by Diane Wade,
Computer Services Librarian
(pdwade@samford.edu)

I have noticed a significant increase in the number of laptop computers being used in the Law Library this semester.  These wonderful little machines can function as more than glorified word processors.

With the right equipment and software, laptops can be used to connect to the Internet enabling  the student to check his/her e-mail, do research on Lexis and Westlaw, surf the Web, access the Library System, and even print directly to the Law Library Lab laser printers.

We have network data ports available for students to use to access the Novell network and the Internet throughout the Law Library.   Please note that all active ports are DATA ports not TELEPHONE ports, so modems cannot be used in the Law Library. Currently, all of the data ports in the carrels on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floor are “hot” (ready to be used) as are all of the data ports in the conference rooms.

Students will need the following equipment to be able to use the data ports:

• A laptop computer (Windows 95 or higher preferred)
• 3COM Ethernet/LAN card and cable (for older computers with PCMCIA slots) or a NetGear PC Card and cable (for new laptops with Windows ME)*

 
* These cards and cables can be purchased at the Mousepad, in the University Center.  The 3Com card is $131.45 and the NetGear card is $85.00 (price checked February 15, 2001).
Note: Many of the new laptops have ethernet capabilities built-in; so, please check the documentation for your computer before buying an extra card.

Once you have the necessary equipment, make an appointment to have your laptop configured with Diane Wade, the Computer Services Librarian, by calling 726-2687 or sending an e-mail to pdwade@samford.edu.

If you simply want Internet access so you can check your e-mail and do online research using Lexis, Westlaw, or the World Wide Web, you will not have to install any extra software on your laptop computer.  You just need to set the proxy settings in your favorite browser: http://proxy.samford.edu/proxy.pac  (for Netscape) or http://proxy.samford.edu:8080 (for IE).

However, if you would like to be able to print to the Law Library’s network laser printers, then a Novell client will have to be installed that will allow you to login to the campus network using the same userID and password that you currently use in the Law Library Computer Labs.

Samford does not currently support any dial-in access for students.  Cumberland Law Students who want to be able to use their laptop (or desktop) computers at home to access the Internet need to contact an ISP (Internet Service Provider) in order to get Internet access at home.

Students will need the following to be able to get Internet access at home:

• a computer (It does not matter which operating system the computer uses)
• a modem (preferable 56 kbps or higher)
• an ISP account*


* There is a comparison sheet concerning ISPs for the Birmingham area at http://lawlib.samford.edu/labs/isp.shtml

Once you have access to the Internet through a dial-up ISP account, then you should be able to use the Internet to check your Samford e-mail, access Lexis and Westlaw, and surf the World Wide Web.  Please note, you cannot print to the Law Library Lab network laser printers from home; you can only do this from the active data ports on campus.

If you do not have your own laptop computer, the Law Library has 4 available for checkout at the Circulation Desk. These laptops can be checked out for 3 hours at a time, but they cannot be taken out of the library.  Each laptop comes with an Ethernet adapter so it can be used in the carrels.  Please note, the Library’s  laptops DO NOT have to be hooked up to the network before they can be used for word processing, but they DO have to be connected to the network to access Simeon E-mail, Lexis-Nexis, Westlaw, or any other Internet-based service.

If you need a laptop for more than 3 hours, the Davis Library has a pool of laptop computers that can be checked out for a week at a time by any Samford student.

If you have any additional questions, please contact Diane Wade, Computer Services Librarian (2687, pdwade@samford.edu ).
 

The Law Library staff makes every attempt to notify patrons when there are tornado warnings in the area, by public address system and searching the building for patrons if time is available.  If an announcement is made, please go to the Lower Level of the Law Library away from the windows, or to the downstairs classrooms of the Law School building for safety. Please do not risk your life in order to watch Mother Nature’s fierceness through the picture windows.

(The Law Library maintains a collection of treatises on law in different states.  Listed below are titles in this area that were received during the past month.)

Cleckley, Franklin D.  HANDBOOK ON EVIDENCE FOR WEST VIRGINIA LAWYERS.  4th ed.  KFW1740/.C57/2000.

Cohen, Neil P.  TENNESSEE LAW OF EVIDENCE.  4th ed.  KFT540/.C65/2000.

Hertz, Eric James.  GEORGIA LAW OF DAMAGES: WITH FORMS.  2000 ed. KFG195/.H37/2000.

McLaughlin, James B.  WIGGINS WILLS AND ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES IN NORTH CAROLINA.  4th ed.  KFN7544/.W5/2000.

