Law Librarian Blog

National Library Week, April 10-16

From ALA (just in case you forgot):

"First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support.

"In the mid-1950s, research showed that Americans were spending less on books and more on radios, televisions and musical instruments. Concerned that Americans were reading less, the American Library Association and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Committee in 1954. The committee's goals were ambitious. They ranged from “encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time” to “improving incomes and health” and “developing strong and happy family life.” In 1957, the committee developed a plan for National Library Week based on the idea that once people were motivated to read, they would support and use libraries. With the cooperation of ALA and with help from the Advertising Council, the first National Library Week was observed in 1958 with the theme “Wake Up and Read!”

"National Library Week was observed again in 1959, and the ALA Council voted to continue the annual celebration. When the National Book Committee disbanded in 1974, ALA assumed full sponsorship."

OK, back to work.

Google Maps ... Having Fun During a Slow Day at the Reference Desk

A real time waster in the good sense. Once you check it out, you will have endless hours of fun looking at your house and other familiar landmarks via satellite maps. Go to Google Maps and get what basic street mapping programs give for free. However, click on the Satellite link at the top right of the screen and you will see a satellite picture of the area, with multiple degrees of resolution. .

Look at favorite landmarks, like where you work, or Wrigley Field (1060 West Addison, Chicago, IL). Make sure you put in a town and state as per the examples on the page. Views are movable, so you can show people things like the route from your house to the local Costco. Check out the hotels in San Antonio from spy cameras 24,000 miles above them. Fun for the whole family.

Submitted late Friday afternoon by Mark Giangrande, DePaul Law Library. Sounds like Mark was having an unusually slow day at the reference desk.

Papers in Legal History

From the NELLCO Legal Scholarship Repository:

The following papers in Legal History are authored by legal scholars at some of the leading law schools in the United States. These authors are posting their work in this and other subject areas to the NELLCO Legal Scholarship Repository, located at http://lsr.nellco.org . To access any of the papers in question - without charge - simply click on the links below.  Full citations and abstracts occur at the conclusion of this message.

Mary Sarah Bilder, "The Transatlantic Constitution: Colonial Legal Culture and the Empire"
http://lsr.nellco.org/bc/bclsfp/papers/42/

Stephen E. Sachs, "From St. Ives to Cyberspace: The Modern Distortion of the Medieval 'Law Merchant'"
http://lsr.nellco.org/yale/student/papers/5

James Q. Whitman, "The Origins of "Reasonable Doubt""
http://lsr.nellco.org/yale/fss/papers/1

Michael Knoll, "The Ancient Roots of Modern Financial Innovation: The Early History of Regulatory Arbitrage"
http://lsr.nellco.org/upenn/wps/papers/49

John Fabian Witt, "The Internationalist Beginnings of American Civil Liberties"
http://lsr.nellco.org/columbia/pllt/papers/0482

Navoneel Dayanand, "Overview of Legal Systems in the Asia-Pacific Region: India"
http://lsr.nellco.org/cornell/lps/lsapr/1

Yosea Iskandar, "Overview of Legal Systems in the Asia-Pacific Region: Indonesia"
http://lsr.nellco.org/cornell/lps/lsapr/2

Calvin WL Ho, "Overview of Legal Systems in the Asia-Pacific Region: Singapore"
http://lsr.nellco.org/cornell/lps/lsapr/3

Ngamnet Triamanuruck, Sansanee Phongpala, and Sirikanang Chaiyasuta, "Overview of Legal Systems in the Asia-Pacific Region: Thailand"
http://lsr.nellco.org/cornell/lps/lsapr/4

Zengguang (Bill) Huo and Yuhua Shi, "Overview of Legal Systems in the Asia-Pacific Region: People's Republic of China"
http://lsr.nellco.org/cornell/lps/lsapr/5

Oh Seung Jin, "Overview of Legal Systems in the Asia-Pacific Region: South Korea"
http://lsr.nellco.org/cornell/lps/lsapr/6

Junko Gono, Mitsutaka Hibino, Koh Hinokawa, Sonosuke Kamiya, Hirofumi Maki, Shigeki Nishiyama, Hirotoshi Osajima, Masahiro Oshima, and Yurika Yamauchi, "Overview of Legal Systems in the Asia-Pacific Region: Japan"
http://lsr.nellco.org/cornell/lps/lsapr/7

