Google Books Ngram Viewer

Google Books NGram Viewer was launched last week. This tool allows you to search though Google’s corpus of books to see how frequently certain words or phrases appear during a specified time period. The results are displayed graphically and allow you to compare a few different words and phrases. For example: I entered: LP record (blue), compact disc (red), and iPod (green) between the years 1950 and 2008 from the corpus of English Fiction, and this result was returned:

Then I compared the mainly obsolete legal term demurrer (blue) with its replacement, motion to dismiss (for failure to state a claim) (red) between the years 1900 and 2008 from the corpus of American English. I received the following result:

I'm sure the possibilities of this are endless. Of course there are always caveats to a tool like this, such as different meanings for the same word and that pesky medial s (that is sometimes mistaken for an "f"). Nonetheless, it is amusing.

To try it go to: http://www.ngrams.googlelabs.com/
For more information on the Ngram Viewer go to: http://www.ngrams.googlelabs.com/info.

BNA Database Training- Tax and Accounting

On Wednesday, Nov. 17, at 4pm in the library’s computer lab (L308) a webinar will be held on BNA’s Tax and Accounting database for students. If you are interested in heading into corporate, tax or a related area of law or just plain interested in the subject, this training is for you. Candy will be served. If you plan on attending, please RSVP to Leslie Wong at lwong@tourolaw.edu.

Study Hall Hours for Fall Semester 2010 Final Exams

In preparation for fall semester final exams, the Gould Law Library will be open as a 24-hour study hall from Sunday, November 21 – Thursday, December 23 – except for Friday evening through Saturday evening, in observance of the Jewish Sabbath. The library will close on Fridays at 3:15 p.m. and will reopen on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. With this exception (and the Thanksgiving closing listed above), the library will remain open 24 hours a day. Students using the library after midnight must sign in and out at the security desk. Library services will not be available during the extended hours or overnight period, although a security guard will be on duty. The library (with the exception of the Circulation Desk, Reference Office, and enclosed study rooms) is a “quiet study” zone during the final exams period.
Library hours are subject to change. Please verify hours by calling the Circulation Desk at 631.761.7150, or by visiting the library’s web site at http://www.tourolaw.edu/LawLibrary/ and clicking on “Library Hours.”

Gould Law Library Online Survey

Please take the Gould Law Library survey on Survey Monkey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HQG6BSW. The name of each student who completes the survey will be placed in a drawing. First prize is dinner for two at Carraba’s. Ten runner-up prizes will be awarded -- $5.00 gift certificates for Starbucks. The survey is brief – and your input is invaluable in helping us evaluate and improve library services. The survey will be online from Thursday, November 4 – Friday, November 19. Thanks for your help and participation!

New HeinOnline Intellectual Property Law Collection

HeinOnline has recently introduced the Intellectual Property Law Collection. This new collection focuses on copyrights, patents and trademarks in the United States. It includes various materials including legislative histories, Manual of Patent Examining Procedure, Code of Federal Regulations Title 37, U.S. Code Titles 17 & 35, books, periodicals and more. Access and learn more about the Intellectual Property Law Collection at: http://www.heinonline.org/HOL/Welcome.

New U.S. Government Printing Office Federated Search Tool

The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) just released a federated search tool for retrieving U.S. Government Publications entitled MetaLib. Metalib simultaneously searches about 53 Federal Government databases and provides reports, articles, and citations while providing direct links to selected resources available online. Users can conduct basic, advanced, and expert searches with the ability to restrict broad topic areas. Access and learn about Metablib at: http://metalib.gpo.gov.

New HeinOnline Features and Enhancements

HeinOnline has introduced some new features to its database that will make researching easier and faster. The New York Legal Research Library now has a chart which allows you to sort by Collection, Court, Year, Volume or Citation. They have also introduced a Google RSS feed to World Constitutions Illustrated Library which links to the latest news about the constitution for that country. Lastly, Faceted Searching Technology has been added to Title Lookup which will display publication search results grouped by Collection. Read and learn about these features at:
http://heinonline.blogspot.com/.

New Making of Modern Law: U.S. Supreme Court Records and Briefs, 1832-1978 Database

The Making of Modern Law: U.S. Supreme Court Records and Briefs 1832-1978 database provides a comprehensive collection of records and briefs brought before the U.S. Supreme Court. It includes transcripts, applications for review, motions, petitions, supplements and other official papers. Access the database at: http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/SCRB?locID=tc_law.

