It’s still National Library Week, and so we’re still geeking out over exactly how great libraries are. From public libraries (which are, as Keith Richards, an almost-librarian, said “the great equalizer[s]”) , to the library at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the Folger Shakespeare Library. And law libraries, of course. Many law libraries are open to the public and provide information that is, in the words of Thomas Jefferson, “the currency of democracy.” Law libraries also provide an important service to members of the bar and courts; Justice Sandra Day O’Connor once noted that the law library “provides the stability and continuity for the rule of law.”

So it was no surprise to us when CNN ran a story recently declaring librarians “masters of the info universe.” Neil Gaiman, a longtime advocate for libraries, said much the same thing last year.

By the way, while we’re on the subject of libraries, have you checked out our trivia contest yet? If you’re one of the students with the most correct answers about your own College of Law Library, your name will be entered into a drawing for a $50 Target gift card. Don’t wait too long, though – you only have until Sunday, April 17th, at 11:59 p.m. While you’re at it, do us a favor and fill out our short student survey. This is your chance to let us know how we’re doing and what we can do to improve our services to you. The survey will be available until Friday, April 29th at 5:00 p.m.

AJC photo by Jason Getz

Although these Georgia State fans may look like they are cheering for the football team, they are really overcome with joy because they know that National Library Week starts on April 10th.

National Library Week is an annual celebration of the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians.  This year, National Library Week is April 10-16, 2011.

“What if I am not a librarian?  Can I still participate?”  Of course you can.  Everyone can celebrate the awesomeness that is library week.  In honor of this occasion, the College of Law Library has several events and activities planned during this time for students.

The Law Library will be doing two Library Abridged table sessions on Monday, April 11th from 2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. and Tuesday, April 12th from 5:00 p.m. – 5: 45 p.m.   The topic will be “Apps for Lawyers and Law Students.”  As always, the table will be located in the first floor lobby by the front entrance to the law school and there will be free coffee and cookies.  Chances are if you drop by you may even get to put your hands on, but not keep, an iPad.

The Law Library will also have a Law Library Trivia Contest.  Those students who answer the most questions correct will be entered into a drawing for a $50 Target gift card.  You may ask yourself, “Can I ask a reference librarian what the answer is to one of the questions?”  Simply put, no.  However, you can ask one of the reference librarians how you would find the answer.  Have no fear, none of these questions will require you to crack open a reporter, code, or treatise.  The deadline will be Sunday, April 17^th at 11:59 p.m.  You can access the trivia contest via the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/gsulawlibrarytriviacontest

In addition to these activities, the Law Library would like students to take the time to fill out the annual College of Law Library Survey.  Don’t worry, this is not one of those long surveys that you will eventually resort to filling out “C” or “Agree” all the way through.  The survey is short, multiple choice, and will  give students the chance to voice their comments and concerns about the Law Library’s services and resources.  The deadline to complete the survey is Friday, April 29th at 5:00 p.m. You can access the survey via the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/gsulawlibrary

Do you have a summer job lined up? Are you still hoping to nab a prized internship? Whether you know exactly where you’ll be working this summer yet or not, you’ll want to attend the library’s “Top 10 Ways the Library Can Help You This Summer” workshop on April 20. The law librarians will introduce you to resources you can use (even if you’re nowhere near the library itself) and offer advice on ways you can shine on the job.

And if the thought of all that good advice isn’t enough, we’re also be offering pizza and drinks to all attendees. Remember: April 20. We’ll be in Room 311 from 12 – 1 p.m.

Space is limited! Sign up now.

Why is this person jumping for joy?  Because they just found out that starting Monday, April 4th,  the Law Library will circulate all books located in the stacks to students.  What does this mean?

Remember when you needed the looseleaf service Collier on Bankruptcy last semester for your research paper you were writing at home?  How about when you wanted a few “law looking” books to go on your coffee table for the weekend to impress your parents or significant other who was coming into town?  Both times you couldn’t check them out because they were “non-circulating” items.  Not anymore my friend.  Now any book located in the general stacks can be checked out by students.

