Category: Law Library

Extend your Westlaw and LexisNexis passwords for the summer if you intend to use these databases during the summer months.

Who can have summer access?  Students taking classes or students graduating in May can extend their passwords to have full access for both databases until August 1.

Your student passwords for Westlaw and Lexis must only be used for academic purposes and not for commercial purposes such as conducting research for a law firm or corporation.   More here and here about proper password use.  Graduating students can use Westlaw and LexisNexis to study for the July Bar Exam.

How to register for summer access?  Log onto Westlaw and LexisNexis and click on the Summer Access image.  Follow the instructions on Westlaw and Lexis.

What if I do nothing?  If you do not extend your password for the summer, access to Westlaw and Lexis is severely limited starting June 1 and will not turn back on until August 1.  Full access to Westlaw and Lexis automatically turns on for law students on August 1, 2010.

 

Ms. Lenart, Assistant Law Librarian for Reference Services
330-972-6357, llenart@uakron.edu

Please do not leave your valuables alone anywhere in the School of Law.  Your textbooks, bookbags, purses, laptops and other belongings can be easily taken in just “30 seconds.”

We welcome visitors to the School of Law and to the Law Library, both those associated with the University and those who are not.  Having open doors, however, also means anyone can come into the building.  It would be wise to always be careful and make it a habit to never leave your belongings unattended.

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

llenart@uakron.edu

330-972-6357

Your law school passwords for LEXIS and WESTLAW must only be used for educational purposes directly related to coursework at the law school.  Other use may be a violation of the Student Disciplinary Code and a breach of our contracts with LEXIS and WESTLAW.  Using LEXIS or WESTLAW to do research in a paid position as a law clerk, intern, or clinician working for a firm, governmental entity or a nonprofit organization would violate the Student Disciplinary Code.  Also, you are not permitted to conduct legal research on LEXIS and WESTLAW for friends and family.

In addition to sanctions by the School of Law, a contract violation can result in having to pay the vendors for the services misused.  Repayment will be at commercial rates of about $2.00 – $5.00 per minute.  Moreover, violators are likely to lose their privileges to use LEXIS and WESTLAW as students.  A pattern of violations at our school could result in the vendors canceling our contracts, which would have a devastating impact on all students and faculty.

 For a copy of Westlaw’s and LexisNexis’ policy concerning academic passwords follow the links on the Password Use web page.

Don’t Forget Casemaker

As an alternative to using Lexis or Westlaw, you may use Casemaker, the database available from the Ohio State Bar Association.  All Ohio law students may join the Ohio State Bar Association for free and your free membership includes access to Casemaker.  Casemaker has no academic password restrictions so you can use it to conduct research for your summer jobs.

Questions?

Any question concerning what is proper or improper use of LEXIS or WESTLAW should be directed to Ms. Lenart or Mr. Richert.

Ms. Lenart, Assistant Law Librarian for Reference Services

330-972-6357

llenart@uakron.edu

Students, faculty, and staff with late fines may donate nonperishable food items and receive credit toward library fine balances. The program benefits the Akron-Canton Food Bank.

2 nonperishable food items = 1 dollar credit

Sorry, this offer cannot be used to pay for lost or unreturned materials. There is no limit to how many food items you may donate.

Food items may be donated at the Law Library Circulation Desk.  The Law Library will be accepting food items from March 8 through March 31.

Most needed items include peanut butter, boxed cereal, and canned vegetables and fruit.