Welcome- and Welcome Back-- To UT Law Students

To returning students, Welcome Back! To new students: Welcome! There have been a number of changes in the Law Library this summer. Probably the most noticeable is the addition of a coffee bar where you may purchase coffee and tea (only in your own close-top travel mugs). There are many other changes as well. The library is now receiving all CCH and BNA publications in electronic form instead of in paper. This has allowed us to greatly increase the number of titles for each of these publishers. We are also integrating our electronic holdings into the UTMOST online catalogue. A number of additional computers have been scattered around the library with icons on them that can assist you in your research.

The Law Library's website has been improved-- with extensive research links as one feature. Current news headlines from Jurist now scroll across the Library's homepage. Click on a headline to go to the full news story.

We have updated and expanded our collection of student course-related materials such as Nutshells, treatises, "Understanding" series, and the like. CALI exercises are posted on the two computers in the First Year Study Area, and they are also available on CDs or online-- inquire in the library to get access to either of these.

In today's electronic environment, law libraries have become information centers. Our reference librarians can help you with both paper and electronic sources. Often the best starting point for a research project is a treatise, monograph or law review article that gives you an overview and context before you begin to explore online materials. Also, remember that online materials vary significantly in reliability. Proprietary databases to which the library subscribes are reliable sources. Materials merely turned up in Google searches require much more evaluation.

We are trying to make the Law Library a comfortable place for you to study, as well as a research destination. With coffee and wireless web access, as well as dedicated printers for items you wish to download from Lexis or Westlaw, think about making the LaValley Law Library your "second home" while at Law School.