New Trial Food and Beverage Policy

The Law School community is encouraged to use the Law Library as a place for research, study, reflection, and leisure. To promote a welcoming environment, and for the comfort and convenience of our patrons, the Law Library is implementing a trial period for allowing food in the Library.  Beginning immediately and continuing through the exam period, the consumption of some food items is permitted in some areas of the Library.  After this trial period, the policy will be evaluated and if users have been acting responsibly in following the policy it will be extended to the spring semester.   This policy endeavors to accommodate our users and to encourage the use of Library resources while protecting the Library’s collection and technology.  In order maintain a pleasant and comfortable environment for everyone while protecting Library materials and furniture, some restrictions on food and drink are necessary.  This food and drink policy also does not extend to the computer labs.

Beverages are permitted in all areas of the Library if they are in travel-type cups with secure, sealed lids, pop-top or pull-top sports bottles or other closed bottles.  Some food in appropriate containers is permitted in all areas of the Library except for the Reading Room and the Rare Book Room.  Meals, hot foods, and any messy or aromatic foods are not allowed.  Examples of prohibited foods include but are not limited to:  pizza, hot entrees, burgers, French fries, noodles, burritos, tacos, and soup.  Large size bags or packages of items such as chips, crackers, and cookies are not permitted. Outside delivery of food to the Library is not permitted.  Food and drink should not be left unattended or uncovered; food left unattended, packaged or otherwise, will be removed and discarded. Library personnel retain the right to decide if a food item falls within the permitted food items or not. Please note that users who bring in food that disrupts their fellow users’ study will be asked to remove that food from the Library

Patrons are expected to clean up after themselves by placing food refuse in the appropriate receptacles.  Containers for recyclable bottles and cans are located on each floor of the Library.  In the event of spills, clean-up supplies are available at the Circulation Desk. In order for us to continue to allow the privilege of having food and drinks in the Library, we need your help in keeping the risk of damage to Library property to a minimum. The key to success will be the willingness of Library users to be responsible in their choice of foods and beverages and to help by cleaning up, if needed.

Announcing Chat Reference Service

The Ruth Lilly Law Library now has a fast and easy way to connect with the reference librarians to ask them questions!  The Library's chat reference service (also available via links on the Library's website) uses chat software called Meebo that allows law students, faculty, and staff to ask questions without downloading or installing any software.  All that is required is for the user to login using his or her  IU username and password, type the message in the Meebo box, and hit enter to send a private message directly to a librarian at the reference desk.

The service is available anytime the reference desk is staffed. The Meebo box lets you know whether the service is live or whether you'll need to enter your question and come back later for an answer.  This new service will supplement the Library’s traditional reference services (in person at the reference desk, on the telephone, by email) and give users another way to consult the expertise of the reference librarians!
 

Library Final Exam & Winter Break Hours

25 Greatest Legal Movies Competition

Thank you to everyone who participated in and commented on The 25 Greatest Legal Movies display and competition in October.  From the responses we received, it appears that this display was one of the most popular displays the library has presented.  

The number of contestants who took time to fill out the ballots exceeded our expectations!  Out of the ballots received, there were 2 winning entries with all answers marked correctly, and two runners -up (with only two incorrect answers each).

The winners were Dennis Mullen (2L) and Patrick Sullivan (2L). The runners-up were faculty member Carrie Hagan-Gray and Sam Beasley (3L).  The prizes awarded included stainless-steel travel mugs, a Waterman pen, and a wireless mouse.  Again, thank you to everyone who participated and congratulations to our winners! 

Did You Know?  Using SSRN for Research

SSRN (Social Science Research Network), http://ssrn.com/, was founded in 1994 by Michael Jensen and Wayne Marr to provide an efficient means to distribute scholarly research and expand the interdisciplinary approach to research. Their motto is “Tomorrow’s Research Today.” SSRN provides ongoing access and content and is changing the way research is distributed and is changing the way research is done. SSRN is a closely held, for-profit company. Many of the owners are corporate scholars, and they have never taken any outside money (no investment bankers, venture capitalists, or bank debt). Thus, SSRN has been funded entirely by a small group of scholars, and it is not a subsidiary of a large publishing company.

