Showing posts with label Announcements. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Announcements. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Lexis Office Hours

Look for Lexis Student Reps at the Lexis table on the second floor adjacent to the Library entrance. Visit Jenna Bechtholdt jbechtholdt13@law.du.edu, Jonathan Culwell jculwell13@law.du.edu, Neal McConomy nmcconomy13@law.du.edu, or Antonio Mendez amendez14@law.du.edu with LexisNexis questions during the hours listed:

 
Jenna Bechtholdt jbechtholdt13@law.du.edu:
Tuesday          10:30am – 12:30pm
Wednesday     9:00am – Noon

Jonathan Culwell jculwell13@law.du.edu:
Monday           9:30am – 1:00pm
Tuesday          9:00am – 10:30am

Neal McConomy nmcconomy13@law.du.edu,:
Monday           4:15pm – 6:15pm
Thursday         9:00am – 10:00am; Noon – 2:00pm

Antonio Mendez mendez14@law.du.edu:
Tuesday          2:30pm – 4:00pm; 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Wednesday     Noon – 1:00pm
Thursday         2:30pm – 4:00pm

Contact LexisNexis Account Representative Katherine Sparks between or after hours Katherine.Sparks@lexisnexis.com:
Written by Sheila Green, Reference Librarian

Friday, August 31, 2012

Westlaw Office Hours


Look for Westlaw Student Reps at the Westlaw table on the second floor adjacent to the Library entrance. Visit Koley Borchard kborchard14@law.du.edu, Christina Brown cbrown13@law.du.edu, or Collin Zundel czundel13@law.du.edu with Westlaw questions during the hours listed:

Koley Borchard kborchard14@law.du.edu:
    Tuesday          1:00pm – 4:00pm
    Thursday         1:00pm – 4:00pm

Christina Brown cbrown13@law.du.edu:
    Monday           11:45am – 1:15pm
    Wednesday     8:00am – 10:00am; 11:45am – 1:15pm

Collin Zundel czundel13@law.du.edu:
Monday           3:00pm – 6:00pm
Wednesday     3:00pm – 6:00pm 

  • Call 24-hour Westlaw Customer Service: 1-800-WESTLAW.
Written by Sheila Green, Reference Librarian

Friday, August 3, 2012

Westlaw By Credit Card to Cease

Westlaw has recently announced that it will discontinue its “Westlaw By Credit Card” service as of August 31, 2012. Presently, this document retrieval service allows users to access to materials on Westlaw, including state and federal case law, statutes, and appellate briefs, with the use of a credit card. It also provides access to KeyCite, West’s citation research service. After August 31, 2012, users will have to have a Westlaw subscription in order to access Westlaw and charges will be billed to the user’s Westlaw account. LexisNexis previously discontinued its “LexisNexis by Credit Card” website.

The Westminster Law Library continues to provide access to a limited public Westlaw service through two public-access computer terminals on the third floor. We also provide public access to the LexisNexis Academic database from public-access computer terminals on any floor. Unfortunately, no remote access is available. Please ask library staff for any needed assistance accessing these services.

Written by Brian Shoemaker, DU LIS Student

Friday, July 27, 2012

Patent Law Research Guide

See our new research guide for an introduction to resources available for patent law research. The guide includes background material on patent law and litigation, links for inventors on obtaining a patent, and law journals, blogs and databases in the field.  There is also a short informational video on the US patent system that was created by the Federal Judicial Center for use in jury trials.

Check out all of our research guides for a topic that interests you! We currently have 60 guides on a variety of topics. Listed below are our Top 10 most popular guides so far in 2012.

