WSLL at Your Service February 2016

Every February we recap our year. Read about the accomplishments of our libraries in our most recent newsletter. And that's not all we have for you this month.

What's inside:

• What's new: New staff at DCLL, Upcoming classes; 
• Wisconsin State Law Library year in review; 
• Milwaukee County Law Library year in review; 
• This just in: New and updated library materials and new book list; 
• Odds 'n' Endings: Helping warm hearts and hands - thank you!

New Catalog

This weekend we updated our catalog for better display on a wide variety of devices. Get item availability and online access links quickly in this new update. Many of our titles feature detailed tables of contents and other notes to help you as you search the catalog. 

The toolbar, located on the right on desktop displays and after the record on small screens, provides quick access to buttons that help you build lists of titles to print or save, save a permanent link to the title in your browser, or find out about how to use the book through the library.

Our catalog is the quickest way to find what the library has in print and online books as well as your favorite journals. Ask a librarian if you need help searching for something, or have questions about the information you see in the catalog.

Upcoming Webinars

Two webinars on understanding how to research legislative history still have space available. Sign up for these classes on our website.

Introduction to Legislative History
Thursday, January 28, Noon - 1 p.m.
Location: Webinar

I need the legislative history of a Wisconsin statute. Where do I start? What do I do? Participants will look at the primary resources used to research Wisconsin legislative history, learn about the online Wisconsin legislative drafting files, and learn some helpful tips and tricks along the way. This introductory class covers basic research strategies and sources.

Advanced Wisconsin Legislative History
Thursday, February 18, Noon - 1 p.m.
Location: Webinar

This advanced class covers additional search strategies, budget bills, advanced use of drafting records, and Supreme Court rule order research. 

Libraries Closed on Monday January 18

The Wisconsin State Law Library, and Milwaukee and Dane County Law Libraries will be closed on Monday, January 18th for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

To send a question to the Wisconsin State Law Library while we are closed, you may call us at 608-267-9696 or Ask a Librarian online.

We will respond to questions and requests on Tuesday, January 19th.

WSLL at Your Service: January 2016

Do you have one of our gray library cards? Or one of our even older pink cards? If so, you might want to request a new card. This issue of WSLL @ Your Service features our brand-new library card design and tells you how to go about requesting a replacement card.

Read on for articles about drone registration and Uber, Lyft, and rideshare program research information. 

This is the last week to donate hats, mittens, or scarves to our Helping Warm Hearts and Hands collection drive, benefiting Community Action Coalition. Drop off donations to the Wisconsin State Law Library by Friday, January 15th.

Teaching Kids about Government

Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government has long been a resource for parents and educators looking for easily digestible information for kids who need to learn about how the U.S. Government works. The website recently underwent a complete makeover and now features a friendly cartoon home page with quick links for different age ranges.

If you've never visited Ben's Guide, or it has been a while, be sure to check it out! New improvements to the site include a glossary with over 80 terms and definitions, downloadable, printable activities like word searches and crossword puzzles for each age range, and if you're a library, update your website with a downloadable graphic that can be used to advertise Ben's Guide. For any age, test your knowledge of the three branches of government with their quiz game Branch Mania!.