Pascal, Lawrence J.  VIRGINIA WORKERS' COMPENSATION : LAW AND PRACTICE.  3rd ed.  KFV2742/.P37/2000.

Pivnick, Lawrence A.  TENNESSEE CIRCUIT COURT PRACTICE.  1999 ed. KFT530/.P58/1999.

PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY OF LAWYERS IN FLORIDA.  2nd ed.  KFF76.5/.A2/P762/1999.

Sawaya, Thomas D.  FLORIDA PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH ACTIONS. 2000 ed.  KFF539/.P4/S38/2000.

Trawick, Henry P.  TRAWICK'S FLORIDA PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE.  1999 ed.  KFF530/.T73/1999.

Weltner, Philip.  GEORGIA PROCESS AND SERVICE: WITH FORMS.  KFG534/.P7/W45/2000.
 

Recently, LEXIS has added an Alabama database file entitled: Alabama Judgment and Lien Filings. This file provides judgment and lien filings (also federal and state tax liens and releases) for the entire state.  This information is located in the ALJGT file of the LIENS library.  Any questions concerning access to this database or other  LEXIS or WESTLAW databases should be directed to the Reference Librarians.

Former Alabama Governor Albert P. Brewer received the 2001 George Macon Memorial Award for outstanding performance as a teacher at Samford University Thursday, February 1.

Brewer, distinguished Professor of Law and Government at the school since 1987, received the award during the opening convocation of the spring semester. The award annually recognizes the Samford faculty member "who through outstanding performance as a teacher, counselor and friend to students demonstrates the ability to inspire students to greatness."

The Law Library congratulates Governor  Brewer on receiving this prestigious honor.  Previous law school recipients were Professor Brad Bishop in 1991 and Professor Larry Iannotti in 1997.

http://www.samford.edu/News/brewer.html

Following is a selected list of books on Alabama law available in the Cumberland Law Library.  For additional resources, search the online library catalog or ask a reference librarian for help if needed.

Actions and Defenses

Civil Actions at Law in Alabama by Grover S. McLeod, 3rd ed., Birmingham, Ala.: Manchester Press (KFA533/.M34/1998/Law - Reference).

Appellate Procedure

Appellate Practice in Alabama, [Tuscaloosa, Ala.]: Alabama Bar Institute for Continuing Legal Education (KFA555/.A75/A65/- 1999/Law - Treatises).
 
Business Organizations

Alabama Limited Liability Company: Forms and Practice Manual by Louis H. Anders, W. Lee Thuston, and Warren C. Matthews, Brooklandville, Md.: Data Trace Pub. Co., 1996 (KFA207.5/.A65/A532/Law-Reference).

As the Century Turns : Representing Businesses in Alabama, Birmingham, Ala.: Cumberland School of Law, Samford University (KFA213/- .A75/1998/Law - Treatises).

Representing Alabama Businesses, Birmingham, Ala.: Cumberland School of Law, Samford University (KFA213/-.R35/2000/Law - Treatises).

Civil Practice and Procedure

Alabama Civil Practice Forms by Allen Windsor Howell, 3rd ed., Charlottesville, Va.: Michie Law Publishers (KFA530/.A65/H6/- 1997/Law - Reserve).

Alabama Civil Procedure by Jerome A. Hoffman and Sandra C. Guin, 2nd ed., [Charlottesville, Va.]: Lexis Publishing (KFA530/- .H65/2000/Law - Reference).

Alabama Practice: Rules of Civil Procedure Annotated by Champ Lyons, Jr., 3rd ed., St. Paul: West Pub. Co. (KFA529/.A315/L9/- 1996/Law - Reserve).

Constitutional Law

Brewer and Cole: Alabama Constitutional Law by Albert P. Brewer and Charles D. Cole, 2nd ed., Birmingham, Ala.: Samford University Press (KFA402/.B75/- 1997/Law - Reference).

County and Municipal Government

Legal Issues Facing City & County Governments, [Tuscaloosa, Ala.]: Alabama Bar Institute for Continuing Legal Education (KFA430/.A75/L35/- 1999/Law - Treatises).

Criminal Law

Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure by Hugh Maddox, 3rd ed., [Charlottesville, Va.]: LEXIS Publishing (KFA529/.A22/1999/- Law - Reference).

Criminal Offenses and Defenses in Alabama by Victoria Ferreria, 3rd ed., Suwanee, Ga.: Harrison Co.(KFA561/.F47/1999/Law - Reference).

