Welcome back to Keywords, the only weekly law library newsletter with the best tips on how to stay warm during a polar vortex. (Hint: curl up with your favorite book in your favorite reading spot aka the Reading Room.) It’s pretty cold outside and forecast to get even colder than that special stare that librarians reserve for noisy patrons. (Not that you’d know anything about, oh ye studious law student.) Since you’ll most likely probably definitely be spending all your foreseeable time with us, might as well read on for the latest tips we have to offer.
Be Our Eyes
If you see something –for instance, a broken chair, a loose light fixture, your carrel neighbor who hasn’t moved in over 24 hours – say something. If you don’t see something – for instance, your laptop, a book in the stacks, the light at the end of the legal research tunnel – still say something. Come speak to us in person at the circulation/reference desk or shoot us an email.
Be in Sync
…With the casebook expectations of your classes. You still have one more week of scanned casebook materials to use in Canvas, but you will need to have your own personal casebook beginning the week of February 13. Peruse all credible casebook vendors (the Cornell Store, Amazon, publisher, etc.), to find the right purchasing options for you and your bank account.
Be Physical
…Or go digital. But try to avoid going mental come finals by finding out now what mode your exams will be in. This way you can purchase your casebook in the format that’s right for you. There are pros and cons for purchasing either a print or e-casebook. For instance, an e-book is probably less expensive, but might be unusable even during an open book exam. On the other hand, a physical book may hurt your wallet but will be there for you even when you’re delirious from lack of sleep. All that to say, talk to your professor now to avoid unnecessary conflicts later.
Be a Law Library RA
Or not. It’s up to you. But if you a) have an interest in disinformation, misinformation, copyright, and/or indigenous knowledge and b) want to get paid for your pain work on research or writing projects, you should probably be a Law Lib RA. If interested, please email a short statement of interest, resume, and brief writing sample to Cassi Norgaisse at cn349@cornell.edu.
We will be back next week with a new edition of Keywords. In the meantime, remember to take advantage of the sunlight and step outside every once in a while. Yes, even during a polar vortex. You’re already surrounded by the legal ghosts of the past. No need to become as pale as one.