You can search the SSRN database for articles and then download articles of interest. A SSRN download starts with the reader visiting the article or working paper's abstract page. Readers, who still want to read the article or paper, can then download the full-text of the article in a pdf format. Some articles however are unavailable or are available for a fee. Citation and abstract information is available for all articles found in the SSRN database. The advantage of the SSRN database is the availability of forthcoming articles not yet published anywhere in print or online. Many of these articles are often freely available from SSRN. Another advantage is the availability of articles in subject areas related to the law such as corporate governance, political science, economics, financial economics, health economics, entrepreneurship research and policy, social insurance, and philosophy. The deepening of the social sciences and humanities subject areas within the SSRN database is expected to grow in the future and should add benefit, context, and perspective to the needs of the legal researcher.  

Spotlight on the Corporate Practice Library

The Library recently subscribed to the online version of the Corporate Practice Series Portfolios by Bureau of National Affairs (BNA) Publishing.  The print portfolios have been a Law Library staple for years.  The transition to an electronic version of the portfolios provides immediate access to users through the Library web page listing of resources (hint: for easiest access be sure you have authenticated through VPN).  The portfolios are topic specific analysis of major corporate law topics; they are longer and more detailed than law review articles, but aren’t as complicated as treatises.  Each portfolio is written by one to two attorneys who practice in the field and runs from fifty to two hundred pages of in-depth analysis on subjects in categories of business formation, securities,  employment, and antitrust and trade regulation.   A few of the specific portfolio titles are: The Sale of Corporate Control;  The Environmental Impact Statement Process; Antitrust Aspects of Mergers and Acquisitions; State Antitrust Law and Living with the Robinson-Patman Act.   Within the portfolio you will find a detailed table of contents, bibliography and worksheets or sample forms as applicable. The substance of the portfolio is reader friendly review of the current state of the law including majority and minority views.   A typical portfolio is updated multiple times a year and covers the latest case law and statutory developments.   If you are searching a particular area of corporate law, finding a portfolio can mean that much of the research has been done for you.  

To locate a portfolio on a specific topic you have multiple search options. 

Option 1.  The first is to use the “Quick Search” box at the top of the main screen.  This will do a full-text search of all portfolios, news items and primary authority (statutes and regulations).  A list of hits by title will appear and you scan through the results by ‘relevance’ or by ‘type of item’.    This type of search is best for locating a specific piece of information within a range of resources.

Option 2.   If you want to locate a particular portfolio, use the “Go To” link at the top of the screen.  A drop down menu of all available portfolio titles will appear.  The titles are clearly labeled for the subjects they cover.    This method is best if you want a complete portfolio on a subject.

Option 3. This is a more sophisticated search where you select the resources you want to search and then type in your terms.  Select the “Advanced Search” link and then the broad category of corporate law in which you are interested.  The term search will be limited to that category of portfolio.  This search is more focused and should be used when you know what you are looking for.

Once an appropriate section is found it can easily be printed or downloaded using the printer icon in the upper left corner of the document which converts the text into printer friendly format.   The links to primary authority are extremely limited focusing on selected federal acts and regulations and do not include state laws (except Delaware) and case law. The Corporate Practice Portfolios are best used as a secondary source for background information covering major practice issues.
    

Investigating the New FDsys

A new system called Federal Digital System (FDsys) (available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/search/home.action) is on track to replace GPO Access (available at http://www.gpoaccess.gov). GPO Access is the website developed by the Government Printing Office to provide access to certain core government publications online.

The new Federal Digital System (FDsys) is an information management system designed to provide a one-stop site to the documents of the United States.  The system automates the collection management and dissemination of electronic information from  all three branches of the U.S. government.  FDsys will authenticate, preserve, and provide permanent public access to federal government information. 

