Due Process: Georgetown Law Library Blog

If you’ve recently used the Encore catalog interface to search for library materials, you may have noticed a helpful new feature: Direct links to relevant journal and newspaper articles now appear along with books and other resources in your search results.

Synergy, a new software add-on to the Encore search platform, works to retrieve full-text and summaries of individual documents and articles from over 25 of the Law Library’s most popular databases, including HeinOnline, ProQuest Congressional, LexisNexis Academic, ProQuest Newspapers, JSTOR, and LegalTrac.

In most cases, finding a specific law review article in PDF is now as easy as entering the article’s title or citation in the search box at http://discover.ll.georgetown.edu/iii/encore, or in a Keyword search under “Find Books, Journals and e-Resources” on the Law Library homepage at http://www.ll.georgetown.edu.

True to the resource discovery concept behind Encore, Synergy also offers enhanced options for more general article-level research on a topic.

For example, you can find articles related to any Encore search by clicking the Articles link at the top left of the results page. From there, browse and select from the corresponding documents in Hein Core Collections of legal periodicals listed by relevance, or choose another folder at left to see only articles within a certain topic or source category. Click the PDF or Full Text links to open the articles in new browser tabs. (See screenshots below.)

For more information or assistance using the new Encore Synergy feature, please get in touch with a reference librarian. We’ll be happy to help you out at the Wolff or Williams reference desks, by email, Live Help chat, or by phone.

This entry was posted on May 1, 2012 at 2:22 PM and has received 927 views. Print this entry.

The Friends of the Georgetown Law Library invite you to the latest screening in the Law at the Movies film series:

Movie: Erin Brockovich (2000)
Date:  Thursday, April 19, 2012
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Hart Auditorium

Based upon a true story, this award-winning film focuses on a legal assistant and her small law firm who uncover and prosecute a class action suit over the environmental poisoning of a small California town. Julia Roberts won an Oscar for her portrayal of Brockovich, who sacrificed her time and limited resources in passionate pursuit of justice.

After the program, please stay for a discussion on the ethical, legal, and cultural aspects of the film. The panel will include:

• Michael Frisch, Adjunct Professor of Law & Ethics Counsel
• Kumar Jayasuriya, Adjunct Professor of Law & Associate Law Librarian
• Andrew Christensen, Reference Librarian
• Jason Zarin, Reference Librarian

To learn more about the Friends of the Georgetown Law Library program and the benefits of becoming a member, please visit http://www.ll.georgetown.edu/friends.

This entry was posted on April 16, 2012 at 4:11 PM and has received 1319 views. Print this entry.

The Friends of the Georgetown Law Library invite you to the latest screening in the Law at the Movies film series:

Movie: Body Heat (1981)
Date:  Monday, February 27, 2012
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Hart Auditorium

In this 80's classic, a smalltime lawyer, played by William Hurt, confronts moral obstacles as he enters into an affair with a married woman, Kathleen Turner. His ethical problems evolve as she convinces him to kill her mobster husband so they can bypass her prenuptial agreement. Ultimately, she leads him to ponder his professional responsibility as a lawyer as he becomes involved in her legal affairs.

It may be the only movie that hinges upon the rule against perpetuities.

After the program, please stay for a discussion on the ethical, legal, and cultural aspects of the film. The panel will include:

• Michael Frisch, Adjunct Professor of Law & Ethics Counsel
• Kumar Jayasuriya, Adjunct Professor of Law & Associate Law Librarian
• Andrew Christensen, Reference Librarian
• Jason Zarin, Reference Librarian

To learn more about the Friends of the Georgetown Law Library program and the benefits of becoming a member, please visit http://www.ll.georgetown.edu/friends.

This entry was posted on February 23, 2012 at 12:13 PM and has received 4926 views. Print this entry.

The Friends of the Georgetown Law Library invite you to the latest screening in the Law at the Movies film series:

Movie: Michael Clayton (2007)
Date:  Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Hart Auditorium

Michael Clayton is the story of a “fixer” in a law firm who specializes in cleaning up sensitive, high-stakes cases. The film sheds light on questionable legal and corporate ethics, and examines complex and conflicting duties of law firms and attorneys. Starring George Clooney, the film was nominated for eight Oscars in 2008 and earned one for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role.

After the program, please stay for a discussion on the ethical, legal, and cultural aspects of the film. The panel will include:

• Michael Frisch, Adjunct Professor of Law & Ethics Counsel
• Kumar Jayasuriya, Adjunct Professor of Law & Associate Law Librarian
• Roger Skalbeck, Associate Law Librarian
• Andrew Christensen, Reference Librarian

To learn more about the Friends of the Georgetown Law Library program and the benefits of becoming a member, please visit http://www.ll.georgetown.edu/friends.

This entry was posted on November 3, 2011 at 4:37 PM and has received 10126 views. Print this entry.

With the advent of the first week of classes comes a second installment of info for new Georgetown Law students. As in Part I, below are some recent FAQ’s at the Library, with answers we hope you’ll find timely and helpful.