Peggy (Pei Yi) Wen, "Overview of Legal Systems in the Asia-Pacific Region: Republic of China, Taiwan"
http://lsr.nellco.org/cornell/lps/lsapr/8

Ron Jones, Unv Cin Law Lib

Seeking Nominations for the Year 2005 Spirit of Law Librarianship Award

Each year, the Spirit of Law Librarianship Award Committee selects a law librarian to honor for their special service to their community. Please help us recognize special law librarians who, using their law library skills, have made a meaningful contribution to a social concern, by nominating a worthy individual. Law librarians who use their skills in this capacity benefit not only the recipients of their hard work, but benefit the profession as a whole, through their example of service. The Spirit of Law Librarianship Award Committee is seeking nominations for the Year 2005 recipient of the Award. Past recipients of the award have been:

-Prof. Wes Daniels, recognizing his work in establishing a resource center for legal work on behalf of the homeless

-Ms. Jesse L. Matthews, who was recognized for her work developing the Patient Learning Resource Center at the Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia

-Ms. Deanna Harragarra Waters, for her work with the Native American Rights Fund libraries.

-Prof. Frank Liu, for his work with US-Chinese academic exchange programs and in the Chinese American community

-Prof. Mickie Voges, for her work with the ExTEND program at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law

-Mr. David Gunn, for his work with Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, Austin, Texas Unit

-Mr. Marvin Anderson, for his work with the "Everybody Wins" reading program at the Benjamin E. Mays Magnet School in St. Paul, Minnesota

- SCALL Inner City Youth Program Committee, for its work offering inner-city youth the chance to learn new skills and meet new challenges by training, mentoring and hiring them to intern in law libraries and law firms.

-Catherine Lemann, of the Law Library of Louisiana for her work with AIDSLaw of Louisiana

-Frosty Owen of Hunton & Williams for his work with public school libraries.

-Prof. Joan Howland for her work with Native American law students and for her work with ALA and AALL in support of creating opportunities for minorities in libraries.

-Kimberli Morris, Program Manager for Library and Information (Baghdad) of the International Human Rights Law Institute at the College of Law, DePaul University, for her work with law schools in Iraq as they strive to rebuild their legal education system.

The award, established by Roy Mersky, Director of Research and Professor at the Tarlton Law Library, The University of Texas at Austin, School of Law, and Richard Leiter, Director of the Law Library and Professor at the Schmid Law Library, University of Nebraska College of Law, was created in order to give special recognition to individual law librarians who might not otherwise be recognized by their peers for their important work. The award was established by Mersky and Leiter, in lieu of accepting royalties from their book, The Spirit of Law Librarianship, published in 1991 by the Fred B. Rothman Company (now a division of the Wm. S. Hein & Co., Inc.). The second edition is being published in the spring of 2005 by Alert Publications, Inc.

The award is presented to the recipient at a reception at the annual meeting of the American Association of Law Libraries. An award will be given only when an outstanding individual is nominated. In its 13-year history, there has only been one year when an award has not been given because a worthy nominee was not brought to the committee's attention. The committee encourages nominations from anyone with information regarding individuals that might fit the profile of an award recipient.

Please help us to recognize the special people who represent a special dimension of the Spirit of Law Librarianship.

To make a nomination, please contact:

Professor Roy Mersky, Tarlton Law Library, University of Texas, 727 East Dean Keeton StreetAustin TX 78705. PHONE 512/471-7735. FAX 512/471-8398. rmersky@mail.law.utexas.edu

OR,

Professor Richard Leiter, Schmid Law Library, University of Nebraska College of Law, Lincoln, NE 68583-0902. PHONE 402/472-5737. FAX 402/472-8260 rleiter@unl.edu

Two Reference Positions Open at Univ of South Carolina Law

    The University of South Carolina School of Law Library is seeking two highly-motivated and service-oriented individuals to join its professional staff as tenure-track legal reference librarians. Candidates with both JD and MLS degrees and at least one year of law library public service experience are strongly preferred, but candidates with either degree and substantial relevant experience will be considered. 

See http://uscjobs.sc.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=51862  for a complete description of the positions and to apply.   USC is an EEO/AA Institution.

More details.

The University of South Carolina's Coleman Karesh Law Library seeks two highly-motivated and service-oriented reference librarians to join the professional staff of an academic research library with the primary goal of supporting the work of the 40 faculty and over 700 students of the School of Law, but which also actively serves the University community, state government, the Bench and Bar, and citizens of South Carolina. The Law Library is independently administered with a collection of more than 500,000 volumes, ever-increasing technological sophistication, and a staff of 15.