Informative Visual History of the United States Supreme Court

Timeplots recently published a visual history of the United States Supreme Court from 1789 to 2010. The poster contains biographical information on all of the justices with a visualization of the influence of U.S. presidents and their political parties on the Court. It also provides summaries of landmark cases with vote counts for each case as well. Access the full visual at:
http://timeplots.com/scotus/.

Interesting Graphic History of Classroom Technology

The New York Times recently published a graphic history article on classroom technology. The article highlights the evolution of classroom technologies from the 1600's to the present. Read the full article at: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/09/19/magazine/classroom-technology.html.

New Justis and JustCite databases

Justis
This database provides full text materials of UK, Irish and European Union case law dating back to 1163 and legislation from 1235.
http://www.justis.com/

JustCite
This database is a legal search engine and citator service that cross-references case law, legislation and journal articles dating from 1163.
http://www.justcite.com/

Informative Article for Law Students Interested in Working as Research Assistants

Mark Wojcik, from the John Marshall Law School, recently published an article for law students who are interested in working as research assistants. The article discusses ten reasons why students should consider being a research assistant. It also provides advice on how to get research assistant jobs, how to do well in these positions and other essential career advice. The authors also recommend this article for faculty members when interviewing potential research assistant candidates. Read the full article at (must log in to SSRN): http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1265844.

Interesting Article on E-Books

The Wall Street Journal recently published an article on e-books entitled "Should You Buy an E-Book?" The article discusses the booming business of e-books and its growth in the past few years. It also provides helpful tips for those interested in buying e-book readers. Read the full article at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703447004575449953277291226.html.

New CQ Press Electronic Library and Making of Modern Law Databases

The Gould Law Library is now subscribing to the following databases:

CQ Press Electronic Library
The CQ Press Electronic Library provides reference resources for research in American government, politics, history, public policy, and current affairs. Access and learn about this database at: http://library.cqpress.com/.

Making of Modern Law: Primary Sources, 1620 – 1926
This database provides published records of the American colonies, documents published by state constitutional conventions, state codes, city charters, law dictionaries, digests and more. Access and learn about this database at: http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/nysl_me_touro?db=MMLP.

Making of Modern Law: Trials, 1600-1926
This database contains unofficially published accounts of trials, official trial documents, briefs, arguments, legislative and administrative proceedings as well as arbitrations from famous trials that shook society in America, the British Empire and the world. Access and learn about this database at: http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/nysl_me_touro?db=MMLT.

Guide to Legal Research on the Internet

Cornell Law School's Legal Information Institute and Justia have recently sponsored a helpful and instructive research guide entitled "Law Student Guide to Free Legal Research on the Internet." The guide is hosted by CALI and written by Sarah Glassmeyer, JD, MLS, of Valparaiso University School of Law. The guide was created to help law students navigate the overwhelming world of Internet legal resources and to assist legal research instructors in teaching law students on how to use those resources. In addition, there is a Law Student’s Guide to Free Legal Research on the Internet’s Blog, which provides information on upcoming and existing free legal research resources . Access the guide and blog at: http://freelaw.classcaster.net/.

Is the World Wide Web in decline?

Wired magazine's September 2010 cover story examines whether the Web is dying in face of new technologies like apps. Apps are becoming increasingly popular with the advent of Iphone, Ipad and other smartphones. The cover story is very informative on the technical background of the web and apps. But most importantly discusses the challenges that face the Web and present several arguments on the future of the Web debate. Read the full cover story at: http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/08/ff_webrip/.

Informative Essay on Publishing Articles in Academic Publications

An informative essay guide was recently released for law students who want to publish articles in academic publications. It is written by faculty members Nancy Levit, Lawrence D. MacLachlan and Allen Rostron from the University of Missouri at Kansas City - School of Law. The essay explains the how-to's for academic publication by law students that are not on law review but have written scholarly level papers for classes or seminars. It also highlights the publishing route for article submissions and provides a chart of the 194 law review policies (by law school) with respect to whether they will publish comments by students and additional information. Read the guide on SSRN at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1656395.

TWEN Training Sessions

TWEN (The West Education Network) is used by many Touro Law Center faculty members for online course management. TWEN training is provided to incoming first-year law students during Orientation because some faculty members begin posting assignments and messages for their students on TWEN before classes begin.
Incoming first-year law students should attend one of the following sessions during Orientation. Pre-registration is not required. Please arrive in the Auditorium about five minutes before your session begins. Please bring your Library Orientation Packet because it contains the Westlaw password and supporting materials that you will be using to access TWEN. (You will receive this packet during the Law Library Introduction Session on Tuesday, August 17.)

