Wisconsin State Law Library

What's New - Lisa Winkler

Upcoming CLE Classes

Whether you are a WestlawNext beginner, power user, or looking for free online legal sources, we have you covered. Sign up for one of our WestlawNext classes in Milwaukee or Madison, and attend a tour of the State Law Library's website. There is no registration fee for any of the July classes; 1 CLE is offered per session.

WestlawNext Classes
Wednesday, July 8
Research Fundamentals on WestlawNext, Noon - 1 p.m.
Intermediate Research on WestlawNext, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: Milwaukee Public Library, Meeting Room 1
Registration through MPL is suggested as space is limited: 414-286-3011.

WSLL Website Tour
Wednesday July 15, Noon-1 pm
Location: Wisconsin State Law Library Training Room
Limited to 8. Register Online

Advanced WestlawNext
Tuesday, July 21, Noon - 1 p.m.
Location: Wisconsin State Law Library Training Room
Limited to 8. Register Online

Milwaukee County Law Library Closed Friday, July 3

The Milwaukee County Courthouse will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day. However, Milwaukee County Children's Court, the Dane County Law Library, and State Law Library will be open standard business hours. MCLL will resume normal hours on Monday, July 6.

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Searching the Wisconsin Administrative Code Online - Amy Crowder

The Wisconsin Administrative Code is the compiled rules and regulations promulgated by the various Wisconsin state agencies. All chapters of the current Administrative Code can be accessed online through the Wisconsin Legislature's website. Finding the applicable regulations can be daunting, but the following search tips will help you search more efficiently and strengthen your results.

Getting Started

There is no need to use “And” and “Or” in the search box. Simply type the key terms and click “Go.” Sort by relevance is the default setting, but at the bottom of the list of search results there are other sorting options. Choose from sort by relevancy, by path (arranged in ascending chapter order), or by most recent.

If you are unsure about which words to use, browse the Wisconsin Administrative Code Index to identify suggested terms to use in your searching. The index includes direct links to regulations if you find the one you need. If you already know the specific section or chapter, simply enter the citation.

For example, NR 115 or ATCP 134.06 (2). The cited chapter or regulation will appear at the top of the list followed by results containing references to the citation.

Limiting Results

Use quotes to search for phrases. Top search results will contain the exact phrase while results at the bottom will contain the words in the order they were entered. Are you finding an unrelated term in your results? Use a minus sign to exclude words. For example, a search for training license -dog will limit results to sections that do not mention dogs.

Cut through bulky results by using filters. Search filters currently in effect appear next to the results, but click “View All Filters” to select other filtering options. Broaden overly narrow searches by removing filters.

Be Mindful of What You Are Searching

The focus of the search box changes depending on your location within the Administrative Code. This feature helps target search results if you are searching in the correct content. For example, while viewing Department of Justice (DOJ) chapters, the search box will limit the search to DOJ sections (see “Search in Department of Justice” in the image below). To return to searching the entire Code, select “Administrative Code” from the breadcrumbs links. Use the breadcrumbs to navigate across the Code, Statutes, and the Wisconsin Legislature's website more broadly.

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This Just In - Pete Boll

New Edition! Legal Rights of Persons with Disabilities: An Analysis of Federal Law, 2nd edition, by Peter Blanck and others.
LRP Publications, 2013
WSLL Call Number: KF 480 .T82 2013

This treatise is an overview and analysis of the federal laws that attempt to eliminate the major types of discrimination confronted by Americans with disabilities participating in mainstream society. The treatise has three parts:

1. Community Integration: Discussion of creating access and eliminating discrimination in public accommodations, programs, and services including housing, transportation, education, and access to information technology and telecommunications.
2. Education: Relevant education laws applying to students with disabilities from birth to age 21.
3. Employment: Laws that aim to eliminate discrimination for people with disabilities in public and private work places.

More specifically, the second edition covers how to determine if the employee or employer has the burden of proof on the issue of direct threat, applying GINA's safe harbor provision when seeking an employee's medical information, and evaluating if a business is required by Title III of the ADA to maintain accessible facilities.

Updated! Labor Management Law Answer Book, 2016, edited by Brian West Easley and others.
Practising Law Institute, 2015
WSLL Call Number: KF 3319 .L332

The Labor Management Law Answer Book analyzes the controlling provisions of the Nation Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and other major federal labor legislation. Topics include:

• Obligations under executive orders affecting labor relations of federal contractors;
• Federal preemption of state regulations;
• Reporting requirements for unions and employers;
• Protected and unprotected activity;
• Duty to bargain;
• Unfair labor practice case procedures;
• Regulation of union dues and administration.