1.
Colorado Law Project: Landlord / Tenant Resources
by Colorado Law Project @DU - Last Updated Jun 4, 2012 4,951 views this year
2.
Tax Loose-Leaf Services
by Sheila Green - Last Updated Apr 19, 2012 1,144 views this year
3.
Reporters and Digests
by Sheila Green - Last Updated Apr 19, 2012 933 views this year
4.
5.
Colorado Law Project: Structure of Colorado Government
by Colorado Law Project @DU - Last Updated Jun 7, 2012 750 views this year
6.
Colorado Statutes
by Reference Desk - Last Updated May 31, 2012 645 views this year
7.
Colorado Law Project: Small Claims Resources
by Colorado Law Project @DU - Last Updated Jun 7, 2012 623 views this year
8.
DU Bar Success: Resources and Tools
by Leah Kilpatric - Last Updated Apr 12, 2012 588 views this year
9.
Colorado Law Project: Child Custody and Parenting Time
by Colorado Law Project @DU - Last Updated May 29, 2012 523 views this year
10.
Written by Patty Wellinger, Reference Services Coordinator

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Bridge the Research & Analysis Gap Webinar

2012 BRAG Conference: Bridge the Research and Analysis Gap

  2012 BRAG Conference: Bridge the Research and Analysis Gap

  Video Replay on July 25th, 2012 - 3 CLE Credits

Program Highlights:
  • Advanced techniques for finding and analyzing primary law and secondary sources, including practice materials and forms
  • Understanding the relationship between state and federal law 
  • An overview of local government in Colorado and how to find municipal codes 
  • How to find and navigate free online resources, with demonstrations of key Colorado law materials
Program Description:
This year's BRAG program will demonstrate how to analyze and research a legal issue regarding medical marijuana.  The program will begin with how to analyze a problem to determine which research resources to consult and how to develop and track research steps.  The program will then explore how to research primary and secondary resources to find the authority to answer the legal issue.  The focus will be on Colorado authority but will be applicable to research in other jurisdictions.  The presenters will show how most of this authority can be found using free online resources and discuss cost-effective strategies.

Agenda:

9:00 - 9:30 a.m.

Research Methods and Analysis
This segment presents a hypothetical scenario for the following presentations and explains fact pattern analysis. Demonstrates how to create a research plan and keep track of your research.

Presented by Robert Linz, Esq., William A. Wise Law Library, University of Colorado Law School, Boulder, Colorado

9:30 - 10:00 a.m.

Colorado Practice Materials and Secondary Authority
This segment discusses how to save valuable research time by starting with secondary authority. Presents the different types of key resources, including Colorado practice materials, and how to apply them to your research.

Presented by Alicia Brillon, Esq., William A. Wise Law Library, University of Colorado Law School, Boulder, Colorado

10:00 - 10:45 am

TRACKS - Please select the track you plan to attend:

TRACK 1:

Colorado Statutory and Case Law Research
This program will discuss the value of annotated statutory codes and how to use them to quickly find the most relevant and cited cases. Shows how to save money by searching the free version of the Colorado Revised Statutes, and how to find legislative history documents on the Colorado General Assembly websites. Examines the West Digest System for case law and how to maximize the use of free resources both online and in your local law library.

Presented by Robert Linz, Esq., William A. Wise Law Library, University of Colorado Law School, Boulder, Colorado

TRACK 2:

Free Legal Resources
Learn how to make your research more cost-efficient by using a variety of free online resources, and how to judge the authoritativeness of web resources.

Presented by Susan Nevelow Mart, Esq., William A. Wise Law Library, University of Colorado Law School, Boulder, Colorado

Searching the CCR Online
Learn how to find and use the free online version of the Colorado Code of Regulations and Colorado Register.

Presented by Stacey Bowers, Esq., Westminster Law Library, University of Denver Sturm College of Law, Denver, Colorado

10:45 - 11:00 am

Networking Break 

11:00 - 11:45 am

TRACK 1:

Colorado Administrative Regulations
Learn how to explore regulatory law as part of your research plan. This session examines the relationship between statues and regulations and demonstrates how to use the Code of Colorado Regulations and Colorado Register in your legal research.

Presented by Robert Linz, Esq., William A. Wise Law Library, University of Colorado Law School, Boulder, Colorado

Local Government Research
This segment will explore the nature and source of local government ordinances and how to find them free online. Explores various other research uses for information found on local government websites.