Sessions will be held for the Day Division on:

Tuesday, August 17, 2:00-2:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 18, 5:00-5:30 p.m

Sessions will be held for the Evening Division on:

Tuesday, August 17, 10:00-10:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 18, 5:00-5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 18, 10:00-10:30 p.m

Gould Law Library Tour Schedule

The Gould Law Library at Touro Law Center is offering library tours to interested first-year law students on Wednesday, August 18, 2010. Tour leaders will introduce students to the locations of frequently used legal research materials, such as New York cases and statutes, legal encyclopedias, and study guides. Also, students will learn the locations for basic library services such as reference assistance, materials checkout, computer printing, photocopying, and quiet study rooms. Tours will be held at 5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and will be led by a member of our Reference Office team.

New HeinOnline Features and Enhancements

HeinOnline has introduced some new features to its database that will make researching easier and faster. The features include "Did You Mean" which will correct misspelled words and display the alternative spelling for your term. They have also introduced title e-mail alerts which will update you when new content is added to the various database libraries. Lastly, HeinOnline has also added faceted searching to the Taxation & Economic Reform in America, Parts I & II, History of Bankruptcy: Taxation & Economic Reform in America, Part III, and the U.S. Federal Legislative History libraries. Faceted searching provides results from all of these libraries when you run a search in one library. Read and learn about these features at:
http://heinonline.blogspot.com/

Senate Confirms Elena Kagan for U.S. Supreme Court

The Senate has just confirmed Elena Kagan as the Supreme Court's 112th justice by a vote of 63 to 37. Elena Kagan is the fourth woman named to the court and will serve with two current woman judges including Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. See New York Times article for more information on the confirmation:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/06/us/politics/06kagan.html?hp.

Interesting Article on Plagiarism in the Digital Age

The New York Times recently published an interesting article on plagiarism for students in the digital age. The article discusses possible causes of plagiarism and other issues within the realm of digital materials on the Internet. Access the article at: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/02/education/02cheat.html.

New Federal Register 2.0 Website

Federal Register 2.0 was recently launched on July 26, 2010 by the Office of the Federal Register and the Government Printing Office. Currently, it is a prototype website which was designed to be user friendly and easily accessible. The site has content divided into six major topics including money, world, business & industry, environment, science & technology, and health & public welfare. Federal Register 2.0 also has new search options by date, agency, topic etc, as well as RSS feeds and social networking tools. Learn more about Federal Register 2.0 at: http://www.federalregister.gov/.

New edition of "The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation"

The nineteenth edition of "The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation" was recently released this summer. Copies are available at the bookstore and the Gould Law Library. The new edition retains the same basic approach to legal citation as previous editions but there a few changes to the rules. Pace Law Library has compiled an informative list of these changes. Access and learn more about these changes at:
http://pacelawlibrary.blogspot.com/2010/06/changes-in-19th-edition-of-bluebook.html.

New OmniFile Full Text Select Database

The OmniFile Full Text Select database combines almost all of the subscribed WilsonWeb databases and has full text articles from over 2,700 publications. It also provides access to other WilsonWeb databases including Applied Science & Technology, Education, Humanities, Social Sciences, and more. Learn more about this database at: http://www.hwwilson.com/databases/omnifile_select.cfm.

New Lexis-Nexis Academic Database

Lexis-Nexis Academic is a comprehensive database which provides access to full-text news, business and legal publications, as well as other sources. The database provides various search options and has updated stories in national and regional newspapers, wire services, broadcast transcripts, international news, and more. There is also a Company Dossier module that provides detailed company information and financial performance as well. Access and learn more about this database at http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic/.

Federal Government Offering Phone Apps

The U.S. federal government is now offering a number of phone apps through their usa.gov website. The apps include product recalls, UV index, alternate fuel locator, postal service tools, Medlineplus, and more. There are even "customer" reviews available for certain phone apps. Learn more about the phone apps at: http://apps.usa.gov/.

Indlaw and TradeLawGuide Databases

The Gould Law Library is now subscribing to the following databases:

Indlaw:
This database provides a comprehensive collection of Indian laws, legislation, cases, treaties, articles and more.

TradeLawGuide:
This database provides comprehensive access to World Trade Organization (WTO) law, including decisions, agreements, rules of interpretation, jurisprudence and more.

New Gale Eighteenth Century Collection Online Enhancements

The Eighteenth Century Collection Online database was recently updated with new enhancements. The database has added 50,000 new titles, contextual essays, and a new updated user interface. Gale has also added new search options including cross-searchable content, keyword in context, expanded download and email options, citation generator and more. Click here to learn more about the enhancements or access the quick PDF overview at: http://www.gale.cengage.com/pdf/facts/ECCO.pdf.