Provides reference service to the entire Law School community with particular emphasis on faculty support. Teaches Introduction to Legal Research for first year law students, may teach Advanced Legal Bibliography, and will conduct library orientation tours and bibliographic lectures. Prepares research guides and library-related displays. Shares duty on reference desk and participates in a rotation to provide early evening reference desk coverage with other staff members. May include some weekend hours. Participates in collection development. Serves as liaison to assigned faculty members. Engages in other special duties and projects, as assigned. Reports to Associate Director for Library Operations.

This is a tenure track, twelve month appointment on the Law Library faculty. Available immediately.
   
Minimum Qualifications  Either ABA accredited law degree or ALA accredited library science degree with substantial law library experience.

Preferred Qualifications  ABA accredited law degree and ALA accredited library science degree with at least one year of experience in law library public service strongly preferred; candidates with only one of these degrees will be considered if they have significant law library public service experience. Ability to locate and disseminate legal information in both print and electronic format. Familiarity with legal and non-legal electronic resources and ability to adapt to change in the information environment. Interest in teaching and evidence of ability to teach and make presentations to groups. Public service orientation a must as exemplified by highly refined interpersonal and communication skills.   

Other Law Professor Blogs

Each day this week I featured information published by a blog that is a member of the Law Professor Blogs Network to underscore how useful the Network's blogs can be to law librarians.

Not all blogs were featured this week but if you enjoy reading this blog and found the posts from other network blogs republished here this week useful, you may also find some of the other Law Professor blogs interesting and useful:

• AntitrustProf Blog (Shubha Ghosh (SUNY Buffalo))
• ContractsProf Blog (Carol Chomsky (Minnesota) & Frank Snyder (Texas-Wesleyan))
• CrimProf Blog (Jack Chin (Arizona) & Mark Godsey (Cincinnati))
• Health Law Prof Blog (Betsy Malloy (Cincinnati) & Tom Mayo (SMU))
• LaborProf Blog (Rafael Gely (Cincinnati))
• Law School Acedmic Support Blog (Dennis Tonsing (Roger Williams))
• Media Law Prof Blog (Cristina Corcos (LSU))
• Sentencing Law & Policy Blog (Douglas Berman (Ohio State))
• Tax Prof Blog (Paul Caron (Cincinnati))
• Tech Law Prof Blog (Jonathan Ezor (Touro) & Michelle Zakarin (Touro))
• White Collar Crime Prof Blog (Peter Henning (Wayne State) & Ellen Podgor (Georgia State))
• Wills, Trusts & Estates Prof Blog (Gerry Beyer (St. Mary's)

2003 ABA Survey of Lawyer Discipline Systems

No real surprises in the results reported from the 2003 ABA Survey on Lawyer Discipline Systems

2003

Private Sanctions: 2495

Public Sanctions: 3725

Disbarments: 537

Suspensions: 1294

2002

Private Sanctions: 2473

Public Sanctions: 3439

Disbarments: 503

Suspensions: 1579

2001

Private Sanctions: 2486

Public Sanctions: 4069

Disbarments: 475

Suspensions: 1691

2000

Private Sanctions: 2734

Public Sanctions: 4010

Disbarments: 486

Suspensions: 1719

Text of Pope John Paul II's Will and Testament (unofficial English translation)

John Paul II

Totus Tuus ego sum

5.III.1982 (ED's NOTE: March 5, 1982)

In the course of the spiritual exercises this year I have read (several times) the text of the testament of 6.III.1979. (ED's NOTE: March 6, 1979). Notwithstanding that even now it is to be considered as provisional (not definitive), I leave it in its presently existing form. I change (for now) nothing, nor do I add anything, as regards the arrangements contained within it.

The attempt on my life of 13.V.1981 (ED'S NOTE: May 13, 1981) has in some way confirmed the exactness of the words written in the period of the spiritual exercises of 1980 (24.II - 1.III) (ED'S NOTE: Feb. 24-March 1).

All the more profoundly I feel myself totally in the Hands of God _ and I remain continually at the disposition of my Lord, entrusting myself to Him and to His Immaculate Mother (Totus Tuus).

