The folks at Social Science Research Network have been kind enough to share with me info about some recent enhancements. These features include a completely revised Simple Submission process, a new sign in process, and redesigned Author and Abstract Pages. See the announcement for more information.

I recently spoke with SSRN pres, Gregg Gordon who tells me that they are working on a open url resolver. With this feature, a reader coming across a fee-based article in SSRN would see a link to the full-text article, if available, from their local library. I'm all for that!

Posted by Bonnie Shucha at 2:17 PM to Data & Databases | Permalink | Comments(0)

Seattlepi reports on a the Workshop on the Future of the Legal Course Book at Seattle University Law School.

Traditional publishers are confused about what professors want and where the industry is going....

Teachers want more flexibility, such as the ability to add their own information to text, insert audio files and provide links. They also want more ways to engage students and sought digital copies of textbooks that can be sorted and searched.

Posted by Bonnie Shucha at 2:01 PM to Digitization | Permalink | Comments(0)

Kathryn Greenhill of Librarians Matter has put together an excellent presentation on finding the time and reasons to learn about emerging technologies.

The presenation title comes from the two phrases I hear most when people find out what I do. If they are lukewarm about new technologies, they tell me that they don't have time to learn about new technologies in their jobs. If they are enthusiastic, they often tell me that "THEY" (their workmates, their organisation) just don't understand why they should spend time finding out about new web tools.

The presentation covers:
1. What are emerging technologies ?
2. Five reasons to learn about them
3. Compass points to work out where to put your energy
4. Preparation
5. Tools
6. Useful sites
7. Convincing THEM (Taking it back to your organisation)

Posted by Bonnie Shucha at 1:50 PM to Libraries & Librarians | Permalink | Comments(0)

Faced with a firestorm of opposition from scientific and library organizations, as well as a congressional mandate, the EPA is reopening its libraries in Region 5 in Chicago, Region 6 in Dallas, Region 7 in Kansas City, and the EPA Headquarters and Chemical Libraries in Washington, D.C. In fact, they're not just reopening them, they're enhancing them by expanding staffing, operating hours, and services.

Per a notice in the Federal Register: "All libraries will be staffed by a professional librarian to provide services to the public and EPA staff via phone, e-mail, or in person. The libraries will provide access for a minimum of 24 hours over four days per week on a walk-in basis or by appointment. All libraries will provide core information services of reference/research assistance and interlibrary loan/document delivery."

Source: Information Today

Posted by Bonnie Shucha at 1:31 PM to Libraries & Librarians | Permalink | Comments(0)

"Defense attorneys do their clients a disservice by not at least checking with them to see if they maintain a Web page used for social networking, in addition to the standard methods of digging up dirt." So says defense attorney William R. Gallagher in a recent Wisconsin Law Journal article on using social networking tools to investigate clients, witnesses and jurors.

Whether that "truth" comes in the form of a text message on a cell phone or a posted photo on MySpace, Gallagher said attorneys can take advantage of personal information that is often displayed publicly.

"Shortly after events a lot of times people, who believe they are in their own private world, will write down or say what is the truth," added Gallagher....

[Public Defender Katherine J.] Dorl said that clients or witnesses often appear to be more open with their conversations on a social site, rather than in a courtroom setting.

At the same time, many do not realize their posted pictures or comments are not one-on-one, but more like one-on-one million....

Even if a Facebook profile doesn't offer any valuable case information, it could at least give an attorney some insight into his client's world.

"People are willing to put so much out there, and it's stuff that people my age don't share with the world," said Dorl. "It's amazing, but not necessarily in a good way."

Posted by Bonnie Shucha at 1:20 PM to Social Networking | Permalink | Comments(0)

The Wisconsin Law Journal reports on the 2009 Milwaukee County budget proposal.

From the article:

In his 2009 proposal, [County Executive Scott] Walker plans to abolish 27 staff positions, not mandated by the state, to help offset a multi-million dollar hole in the court's budget....

The most substantial cuts would be nine legal research interns who serve in a dual capacity as bailiffs and law clerks, according to Kremers. Walker plans to replace the interns with nine administrative assistants, at half the cost.

Milwaukee County Clerk of Court John Barrett said he would have a tough time attracting people to do twice the work for half the pay.

"We have lawyers in those positions now and you are not going to get a lot them to provide bailiff services with no benefits for about $10 an hour," said Barrett, who added that legal interns currently earn about $20 per hour.

Barrett also addressed eight deputy court clerk positions slated to be cut by Walker.

Barrett said that state statute requires clerks be present for court proceedings and if four in both the Misdemeanor/Traffic Division and Civil Division are eliminated, proceedings could be delayed.

Posted by Bonnie Shucha at 1:49 PM to Courts | Permalink | Comments(0)

The Law Librarians Association of Wisconsin has embarked on a new marketing initiative this year - a LLAW calendar. The calendar features pictures taken by LLAW members, as well as, interesting dates in legal, library and pop culture history.

Calendars are available at a cost of $15 plus postage. If you are interested in purchasing a calendar and promoting law librarians, please contact Bev Butula by Oct. 10th.

Posted by Bonnie Shucha at 12:53 PM to Libraries & Librarians | Permalink | Comments(0)