Three New Gale Databases

The Gould Law Library is now subscribing to the following Gale databases:

Academic OneFile:
This database contains over 12,000 journals and reference sources, many of which are peer-reviewed and full text. It has extensive coverage of the law, technology, medicine, social sciences, the arts, theology, literature and more.

General OneFile:
This general periodical database contains over 12,000 periodicals, newspapers, reference books and multimedia sources, over half of which are full text. Subjects include law, humanities, education, environmental issues, technology, health care, politics and more.

Health Reference Center Academic:
This health database includes over 2,800 journals and magazines, many of which are full text. The database contains nursing and allied health journals, other medical journals, newsletters and consumer health magazines.

Supreme Court Extends Second Amendment Right to Bear Arms to State and Local Levels

The Supreme Court just ruled in a 5-4 decision that Chicago's ban on handguns is unconstitutional, this decision will extend the Second Amendment's protections to the state and local levels. The Chicago ban on handguns raised several constitutional issues as it barred city residents from bearing arms for their own use. Read the article at:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703964104575334701513109426.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEADNewsCollection

Informative Guide on Fair Use

The Center for Social Media at American University recently released an informative guide on fair use and navigating copyright law for scholarly research. Although the guide is created for communications scholars, it was vetted by a committee of lawyers who provide an accurate synopsis of fair use, copyright and court interpretations involving copyright issues. Access the guide at: http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/fair-use/related-materials/codes/code-best-practices-fair-use-scholarly-research-communication.

Interesting Blog Entry on PACER Fees

Steve Schultze, Associate Director of the Center for Information Technology Policy at Princeton, recently posted an interesting entry on the issue of PACER fees and the use of its revenues to finance other government programs. Currently, PACER charges $0.08 per page which applies to both pages of search results and documents you retrieve. PACER fees can be expensive to lawyers who frequently require PACER materials but also raises the issue of whether charging fees works against public access to proceedings. Read the entry and learn more about this issue at: http://managingmiracles.blogspot.com/2010/05/what-is-electronic-public-access-to.html.

New LawInfoChina database

This database provides a comprehensive collection of English-language versions of relevant documents for Chinese law research. It has been tailored specifically to meet the legal research needs of foreigners and foreign organizations interested in Chinese law and other legal areas. The database provides access to Chinese laws, regulations, cases, treaties, law journals, legal news and more. Access and learn more about this database at: http://www.lawinfochina.com/.

Interesting and Helpful Visualizations on Legislative Processes

The Sunlight Labs Design for America contest was recently held and dealt with amazing ways to view government and imagine new ways for government to serve citizens. The top winners provided excellent visualizations entitled "How a Bill Becomes Law" and "Guide to Senate Floor Procedures." To learn more about these and view other entries please visit:
http://sunlightlabs.com/blog/2010/design-america-winners/.

New enhancement on HeinOnline Law Journal Library Database

The landing page of the HeinOnline Law Journal Library is now live and has been simplified to make searching journals faster and more efficient. The new page has several search features including a drop down menu with search options and search by citation. Find out more information on these enhancements at: http://heinonline.blogspot.com.

New Leadership Library database

This unique database provides personnel contact and other background information of the institutional leadership of the United States, including U.S. and state governments, judicial, law and lobbying firms, news media, corporate, nonprofit organizations and more. Access and learn more about this database at: http://ldi.bvdep.com.

New VersusLaw database

VersusLaw is a comprehensive database which provides fully searchable case law, legal decisions and legal opinions from state and federal appellate courts. It includes case law from the U.S. Supreme Court, federal circuit and district courts, tribal courts and limited foreign jurisdictions. It also provides case law from state appellate courts as well as state statutory resources.
Access and learn more about this database at: http://syndicate.versuslaw.com/research/wfrmSearch.aspx

Federal Judiciary Launches Enhanced Website

The Federal Judiciary recently launched an enhanced website with a new redesigned PACER site as well. The Judiciary site incorporates new features including email delivery service, mulitmedia tools, widgets and read-aloud service. PACER offers new resources including user manuals, digital audio recordings online, and more. Learn about the new features and access the new websites at: http://www.uscourts.gov/Home.aspx.