John Paul pp. II

___

5.III. March 5, 1982

In connection with the final phrase of my testament of 6.III.1979 (ED'S NOTE: March 6, 1979) (:`About the place/the place, that is, of the funeral/ may the College of Cardinals and Compatriots") _ I clarify what I had in mind: the metropolitan of Krakow or the General Council of the Bishops of Poland _ I ask in the meantime the College of Cardinals to satisfy to the extent possible the eventual questions of the aforementioned.

___

1.III.1985 (ED'S NOTE: March 1, 1985) (during spiritual exercises).

Again -- concerning the expression "College of Cardinals and the Compatriots": the "College of Cardinals" has no obligation to consult "the Compatriots" on this question; it can, in any case, do so, if for some reason it considers it right to do so.

JPII

The spiritual exercises of the Jubilee year 2000

(12-18.III) (ED'S NOTE: March 12-18)

(VATICAN'S NOTATION: `for the will')

1. When, on the day of Oct. 16, 1978, the conclave of cardinals chose John Paul II, the Primate of Poland Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski told me: 'The task of the new pope will be to introduce the Church into the Third Millennium.' I do not know if I am repeating the phrase exactly, but at least such was the sense of what I heard then. It was said by the Man who has passed into history as the Primate of the Millennium. A great Primate. I was witness to the mission, to His total entrusting of himself. To His struggles; to His victory. "Victory, when it will come, will be a victory through Maria" _ these, the words of his Predecessor, Cardinal August Hlond, the Primate of the Millennium was wont to repeat.

In this way I was to some degree prepared for the task which was placed before me on October 16, 1978. As I write these words, the Jubilee Year of 2000 is already a reality, and under way. The night of December 24, 1999, the symbolic Door of the Great Jubilee of the Basilica of St. Peter was opened, and successively that of St. John Lateran, then St. Mary Major's on New Year's Eve; and on Jan. 19, the Door of the Basilica of St. Paul "Outside the Walls." This latter event, given its ecumenical character, has remained particularly engraved in memory.

2. To the degree that the Jubilee Year 2000 goes forward, closing behind us day by day is the 20th century, while the 21st century opens. In accordance with the designs of Providence, it was granted to me to live during the difficult century that is passing, and now, in the year during which my age reaches 80 years ("octogesima adveniens"), it is necessary to ask if it is not the time to repeat the words of the Biblical Simeon, "Nunc dimittis." (ED'S NOTE: `Now Master you may let your servant go.")

On May 13, 1981, the day of the attempt upon the life of the Pope during the general audience in St. Peter's Square, Divine Providence saved me from death in a miraculous way. He who is the sole Savior of life and of death, Himself prolonged this life, and in a certain way gave it to me anew. From this moment it belongs to Him all the more. I hope that He will help me to recognize the time until when I must continue this service, to which he called me on the day of October 16, 1978. I ask (Him) to call me when He wants. 'In life and in death we belong to the Lord ... we are of the Lord" (cf Romans 14, 8). I hope too that throughout the time given me to carry out the service of Peter in the Church, the Mercy of God will lend me the necessary strength for this service.

3. As I do every year during spiritual exercises I read my testament from 6-III-1979 (ED's NOTE: March 6, 1979). I continue to maintain the dispositions contained in this text. What then, and even during successive spiritual exercises, has been added constitutes a reflection of the difficult and tense general situation which marked the 80s. From autumn of the year 1989 this situation changed. The last decade of the century was free of the previous tensions; that does not mean that it did not bring with it new problems and difficulties. In a special way may Divine Providence be praised for this, that the period of the so-called 'cold war' ended without violent nuclear conflict, the danger of which weighed on the world in the preceding period.

4. Being on the threshold of the third millennium "in medio Ecclesiae" I wish once again to express gratitude to the Holy Spirit for the great gift of Vatican Council II, to which, together with the entire Church _ and above all the entire episcopacy _ I feel indebted. I am convinced that for a long time to come the new generations will draw upon the riches that this Council of the 20th century gave us. As a bishop who participated in this conciliar event from the first to the last day, I wish to entrust this great patrimony to all those who are and who will be called in the future to realize it. For my part I thank the eternal Pastor Who allowed me to serve this very great cause during the course of all the years of my pontificate.

"In medio Ecclesiae" (ED'S NOTE Latin for "inside the Church") ... from the first years of my service as a bishop _ precisely thanks to the Council _ I was able to experience the fraternal communion of the Episcopacy. As a priest of the archdiocese of Krakow I experienced the fraternal communion among priests _ and the Council opened a new dimension to this experience.