The Trial of a Death Penalty Case in Alabama by John Edmond Mays, Montgomery, Ala.: Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, [1996] (KFA565/.C2/M35/Law - Treatises).

Damages

Alabama Law of Damages by Jenelle Mims Marsh, Charles W. Gamble, 4th ed., Suwanee, Ga.: Harrison Co. (KFA90/.D3/G35/- 1999/Law - Reference).

Detinue, executions and mechanics' liens

Detinue, Executions and Mechanics' Liens: the Law in Alabama by William B. Hairston, Jr., Norcross, Ga.: Harrison Co., 1980 (KFA134.5/.D47/H33/Law - Treatises).
 
Drunk Driving

Drunk Drivers: the Law in Alabama by Thomas Brad Bishop, Birmingham, Ala.: Samford University Press, 1998 (KFA297.8/.B55/Law - Treatises).

Prosecuting and Defending DUI Cases in Alabama Courts, Birmingham, Ala.: Cumberland School of Law, Continuing Legal Education (KFA297.8/.P75/1999- Law - Treatises).

Election Law

Alabama Election Handbook, 9th ed., Tuscaloosa, Ala.: Alabama Law Institute (KFA420/.E42/- 1999/Law - Treatises).

Equity

Equitable Remedies and Extraordinary Writs in Alabama by Grover S. McLeod, 2nd ed., Birmingham, Ala.: Manchester Press (KFA547/.M3/1994/Law - Reference).

Tilley's Alabama Equity by Penny A. Davis, 3rd ed., Norcross, Ga.: Harrison Co. (KFA531/.T5/- 1994/Law - Treatises).

Evidence

Alabama Evidentiary Foundations by Terry L. Butts, Charles W. Gamble, and Edward J. Imwinkelried, Charlottesville, Va.: Lexis Law Pub., 1999 (KFA540/.B82/Law - Reference).

Gamble's Alabama Rules of Evidence: a Trial Manual for Making and Answering Objections by Charles W. Gamble, Tuscaloosa, Ala.: Alabama Bar Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 1995 (KFA540/.G35/Law - Reference ).

McElroy's Alabama Evidence by Charles W. Gamble, 5th ed., Birmingham, Ala.: Samford University Press (KFA540/.M32/- 1996/Law - Reserve and Reference).

Schroeder and Hoffman on Alabama Evidence by William A.Schroeder and Jerome A. Hoffman, 3rd ed., Suwanee, Ga.: Harrison Co. (KFA540/.S35/- 2000/Law - Reference ).

Weissenberger's Alabama Evidence: Courtroom Manual by Glenn Weissenberger, Cincinnati: Anderson Publishing (KFA540/- .W45/2000/Law - Reference ).

Family Law

Family Law in Alabama: Practice and Procedure by Rick Fernambucq and Gary Pate, 2nd ed., Charlottesville, Va.: Michie (KFA94.5/.A65/F35/1996/Law - Reference ).

Alabama Divorce Systems Manual edited by Patrick H. Graves, Jr., 3rd ed., [Tuscaloosa, Ala.]: Alabama Bar Institute for Continuing Legal Education (KFA100/.G7/1997/Law - Reserve).

Insurance

Alabama Automobile Insurance Law by Ronald G. Davenport, 2nd ed., Norcross, Ga.:  Harrison Co. (KFA191/.A4/D3/1996/Law - Treatises ).

Alabama Liability Insurance Handbook by Bibb Allen, Charlottesville, Va.: Michie, 1996 (KFA191/.A1/A95/Law - Treatises ).

Developments and Trends in Fraud and Bad Faith Litigation, Birmingham, Ala.: Cumberland School of Law of Samford University (KFA151/.F7/D35/- 1998/Law - Treatises).

Jury Instructions

Alabama Pattern Jury Instructions – Civil prepared by the Alabama Pattern Jury Instructions Committee - Civil; approved by the Supreme Court of Alabama, 2nd edition, Rochester, N.Y.: Lawyers Cooperative Pub. Co. (KFA542/.A9/1993/Law - Reference).

Pattern Jury Instructions -- Criminal edited by Joseph A. Colquitt; developed by Alabama Law Institute, 3rd edition, [Tuscaloosa, Ala.]: University of Alabama, Alabama Bar Institute (KFA583/.P3/1994/Law - Reference).

