WSU Law Library Blog

Free CALI Course on Digital Law Practice

2012-01-31T11:02:00.000-08:00

CALI is offering a free online course on technological and other changes in the practice of law. The course starts on Friday, February 10, and runs for nine weeks, with a different guest speaker each week. Each Friday, starting at 11 AM PST, there will be a half-hour presentation, followed by a half-hour Q&A. Topics include the virtual law office, technology in courts, and free legal research. If you can't attend any or all sessions, don't worry -- every session will be posted to the course website.

U.S. v. Jones (GPS Tracking Case)

2012-01-23T14:51:00.000-08:00

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision today in United States v. Jones, a Fourth Amendment case concerning the installation and monitoring of a GPS tracking device on a car. Though the decision was 9-0 in favor of the defendant, the case generated three opinions -- and various discussions of what the opinions mean. SCOTUSblog, a blog devoted to Supreme Court issues, has collected several links to reports and analyses of Jones. We presume that many additional analyses will appear in the coming days and months. The WSU reference librarians would be happy to point to you to resources pertaining to this case.

Got Library Work?

2011-11-15T09:58:00.000-08:00

Are you interested in working part-time for the library during the Spring 2012 semester? We'd like to hear from you. Please contact Mary Swenson at mswenson@wsulaw.edu or 714-459-1178. (And check out [pun intended] our flyer about this work opportunity, which we will be posting in the library.)

Library Home Page: New Colors, Etc.

2011-11-14T17:36:00.000-08:00

Notice anything different about the home page? We've changed the red, yellow, and blue buttons to maroon, gold, and gray, which are closer matches to the Western State University logo. (We also think that these colors are more suitable for autumn.) In addition, we've rearranged the content, so you can find what you need more quickly. We welcome your comments and suggestions on the new layout.

Library Policies

2011-10-21T14:25:00.000-07:00

The library website now has a page for library policies. It includes links to policies on library access and checking out materials from the library. A separate page contains the policy on group study rooms.

There's an App for Legal Research

2011-10-07T14:10:00.000-07:00

Actually, there are several apps -- and mobile websites -- for legal research. We've collected links to information about apps and mobile sites from LexisNexis, Westlaw, and other legal research providers. (Note: Some apps and sites are free but require login. Others require purchase.)

Reserving the Study Rooms

2011-10-04T13:34:00.000-07:00

Please be sure to properly book the Study Rooms by making your reservation at the Reserve Desk (714-459-1113).

Failure to properly book a Study Room may result in your group being required to vacate the space in deference to a proper reservation.

Welcome to Students

2011-08-11T15:52:00.000-07:00

Welcome to all students at Western State University College of Law! We look forward to providing you with books and databases, reference, study areas, and other library services. Many of these services are featured on the WSU library website. If you have any questions about the library, please contact one of the library staff.

Group Study Rooms

2011-08-11T15:51:00.000-07:00

Each floor of the library has study rooms available to current WSU students. A group of students may reserve a group study room for two hours, with a possible renewal of two additional hours. For more details about reservations and use of study rooms, please see the group study room policy. To reserve a study room, please visit or call the library's reserve desk (714-459-1113).

Library and Reference Hours

2011-08-11T15:36:00.000-07:00

With exceptions as posted, the library hours in the Fall semester are:

Monday - Friday: 7 am - 11:30 pm
Saturday - Sunday: 8 am - 11:30 pm

Reference hours (with exceptions as posted) are:

Monday - Thursday: 9 am - 7 pm
Friday: 9 am - 6 pm
Saturday - Sunday: 1 pm - 6 pm

New Library Website

2011-08-11T15:32:00.000-07:00

Like the library itself, the WSU library website has undergone significant renovation. In addition to the dramatically different home page, you will also find an updated version of the library catalog and other new pages for library resources. Please visit the website at http://westl.iii.com/. We hope you like it. And especially since it's a work-in-progress, we appreciate your suggestions and comments for improving the site.

Library Renovations

2011-08-11T10:58:00.000-07:00

The WSU Library is completing extensive renovations in preparation for the fall semester. The main level of the library will have more space for reading, study, and computer use. The main level and stairs are getting new carpeting. The lower level contains the federal legal materials and legal encyclopedias that were previously shelved on the main level. (Note: The legal periodicals removed to create this space on the lower level are available on HeinOnline or other databases.)

We will post an update soon to provide more details about these changes.

Library Resources

2011-08-11T10:56:00.000-07:00

The WSU Library has many electronic and print resources, including a wide range of legal books, an online catalog, and subscriptions to legal research databases. And of course, we have a library staff dedicated to helping WSU students and other library patrons to use these resources. You can start your exploration of these resources by visiting the library, contacting a librarian, or using the library website.