New CLE Classes

Get a jump on next year's resolutions and sign up for our winter CLE classes now. We'll continue to add new classes in the next couple of months, so check our Classes page for new additions. 

Introduction to Wisconsin Legislative History
Wednesday, January 18, Noon - 1 p.m.
Location: Wisconsin State Law Library training room

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.
FREE. 1 CLE credit. Registration is limited to 8. Register Online

Advanced Wisconsin Legislative History
Wednesday, February 15, Noon - 1 p.m.
Location: Wisconsin State Law Library training room

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 advanced class covers additional search strategies, budget bills, advanced use of drafting records, and Supreme Court rule order research.
FREE. 1 CLE credit. Registration is limited to 8. Register Online

Google Power Search
Tuesday, March 14, Noon - 1 p.m.
Location: Wisconsin State Law Library training room

Google is a powerful legal research tool if you know how to use it effectively. Learn advanced Google search techniques as well as key features of related databases such as Google Books and Google Scholar. This class will discuss the pros and cons of using these free tools for researching case law, law review articles, and other legal topics.
FREE. 1 CLE credit. Registration is limited to 8. Register Online

Libraries Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday

All three library locations will be closed on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 24th. The Dane County Law Library will remain closed on Friday, November 25th. The Milwaukee County Law Library and the David T. Prosser Jr. State Law Library will be open on Friday, November 25th.

Image source

Call the Reference Desk at 608-267-9696 and leave a voicemail, or Ask a Librarian online while we are closed. We will respond to you the next business day.

Job Posting: Library Assistant

Are you a detail-oriented individual looking for part-time work? The Wisconsin State Law Library is searching for a Library Assistant, 15 hours per week. Qualified applicants must be available to work 3 consecutive hours between the hours of 9 a.m.-3 p.m., 5 days a week, Monday through Friday.

Duties include: Scanning, processing, and shelving appellate court briefs; staffing the circulation desk, cash handling, and invoice creation; bindery preparation, data entry, and other collection maintenance activities.

Skills include: Exceptional organizational skills, above average computing skills, excellent customer service skills, and the ability to follow written directions. Library and/or scanning experience is helpful but not required. A demonstrated ability to do multiple tasks with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail is required!

Pay: $9.67/hour.

Start date: Immediate Opening

Location: The Wisconsin State Law Library is located on a bus line, just off the Capitol Square at 120 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Madison.

To apply: Please email your resume and cover letter to Angela.Humiston@wicourts.gov. You must include your hours available for work.

Deadline for applications: Friday, November 25th, 2016

Finding Immigration Legal Services and Information

Immigration is in the news and our legal topics pages and librarians can help with research and referrals. As part of our commitment to further equal access to the law we encourage our users to research through our website and ask a librarian for research help.

Photo source

Our Immigration and Citizenship page features links to Federal agencies and local services. Go to this page to learn about immigration law issues, access frequently requested agency information, and read free immigration law practice guides. We also list major legal books available in our library on immigration law.

Our Non-Citizen Workers page features links for employees and employers about the process and laws surrounding hiring foreign workers or discrimination complaints based on national origin. 

Local legal assistance organizations are listed in our County Legal Resources database. We've also singled out some local organizations with statewide services on our Immigration & Citizenship page. 

Job Posting: LTE Library Associate

The Dane County Law Library located in the Dane County Courthouse is searching for a Library Associate Limited Term Employee (LTE). This is a 20 hour per week appointment. The successful applicant must be available to fill the 20-hour requirement during our business hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. In order to accommodate workflow, preferred weekly schedule would be Mon-Fri 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Duties include:
Primary duties include assisting librarian with maintenance of judges' book collections by filing and shelving materials; filling weekly legal information requests from Dane County inmates; assisting library users with legal ready reference questions such as locating circuit court procedures and forms; processing, filing, and shelving library collection materials; maintaining physical library space; handling cash; and other tasks as necessary.

Skills include: 
Highly qualified candidates will have excellent customer service skills, be detail-oriented, be able to work independently, manage and complete projects on time, and be able to follow directions.

Pay: 

The hourly wage for this position is $14.70.

To apply: 
Call (608) 266-6316 for information on how to submit a cover letter and resume; ask for Bob. Position is work-study compatible.

The Wisconsin Court System is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants who request them.

WSLL at Your Service: November 2016

Don't miss the November issue of WSLL @ Your Service.

In this issue: 

What's New

The Wisconsin State Law Library's downtown location was named the David T. Prosser Jr. State Law Library in a ceremony on Wednesday, October 19th. Read more.

This Just In

Mastering the art of depositions and Fundamentals of securities regulation are our two featured titles this month. As always, don't miss our new book list. Read more.

Tech Tip

The Wisconsin Legislature's document website is a treasure trove of information. The "context menu" enhances the usability of the online statutes. Read more.

WSLL Recommends

Get the facts and the law on reverse mortgage loans in this research guide featuring authoritative websites, treatises from our collection, and citations to the law. Read more.

Odds 'n' Endings

It's time for flu shots! This research guide is geared towards employers, employees, and health care workers who want to learn the legal issues behind employment-related flu shots. Read more.


As always, your comments are welcome. Please direct them to the editor, Kristina.Martinez@wicourts.gov.

Milwaukee Librarian Jennifer Haas Featured in Article

Jennifer Haas, librarian at the Milwaukee County Law Library since July 2016, is featured in the latest MJC Quarterly newsletter. The article highlights her dedication to public service and roots in Milwaukee County.

BadgerLink Scheduled Maintenance

BadgerLink databases, like Academic Search Premier and Newspaper Source Plus, may be unavailable for a few hours this evening from 9 p.m. to midnight.

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

WSLL Recommends: Information for consumers on reverse mortgage

Get the facts (and law) on reverse mortgage loans. A reverse mortgage is a home loan that lets you convert a portion of the equity in your home into cash. "The only reverse mortgage insured by the U.S. Federal Government is called a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage or HECM, and is only available through an FHA approved lender." (see: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages for Seniors)

Image credit

Online information

Consumer information on reverse mortgages (Federal Trade Commission)

Reverse mortgage questions & answers (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)

Considering a reverse mortgage? (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)

Types of reverse mortgages (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)

Frequently asked questions about HUD's reverse mortgages

Reverse mortgages; 2012 report to Congress (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)
Contains extensive information on the history, market and regulatory structure of reverse mortgage loans.

Library books and resources

• Elder Law - 18 Wisconsin Practice Series § 12:39 Reverse Mortgages (West Publishing)
• Advising Older Clients and Their Families - § 7.80 Reverse Mortgages (State Bar of Wisconsin)
• "Reversing Course: Strengthening Consumer Protections for Reverse Mortgages" 23 Elder Law Journal 417 (2016)

The law

• Wisconsin Statute s.138.058 "Reverse mortgage loans"
• Reverse Mortgage Stabilization Act, Public Law. 113-29
• Insurance of home equity conversion mortgages for elderly homeowners 12 U.S.C § 1715z–20
• Consumer Credit Disclosure – Reverse Mortgage 15 U.S.C. § 1648
• Proposed Federal Regulations: FR–5353–P–01 Federal Housing Administration (FHA): Strengthening the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program