The Law Library has recently acquired new resources within Westlaw, Tribal Materials! There are three ways you can access the Tribal Law material:

1. Add the Native American Law tab.

Choose the "Add a Tab" link from the upper right-hand corner within Westlaw.

Then select "Add Westlaw Tabs"

Under Topical, check the box next to "Native American Law"

and click on the button at the bottom, "Add to My Tab Set"

You should then see the Native American Law tab added across the top, at the end of your tabs. 

2. Find the Tribal Materials in the Directory.

 Click on the Directory link at the top of the page. Then select the link for the Tribal Materials.

3. Use WestlawNext to search for Tribal resources.

Simply begin typing what you're looking for in the search box, and WestlawNext might suggest something for you!

Questions? Contact the Reference desk at (602) 682-6898. Or email us! 

(All images belong to Thomson Reuters.)

Hello everyone!

The Law Library has obtained trial access to four HW Wilson databases. We'd like your feedback on if we should purchase them or not! The trial period is from today, February 1st 2011 to March 1st 2011. To access the databases, please visit the Law Library's Juristec page and select the Database Trial Subscriptions Wiki from the left side menu.

Or go here. You will need to log-in with your PhoenixLaw email username and password.

In the future, visit the Database Trial Subscription Wiki to view any current database trials the library has.

Questions? Contact Sarah Prosory.

We appreciate your feedback!

Attention all incoming 1L's! We have a workshop especially for you! (And any other students who wish to brush up on study skills!) The Law Library wants you to be successful, so we've created a new workshop...Tips & Tricks for Success!

This 30 minute workshop will introduce you to searching effectively with the Law Library's catalog, and show you how to register and use AudioCaseFiles (listen to your cases!!) and CALI (online quizzes to help with your studies!).

A librarian will be available to help you with any other questions you may have (help with Westlaw or Lexis perhaps?) following the workshop.

Join us (click on the dates to RSVP):

• Thursday 1/27/11 @ Noon in the Computer Lab in the Law Library
• Friday 1/28/11 @ Noon in the Computer Lab in the Law Library
• Tuesday 2/1/11 @ Noon in the Computer Lab in the Law Library
• Wednesday 2/2/11 @ Noon in the Computer Lab in the Law Library

An RSVP is helpful but not required. We hope to see you there!!

As always, if you have any questions feel free to contact us by email or (602) 682-6898! For upcoming workshops this semester visit www.phoenixlaw.edu/libraryworkshops and www.phoenixlaw.edu/librarycalendar.

Good luck with your classes!

Picture Source: www.morguefile.com

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is the light displays in the front yards of many homes.  I took a trip to Walt Disney World a couple of years ago and was impressed with the Osborne Family Spectacle of lights.  These lights lit up an entire area of one of the parks.  The lights were beautiful and danced to the holiday tunes that played in the background.  From my trip I learned that the lights were formerly displayed in Little Rock Arkansas as part of the Osborne Family’s holiday display.  The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that the lights were a nuisance and the family could no longer have their display. The next year the Walt Disney Company stepped in and bought the lights and they continue to be on display to this day. 

I began to wonder about how many other cases were affected by the ruling in the Osborne case.  Specifically large light displays being considered a nuisance and not being allowed.  I decided to conduct a search on LexisNexis to find out.  I began by searching for the case.  From the search tab I selected, States Legal – U.S. view more.   I clicked on Arkansas and then AR Federal & State Cases, Combined.  I chose a Terms & Connectors search and entered the following search terms, Osborne & “Christmas Lights.”  The second case in my results list was Osborne v. Power.  After a brief glance I realized this was the case.  I scanned the headnotes and discovered the HN4 was the headnote I was interested in.  My final action was to Shepardize the case and find out how many other cases cited HN4.  I was surprised by the answer.  You may be too but to find out you’ll have to Shepardize the case on your own.

Have a Happy Holiday Season!

When you return to Phoenix Law in 2011, ready to start the new year fresh, don't be caught off guard by the change from Westlaw to WestlawNext! You will still have access to "classic" Westlaw, but now the option to use WestlawNext will be available. Also, some searches in Westlaw will send you to WestlawNext. We want you to be prepared! So here's the scoop!

How to access WestlawNext:

Log-in to Westlaw as you normally would, but then choose WestlawNext at the very top of the screen:

Also, if you conduct your searches using the Legal Research Center (in the middle of the page after you login), your results will automatically be retrieved using WestlawNext:

PLEASE NOTE: Currently you cannot print to the Westlaw printer using WestlawNext!

Choose another printer in the meantime. 

View this PDF for tips on how to get around the printing issue.

What does WestlawNext look like?

With a single search box, you don't have to select a database to begin a search. No need to truncate words or use connectors either, but you can if you like. The single search box doesn't mind. Just type in what you're looking for and select a jurisdiction. 

The results will be returned by relevancy and sorted into categories for ease of use.

Wait! I like to limit and use terms & connectors!

The single search box allows you to enter terms & connectors if you'd like, and you still have the option of limiting your search ahead of time:

Also, the Advanced Search feature...

...will help you build a Boolean Terms & Connectors query:

So... test it out! Get familiar with the interface so you can be an efficient researcher!

Need help?

• Don't hesitate to ask a librarian for assistance with the new interface! Email us or call us at 602.682.6898. Visit the reference desk in the law library during the hours librarians are available for reference.
• There are trainings and user guides online that are extremely helpful. Once you've signed into Westlaw under the Home tab choose either "User Guides" or "Training" and follow the prompts to WestlawNext.

• Suggestions of helpful User Guides:
  • Comparing Westlaw and WestlawNext
  • How to Find Cases with WestlawNext
  • Terms & Connectors Searching with WestlawNext
  • Using Folders to Organize Your Research with WestlawNext
  • Delivering Documents with WestlawNext (alternatives to printing)
• Visit the West eLearning Center to watch videos about WestlawNext.

Enjoy your holidays, and look forward to the changes in January!

(All images used belong to Thomson Reuters)