5. How many people should I list! Probably the Lord God has called to Himself the majority of them _ as to those who are still on this side, may the words of this testament recall them, everyone and everywhere, wherever they are.

During the more than 20 years that I am fulfilling the Petrine service "in medio Ecclesiae" I have experienced the benevolence and even more the fecund collaboration of so many cardinals, archbishops and bishops, so many priests, so many consecrated persons _ brothers and sisters _ and, lastly, so very, very many lay persons, within the Curia, in the vicariate of the diocese of Rome, as well as outside these milieux.

How can I not embrace with grateful memory all the bishops of the world whom I have met in "ad limina Apostolorum" (ED'S NOTE: reference to required, periodic visits) visits! How can I not recall so many non-Catholic Christian brothers! And the rabbi of Rome and so many representatives of non-Christian religions! And how many representatives of the world of culture, science, politics, and of the means of social communication!

6. As the end of my life approaches I return with my memory to the beginning, to my parents, to my brother, to the sister (I never knew because she died before my birth), to the parish in Wadowice, where I was baptized, to that city I love, to my peers, friends from elementary school, high school and the university, up to the time of the occupation when I was a worker, and then in the parish of Niegowic, then St. Florian's in Krakow, to the pastoral ministry of academics, to the milieu of. ... to all milieux. ... to Krakow and to Rome. ... to the people who were entrusted to me in a special way by the Lord.

To all I want to say just one thing: "May God reward you."

"In manus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum meum." (ED'S NOTE: Latin for "In your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit")

A.D. 17.III.2000 (ED'S NOTE March 17, 2000)

.../JOHN PAUL II:TESTAMENT/...

Source: http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/12351.html

Litigation Over Electronic Reserves Just Around the Corner (?)

Today's online Chroncile of Higher Education is reporting on a dispute between the Association of American Publishers and the University of California at San Diego over the University library's electronic reserve system. The library, like so many others, scans portions of printed materials and makes the digital copies available free online to students.

The Association claims the use of the electronic reserve system on the San Diego campus is too extensive (read reduces the need for and the use of course packets which cuts into sales and fees) and violates "fair use." The University denies the charge but is worried that a lawsuit is in the offing.

Stay tuned.

NARFE Name Change

The Washington Post is reporting that the National Association of Retired Federal Employees has changed its name to the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. The group will continue to use its acronym, NARFE.

Read all about it. Subscription Required.

Timely Bibliographies Compiled by AAUP

The American Association of University Presses' "Books for Understanding" Program is an ongoing project that seeks to identify for the public university press books relevant to the news of the day. Great idea! Below I have listed some of the bibliographies compiled by AAUP:

Books for Understanding Social Security

Books for Understanding the Mechanics (and Manipulation) of Democracy

Books for Understanding Terrorism

Books for Understanding Marriage (with special emphasis on Same-Sex Relationships)

Books for Understanding Civil Liberties

Books for Understanding Taxes

Books for Understanding the Enron Affair (with special emphasis on Business Ethics)

WMD Report Now Available from GPO

The Report of the Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction is now available from the U.S. Government Printing Office. It was transmitted to the President on March 31, 2005.

The Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction was established in 2004 and charged with examining the capabilities and challenges of the American intelligence community concerning the capabilities, intentions, and activities of foreign powers relating to the design, development, manufacture, acquisition, possession, proliferation, transfer, testing, potential or threatened use, or use of weapons of mass destruction, related means of delivery, and other related threats of the 21st Century.

The Unclassified Version of the Report of the Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction is available on GPO Access at:

http://www.gpoaccess.gov/wmd/index.html

The unclassified version of the report is available and searchable in its entirety by Report Section.

Copies of the Unclassified Version of the Report can be ordered for purchase from the U.S. Government Bookstore online at:

http://bookstore.gpo.gov/wmd.html

In addition, the report will be distributed to Federal depository libraries in paper format, under:

TITLE: The Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction, March 31, 2005

AGENCY: Executive Office of the President

CLASS NUMBER: PREX 1.19:IN 8/W 37

Item no.: 0556-C

Shipping list no.: TBD

Shipping list date: TBD

OCLC: #58731255

PURL:

http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS59410

Shipping list information will be posted to this list once it's available. It should be available on Friday, April 8th, 2005.

You may also contact the GPO Customer Contact Center at 866-512-1800 (Toll-free), or at 202-512-1800 (DC Metropolitan Area), Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., EST.

