Cleveland Law Library Weblog

Happy Birthday Ohio!

Happy Birthday Ohio! On March 1, 1803, Ohio became the 17th State to join the Union, making Ohio 218 years old today. The Library of Congress has created a great page on Ohio resources at this link.

Library Lover's Month!

Did you know that it is Library Lover's Month? The month of February celebrates those who love books and the pursuit of knowledge as much as we do! 

This month is best observed by utilizing services at your library of choice! Come visit us (we are open again), conduct some research, ask our librarians a question, and check out a book. There are so many resources available on site, as well as on our website.

You can also visit the How to Love Your Library page for more information on this unofficial holiday. 

Virtual Book Discussion: "The Commemoration: What Do You Do When Your Kingdom Is Under Attack?"

On Friday, January 29, 2021, the Cleveland Law Library successfully hosted our first 100% virtual book discussion and author talk with Magistrate Judy Jackson-Winston. "The Commemoration: What Do You Do When Your Kingdom Is Under Attack?" is her second book, a sequel to her first book, "The Anniversary". The story picks up where "The Anniversary" left off, as Grandville adjusts to his life outside of prison, resumes his relationship with his wife, and faces the fight against tragedy and loss. The book also sheds light on the impact of difficult circumstances, such as human trafficking and sickle cell. 

Inspiration for her books has been drawn from experience gained through a career in social work, as well as events that have impacted her personally. You can hear more about author J.J. Winston's inspiration and experience writing and publishing "The Commemoration" here.   

Cleveland Law Library Reopening to Patrons Monday, February 1, 2021

Dear Members,         

Happy New Year! I am hopeful that we can soon put the pandemic behind us and return to a sense of normalcy by the time we can plant our gardens and flowers and watch baseball in Cleveland. Now that the holidays are over, and vaccines are being distributed, we are reopening the Cleveland Law Library to patrons effective on February 1, 2021. Our theme for this year will be ‘One Day at a Time.’

Once we reopen, you are welcome to visit us Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. We are also always available for virtual reference and research service from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. every weekday.

In addition to following all of the safety protocols that we implemented last year, we are enhancing our procedures so that you can resume utilizing all of your full Law Library privileges on-site again. We will continue to practice social distancing, sanitize all computers, desks, chairs, and conference rooms in between uses, and regularly disinfect all common surfaces every day. We also have the County to thank for automating both of our restrooms. In addition to wearing masks at all times, our staff will add protective shields when we provide you with direct assistance and employ a combination of remote desktop applications and laser pointers to help you conduct online research. We also request that you ring our new bell  when you arrive at the Front Desk so that we can sign you in and provide you with entry and assistance.

If you have not been to the Law Library in a while, you will also notice that we installed plexiglass partitions at our front desk, created space between our patron computers, purchased keyboard and mouse covers,, and reduced seating in the Main Reading Room. We are also still quarantining our books for at least 72 hours before they can be returned to the shelves or circulated to a new patron, and we are continuing to offer curbside pick-up and drop-off of books. Just call ahead to arrange a mutually convenient time with our staff.

If you were wondering, the County is also still screening everyone who enters the building with temperature checks, a series of questions, and wristbands, but even some of these functions will become more automated very soon. Face coverings are also still required at all times, and there is a great deal of directional and health care signage throughout the building. Finally, all three of the Courts maintain concierge desks in the Rotunda, and their staff may want to check you in before you take an elevator to visit us on the 4th floor.

Welcome back, and we look forward to providing you with service again in person.

Kathy Dugan

Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Magistrate Judy Jackson-Winston to Discuss Her New Book, The Commemoration

Join the Cleveland Law Library, Cleveland Public Library, and Domestic Relations Magistrate Judy Jackson-Winston for a discussion of her latest book, The Commemoration: What Do You Do When Your Kingdom Is Under Attack?

This book discussion group will be hosted online on Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., as we continue social distancing, so registration is required. Click Here to register or for more information.

Cleveland Law Library CLE Offerings

 

Although the Cleveland Law Library will cease providing in person services at this time, we will still be providing CLE's in a remote format! 

 

We have 9 programs for Video Replay through our Zoom subscription, and they are all listed at this page with registration links:

https://clevelandlawlibrary.org/.../Misc/cle/CLE_Online.html

 

We also have 15 On-Demand Self-study classes available for purchase through the CMBA, listed here with a link to the registration page:

https://clevelandlawlibrary.org/.../cle/video_replays.html

 

Please feel free to reach out via phone or email with any questions or concerns.

The Cleveland Law Library is Closing, Effective 11/25/2020

Dear Members,

I am asking for your patience and understanding once again. For the safety of our patrons and staff, the Cleveland Law Library is closing its 4th floor facility at the end of today. Effective starting tomorrow, the Cleveland Law Library will return to virtual-only reference and research services and curbside pick-up/drop-off of books. This was a very difficult decision to make, but COVID positive numbers continue to rise, local governments have issued stay-at-home advisories, and doctors are urging additional caution so that hospitals are not overwhelmed, and medical staff can stay healthy to care for patients who need critical care.

With the recent news about three promising vaccines, I am hopeful that we can return to normal soon. However, while we are physically closed, please continue to send us your requests by email to lawlib@clelaw.lib.oh.us, or call us at 216-861-5070. We will have limited staff on site to take your calls and retrieve books, but the rest of our staff will be working from home to try and keep everyone safe. In addition, don't forget about all of the remote databases and ebooks that we regularly offer, as well as the partnerships we have with Lexis and Westlaw that are still allowing our members limited, remote access to select databases during the pandemic. Please contact our staff if you have not yet taken advantage of these enhanced member privileges.

On behalf of our Board members and staff, I would like to wish you and your family members a happy and safe Thanksgiving. 🦃

Kathy Dugan

It's Member Appreciation Week!

 

Although 2020 has been incredibly challenging, we want you to know that we are thankful for our members. While the ways in which we have provided services has changed somewhat, with less face-to-face interaction and fewer opportunities to connect, it has not diminished our appreciation for your support. Thank you for allowing us to serve you, as we have served the greater Cleveland community for the past 150 years.  

As a thank you to our members, we are designating this week as “Member Appreciation” week. Every day this week, we will be giving away selected 150^th Anniversary merchandise to the first members who call us at 216-861-5070, email us at lawlib@clelaw.lib.oh.us,  or stop by the Law Library in person. These lucky members will have their choice of either a commemorative Cleveland Law Library grocery bag, coffee mug, or mouse pad. Members can only win one time during the week, and the last prizes will be awarded on Friday, November 6^th, which coincides with “Love Your Lawyer Day.”

 

Cuyahoga DR Magistrate Ergun Appointed as Vice Chair of Ohio Supreme Court Task Force on Court Operations

Local Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Magistrate and Administrator for Judicial Operations, Serpil Ergun, has been appointed as the Vice Chair of the Ohio Supreme Court's new Task Force on Improving Court Operations Using Remote Technology.  According to its web site:

"The purpose of the task force is to review Ohio courts' use of technology to ensure the continued and effective operation of the judicial system during the COVID-19 pandemic and make recommendations regarding the use of such technology in the future."

The full roster of members can be located here.

 

Cleveland Law Library Publishes Commemorative 150th Anniversary Video

In honor of the Cleveland Law Library's 150th Anniversary, our staff created a short, commemorative video which provides a brief history of the Law Library and contains excerpts from several of the oral histories we collected from our patrons and board members. This video is available on our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As2wuiksKno&feature=youtu.be

We would to thank all of the individuals whose oral history recordings we excerpted to create our video, and we hope that you will find the video informative and enjoyable.