Cleveland Law Library Weblog

Celebrate Law Day with the Law Library-Free WestlawNext CLE, Thursday, May 2nd

Happy Law Day! This year, the American Bar Association (ABA) is celebrating Law Day by recognizing the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and championing the theme of “Realizing the Dream: Equality for All.” The ABA encourages everyone to "explore the movement for civil and human rights in America and the impact it has had in promoting the ideal of equality under the law." The ABA also recommends "reflecting on the work that remains to be done in rectifying injustice, eliminating all forms of discrimination, and putting an end to human trafficking and other violations of our basic human rights."  Our Law Library is celebrating Law Day this year by offering all of our members free WestlawNext training on Thursday, May 2nd from 12:00 - 1:00 and 1:30 - 2:30. Everyone who attends is eligible for one (1) hour of CLE credit. This program is open to all private and statutory members of the Law Library. If you are interested in attending, please register by calling or emailing the Law Library.

It is Not Too Late to Donate Books to "A Book of Your Own"

It is not too late to contribute to "A Book of Your Own."  The Law Library is helping the local chapter of the Federal Bar Association with its spring book drive to collect new and gently-used books to give Cleveland elementary school students "a book of their own" to take home and enjoy this summer.  Don't miss the chance to give local, deserving children the gift of reading! Donations can be dropped off at the Law Library through Friday, April 26th. 

The Law Library Welcomes a New Extern

The Cuyahoga County Law Library/ Cleveland Law Library has a new extern named Nathan Genovese. He is a student at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and will be graduating at in May.  He has a  B.A. in Communication, has a paralegal certificate from Boston University, and hopes to start at the Kent State School of Library and Information Science Program in the Fall.  

Nathan has enjoyed his work at the Law Library. His duties have included, helping patrons locate library materials, suggesting changes to the Library's collection of Internet Legal Websites, and assisting with reference inquiries by telephone.

CSU Law School to Launch a Solo Incubator by the Time the Class of 2013 Passes the Bar Exam

Copying a model already in place at CUNY, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law has announced plans to create a $1.2 million dollar solo practice incubator inside unused space at the C-M law library. The project will construct a reception area and 15 offices that new graduates can rent to help them launch their law practices. An article from the National Law Journal indicates that privileges will include access to the C-M law library for between 18-24 months. The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association will also provide mentors to help the new lawyers succeed.

The Library of Congress has Launched Congress.gov to Eventually Replace Thomas.gov for US Legislative Information

The Library of Congress just recently launched Congress.gov as a new online repository for U.S. legislative information. Although the site is still in beta testing mode, you can currently search across the following content using a new search engine LOC boasts has a "user-friendly design":

"legislation from the 107th Congress (2001) to the present, member profiles from the 93rd Congress (1973) to the present, and some member profiles from the 80th through the 92nd Congresses (1947 to 1972)."

According to a Library of Congress blog, Congress.gov will eventually replace Thomas.gov next year. As you may know, Thomas,gov has historically been the 'go-to' place for federal legislative history and information. Among other data and information you will still need to use Thomas.gov for include legislative searching back to the 101st Congress (1989), contains House and Senate roll call votes, the Congressional Record since the 101st Congress (1989), Committee information, Presidential Nominations back to the 100th Congress (1987), and Treaties since at least the 94th Congress.

Ohio Supreme Court Holds Session at Cuyahoga County Courthouse Today, September 26, 2012

The Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals is honored to host a session of the Ohio Supreme Court at the Cuyahoga County Courthouse today, Wednesday, September 26, 2012. Public, private, and home-schooled students from Cuyahoga County were invited to attend and participate. After a Q & A session with the Justices, the students will listen to one (1) of four (4) oral arguments scheduled for the morning and then met with the case attorneys for a debriefing. The Librarian will then provide tours to the students and their teachers to showcase the Courthouse treasures being featured this year in honor of the building’s centennial.

During their visit to Cleveland, the Justices also held session at Case Western’s Law School yesterday, on Tuesday, September 25^th and enjoyed a reception at the Courthouse Rotunda on Monday night hosted by the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association. Not surprisingly, most of Cuyahoga County’s judiciary was in attendance. The Librarian was also fortunate enough to be able to attend and meet the Justices.

For those with an interest in history, the Ohio Supreme Court has been touring Ohio since 1987, when Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer initiated the Off-Site Court Program in honor of the bicentennial of the United States Constitution. The last time the Ohio Supreme Court came to Cuyahoga County was in 1997, when the Court held session at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, but the Justices have not been to the Cuyahoga County Courthouse since 1988. To date, the program has allowed almost 30,000 students to observe Ohio Supreme Court proceedings and meet the Justices.

The Bluebook Citator is Now Available via the Rulebook Mobile App from iTunes

The venerable Bluebook legal citator is now available via the Rulebook mobile app. Thanks to the C-M blog for the tip about this new app.

Cleveland Public Library Opens a BookBox at the Ohio City Market Square Park

Always on the cutting edge of library science, the Cleveland Public Library has launched another local initiative called the BookBox. Located in Ohio City across the Street from the West Side Market, the portable BookBox will allow Saturday morning patrons at the Market Square Park to check out books on "food, cooking, gardening, art, and urban agriculture." Read CPL's Press Release for more information on the BookBox, and click here for a picture of the BookBox.

Law library shares experience with legal interns

This summer the Cleveland Law Library sponsored two interns named Diamondjean Donald and Jasmine Perry. Ms.Donald came to us from The Louis Stokes Scholars Program created by the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, and Ms.Perry came to us from The Stephanie Tubbs Jones Summer Legal Academy. Following their visit to the Court of Appeals their
was taken at the law library with our circulation supervisor, Sharla Johnston, and our chief administrator, Kathleen Dugan. They learned practical legal research skills to support the practice of law in Cuyahoga County. 

The Cleveland Law Library will be Closed Monday, May 28, 2012

The Cleveland Law Library will be Closed on Monday, May 28, 2012 in honor of Memorial Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 8:30am. In the interim, please check out our website at www.clevelandlawlibrary.org.