New Index to Legal Periodicals Retrospective Database

The Index to Legal Periodicals Retrospective database indexes over 750 legal periodicals published in the United States and other countries. The database covers dates from 1908 to1981. It covers annual surveys of the laws of a jurisdiction and federal courts, yearbooks, annual institutes, as well as annual reviews of the work in a given field or topic. Subject covered included Administrative Law, Antitrust Legislation, Banking, Constitutional Law, Domestic Relations, Environmental Protection, Estate Planning, Food, Drug & Cosmetic Law, International Law, Labor Law, Landlord/Tenant Decisions, Malpractice Suits and more. Access and learn more about this database at: http://vnweb.hwwilsonweb.com/hww/advancedsearch/advanced_search.jhtml;hwwilsonid=O0CVYIPHELNEJQA3DILCFGOADUNGIIV0?prod=#

Berkeley Electronic Press Law Journals

The Gould Law Library at Touro Law Center is subscribing to Berkeley Electronic Press law journals. The peer-reviewed journals are available online and cover a range of legal issues and subjects. The journals available include: Asian Journal of Comparative Law, Global Jurist, International Commentary on Evidence, Issues in Legal Scholarship, The Law and Development Review, Law & Ethics of Human Rights, Muslim World Journal of Human Rights, Studies in Ethics, Law, and Technology, Theoretical Inquiries in Law, Review of Law & Economics, and Journal of Tort Law . Visit the "Library Databases" page to access and learn more about the journals: http://www.tourolaw.edu/library/onlinedatabases/.

Supreme Court Rules on Life Terms for Juveniles

On May 17, 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that juveniles may not be locked up in prison for life without the possibility of parole. By a 6-to-3 vote, the Supreme Court ruled that life imprisonment without parole in such cases violated the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. More information and full decision at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/us/politics/18court.html?ref=us.

President Obama Nominates Solicitor General Elena Kagan to U.S. Supreme Court

On Monday May 10, 2010, President Barack Obama nominated Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court. The HeinOnline Blog has created a special section on Elena Kagan which covers information on the nomination and career background. But HeinOnline has also compiled a number of law review articles authored by Kagan that can help provide information on her views and positions on issues ranging from freedom of speech to government policy making. Read the full article at http://www.heinonline.blogspot.com/.

Law Book Network

Law Book Network is site that allows you to buy, sell, trade used law books worldwide for free! It serves the the law profession, legal academia and others by establishing a zero-cost online marketplace for used law books as well as other legal material and legal research materials of all formats. Learn more at http://www.lawbook.com/.

The Bruce K. Gould Book Award

The Bruce K. Gould Book Award will be presented to Kenneth Gormley for The Death of American Virtue: Clinton vs. Starr this evening, April 21st, 2010. Dean Gormley is the interim dean at Duquesne University School of Law as well as a nationally renowned expert on Watergate and special prosecutors.

The Death of American Virtue: Clinton vs. Starr has become a national best seller since it's release in February of this year.

Evening Students: Research Tips for Summer Clerkships, Internships and Employment!

On Monday April 19th Christine Morton and James Durham will be leading a session on free federal and NY legal research tips as well as cost cutting for Lexis and Westlaw and better utilizing Touro resources. Join them on the 19th from 5:20-6:00 pm in the Library's main computer lab!

Lunch with the Librarians- Today!

Please join James Durham and Christine Morton for research tips for summer clerkships, internships and employment in room 307 from 12:30 to 1:30! The first 20 students to RSVP to James Durham (jdurham@tourolaw.edu) will receive a complementary lunch.

Spring Holiday Hours and Closings

The Gould Law Library will have special holiday hoours and closing during spring break:

• In observance of Passover, the Library will close at 2:45 pm on Monday March 29th and will be closed all day Tuesday and Wednesday March 30th and 31st. We will reopen to students, faculty and staff at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday April 1st. For all other visitors, we will open at 8:00 a.m. *

• The library will again be closed on Sunday, April 4th, Monday April 5th and Tuesday, April 6th. The Library will reopen on April 7th at 7:00 a.m. for students faculty and staff and 8:00 a.m. for all other visitors. *

We would like to wish our students, faculty and staff a happy and healthy spring break and holiday season!

*Detailed access policies may be found at here.

New CALI software

CALI recently released A2J Author, version 3. A2J Author assists legal aid attorneys and court personnel to create computer based, user friendly instructions and forms for use on the Internet. The interviews that are created with A2J Author are intended to enable self-represented litigants to complete court documents that can be filed with a court. A2J Author is currently used in 36 states, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, England, Australia, Canada and Singapore.
A2J Author is available for free to anyone using it for non-commercial purposes. This software can be downloaded at www.a2jauthor.org.

West OnePass

Westlaw has extended the timeframe for students and faculty to update their account information, username and password. Westlaw users now have until May 31, 2010 to update their West OnePass account.