FDsys also offers enhanced browse and search functions for users to find the information they need in a quick, efficient manner. For example, users can search for keywords in the full text, title, or other fields. Users can also search within a set of search results to refine and narrow their searches. 

FDsys is available currently as a public beta site during migration of information from the previous government information website, GPO Access.  The migration of all information from GPO Access into FDsys is planned to be complete by the end of 2009.  Until this time, GPOaccess.gov will continue to contain all content.

Examples of information currently available on FDsys include:

• Budget of the United States Government (Fiscal Year 2010)   
• Economic Indicators (1995 to Present)
• Economic Report of the President (1995 to Present)
• GAO Reports and Comptroller General Decisions (1994 to 2008)
• Government Manual (1995 to Present)
• Statutes at Large ( 2003 to 2006)
• Federal Register (1994 to Present)
• List of CFR Sections Affected (1997 to Present)
• Public and Private Laws (104th Congress to Present)
• Congressional Bills (103rd Congress to present)
• History of Bills (1983 to Present)
• Congressional Directory (105th Congress to Present)
• Congressional Calendars (104th Congress to Present)
• Congressional Committee Prints (105th Congress to Present)
• Congressional Documents (104th Congress to Present)
• Congressional  Hearings (105th Congress to Present)
• Congressional Record:  Bound (1990-2001); Daily (1994 to Present); Daily Index (1983 to Present)
• Compilation of Presidential Documents (1993 to Present)

Since multiple versions of government publications are common, FDsys will provide version control for these items, too.  The site’s ultimate goal is to provide a complete historical record from the founding of our nation to the present for all federal government information.

GPO has created short FDsys video tutorials on an FDsys overview, simple search, advanced and citation search, and browsing. Users can access the tutorials at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsysinfo/tutorials.htm. GPO also has a presence on YouTube and has produced a short video on FDsys at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7QWBjRMse4.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  Does the Library have anything that will help me study for my exams?

A. Some exams from IU law professors are available on the Ruth Lilly Law Library website at http://indylaw.indiana.edu/library/examfiles.html or on reserve.  Access to these exams is restricted to IU students. To access exams available on the website, you will need to logon with your IU username and password.  The exams are arranged by course name or the name of the professor.  The Law Library relies on professors to submit electronic copies of their exams for this collection.

The following materials can assist you in your exam preparation:

• William R. Andersen, Writing Better Law School Exams: The Importance of Structure. This is a CALI lesson. To obtain a password to register and use CALI, contact a reference librarian.
• Ronald Brown & Joseph Grohman, Exam Taking Skills, Outlines, and Advice for Law Students: Panel 2 (podcast).  This is a CALI podcast.  To obtain a password to register and use CALI, contact a reference librarian.
• Scott Burnham,  Tips for Multiple Choice Exams in Law School (podcast).  This is a CALI podcast.  To obtain a password to register and use CALI, contact a reference librarian.
• Ann M. Burkhart & Robert A. Stein, Law School Success in a Nutshell: A Guide to Studying Law and Taking Law School Exams (2d ed. 2008). Reserves KF283 .B87 2008
• Charles R. Calleros, Law School Exams: Preparing and Writing to Win (2007). KF283 .C35 2007
• John C. Dernbach, Writing Essay Exams to Succeed (Not Just to Survive) (3d ed. 2009). Display (Normally Stacks) KF283 .D47 2009
• John C. Dernbach, A Practical Guide to Writing Law School Essay Exams (2001). Reserves KF283 .D47 2001
• Ronald Eades, John Farago & Patrick Wiseman, Exam Taking Skills, Outlines, and Advice for Law Students: Panel 1 (podcast).  This is a CALI podcast.  To obtain a password to register and use CALI, contact a reference librarian.
• Barbara Glesner Fines, Exam Preparation Strategies
• Richard Michael Fischl and Jeremy Paul, Getting to Maybe: How to Excel on Law School Exams (1999). KF283 .F47 1999
• John H. Langbien, Writing Law Examinations
• Jennifer Martin, Top  10 Tips for Successfully Writing a Law School Essay (podcast).  This is a CALI podcast.  To obtain a password to register and use CALI, contact a reference librarian.
• Carol Nygren, Using Professors' Old Exams To Prepare
• Carol Nygren, Confronting Your Final Exam - Torts
• Jerry J. Phillips, Thirteen Rules for Taking Law Exams, 72 Tenn. L. Rev. 797 (2005).
• Daryl Wilson, Exam Taking Skills, Outlines, and Advice for Law Students: Panel 3 (podcast).  This is a CALI podcast.  To obtain a password to register and use CALI, contact a reference librarian.
• Patrick Wiseman, "When You Come to a Fork in the Road, Take It," and Other Sage Advice for First-Time Law School Exam Takers, 22 Ga. St. U. L. Rev. 653 (2006). 