Presented by Alan Pannell, Esq., William A. Wise Law Library, University of Colorado Law School, Boulder, Colorado

 TRACK 2:

Casemaker Demonstration
This segment will demonstrate how to take advantage of Casemaker, an alternative to LexisNexis and Westlaw that is available free to members of the State Bar of Colorado.

Presented by Madeline Cohen, Esq., U.S. Courts Library for the Tenth Circuit, Denver, Colorado

Google Scholar Searching
Get an in-depth demonstration of how to use Google Scholar to find case law and law review articles, and how this free resource can help you expand your research.

Presented by Alicia Brillon, Esq., William A. Wise Law Library, University of Colorado Law School, Boulder, Colorado

11:45 am - 12:00 pm

Closing Session  - Colorado Law Library Services
This session summarizes how the various research components fit together and how to utilize local library resources and law librarians to successfully complete your research assignments.  

Presented by Alan Pannell, Esq., William A. Wise Law Library, University of Colorado Law School, Boulder, Colorado

12:00 p.m. Adjourn

 
Faculty:

Stacey BowersOutreach & Instructional Services Coordinator, Adjunct Faculty, and Interim Assistant Library Director
Westminster Law Library
University of Denver Sturm College of Law
Denver, Colorado

Alicia Brillon
Reference Librarian
William A. Wise Law Library
University of Colorado Law School
Boulder, Colorado

Madeline CohenCircuit Library Director
U.S. Courts Library for the Tenth Circuit
Denver, Colorado

Robert Linz
Associate Director and Head of Public Services
William A. Wise Law Library
University of Colorado Law School
Boulder, Colorado

Susan Nevelow Mart
Director of the Law Library and Associate Professor
William A. Wise Law Library
University of Colorado Law School
Boulder, Colorado

Alan Pannell
Head of Reference
William A. Wise Law Library
University of Colorado Law School

Boulder, Colorado

 Video Replays: July 25, 2012:

 

Monday, June 18, 2012

Continuing Legal Education Opportunities


All attorneys licensed in Colorado are required to complete Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits unless they are listed as inactive status. The Board of Continuing Legal and Judicial Education  provides complete details of the requirements to fulfill RULE 260 OF THE COLORADO RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE (CRCP)

The Rule states that: Continuing legal education (CLE) credits are earned by taking part in certain organized legal educational activities. To receive credit for the activity, its primary focus must be the increase of professional competence of registered attorneys and judges, and it must deal with subject matter directly related to the practice of law or the performance of judicial duties.

Attorneys must complete 45 general credits every three years. Seven of these credits must be in legal ethics. These credits may be completed in a variety of ways including: 
  • graduate legal studies
  • pro bono / mentoring activities  
  • teaching
  • published research
  • committee research
  • self-administered study
New attorneys get three years in addition to the year that they pass the bar examination to complete their 45 CLE credits. They are also required to take the Practicing With Professionalism course, sponsored by the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation and the Colorado Bar Association prior to being sworn in as an attorney. The course is worth 6 CLE credits. 

Need some CLE credits? CLE in Colorado is a popular source of seminars, books & home-study CLE offerings throughout the state. Another online CLE provider is the West LegalEdCenter . The University of Denver Sturm College of Law also offers in-person CLE presentations through the Alumni office  and Graduate Tax departments, as well as conferences and symposiums held at the SCOL. The Privacy Foundation, run by Professor John Soma, offers low cost CLE programs several times per year to area attorneys.  

Written by Patty Wellinger, Reference Services Coordinator

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Summer Westlaw & Lexis Password Extensions

WESTLAW

If you are a SCOL recent graduate or continuing law student, your Westlaw password through the Westminster Law Library was turned off at the end of May. There may still be some options available if you need Westlaw access over the summer.

Continuing Students – Go online to the Westlaw law school site at http://lawschool.westlaw.com. There is a button over on the side for continuing students needing summer access because they are taking classes, interning, doing law review, etc. You will need to click on the link and fill out the form. Please remember that students are not supposed to use their school's Westlaw access for paid summer employment.

