Wisconsin State Law Library

On October 20th a new look for the library website will debut. While the organization and content will remain the same, we've updated the website to be more mobile friendly and accessible. Watch for more information in our October newsletter and get a preview below. 

The US 7th Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order in Frank v. Walker on September 12, 2014 permitting Wisconsin to enforce voter identification laws from 2011 Act 23 for the November 2014 election.

The Government Accountability Board (GAB) has information on voter photo ID requirements and how to get a free state ID card for voting on their Voter Photo ID Law information page.

These guides give additional practical information to voters about the ID requirement and voting process:

• Step by step guide to voting with a photo ID (GAB)
• Voter ID information, acceptable forms of photo ID (City of Madison)

If you need help, the GAB has a voter helpline available for those with questions: 1-866-VOTE-WIS (1-866-868-3947). You can also email your question to gab@wi.gov.

Finding policy discussions on city and town issues can be difficult. When we get a question about local government law we like to turn to the League of Wisconsin Municipalities database on CD.

This database can assist in answering questions about liquor licenses, zoning powers, rights of way, municipal services, and more. Over three decades of legal analysis and several popular League of Wisconsin Municipalities manuals are included in this searchable database. Use this database to access:

• Legal opinions with index, 1975-
  An index of legal captions back to 1997 can also be searched on the League's website. Full text of these captions may be available in this CD. 
• Popular manuals, including the Handbook for Wisconsin Municipal Officials and Special Assessments in Wisconsin.

The database is available on computers at the Wisconsin State Law Library (main library). Ask a librarian if you would like help using this database, or if you would like to request copies through our Order a Document service.

The database includes:

Low-income seniors and veterans in Dane County can attend a free estate planning clinic on Saturday, September 20th. You must have an appointment to participate. Call 608-243-2881 to make an appointment.

The Dane County Basic Estate Planning Clinic is a program to help low-income seniors and veterans prepare estate planning documents like a basic will, power of attorney for finances, or power of attorney for health care.

The program is not designed for people with large or complicated estates, beneficiaries with special needs, beneficiaries who are unable to handle their own finances, people who want to set up or require sophisticated trusts, Medicaid, tax, or business succession planning.

Check their website for income eligibility information. Veterans of any age who meet the income limit are welcome to participate. Call 608-243-2881 to learn more and make an appointment.

It's Library Card Signup Month! Do you have a library card yet?

If you don't have a library card yet there's no reason to wait. A free library card at the State Law Library is one of the best deals around for anyone in the Wisconsin legal community.

• Check out books from our practice-oriented collection
• Log in to HeinOnline, LegalTrac, and our new Index to Legal Periodicals database from your home or office

Take a moment today to fill out our online form or mail us an application.

BadgerLink databases, like Academic Search Premier and Newspaper Source Plus, may be unavailable for a limited time this evening beginning at 9 pm.

This maintenance will not affect access to the Hein Online Law Journal Library or LegalTrac. For a list of all databases available with your library card, see our Articles & Journals page.

As we transition into fall our September newsletter invites you to register for several upcoming classes and check out the Milwaukee Legal Resource Center's new library space. 

Also in this issue:

• It's library card signup month!
• New library books and materials
• Tips for showing and hiding Adobe Reader's toolbar.
• WSLL Recommends: Medicare & Medicaid Guide
• News and other tidbits for September.