Law Office Practice

Alabama Law Office Practice Deskbook by Robert L. McCurley, Jr., 9th ed., Tuscaloosa, Ala.: Lawyer's Educational Press (KFA77/.M3/2000/Law - Reserve).

Leases

Alabama Landlord and Tenant: Breach and Remedies by Victoria C. Ferreira, 2000 ed., Suwanee, Ga.: Harrison Company (KFA117/.F35/2000/Law - Treatises ).
 
Alabama Residential, Commercial & Mineral Lease Law by David C. Skinner, Charlottesville, Va.: Lexis Law Pub., 1997 (KFA117/.S65/Law - Reference).

Legislation

Alabama Legislation by Robert L. McCurley and Keith B. Norman, 4th ed., Tuscaloosa, Ala.: Alabama Law Institute, (KFA421/.M33/1997/Law - Treatises ).

The Legislative Process: A Handbook for Alabama Legislators edited by Robert L. McCurley, Jr., 7th ed., Tuscaloosa, Ala.: Alabama Law Institute (JK4531/.L4/1999/Law - Treatises).

Limitations

Alabama Limitations of Actions and Notice Provisions by Timothy Hoff, 2nd ed., Norcross, Ga.: Harrison Co. (KFA90/.L5/- H64/1992/Law - Treatises).
 
Municipal and District Courts

Municipal Courts: Practice and Procedure in Alabama by Thomas Brad Bishop, 3rd ed., Birmingham, Ala.: Samford University Press (KFA518/.B55/- 1999/Law - Reference).

Practice and Procedure in Alabama's Municipal and District Courts, Birmingham, Ala.: Samford University, Cumberland School of Law, Continuing Legal Education (KFA518/.P75/2000/- Law - Treatises).

Probate and Estate Planning

Probate Practice and Estate Planning Fundamentals, Birmingham, Ala.: Cumberland School of Law, Samford University (KFA144/.A75/P755- 2000/Law - Treatises).

Probate Practice Fundamentals, Birmingham, Ala.: Cumberland School of Law, Continuing Legal Education (KFA144/.A75/P75/- 1999/Law - Treatises).

Property Law

Alabama Property Rights and Remedies by Jesse P. Evans III, 2nd ed., Charlottesville, Va.: LEXIS Law Publishing (KFA112/.E94/1998/Law - Reference).

Real Estate Handbook: Land Laws of Alabama by Robert L. McCurley, Jr. and Penny A. Davis, 7th ed., New York: LEXIS Publishing (KFA112/.M33/2000/- Law - Treatises).

Securities

What Every Attorney Should Know about Securities Regulation in Alabama, Birmingham, Ala.: Cumberland School of Law of Samford University (KFA214/- .A1/W45/1996).

Taxation

Alabama Tax Reporter by CCH Tax Law Editors, Chicago: Commerce Clearing House, Inc., 1953- (KFA470/.A6/A55/Law - Taxation).

Torts

Alabama Tort Law by Michael L. Roberts; Gregory S. Cusimano, contributing editor, 3rd  ed., Conklin, N.Y.: LEXIS Publishing (KFA195/.R65/2000/Law - Reference).

Personal Injury and Torts by Allen Windsor Howell, Rochester, N.Y.: Lawyers Cooperative Pub. (KFA195/.A53/H692/Law - Reference).

Transaction Guide

Southeast Transaction Guide: Florida, Georgia, Alabama edited by Byron L. Sparber, Carl H. Cofer, and Thomas A. Ritchie, New York: M. Bender, 1976- (KF1410/.S6/Law - Reference).

Trial Practice

Trial Handbook for Alabama Lawyers by Allen Windsor Howell and William Keith Abell, 2nd ed., West Group (KFA538/.A75/H69/1998 Law - Reference).

Workers’ Compensation

Alabama Workers' Compensation by Terry A. Moore, [St. Paul, Minn.]: West Group, 1998 (KFA342/. M65/- Law - Treatises).

Alabama Workers' Compensation Law and Handbook by Robert W. Lee and Steven W. Ford, Charlottesville, Va.: LEXIS Law Publishing, 1999 (KFA342/.L35/Law - Reference).

Alabama Workers' Compensation: With Forms by Jack B. Hood, Benjamin A. Hardy, Jr., and E.J. Saad, 4th ed., Norcross, Ga.: Harrison Co. (KFA342.H66/1998/Law - Reference).

14th Annual Workers' Compensation Seminar, Birmingham Ala.: Cumberland School of Law, Samford University (KFA342/. A75/A55- 2000/Law - Treatises).
 