May Graduates – Go to the Westlaw law school site at http://lawschool.westlaw.com and click on the link  for recent graduates called "Graduate Extension". Westlaw has a transitional plan in place for recent graduates that allows you to use your DU Westlaw ID for up to 10 hours of usage per month for June & July. 

The Law Library also has two public access Westlaw terminals that you can use onsite if you need additional online research time. The public access Westlaw software is available on the two computers farthest from the door on Level 3. These contain limited Westlaw resources - statutes, regulations, cases, law reviews and some other secondary sources. You will need a printer/copier card in order to print using the DUNet printers since these machines are not tied to the free student Westlaw printers.

If you have problems extending your password, please contact DU's Westlaw Academic Rep, Jeff Brandimarte at Jeff.Brandimarte@thomsonreuters.comor (720) 839-1388. If you need assistance using the public access Westlaw in the Law Library, please stop by the Reference Desk on Level 2.

LEXIS

LexisAdvance passwords for current students will automatically be extended through the summer. For students that are doing internships, taking classes, working for a professor, etc., there is an option to  sign up for summer access to lexis.com.   To sign up, go to www.lexisnexis.com/lawschool and sign in, then look for the link to “2012 Summer Access” in the lower left corner.  Then you will need to click on the link to the summer access registration form.  Summer access runs from June 1 to July 31.

If you have problems extending your password, please contact DU's Lexis Academic Rep, Katy Sparks at katherine.sparks@lexisnexis.com. If you need assistance using Lexis in the Law Library, please stop by the Reference Desk on Level 2. 

Written by Patty Wellinger, Reference Services Coordinator




Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Reference / Research Law Librarian Opening


 

Quick link to view position details:  http://www.dujobs.org/postings/15975

 

The Westminster Law Library in the Sturm College of Law at the University of Denver seeks a creative, enthusiastic, highly productive law librarian to serve as a Reference / Research Law Librarian to work as part of a reference, research, and instruction team that interacts with law students, faculty, staff, alumni, the practicing bar, and the legal community. This individual should be proficient in both legal and general research strategies, resources, and new and emerging information technologies as they apply to law libraries and legal research. The Reference / Research Law Librarian will have an opportunity to teach legal research and library instruction. An awareness of developments in law librarianship will enable the Reference / Research Law Librarian to play a key role in enhancing services that support the five Centers of Excellence and the strategic plan of the Sturm College of Law.

Responsibilities:  Reporting to the Library Director, the Reference / Research Law Librarian will perform the following duties (subject to change based on operational needs):

-The position develops and maintains guides to legal research, web-based tutorials, and instructional materials, and participates in selecting books and other materials for the library’s collections.
- Provides specialized legal research consultations to law students, faculty, staff, alumni, the practicing bar, and the legal community.
- Serves as a member of the law library’s reference services team, providing excellent and responsive general information and legal reference services through regular shifts (day, evening, and weekends) at the Reference Desk.
- Contributes to the law library’s collection development efforts, representing a Center of Excellence and assigned content areas, including selection, assessment, and management of resources.
- Works closely with the Faculty Research Liaison and participates in the Law Library’s outstanding faculty services program, including performing legal and interdisciplinary research.
- Collaborates with law librarians to design, develop, and maintain the research web pages on the law library website (bibliographies, handouts, tutorials, Lib Guides, Internet research links, etc.).
- Leads and manages special projects that further the law library’s reference, research, instruction, teaching, and marketing efforts.
- Delivers basic and advanced legal research instruction to law library patrons.
- Prepares and presents library instruction sessions, lectures, workshops, and tours to students from the law school, other academic units at the University, and non-university affiliated groups.
- Represents the law library on law school, campus-wide, and law library community committees and at various meetings and other functions (as appropriate).
- Participates in and contributes to law librarianship through professional activities outside of the law library, including University and public service, and/or research and other creative activities that relate to and enhance performance of the primary position responsibilities.
- Develops and maintains awareness of current developments in the fields of law, library science, and legal research to enhance performance of primary position responsibilities.