Where can I find the first assignments for my classes?
First assignment listings for selected courses are posted and maintained by the Office of Faculty Support. On the Georgetown Law website, visit www.law.georgetown.edu/faculty/assignments/index.cfm and scroll through listed courses and view the reading assignments for the first day of class. Indications of how to access materials (courseware, ArticleWorks, TWEN, etc.) may also be included.

What is ArticleWorks, and how do I download course materials?
ArticleWorks is the commonly used name for the Georgetown Law Course Materials Distribution System. Through this online system, you can download course materials prepared and assigned by your professors free of charge. You may also pay to have the materials printed and mailed to you within a couple of business days.

To access ArticleWorks, go to www.law.georgetown.edu/CourseMaterials and log in with your NetID. Click the link under “How to Order” at the bottom of the page, then find your course name (alphabetically listed) on the following page. Click on either “Click to Download” (free) or the $ price to order the materials in print.

I’m interested in working at the Library. How can I find out more about student jobs?
Throughout the year, there are numerous opportunities for student employment in the Library. Visit the Law Library Student Worker Blog and click on “employment opportunities” under Archives by Subject on the right to view current and past student job offerings. The Library wouldn’t run without our student employees, and we’d be delighted to have you join us!

Have other questions?
Of course you do! Let us know at the Reference Desks (contact us), and check both this blog (Due Process) and the Law Library Feedback Blog often for answers and other useful info.

This entry was posted on August 29, 2011 at 6:51 PM and has received 13285 views. Print this entry.

Around the Library, we’ve been fielding lots of questions from incoming students. That’s a good thing, and we’re happy to provide the answers you seek. Below is information in response to some of the most common queries presented by students new to Georgetown Law Library. Take note, and tell a friend!

Where are restrooms/printers/computers/past exams in the Library?
You can easily find the locations of all major facilites, services, and collections in the Library, using either our online maps at www.ll.georgetown.edu/maps (note the “I’m Looking For…” feature on the left) or any of the touchscreen display monitors arranged throughout the Library (at the Williams Circulation Desk, 4th Floor Central stacks entrance, Special Collections off the Williams Reading Room, and Wolff lower level by the staircase). For traditional navigators, printed maps are also available at the Circulation Desks in both Williams and Wolff.

When will I get my Westlaw and Lexis passwords?
Passwords for LexisNexis and Westlaw are included in the Law Library folders you’ll receive during Orientation. Folders were distributed to incoming LLM, visiting, and transfer students on Monday 8/22; first-year JD students will receive theirs during the “Introduction to Law School” session for each section (Thursday 8/25 for Section 1; Friday 8/26 for all other sections). After Orientation, folders and passwords will be available at the Reference Desks in Williams and Wolff for students who’ve misplaced or didn’t receive theirs.

How do I access TWEN to prepare for my first class?
Some professors post course materials on TWEN (The West Education Network) for students to review prior to the first day of class. Because TWEN is part of Westlaw, you’ll first need to obtain and register your Westlaw password (see previous question). Once you’ve successfully logged in at http://lawschool.westlaw.com, follow the instructions through the TWEN link at the very top of the page and you should be all set.

Have other questions?
Of course you do! Let us know at the Reference Desks (contact us), and check both this blog (Due Process) and the Law Library Feedback Blog often for answers and other useful info.

This entry was posted on August 25, 2011 at 2:12 PM and has received 13494 views. Print this entry.

The Library welcomes all new Georgetown Law students!

Please join us for an Orientation Week tour of the Williams Law Library, at any of the following times:

• Thursday, August 25, 5:00 pm
• Friday, August 26, 12:45 pm
• Friday, August 26, 2:30 pm
• Monday, August 29, 4:45 pm
• Monday, August 29, 9:00 pm

Tours will last 30 minutes and include an introduction to the facilities, resources, and services of Georgetown Law Library. Students in all academic programs are invited. Please gather in the Library atrium at the tour times.

This entry was posted on August 24, 2011 at 2:04 PM and has received 13480 views. Print this entry.

Did you know that the Georgetown Law Library typically adds over 400 titles to its collections every month? With just a few mouse clicks, it’s easy to keep up on the latest library offerings that mean the most to your reading interests and research.

Through the GULLiver online catalog (http://gull.georgetown.edu), you can sign up to receive email alerts for new titles corresponding to any author or topic you specify. You can also subscribe to RSS feeds to get regular updates on items added in specific areas of law.

For the most inclusive overview of recent acquisitions, browse complete listings of new titles available through both the Williams and Wolff Library every month.

Of course, the Library is always happy to hear our patrons’ tips for new books and resources — you’ll find an online suggestion form here.

Please note that the email and RSS notification features require an active GULL Library Account, available to members of the Georgetown Law community. Contact the reference department for more information.

This entry was posted on May 25, 2011 at 2:40 PM and has received 19915 views. Print this entry.

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