Watch for big changes in 2010 for Westlaw and LexisNexis. First up is Westlaw’s new search interface with a projected roll out to law students in the fall.
WestlawNext – This new platform, tentatively called “Westlaw Next,” is changing everything “from the interface users see on their computer screens to all the technology that makes it work behind the scenes.” Source Westlaw Next has new search algorithms and the results can be filtered in a variety of ways. Storing and organizing your research will also change for the better.
The new LexisNexis for Microsoft Office is due out later in 2010. Lexis will be integrated into Microsoft Office products allowing users to access Lexis materials from within a Word document. No longer will the user have to open a browser to log into Lexis to conduct a search. The Lexis materials will display to the right of the Word document. It includes a toolbar that lets you Shepardize while still in Word with the Shepard’s results also showing up on the right.
For more information, see this ABA Journal article online. Watch your e-mail for announcements from Westlaw and LexisNexis for when their new products will be available.
Lynn Lenart
Assistant Law Librarian for Reference Services
The University of Akron School of Law Library
330-972-6357