Cornell Library Goes Mobile

In a move designed to make online information more accessible to library patrons, Cornell University Library (CUL) recently launched CULite, a new mobile interface for the library’s website. The Law Library is grateful to the mobile team that designed this feature for the benefit of all libraries on the Cornell campus, including ours.

Two alternatives are available to users: a device independent mobile site (http://library.cornell.edu/m) or an iPhone/iPod Touch app (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cu-library/id354721654?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D6) available free from iTunes. Both options allow users to search the Classic Catalog, check individual Library hours, locate contact information for each Library, submit a question to an individual reference desk, and more. Check out the promotional video on YouTube. Your research just became a little easier.

Amy Emerson
Research Attorney and Lecturer in Law
aae25@cornell.edu

Digitizing the Laws of the World

At the recent International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) meeting in Gothenburg, Sweden, access to information was reaffirmed as a basic human right. Many countries now provide online access to legal information such as statutes, codes, regulations, court decisions, and international agreements.

The big question is whether the digital version of this information is official like the print version, and whether the digital version has been authenticated through a secure server or digital signature to ensure that the content has not been altered.
Another issue that has emerged is the fragility and obsolescence of the digital medium and the need for preservation and long-term access, particularly for born-digital legal information which has no paper equivalent.

Why does it matter? In an environment where online sources are replacing official print versions of legal information, citizens need to be able to trust the “official word of the law.” More information at http://www.ifla.org/files/hq/papers/ifla76/96-germain-en.pdf, and in French at http://ifla2010ulaval.wordpress.com/2010/08/12/seance-1-sur-les-bibliotheques-de-droit-et-les-publications-officielles-ou-gouvernementales/.

Claire M. Germain
Law Librarian and Professor of Law
cmg13@cornell.edu

Research Fellows

Research Fellows are second and third year law students who are trained in legal research by the law librarians to assist with your research projects.  They work for the library and provide you another option for your projects. 

You are encouraged to contact Jean Callihan, Head of Research Services, or your liaison about any research projects.  The Research Fellows can supplement your own Research Assistants or assist your liaison.

Let us know how we can help you.  Research Fellows are eager to get to work!

Pat Court

Associate Law Librarian

pgc1@cornell.edu

 

Olin Library Stacks Not All Open

If you, your Administrative Assistant, or your Research Assistants are headed up to Olin Library for library materials, the trip may not be instantly rewarding.  Olin is in the midst of a Fire Safety Improvements Project, which means various floors of the library and certain collections will not be accessible.

For specifics on the status of collections at Olin, check their schedule online, as well as the latest updates.

In the closed areas, the materials are still available but library staff will have to get them for you.  They will retrieve materials once a day, Mondays through Fridays, after 2:00 pm.  No weekend retrievals.

To avoid a wasted trip, remember that many books can be sent to you here at the Law Library from Olin (and other libraries on campus).  When you find the item in the online catalog, click “Requests” at the top of the screen and complete the information, selecting LAW as the library to which you want it sent.  And as always, you can request that the Law Library staff get the materials for you.

Pardon the dust while safety improvements are underway!

Pat Court

Associate Law Librarian

pgc1@cornell.edu