Required Qualifications:
-MLIS & JD required.
-Demonstrated awareness of current trends in legal research instruction and technologies.
-Knowledge of the legal bibliography and legal research techniques in multiple formats. Familiarity with legal bibliography, legal research methods, and online legal and interdisciplinary research systems and sources.
-Demonstrated ability to conduct scholarly research and write articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
-Successful experience, skills and service-oriented approach in providing reference services.
-Innovative, flexible, and enthusiastic team player. Strong initiative and ability to work both independently and in a collaborative, collegial environment. Outstanding organizational, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
-Demonstrated knowledge of Lexis, West law, and Lib Guide software. Proficiency using standard MS Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications:
-Practice experience as an attorney and/or in a law library.
-Demonstrated experience shepherding ideas & projects through an organization without a formal leadership role.
-Ability to conceptualize & implement processes & programs, both independently & in a team, in a dynamically changing environment.
-Experience in assessing & selecting collections in law.

The Sturm College of Law
The Sturm College of Law at the University of Denver opened its doors to its first class in October 1892. Recognized for its Educating Tomorrow’s Lawyers: Putting Knowledge into Practice initiative, the Sturm College of Law has a current enrollment of approximately 1,000 students in day and evening programs and a faculty of 80 members. The Sturm College of Law features a Modern Learning Initiative and offers specializations in five areas: Environmental and Natural Resources Law, International and Comparative Law, Workplace Law, Constitutional Rights and Remedies, and Business and Commercial Law (http://law.du.edu/).

The University of Denver
The University of Denver, the oldest and largest independent university in the Rocky Mountain Region, is located in the city of Denver which is quickly becoming one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the U.S.  Situated in this vibrant metropolitan community, the University is committed to building and sustaining a culturally diverse faculty, staff, and student body. DU is research University with a high research activity and enrolls approximately 11,500 students in its undergraduate, graduate, and professional preparation programs (http://www.du.edu).  

Salary & Benefits: Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. The University of Denver offers a wide range of benefit choices.  Please see the 2012-2013 enrollment guide for details:  (http://www.du.edu/hr/benefits/2012_2013_benefits_enrollment_guide.pdf).

Deadline for Applications: Applications received by June 8, 2012, will receive first consideration, but applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.  The start date of this position is expected to be August 1, 2012.

To Apply: You can view a position description and apply on-line by going directly to:  http://www.dujobs.org/postings/15975.  To be considered an applicant, you must submit your application, resume, cover letter and a list of references (please include the names, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers of three references, with a statement of each reference's professional relationship to the applicant) online.

The University of Denver is committed to enhancing the diversity of its faculty and staff and encourages applications from women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans. DU is an EEO/AA employer.





Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Sports Law Research Guide

The Westminster Law Library is pleased to announce the release of a new Research Guide on Sports Law. Written by Ian Rainey, a 3L at the Sturm College of Law, the research guide covers key cases, legislation and topics such as antitrust / labor issues, Title IX, agents, contracts, drugs, ADR and intellectual property concerns in sports. There are links to relevant databases and free Internet resources as well as practice guides and other materials relevant to legal issues that arise with amateur & professional sports in the United States.

Written by Patty Wellinger, Reference Services Coordinator

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Office for Mac Update


There is a bug on Office for Mac that has been fixed with an update to Office for Mac.  This bug will change your document to asterisks, with maybe a smattering of boxes. For more information http://word.mvps.org/mac/asterisksbug.html.

To update Office for Mac open Word, go to Help Menu and select check for updates.  If you get a message that you can’t connect to server, restart your computer and make sure you are connected to the internet.

Two students have been affected by this bug and they will both attest that you don’t want it to happen to you. 

If you have any problems updating your software, please contact us.

Joan R. Pope
Helpdesk Coordinator
Sturm College of Law
303 871 6464


Monday, April 23, 2012

PAWS to RELAX: Therapy Dog Visits, May 1&2

Lower your blood pressure! Reduce stress! Give your brain a study break!

