WSLL @ Your Service November 2025
Contents
Faster historical scanning is here - Carol Hassler
The library has several collections in microfiche and microfilm, which are invaluable for historical research and building comprehensive legislative history profiles for Wisconsin acts and bills. Before the days of digitization, microfiche and microfilm helped libraries to provide access to hundreds of thousands of pages - all held in a single storage drawer.
Wisconsin legislative drafting files are frequently used at the library. These files are on microfiche from 1927 through the end of the 1997 legislative session. Drafting files can number hundreds of pages, and include bill drafts, handwritten notes, memos, and analysis. Researchers look to these files to understand the history of a piece of legislation, including clues to legislative intent.
New technology at the library improves access to our collections on microform. The library's new microfiche scanner allows researchers to scan and save an entire microfiche - over 200 pages - in under 10 minutes. This is a huge efficiency boost for library users who need fast access to drafting files, Wisconsin appellate briefs, and other microfiche collections.
Our librarians are happy to help you to get started with the ScanPro automatic scanner. Scan or read on our computers, or bring a copy back to your office to review at your convenience. Save files to a flash drive, or upload to your favorite online service.
We know that many people aren't able to stop by the library in downtown Madison, which is why we also offer a scan request service to help bring the library to you. Send an email to wsll.ref@wicourts.gov or call the library at 608-267-9696 to ask for help to get a copy of a drafting file or brief emailed to you. Many requests can be filled at no charge. Our new microfiche scanner makes it easier to get you the information you need, fast!
New Books - Noelle Brasch
New Edition! The Foreclosure Survival Guide, by Amy Loftsgordon & Cara O'Neill
Call number: KF 697 .F6 L64 2025
The tenth edition of this no-nonsense guide gives practical information for those facing foreclosure. Authors Loftsgordon and O'Neill draw on their many years of experience to inform readers of possible courses of action and how to make decisions. This 2025 edition contains updates on “zombie” second mortgages as well as information of property tax foreclosures. For laypersons and lawyers alike, pick up The Foreclosure Survival Guide.
Topics include:
- Foreclosure nuts & bolts
- Chapter 7 & 13 bankruptcy
- HOA liens
- Tactics to avoid foreclosure
- Fighting in court
New Edition! Environmental Law for Non-Lawyers, by Gregor A. MacGregor & David B. Firestone
Call number: KF 3817 .M33 2025
Environmental Law for Non-Lawyers is a helpful handbook for those interested in the complex areas of environmental law and policy. This new edition includes recent Supreme Court rulings, executive orders, agency rulemaking, and international frameworks. Each chapter covers a different major environmental topic with a real world application in mind.
Topics include:
- National Environmental Policy Act
- Land use
- Global environmental law
- Endangered species
- Energy and regulation
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 - Heidi Yelk
Search within a statute section
When reading statutes, sometimes you want to focus on just a single word. The Wisconsin State Legislature's website makes it easy to isolate words in chapters, as well as in a specific section of a chapter. This can be helpful if the section is particularly large.
In the HTML (or non-PDF) view of the statute, look for the question mark button to the left of the statute. Left click on the question mark button to display the menu. Then choose "search in this section."
Options on the details menu vary depending on the type of document you are using on the legislature's website. For example, "Search in this section" is available for statutes and administrative code, but not acts or the constitution. The next time you're experiencing text overload, narrow your search with this section search tip.
Library News - Carol Hassler
Become a research expert
Register for our last class of 2025! Classes are free, and qualify for CLE credit. Please reach out to Michael Keane with questions about the class and Jaden Henneman with questions about registering.
Researching the Wisconsin Administrative Code
Wednesday, November 19, 2025, noon-1:00 p.m.
Live Webinar - Register for Researching the Wisconsin Administrative Code
Discussion and instruction of the history and function of the administrative code, with tips and examples to show how to research the history of a rule.
November holiday closures
The Dane County Law Library will be closed on Tuesday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day. The Lavinia Goodell State Law Library and Milwaukee County Law Library will be open that day.
Over the Thanksgiving holidays, the Lavinia Goodell State Law Library will be closed on Thursday, November 27. The Dane and Milwaukee County Law Libraries will be closed both Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28.
While any of our libraries are closed, you may email your questions to wsll.ref@wicourts.gov or call us at 608-267-9696. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
November Snapshot
Milton Area Veterans' Memorial and Veterans Park in Milton Wisconsin
Text by Courtney Baillod, Legal Studies / Madison College Paralegal Program
Veterans Day is Tuesday, November 11. It's an opportunity to thank veterans for serving our country. Veterans Day began as Armistice Day in 1919 to commemorate the end of World War 1, and it became a federal holiday in 1938. In 1954, it was renamed Veterans Day.
WDVA Programs & Services
The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) is where veterans and their families can find the support they need. Here are the programs and services they provide.
- Wisconsin Veterans Homes provide compassionate, long-term care for aging and disabled veterans.
- Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemeteries honors service members with dignified resting places.
- The Military Funeral Honors Program ensures every veteran receives the recognition they deserve with proper military tribute.
- The Wisconsin Veterans Museum preserves and shares Wisconsin veterans' stories and sacrifices.
- The Veterans Administration Regional Claims Office assists veterans in navigating the VA benefits system and filing claims.
- The Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program (VORP) and Veterans Housing and Recovery Program (VHRP) provide transitional housing and support services to help homeless and at-risk veterans regain stability.
- The Veterans Benefits Resource Center helps veterans to access state benefits and services.
Here are some ways you can help veterans:
- Volunteer or donate to local programs or at a nearby VA hospital.
- Help to clean or maintain headstones.
- Thank a veteran!
We hope everyone has a wonderful Veterans Day, and thank those who sacrifice so much for our country.
We are accepting snapshots! Do you have a photo highlighting libraries, attractions or points of historical interest? Send your photo to the editor at carol.hassler@wicourts.gov to be included in a future issue.