Before you get too excited, there is a small disclaimer.  This does not include books and other materials on reserves or located in the reference collection.  Only materials located in the general stacks are now circulating.  So for those of you who got excited about the possibility of taking Property: Examples and Explanations on your next two day road trip, I am sorry to say that is still not possible (unless you check-out an older edition located on the back shelves of the study aids collection).  But, if you are looking to take a form book or legal encyclopedia to the Braves game (blasphemy I know), then you are in luck.

If you are unsure about what you can check out, feel free to consult with someone working at the Circulation Desk.

Just in case you haven’t heard, there’s a lot going on in the world of sports right now. The NFL’s players are locked out, Barry Bonds is facing trial for perjury, there’s some sort of basketball tournament happening, and the usual scandals surrounding college athletes and recruiting violations are going on. Did you know that all of this has to do with law? Specifically, it all has to do in one way or another with sports law.

Sports law covers a lot of areas of law that interact with sports – contracts, ADR, antitrust, IP, torts, and employment law being just a few. The Legal Information Institute, a site that we love, has a pretty good overview with links to some of the major statutes and most recent cases. In the Law Library,we have some great books on the subject, like Sports Justice, Female Gladiators, and Courting the Yankees, which features a chapter by our very own Professor Jack Williams.

If you’re more interested in what’s going on now, check out a few of the many blogs devoted to sports and the law, like Findlaw’s Tarnished Twenty or the aptly named Sports Law Blog. If you’re interested in college sports, keep an eye on the College Sports Law Blog and the NCAA Bylaw Blog. If you’re more interested gender issues in sports, there’s the Title IX Blog. Finally, for those who are really invested in their fantasy baseball/basketball/football leagues, there’s always the Sports Judge Blog. In addition to discussing legal issues affecting fantasy gaming, SportsJudge also handles dispute resolution for fantasy sports leagues, complete with options.

Now, we’re not saying that watching ESPN can substitute for, say, studying for classes, but the next time you’re watching SportsCenter, just remember – there’s a lot more law there than you’d think.

The College of Law will host the Supreme Court of Georgia on Monday, March 21.   The event includes a swearing in ceremony for law alumni to the Georgia Supreme Court Bar followed by two oral arguments.  The event is scheduled to last from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the Georgia State University Student Center Ballroom.   Those who plan to attend should arrive no later than 9:45 a.m.

Oral Arguments:

• Stripling v. The State (Death Penalty Interim Review)
• Haley v. The State (Internet Hoax Case)

Location:

Georgia State University
Student University Center
State Ballroom, First Floor
44 Courtland St., Atlanta

University Map (#33 Student Center)

Time:

10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Arrive by 9:45 a.m.

Business attire is required.

More information on the Supreme Court of Georgia.

Unless you were trapped under a contracts book for the last 2 weeks, you have probably heard a little something about Charlie Sheen.  Along with Libya, gas prices, and March Madness, Sheen has been a hot topic on many media outlets, including talk radio, morning television, broadcast news, and late night talk shows.

Recent public appearances by Sheen have shown him to be the shadow of the figure he used to be.

In the 80’s he starred in “Platoon” and “Wallstreet,” both very popular and successful movies.  He revived his career on television with “Spin City,” and has dominated prime time television the past few years with his hit show “Two and a Half Men.”

Although many things have been going right for Sheen on-screen, his personal life has been anything but a fairytale.  Most recently Sheen was fired from “Two and a Half Men,” and his children were taken by police due to a restraining order issued by his estranged wife, Brooke Mueller.  With all of the legal issues surrounding Sheen right now, he would appear to be the perfect hypothetical for a law school exam.

Here are a few legal issues surrounding Charlie Sheen and some helpful resources if an attorney was representing Sheen in Georgia:

1. Child Custody:  Georgia divorce, alimony, and child custody by Dan E. McConaughey.
2. Contracts:  Georgia contracts: law and litigation by John Larkins
3. Trademark:  Understanding trademark law: a beginner’s guide by Linda Tancs (for Sheen’s “winning” phrase)

For those of you who are still easing back into books after spring break, you may enjoy being one of the millions of people following Sheen on Twitter.