We know that preparing for exams can be very stressful so the Westminster Law Library is once again sponsoring a PAWS to RELAX program to bring therapy dogs to the SCOL building for study breaks. The program is being offered on Tuesday, May 1 from 12-2 and Wednesday, May 2 from noon-6pm in room 145.

Therapy dog teams from the Denver Pet Partners & Therapy Dogs, Inc. will rotate throughout the day, but each two-hour time block will include 2-4 dogs available for drop in visits. NO appointments necessary. These dog and handler teams have all undergone training and are used to interacting with adults and kids in hospitals, nursing homes, schools and libraries.

Big dogs, small dogs, we have them all. So stop by for a short study break and say hi!

Good Luck on Finals!

Written by Patty Wellinger, Reference Services Coordinator

Monday, April 16, 2012

A.L.R. Research Guide


Discover how American Law Reports (A.L.R.) http://libguides.law.du.edu/alr annotations can lead researchers to appellate cases from state and federal jurisdictions. See “Finding State Annotations” and “Finding Federal Annotations” for guidance in locating annotations in Table of Cases, Index, Table of Laws, Rules and Regulations, and Digest of Decisions and Annotations with Research References. Find out why researchers should avoid using A.L.R. Quick Indexes and which indexes are kept current with quarterly pocket parts published in January, April, July, and October. 

Look under “Updating Annotations” to see why it’s essential to check all annotation citations in Annotation History Table and how researchers can update older annotations as far back as 1919.

Written by Sheila Green, Reference Librarian

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Public Domain Citation in CO


Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael L. Bender has adopted a new way to refer to Colorado Supreme Court and Colorado Court of Appeals published opinions in legal briefs and other documents.  The purpose is to support the use of Colorado case law in both book and electronic formats, and to make it more affordable and accessible to attorneys and the public. 

"Slip opinions" were the opinions delivered by the Courts, but lacked a formal citation format until published in the Pacific Reporter.  Instead of “slip opinions”, which do not receive a citation to the Pacific Reporter for some time, the Court’s will immediately assign a “Public Domain Citation” (PDC) when the opinions are released for publication.  This promotes quicker access for attorneys, researchers, and pro se litigants to find, research, use, and cite to Colorado case law in both print and electronic formats. 

Chief Justice Directive 12-01 is effective January 1, 2012, and requires that the Clerks for both Courts assign a “Public Domain Citation” to all opinions announced for publication.  
See the “Chief Judge Directives” underneath the Administration topic, and right above the category “Adopted and Proposed Rule Changes”. Publishers of Colorado cases are being requested by the Court to include this public domain citation within the heading of each Colorado opinion that they publish on or after January 1, 2012.

Legal practitioners and self-represented parties will be permitted—but not required—to
use the public domain citation format instead of citing to the Pacific Reporter.  Irrespective of
the citation format used, a parallel citation to the other format is not required.See the Directive itself for how to create or use a PDC.

The following is an example of how this will look online.  To see the whole case click on 2012 CO 4 below.

 ANNOUNCEMENTS COLORADO SUPREME COURT MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2012

OPINIONS
Supreme Court of the State of Colorado 101 West Colfax Avenue, Suite 800 • Denver, Colorado 80202

ADVANCE SHEET HEADNOTE
February 6, 2012 Click on the case number to view the opinion in pdf format.
No. 11SA82, Colorado Mills, LLC v. SunOpta Grains and Foods Inc. – Regardless of whether arbitration is involved or not, a district court has the same authority to enforce subpoenas in civil actions. A district court, as a matter of state sovereignty, has no authority to enforce civil subpoenas against out-of-state nonparties. Instead, such enforcement, if any, is left to the states in which the discovery is to take place.

Opinions of the Colorado Supreme Court are available to the public and can be accessed through the Courts homepage.  Opinions are also posted on the Colorado Bar Association homepage and free websites.  