The 2016 Answer Book also discusses the Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA), Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA), and other federal statutes. Guidance on permitted activity by both unions and employers in negotiations, coverage of emerging issues like collective bargaining in the public sector, and strategies to optimize proactive decision-making in light of federal limitations highlight some of the core content of interest for this updated edition.

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.

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Tech Tip - Heidi Yelk

New Bluebook Covers eBooks and Updates Internet Citation Rules

The recently released 20th edition of the Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation contains several rule changes regarding the citation of electronic sources. For the first time ever there is a specific rule for ebooks. Rule 15.9(c) allows ebooks to be cited if the title exists exclusively in electronic format; however, print books are still considered the authoritative versions.

Rule changes in this edition are in response to the evolving and dynamic nature of publishing on the Internet. Rule 18, “Internet, Electronic Media, and Other Nonprint Resources,” now reflects how information is stored on the Internet. New rule 18.2.1(d) governs citation of web archives. This rule treats all Internet sources as direct citations and eliminates the use of “available at” when citing to something available in print and online (See former rule 18.2.1(c)). There are additional options for citing social media, including citing posts by author, user name, or handle on various social media platforms.

While many legal professionals have Bluebook rules committed to memory, you may need to consult this book when deciding how to cite electronic or Internet sources in your next legal writing. There are examples throughout the Bluebook to help you easily get up to speed with modern citation conventions.

The newest edition is available at all three of our libraries: Wisconsin State Law Library, Dane County Law Library and Milwaukee County Law Library.

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WSLL Recommends: Exculpatory Evidence

Black's Law Dictionary defines "exculpatory evidence" as evidence tending to establish a criminal defendant's innocence. The authoritative text on exculpatory evidence is Exculpatory Evidence: the accused's constitutional right to introduce favorable evidence. Written by renown experts Edward J. Imwinkelried, UC Davis School of Law and Norman M. Garland, Southwestern University Law School, it is now in its third edition.

This detailed treatise offers a comprehensive examination of a defendant's right to present exculpatory evidence. Criminal defense attorneys will appreciate the commentary on successful trial defense strategies and ways to improve the effectiveness of their arguments.

Newer counsel and seasoned litigators will benefit from reading the introductory chapter on the English common law behind the accused's right to present a defense and how it developed into a constitutional standard in American case law. Subsequent chapters break down individual rules such as:

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Staff News

@MCLL

The Milwaukee County Law Library welcomed two new Library Associates this spring. Lori Green interned at the Milwaukee Justice Center before coming to the library. She was formerly employed as an administrative assistant and is currently enrolled in Milwaukee Area Technical College's legal administrative professional program. She will graduate with an Associate Degree in December. By helping library users find legal resources such as circuit court procedures and forms, Lori is able to apply her legal knowledge while providing an important public service.

Diana Sirovina also joined the MCLL staff in May and possesses a strong background in office management and customer service. Diana has a diverse work history in private industry and even worked as an independent business consultant. She recently served as President and CEO of the Wisconsin branch of the American Legion Auxiliary and remains an active volunteer at the state and national level of this organization. Diana is a proud grandmother, golfer, and enjoys making wine at home with her husband. She has quickly assimilated to her role at the Milwaukee County Law Library.

@WSLL

Eric Chang started at the State Law Library in June as the newest Library Assistant. He has a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Cornell University and is pursuing a Master of Science in Bacteriology at the UW-Madison. He previously worked at the Albert R. Mann Library at Cornell and the Coburn Free Library in New York where he acquired several years of library experience. Eric enjoys playing the trombone in concert, jazz, and marching bands, which he has done since he was nine, and currently plays with the UW University Band.

Eric Chang

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Odds 'n' Endings- by Carol Hassler

Summer brings seasonal questions. Earlier this month we posted about vacation rental laws in Wisconsin. We talked about the role local ordinances play as well as the Wisconsin Department of Health's (DHS) regulatory oversight of tourist rooming houses and bed & breakfasts. Visit our blog to read more and get links to regulations, online ordinances, the DHS's guides, and Nolo.com guides.

Just in time for the Fourth of July, our blog post on fireworks laws in Wisconsin gives a quick overview of where to find laws and authorities on fireworks. In particular, we direct our readers to the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Wisconsin fireworks law memo.

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