Tech Specialist I Opening at Michigan State Univ Law

Organization: Michigan State University College of Law

Department: Library and Technology Services

Position: Helpdesk Coordinator

Grade: Technology Specialist I

Compensation Schedule: CTU2 Level III

Description: Coordinates Help Desk operations and administers call-tracking system. Installs, troubleshoots and resolves computer hardware and software problems. Monitors audio-visual technology request and assists in setups. Manages workflow and provides leadership to part-time student assistants. Required: 4 years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Excellent communication and customer services skills, thorough knowledge installing and troubleshooting computer hardware, software and peripheral devices, Windows 95/98/2000/XP, and Novell Client. End-user knowledge of Microsoft Office and Corel WordPerfect; a proficiency in diagnosing and solving associated problems. Work schedule includes some evening and weekend hours.

Desired: Experience with multi-media technology, including video-conferencing; familiarity with Novell Netware 6.x networks and GroupWise 6.x.

Certifications: A+ certification (or equivalent) required; Network+ certification preferred.

Contact Info: Send cover letter, resume and references to:

Jeff Shaw
Head of Faculty Technology Services
Michigan State University College of Law
208 Law College Building
East Lansing, MI 48824
(517) 432-6918 phone :: (517) 432-6801 fax
jeff.shaw@law.msu.edu

This position is part of the Clerical Technical Union 2 bargaining unit.

Wills, Trusts and Estates Comes to SSRN

Wills, Trusts & Estates Prof Blog reports that SSRN has created a new LSN abstracting journal, Wills, Trusts, and Estates Law Abstracts. Edited by Robert H. Sitkoff of Northwestern University School of Law, the e-journal was created with the help of a grant from the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.

Assessing Scholastic Contribution for Public and Personal Consumption

In "Scholarly Profit Margins and the Legal Scholarship Network: Reflections on the Web," Lawrence A Cunningham, Professor of Law & Business, Libby Scholar, and Academic Dean at Boston College Law School, addresses the controversy surrounding methods used for scholastic evaluation. Dean Cunningham's paper was prepared, in part, to provide commentary at Indiana Law Journal’s Symposium, The Next Generation of Law School Rankings, April 15, 2005, particularly on the paper presented there by Professors Bernard S. Black and Paul L. Caron.

From the Abstract:
"Controversy surrounding scholastic rankings arises, in part, because of complexities associated with measuring academic contributions. Legal researchers use various methodologies to assess scholarly production and impact but all suffer from inherent limitations and none provides data useful to scholarly self-reflection. The 10-year old Legal Scholarship Network (LSN) offers potential to improve considerably on both scores of public and personal assessment. This Essay critically evaluates approaches to conceptualizing scholarly profit margins, explores how LSN can enhance these conceptions, and opens new frontiers for this innovative Web-based repository of legal writing."

Here's Part of the Conclusion:
"Traditional academic contribution studies in law selectively measure both productivity (pages in selected journals) and impact (citations on Westlaw to certain faculty at a few dozen schools) or use surveys of a few hundred persons. Controversial as all this is, LSN expands the picture considerably, to invite inclusion of all production, by all professors, and by anyone wishing to use the network. While offering resources to improve traditional bibliometric exercises, LSN also provides a unique capacity to promote self-reflection and has the potential to map a platform to provide equivalent prominence to teaching."

Archived Webcast of Judge Juan Guzman on the Pursuit of Justice in Chile

Last week, the Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights at the University of Cincinnati College of Law sponsored a lecture on The Pursuit of Justice by Judge Juan Guzman Tapia. Judge Guzman is renowned for his courageous efforts to bring Augusto Pinochet to justice. In December 2001, Judge Guzman indicted Augusto Pinochet in the Caravan of Death case. The Supreme Court of Chile later dropped those charges on the grounds of Pinochet's health. In December 2004, Judge Guzman indicted Pinochet again in a different case, the Operation Condor case. Operation Condor was a 1970s conspiracy of South American dictatorships to collaborate on eliminating leftist opponents.

Follow this link to view the archived webcast of Judge Guzman's presentation.

When It Comes to the IRS, It's Never too Late to Complain

Recently the IRS invited taxpayers to apply for membership on the Taxpayer Advisory Panel:

"The IRS invites civic-minded individuals to help improve the nation’s tax agency by applying to be members of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel. The panel provides a forum for citizens from each state to make suggestions regarding IRS decision making."

Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) members:

• Provide opportunities for citizen input and make recommendations to the IRS and Treasury on customer-service issues.
• Identify and prioritize taxpayer issues.
• Report annually to Treasury, the IRS and the National Taxpayer Advocate.
• Participate in meetings where taxpayers are invited to raise issues about their experiences with the IRS.
• Refer taxpayers who contact the panels to the IRS offices best able to address their issues

For additional information and the online applications, follow the links provided on TaxProf Blog.

Revised UCC Article 1

ContractsProf Blog is covering state enactments of versions of Revised UCC Article 1.

Orphan Works Reply Comments Due by May 9, 2005

Initial orphan works comments received by March 25, 2005, have been posted on the Register of Copyright's site. Parties who wish to submit reply comments should follow the instructions set forth in the Notice of Inquiry. Reply comments are due by 5:00 p.m. EDT on May 9, 2005.

Indiana to Host April 15 Symposium on Next Generation Law School Rankings

It is Yada Yada Time
The number one topic among law school profs right now is the recently released US News Law School rankings. Most profs (read those at law schools ranked lower than the Top 10-15-25, pick a range) are once again complaining that the US News ranking system is unfair for one reason or another. Except for Professor Brian Leiter (Texas), few law profs have made much of a concerted effort to do something about the tyranny of the US News ranking system until now.

I'm happy to report that two fellow Law Professor Blog Network bloggers from the University of Cincinnati College of Law (tied at 58-62 this year - not a good thing) are doing something about it. Professors Paul Caron (TaxProf Blog) and Rafael Gely (LaborProf Blog) have organized a symposium on The Next Generation of Law School Rankings to be held at Indiana-Bloomington on April 15, 2005.

Yes, yes, I know. You weren't really expecting Paul and Rafael to picket the corporate headquarters of US News, were you?

Enough poking fun. Rankings are important. As someone who once worked for a law firm that hired the top 10 of the top 10 -- students who placed in the top 10 percent of their class from schools that ranked in the top 10, I know first hand how high rankings can help students get good jobs.

High rankings also help schools attract talented professors. And high rankings soothe the egos of professors who graduated from schools that rank higher than the schools they are employed at (and, just between you and me, high rankings make getting an appointment at a higher ranked law school much easier).

Here is the lineup of the paper presenters and their topics, as well as the commentators: 

Framing the Rankings Debate

Papers:

• Richard A. Posner (Chicago; 7th Circuit): Evaluating Law School Rankings (paper only)
• Cass R. Sunstein (Chicago): Rethinking Law Schools: A Market Test?

Commentary:

• Russell Korobkin (UCLA)
• Brian R. Leiter (Texas) (paper only)

Ranking Methodologies

Papers:

• Scott A. Baker (North Carolina), Stephen Choi (NYU) & Gaurang Mitu Gulati (Georgetown): “Information Forcing” Rationale for Rat Races in Law School Rankings
• Bernard S. Black (Texas) & Paul L. Caron (Cincinnati): The Uses and Limits of SSRN in Measuring Scholarly Impact
• Wendy Espeland (Northwestern) & Michael Sauder (Northwestern): The Benefits of Multiple Evaluations: A Comparison of Law and Business School Rankings
• Tracey E. George (Vanderbilt): Law Schools and the New Legal Science
• William Henderson (Indiana-Bloomington) & Andrew P. Morriss (Case): The Influence of Population Migration on U.S. News Rankings
• Jeffrey E. Stake (Indiana-Bloomington): The Interplay of Rankings Criteria and Their Effects

Commentary:

• Lawrence A. Cunningham (Boston College)
• Theodore Eisenberg (Cornell)
• Hillary Sale (Iowa)
• Michael E. Solimine (Cincinnati)

Other Voices in the Rankings Debate

Papers:

• Alex M. Johnson, Jr. (Dean, Minnesota): Destruction of the Holistic Approach to Admissions: The Pernicious Effect of Rankings
• Gene R. Nichol (Dean, North Carolina): Law Schools, Rankings, and Public Mission
• Nancy B. Rapoport (Dean, Houston): Eating Our Cake and Having It, Too: Why Real Change Is So Difficult in Law Schools

Commentary:

• Rachel F. Moran (Boalt Hall)
• Lauren Robel (Dean, Indiana-Bloomington)

The symposium is made possible through the generous financial support of Foundation Press, Thomson-West, and the Indiana-Bloomington School of Law.