Wisconsin State Law Library

If books are knowledge you can hold in your hand, then the hefty tomes of the law are knowledge you can best hold in the crook of your arm…or perhaps a sturdy bag! With the kickoff of National Library Week on April 4, you can now get a free canvas bookbag with every checkout at our libraries. (While supplies last.) 

 

This National Library Week we're opening up our Lexis bookbags and talking about what you can read at our libraries. 

Print Books

In his book On Writing, Steven King posits that, "books are a uniquely portable magic." This is certainly true of law books, which hold everything from primary law to analysis to extremely specific and wonderfully time-saving sample forms. Browse through this list of some of our many Lexis-published books in our catalog. 

Check out these standalone, recently added books:

• Exculpatory evidence: the accused's constitutional right to introduce favorable evidence
• Veterans benefits manual
• What's it worth? a guide to personal injury awards and settlements

Lexis Advance

Supplementing our print offerings, get free access to Lexis Advance to Shepardize citations, research case law, and find journals or books including Nichols on eminent domain and Appleman on insurance. Use Lexis Advance on public computers at the David T. Prosser Jr. Library.  

Lexis Digital Library 

eBooks are easy to hold in your hand, and you can use them on any device. We've gone digital with eBook versions of popular Lexis titles. Log in to the Lexis Digital Library with your Wisconsin State Law Library card to read these books any time, anywhere. Titles include Employment in Wisconsin: Guide to Employment Law, Collier on Bankruptcy, Corbin on Contracts, Moore's Federal Practice, and more. If you don't have a library card, you can still use Lexis Digital using the public computers at our libraries. 

We're excited to announce new eBook access for the following books! Can't make it to the library? No problem! Add these books to your virtual bookbag. All you need is a library card. 

• Collier family law and the bankruptcy code
• Criminal practice
• Cross examination: science & techniques
• Eyewitness testimony
• Jurisdictions in civil actions
• Law of premises liability
• New Appleman on insurance law
• Prosecutorial misconduct
• State constitutional law
• Thompson on real property
• Warrens forms of agreements
• Waters & water rights
  

Stick with us all month, where we'll be blogging about some of our recent eBook additions and telling you how you can make the best use of your time with Lexis Digital Library.

April 19-25 is National Library Week, and while many things have changed since we first started making plans for this week, a lot remains the same.

Get help

Email us at wsll.ref@wicourts.gov or fill out our online form to ask us your questions. Our librarians answer emails Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

While our libraries are closed, we are committed to helping you get access to the information you need.

Access trusted information

Our website has always been a reliable source of information, with hundreds of topics covered in our Legal Topics A-Z  and blog.

Access databases like HeinOnline and Index to Legal Periodicals with a library card from the State Law Library. Sign up for a library card on our website!

While our libraries are closed, we can help you by providing copies from our print collection. Send us an email and tell us what you need.

Today is National Bookmobile Day and while we don't have a bookmobile, we do have a library that travels!

Our Borrow by Mail service lets our users request that books be checked out and shipped to them, so our print collection can have just as much reach as our digital collections. It's easy to use. Send in a request and a librarian will pull the books from the shelves, check them out, and send the books along with an invoice for shipping costs to you. (There's no charge for requests from judges.)

This week is National Library Week, and we're talking a lot about how we help our users. One way we help our low-income users is to refer them to legal assistance organizations or clinics close to where they live.

One thing we pride ourselves on at our libraries is our ability and willingness to help. Sometimes our users are astonished at this, feeling like they shouldn't be taking up our time to ask a question. We can assure you, we're ready and happy to help!

Every year during National Library Week, we take time to reflect on how we can help our users. This year, the national theme is Libraries = Strong Communities. We felt like this theme was particularly appropriate for our library. 

We help people every day with a wide range of questions, and from all over the state. Wisconsin is our community, and we're proud to to help people to access legal information.

Do you have a story to tell about using one of our three libraries? Send an email to carol.hassler@wicourts.gov.

Join us for National Library Week events, from April 8-12, 2019. This year's theme is Libraries = Strong Communities, and we couldn't agree more with this statement. From providing vital research sources, to helping individuals navigate the court system for the first time, we are proud to serve the Court System and the people of Wisconsin.



