reorganized edition, an introductory survey of research strategies is followed by discussion of major secondary sources, treatment of the sources of U.S. law created by each branch of government, chapters on specialized resources for litigation and transactional practice, and an overview of international and foreign law. Other new features include a deeper look at search algorithms and executive branch lawmaking. Sample illustrations are included throughout, and an appendix lists hundreds of major treatises and topical services by subject.
Featured Database
United States Law Week provides nationwide coverage of major cases and key legislative, regulatory, and pre-decisional developments in all areas of the law. Of particular note for those looking for topics to write on for a journal, it provides a round up of circuit splits.
Featured Videos
Sources of Law & Legal Authority Video Part 1
This video discusses sources of law and legal authority among the different branches of government and looks at the weight of different primary law authority. The video is 8:11 minutes long and features closed captioning and a table of contents.
Research Strategy & Documentation Part 2 Video
This video continues the Research Strategy & Documentation process by discussing the research process, tracking your research, documenting your research, and turning in your research. The video is 6:30 minutes long and features closed captioning and a table of contents.
Featured Guides
Research Strategy & Documentation
Law School Success Display & Links
This month’s display in the Law Library Services Suite, Room 110, is all about resources to help you succeed in law school. The display was curated by Senior Library Assistant, Rhonda Wiseman. Feel free to browse and use the books on display.
The selected resources below are available through the Law Library’s study aid subscriptions and address learning strategies and basic law school skills. Use these study aids to help you succeed in law school!
Advanced Reading for Law School
Available via CALI (if law students have not created a CALI account and need the school authorization code, contact a reference librarian). Law students are excellent readers, and this skill will lay the foundation for success throughout life. However, reading in law school requires more precision than previous educational activities. This lesson will deepen individuals reading skills specifically within the context of legal reading. This lesson also includes video commentary from the author that expands on the material in the lesson.
Common Law Basics: What Faculty May Assume You Know
Available via CALI (if law students have not created a CALI account and need the school authorization code, contact a reference librarian). A basic introduction (or refresher!) about sources of law, court structure, and precedent.
Available via CALI (if law students have not created a CALI account and need the school authorization code, contact a reference librarian). This lesson focuses upon the concept of metacognition and teaches you how to enhance your understanding about how you learn to better improve your study, organizational, test-taking and self-assessment skills with the goal of improving your performance in law school.
Note-Taking in Law School 101: The Basics
Available via CALI (if law students have not created a CALI account and need the school authorization code, contact a reference librarian). This lesson will walk you through things to consider before setting “foot” (physically or virtually!) in a law school doctrinal classroom. You’ll learn about how to listen for and capture the most important information, how to maximize your note-taking efficiency by using symbols and shorthand, and the various software options available for taking notes. It is recommended by the author that this lesson be completed before Note-Taking 101: Case-Based Content, which tests your note-taking skills in practice.
Note-Taking in Law School 101: Case-Based Content
Available via CALI (if law students have not created a CALI account and need the school authorization code, contact a reference librarian). This lesson, intended for incoming and current 1L law students, guides participants through the process of note-taking in law school classes with a focus on case-based information. Using a series of cross-doctrinal audio lecture examples and integrating periodic checks for understanding, students have the opportunity to develop their note-taking skills and practice categorizing the pieces of case-based information.