Q.  How can I figure out what this abbreviation means in this citation?

A.  The Law Library has several sources that can help you decode abbreviations.   The Bluebook and ALWD have useful tables within them that can help you figure out many citation abbreviations.  Copies of the Bluebook and ALWD are available on reserve.  Currently in its sixth edition, Prince's Bieber Dictionary of Legal Abbreviations is another excellent source for thousands of abbreviations used in citations.  Ask for this at the reference desk.  The Guide to Foreign and International Legal Citations provides standards for citing country specific primary source material.  It’s also a good place to find abbreviations for official legal publications from other countries.   Another good source for foreign and international abbreviations is the World Dictionary of Abbreviations.  Both Guide to Foreign and International Legal Citations (K89 .G85 2009) and World Dictionary of Abbreviations (K85 .W67 1991) are available in the reserve room.

Librarian and Staff News

Several of the law librarians and staff in the Ruth Lilly Law Library have made significant contributions to the university or profession.  Below is a summary of their contributions or attendance at meetings:

Beverly Bryant, Acquisitions Senior Assistant, has been inducted into the Quarter Century Club this year.  The Quarter Century Club marks 25 years of service to Indiana University.

Debra Denslaw, Reference Librarian and Circulation Supervisor, presented "Budget Jones Diary – A Mini Workshop Dealing with Creative Ways to Allocate Funds " at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Ohio Regional Association of Law Libraries, Oct. 16, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio.  

Steve Miller, Reference Librarian, published his article, “Beyond the Walls of the United Nations: Exploring U.N. Databases at AALL,” The ALL-SIS Newsletter, 27(3): 10-12, 14, Fall 2009, available at, http://www.aallnet.org/sis/allsis/newsletter/29_1/29_1.pdf.  Steven was appointed to a two-year term by the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) to serve on the AALL Bylaws Committee, a committee of seven law librarians who serve nationally and who review the constitution and bylaws of local and regional law library organizations.  This committee makes recommendations as to language, content, and consistency.  He also was elected Vice-President/President-Elect of the Indiana University Library Association (InULA).  Steven will become President of InULA in August 2010.  He also is serving his second year as Secretary of the Indianapolis Law Librarians Association.  Steven has been appointed to serve on the IU campus Faculty Council Academic Affairs Standing Committee for a two-year term.  Steven is one of 17 committee members, drawn campus-wide, who advises IU Faculty Council on matters involving the faculty, including but not limited to, issues of academic freedom, appointments, and tenure and promotion policies and procedures. He also attended the AALL Leadership Academy, October 16-17, 2009, in Oak Brook, Illinois.

Miriam Murphy, Associate Director, participated in  "Budget Jones Diary – A Mini Workshop Dealing with Creative Ways to Allocate Funds" and facilitated the program  "Keep Your People and Balance Your Budget" at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Ohio Regional Association of Law Libraries, Oct. 16, 2009, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Hours are posted on the website and in the library.

Library hours - http://indylaw.indiana.edu/library/hours.htm
Reference hours - http://indylaw.indiana.edu/library/libservices.htm#RefHours