Public Records
Monday, April 8, 11 - Noon
Thursday, April 11, 11 - Noon
Location: David T. Prosser Jr. Library rare book room

Get an overview of the history of Wisconsin’s public records law, understand top research sources, and learn where to find public records on individuals and businesses. Discover business entity records, liens, real estate records, and more. We'll help you find online and offline government agency sources for commonly-sought Wisconsin public records.
FREE. 1 CLE credit. Register Online | Print Registration Form

Dig in to Dockets and Court Documents
Monday, April 8, Noon - 1 p.m.
Thursday, April 11, Noon - 1 p.m.
Location: David T. Prosser Jr. Library rare book room

Learn how to research trial court dockets using free and low-cost tools available on the Internet, such as Wisconsin Circuit Court Access and PACER. Then survey powerful databases available free at the library. Learn how to locate verdicts and settlements via Westlaw and discover full text court filings using Westlaw and Bloomberg Law’s Litigation Intelligence Center.
FREE. 1 CLE credit. Register Online | Print Registration Form

Watch for blog posts and Facebook updates throughout the week on how we reach out to our Wisconsin community, and how you can use our services and collection.

Do you have a story to tell about using one of our three libraries? Send an email to carol.hassler@wicourts.gov.

The following information on The Coogan Act was included as part of our library displays during National Library Week as we celebrated "The Art of Law."

Jackie Coogan did not have a typical childhood. Discovered by Charlie Chaplin in 1921, he co-starred with Chaplin in one of the film legend’s best known features, “The Kid.”

The role launched a film career that made him, arguably, the first truly marketable child film star. Appearing in about 35 silent features, he earned an estimated $2 million to $4 million. Decades later, he was incredulous when asked if his childhood had differed from that of a normal boy. “Normal boy?” he exclaimed. “How would I know what a normal boy would do?....Other boys went to see Babe Ruth. Babe Ruth came to see me.”

image source

The following information on U.S. v Paramount was included as part of our library displays during National Library Week as we celebrated "The Art of Law." 

image source

Join us at our open house on April 10th. Enjoy refreshments, get a personalized READ bookmark, and take a tour of historical art in our library at 1 and 2 p.m. We're looking forward to seeing you!

Tuesday, April 10 from 1 - 3 p.m.
Art tours at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Reading Room
David T. Prosser Jr. Library
120 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd

The Wisconsin State Law Library invites you to celebrate National Library Week with us from April 9-13.

Thanks for joining us during our National Library Week celebration! The State Law Library had several activities happening this past week, including free CLE classes, a Q&A on Ballotpedia, and a fabulous pie and coffee social.

National Library Week is April 10-14 and the State Law Library has several free classes and social events. Stop by our downtown Madison location for a presentation and Q&A on Ballotpedia, happening Tuesday at noon. And on Thursday, head to the library for socializing, coffee, and pie from 1-3.

Every visitor to the library during the week can play our guessing game to guess the number of pretzels in the display at the circulation desk. The closest two guesses win a prize!


Don't miss these special events: 

Ballotpedia
Tuesday, April 11, Noon
Location: David T. Prosser, Jr. State Law Library rare book room
No registration necessary

Ballotpedia is an online encyclopedia of American politics and elections. A representative from Ballotpedia will present an overview of the website and field questions from the audience.

Stop by for Coffee & Pie
Thursday, April 13, 1 - 3 p.m.
Location: David T. Prosser, Jr. State Law Library

To cap off National Library Week we're hosting a coffee and pie social. Library staff will be available to give demonstrations of our new, free public scanner.

Download event flier

National Library Week is April 10-14 and the State Law Library has several free classes and social events. Stop by our downtown Madison location for a presentation and Q&A on Ballotpedia, happening Tuesday at noon. And on Thursday, head to the library for socializing, coffee, and pie from 1-3.

Every visitor to the library during the week can play our guessing game to guess the number of pretzels in the display at the circulation desk. The closest two guesses win a prize!



Here's the full schedule of events:

Public Records
Monday, April 10, Noon - 1 p.m.
Location: David T. Prosser, Jr. State Law Library training room
Register Online | Print Registration Form

Learn first hand how to find public records on individuals and businesses in this information packed class. Discover criminal records, state and local court records, business entity records, liens, real estate records, and more. We'll help you find the government agency sources for Wisconsin public records. 1 CLE credit.

Ballotpedia
Tuesday, April 11, Noon
Location: David T. Prosser, Jr. State Law Library rare book room
No registration necessary

Ballotpedia is an online encyclopedia of American politics and elections. A representative from Ballotpedia will present an overview of the website and field questions from the audience.