Have you ever been baffled by a citation dealing with a federal agency?  Needed an agency form that doesn't seem to exist?  A good first step in dealing with such a situation is to consult Leah F. Chanin's SPECIALIZED LEGAL RESEARCH (KF240/.S69) and a reference librarian.  If you are still having problems, you may need to talk to a librarian that specializes in materials dealing with that agency.  The reference librarians at Beeson Law Library have had some very good experiences in working with agency librarians (we have found that, on occasion, they will send us the document we need FOR FREE!). The listing below provides telephone numbers for many of the federal agencies:

General Accounting Office  Law Library - 202-512-2585

Commerce Dept. Law Library - 202-482-1154

Marine Corps JAG Law Library -         703-614-2510

Navy Office of General Counsel Law Library - 202-543-0247
 
Energy Dept. Library -202-586-4848

Fed. Energy Reg. Comm. Law Library - 202-208-1371

Health and Human Services Library    - 202-619-0190

Health Care Financing Admin. Library - 410-786-7804

Center for Disease Control Library      - 404-639-1601

FDA Medical Library - 301-827-5525

Housing and Urban Development Library - 202-708-2370

Dept. of Justice Law Library -202-514-2133

Immigration and Naturalization Service Law Library - 202-514-1252

Immigration Appeals Bd. Library   - 703-305-1183

Labor Dept. Library -202-219-7500

IRS Chief Counsel's Library - 202-622-8050

Comptroller of Currency Library  - 202-874-4715

Customs Service Library - 202-927-1350

Civil Rights Commission Library -     202-376-8110

Commodity Futures Trading Comm. Law Library - 202-254-5254

Consumer Product Safety Comm Library - 301-504-0044

Environmental Protection Agency Law Library - 202-260-5919

Equal Employment Opportunity Comm. Law Library -202-663-4630

Farm Credit Admin. Law Library - 703-883-4296
 
Federal Communications Comm.  Reference Room  -  1-800-877-8339

Fed. Deposit Ins. Corp. Library    - 202-736-0088

Fed. Election Commission Law Library - 202-694-1650

Fed. Labor Relations Authority Law Library - 202-482-6552

Fed. National Mortgage Corp. Gen. Counsel Law Library - 202-752-7175

Fed. Reserve Bd. of Governors Law Library  - 202-452-3040
 
Fed. Trade Commission Law Library - 202-326-2385

Fed. Maritime Commission Library - 202-523-5762

Fed. Mine Safety & Health Review Comm. Law Library  -  202-653-5459

Interior Dept. Library -  202-208-3309

Library of Congress Law Library  - 202-707-5065

Merit Systems Protection Bd. Law Library - 202-653-7132
 
NASA Library - 202-358-4357

National Credit Union Admin. Gen. Counsel's Library - 703-518-6546

National Labor Relations Bd. Law Library - 202-273-3721

Navy JAG Law Library - 703-325-9565

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Legal Info. Services - 301-415-1526

Patent and Trademark Law Library  - 703-308-7200

Pension Benefit Guaranty Bd.General Counsel Library -  202-326-4004

Postal Rate Commission Law Library - 202-789-6877

Railroad Retirement Bd Law Library -312-751-4927

Securities & Exchange CommissionLaw Library - 202-942-7090

Social Security Law Library - 410-965-6107
 
State Dept. Law Library -  202-647-1099

Tennessee Valley Authority  Library - 423-632-3464

Transportation Dept.  Library -      202-366-0745

Treasury Dept. Library -  202-622-0045

U.S. International Trade Comm.Law Library - 202-205-3287

U.S. Supreme Court Library -  202-376-2707

U.S. Tax Court Library -  202-376-2707

Veterans Affairs General Counsel Law Library  - 202-523-3830

World Bank Law Library  - 202-458-1530

Other:

U.S. Senate Library - 202-224-7106

[This article is an update of one that appeared in the February 1998 issue of Check It Out.]

At the risk of becoming  stereotypical librarians, we wish to share a growing concern about loud noise (mostly socializing in the reading rooms) echoing throughout the Law Library.  This problem is one which is being constantly brought to our attention by your fellow classmates when they complain to us about how they cannot study in the Law Library.  Please consider classmates who, for various reasons, cannot study at home. This library is their only refuge for quiet study.   If you wish to socialize, there are numerous places in the law school, including the Great Room in the law school building, where  ample space is available.  Please reserve the  library facilities for your research and study purposes only.