 Written by Catharine Cott, Reference Librarian


Friday, March 23, 2012

Colorado Legal Research Class

Reminder: Summer Semester priority registration begins Sunday, March 25 and continues through the end of the month. Check classes http://www.law.du.edu/index.php/registrar/class-schedules by clicking Summer 2012. We recommend Colorado Legal Research, a skills class, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:45pm until 4:25pm.

This course will introduce students to legal materials in print generated by executive/administrative, legislative, and judicial branches of Colorado government. Students will develop research strategies for answering legal questions using primary and secondary resources and learn how to relate the various sources of authority to the structure of Colorado government. Students are required to bring laptop computers to classes and enrollment is limited to ten students. 

Class topics include statutes, legal dictionaries, legislative history, reporters/cases, digests, Shepard’s citations, American Law Reports (A.L.R.), practice materials, legal periodicals and indexes, legal forms and directories, administrative materials, and court rules.
This skills class will be taught by Sheila Green, Reference Librarian. Register for Colorado Legal Research on March 25.

Friday, March 9, 2012

EU Research Guide


The Westminster Law Library is pleased to let you know about a new Research Guide for the European Union. This research tool will allow students and others seeking information about the European Union (EU) to locate the basic materials needed for legislative and case law research. Before beginning EU research, it will be most helpful to get an overview of the organization of the European Union system and the various entities that comprise the governing body. The “European Union System” tab will take the reader through a brief description of each of these areas and the role that it plays. Researchers will also want to know about the various types of legislation in the EU and about the Court system. The Guide is located here.

Researchers may also want to know that the Europa website provides free access to all European Union materials, and EU publications can be downloaded at no charge 

Please contact me if you have questions about research materials for the European Union. 

Written by Joan Policastri, Foreign, Comparative and International Law Librarian

Friday, March 2, 2012

CO Legislative History Research Guide


  • What is Colorado legislative history?
  • What is legislative intent and why is it important?
  • Why is researching legislative history in Colorado sometimes challenging?
  • Why is January 1, 1973, a critical date for Colorado legislative history researchers? 

Find answers to these questions and more in Westminster Law Library’s new libguide: Colorado Legislative History.

Browse “Researching Pending Legislation,” “Researching January 1, 1973 and After,” and “Researching Before January 1, 1973” tabs. And discover how microform, online, and print legislative materials in Colorado Capitol Watch, Colorado General Assembly, Colorado Joint Legislative Library, Colorado Legislative Bill Room, Colorado Legislative Council, Colorado State Archives, Colorado Supreme Court Library, Denver Public Library Central, Office of Legislative Legal Services (OLLS), and Westminster Law Library can assist researchers with legislative history projects. 

Written by Sheila Green, Reference Librarian

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Catalog Upgrade: Remote Access Changes

The Westminster Law Library catalog has been undergoing some upgrades.  Much of what you see looks the same, but there are several new features.  The most important difference is how authentication is done when you log into your patron record or use the proxy server for off-campus access to databases.  All students, faculty and staff will now need to log in using their DU ID and passcode. The passcode is the password that you set up to use when logging into DU’s WebCentral system. Law firms, law alumni and other card holders will continue to log in the old way with their name and library barcode.

Some other changes are not as noticeable.  You can now view your search history and run previous searches or searches that you have saved as “Preferred”. You can set up your account preferences so that you receive notices from the library via email or postal mail. You can also create lists of records, save them and view them later.

More changes are coming in the months ahead as we provide an additional search interface called Summon which allows for faceted search results. Stay tuned for details!

Written by Theresa Baker, Web Developer and  Patty Wellinger, Reference Services Coordinator

Friday, February 24, 2012

February CO Bar Exam

The Colorado Bar Exam will be offered February 28-29, 2012 at the Colorado Convention Center. For more information on computer usage, uploading your answer files and requesting a seating change, see the Colorado Board of Law Examiner's website.  Good luck to all of our students who are sitting for the exam!

The May Admission Ceremony for those who pass the February 2012 bar exam will be held on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 3:30pm at Boettcher Concert Hall.

Written by Patty Wellinger, Reference  Services Coordinator