Wisconsin Legislature Website
Wednesday, April 12, Noon - 1 p.m.
Location: David T. Prosser, Jr. State Law Library training room
Registration is limited to 8. Register Online | Print Registration Form

In this hands-on overview of the Legislature's site you'll learn how to track legislative activity, locate bills and acts, and search the online Wisconsin Statutes. You'll also learn about the Legislative Notification Service, and where to find publications of the various Legislative Service Agencies. 1 CLE credit.

Stop by for Coffee & Pie
Thursday, April 13, 1 - 3 p.m.
Location: David T. Prosser, Jr. State Law Library

To cap off National Library Week we're hosting a coffee and pie social. Library staff will be available to give demonstrations of our new, free public scanner.

Download the event flier

Thanks to everyone who celebrated National Library Week with us. During the week we posted a new image on our Facebook page every day through April 15th. In case you missed it, here's our third week in pictures.

Read our new titles lists each month or browse our new book shelves to stay on top of the latest legal information. http://wiscl.wsll.state.wi.us/screens/newtitles.html

Asking a librarian for help saves time every time. http://wilawlibrary.gov/services/ask.html

Log in to our online databases with your library card. http://wilawlibrary.gov/search/articles.html

You can rent a conference room (pictured) for smaller groups, our Rare Book Room for large gatherings, and our Training Room for hands-on meetings or training. http://wilawlibrary.gov/services/roomrental.html

Happy National Library Week! Download our crossword puzzle, Wisconsin Courts & More, or pick up a copy at the Wisconsin State Law Library circulation desk. Return completed crossword puzzles to the library by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 15 to enter for a chance to win one of three prizes.

Download our crossword puzzle, Wisconsin Courts & More

Counting down to National Library Week, we're posting a new image on our Facebook page nearly every day through April 15th. In case you missed it, here's our second week in pictures.

Start your research on one of our many legal topic research pages and ask a librarian for help. http://wilawlibrary.gov/topics/familylaw/childcustody.php

Find comfortable seating and quiet work spaces throughout the library.

Get to HeinOnline and other databases from our Articles & Journals page. http://wilawlibrary.gov/search/articles.html

Counting down to National Library Week, we're posting a new image on our Facebook page nearly every day through April 15th. In case you missed it, here's our first week in pictures.

Did you know that a majority of questions to our reference desk are from members of the public and self-represented litigants?

Did you know that you can use several of our subscription databases from home with a library card? http://wilawlibrary.gov/search/articles.html

Ask a librarian for research help! http://wilawlibrary.gov/services/ask.html

A few years ago we posted about some of the regular update work that goes on behind the scenes. Read it here: http://blog.wilawlibrary.gov/2012/07/what-is-on-book-cart.html

We have a lot of classes on our schedule for April, including several during National Library Week, April 11-15. http://wilawlibrary.gov/learn/classes.html

Join us the second week of April to celebrate National Library Week. From April 11 to 15th the Library has a variety of events planned.

Once a year in April, the American Library Association sponsors a week when libraries across the country celebrate the importance of libraries to our communities and democratic society. Here at the State Law Library we will be hosting a few events of our own and we invite you to perk up your research by joining us for any of the following:

Perk Up Your Research! Guessing Game @ The Circ Desk

Drop by the library to guess how many coffee beans are in the French press. The top four guesses will get a prize. Game starts Monday, April 13 at 8 a.m. and ends Friday, April 17 at 5 p.m.

Advanced WestlawNext CLE Class

On Tuesday, April 14 from 12 - 1 p.m., attend an advanced WestlawNext class in our Training Room. Visit our Classes page for more details. In recognition of National Library Week, Thomson Reuters will provide lunch for attendees (this session only). Class size is limited to 8 and there is no registration fee. Register now.

WSLL Takes to the Streets

On Wednesday, April 15, from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., two of our reference librarians will staff a booth on MLK Jr. Blvd, just outside the library's doors, to distribute a limited edition bookmark and free coffee. Visitors are encouraged to come into the library for a brief tour and to enter to win a prize (see Perk Up Your Research! above for more details).

Webinar: Introduction to Legislative History

Wind down the week by attending a webinar from 12 - 1 p.m. on Friday April 17. Visit our Classes page for more details or register now.