WSLL @ Your Service April 2009
Contents
Library Launches New Domain Name: WILawLibrary.gov
What’s New – Connie Von Der Heide
Library Launches New Domain Name: WILawLibrary.gov
You may be noticing some changes in our newsletter this month. Look up in your browser’s address bar! We have changed our domain name to the easier-to-remember WILawLibrary.gov. This change is made in anticipation of our redesigned website, which will launch this spring.
While you’ll still be able to reach our website using our old domain name (wsll.state.wi.us), please take a moment to update any links, favorites, or bookmarks you may have to our new domain name, wilawlibrary.gov.
The Wisconsin State Law Library website continues to serve as an outstanding resource for the state’s legal community, government agencies, and to members of the public who need easy access to legal information. With the launch of our redesigned website, you will see many enhancements.
Not only will it be easier to browse around the site, but we have also enriched our popular Legal Topics to include even more useful information. In addition, we are adding new legal research tutorials and online document request forms, and have set up a database for county legal resources such as forms, legal guides, and government agencies.
Be sure to watch our site for all of our changes, coming this spring!
What’s New – Connie Von Der Heide
Upcoming Classes
Attention Milwaukee attorneys and court staff! The Milwaukee Legal Resource Center is holding Westlaw training classes just for you on Wednesday, April 22nd. Our Westlaw representative will teach a one-hour Basic Westlaw session at 11:00 AM and a new one-hour KeyCite class at 1:00 PM in the MLRC. Each class will be worth one CLE credit. Class size is limited, so register early! Call (414) 278-4900, or stop in at the MLRC, or e-mail Rebecca.knutson@wicourts.gov.
WSLL currently has a full slate of classes scheduled through July 2009. Topics include Google Books Search, Wisconsin Briefs Online, Westlaw, BadgerLink, and Medical Databases for Litigators & Researchers. Space in these free classes is limited, so register today. Visit our Classes & Tours webpage for all the details.
National Library Week 2009
Libraries and library workers across the country will celebrate National Library Week, April 12-18 - and we are no exception!
The Wisconsin State Law Library will host an open house on Tuesday, April 14 from 3:00-4:30 pm in the library’s Reading Room. Join the staff for light refreshments and conversation. If you’ve never been here, this would be a great time to visit and learn more about the library.
The Milwaukee Legal Resource Center’s theme for this year’s celebration is "The Fine Art of Legal Research." Come to the MLRC to visit, answer questions about five different famous museums, complete a crossword puzzle, or draw your interpretation of the Milwaukee County Courthouse. There’ll be fun, games, prizes, and treats for all. Be sure to stop in!
The Dane County Legal Resource Center is also planning some special activities. Be sure to stop in that week, and enjoy a cookie while you’re there!
This Just In… – Julie Tessmer
Featured Title
How Judges Think, by Richard A Posner
Harvard University Press, 2008
Call Number: KF 8700 .Z9 P6 2008
Judge Richard Posner, a prominent legal scholar, is the author of numerous books and articles on jurisprudence. He currently presides as a judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and is a Senior Lecturer at the University Of Chicago School Of Law. In this latest book, Judge Posner presents “Nine Theories of Judicial Behavior” ranging from “The Judge as the Occasional Legislator” to “The Judge as a Labor-Market Participant.” Check out this thought provoking new book.
Just in Time for Tax Season
Charitable Giving from A to Z, by Carol D. Holborn
National Business Institute, 2008
Call Number: KF 6388 .A75 H64 2008
Home Business Tax Deductions: Keep What your Earn, by Stephen Fishman
Nolo, 2008
Call Number: KF 6377 .F57 2008
Stand up to the IRS, by Frederick W. Daily
Nolo, 2009
Call Number: KF 6324 .Z9 D345 2009
New Editions
Divorce and Money: How to Make the Best Financial Decisions during Divorce, by Violet Woodhouse
Nolo, 2009
Call Number: KF 524 .Z9 W66 2009
American Indian Law Handbook, Conference of Western Attorneys General
University Press of Colorado, 2008
Call Number: KF 8205 .A76 2008
See our latest New Titles list for a list of new books and other resources.
For assistance in accessing these or other resources, please contact our Reference Desk.
Tech Tip in Brief – Heidi Yelk
Smart use of technology in tough times
Today, saving money is all the rage. How can attorneys and law firms use technology to save money? Here’s a short list:
- Use a public law library for print and online research. This tip is no surprise, considering the source. The Wisconsin State Law Library and Milwaukee Legal Resource Center both provide free onsite access to Westlaw.com. The Dane County Legal Resource Center has free access to Shepards and Lexis “Get a Document” feature. These libraries also have extensive print resources.
- Take advantage of free CLE offerings. The Wisconsin State Law Library frequently offers free classes which qualify for CLE credit. These classes focus on using technology for legal research. Not only can you get free CLE credit, you can learn how to use free sources for legal research, thereby saving you more money.
- Utilize your firm’s billing software to the fullest. This tip comes from the California Lawyer which states “get more out of the technology you already have. A surprising number of firms underuse their billing or practice-management software packages….”
- Schedule online meetings and save on travel costs. The March 2009 volume of Law Practice Management provides a listing of several software packages that can be used to collaborate online. See Tips and Tools for Easy Collaboration.
- Save marketing dollars by using free sites to build your web presence. Five Ways to Expand Your Online Presence (Law Practice Management, March 2009) explains how to reach potential clients without breaking the bank.
Odds ‘n’ Endings – Connie Von Der Heide
Ah, spring is here, bringing us more hours of daylight, warmer temps, and spring cleaning! Please keep us in mind as a place to donate gently used legal fiction books, movies and TV shows. We’ll gladly add them to the WSLL Prose & Cons Collection for others to enjoy.
April Notables
1 – April Fool’s Day. On this day in 1933, The Madison Capital-Times ran a picture on its front page showing the dome of the Wisconsin State Capitol collapsing. A headline announced, "Dome Topples Off Statehouse." The article, which ended with the words “April Fool,” generated quite a few editorials from upset readers. In 1985, the magazine Science Digest named this one of the world’s best hoaxes. Source: Museum of Hoaxes
18 – On this date in 1818, land encompassing current day Wisconsin was made part of the Michigan Territory, representing one step in Wisconsin's path to statehood. It had been part of the Northwest Territory from July 13, 1787 to May 11, 1800; of Indiana Territory from May, 1800 to Feb. 3, 1809; and of Illinois Territory from Feb. 3, 1809 to April 18, 1818. The Territory of Wisconsin was formed July 4, 1836. Source: On This Day in Wisconsin History
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- Contact Connie Von Der Heide 608-267-2202
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