Join us for our Law Library Open on Tuesday, August 26, 1:15-4:15pm.
Library resources and services will be featured, including:
The Law Library invites 2Ls, 3Ls, and LLMs to submit scholarly research papers to be considered for the annual Cornell Law Library Robert Cantwell Prize for Exemplary Student Research.
Entries may include, but are not limited to, papers written for a class or journal notes. All papers must have been written in the time period spanning May, 2013 – May, 2014. Work product generated through summer or other employment will not be accepted. Papers must be a minimum of 10 pages in length, must be written in proper Bluebook format, and must be properly footnoted.
First prize is $500, second prize is $250, and both winners will be invited to publish their papers in Scholarship@Cornell Law, a digital repository of the Cornell Law Library. For submission procedure and selection criteria, please see here: http://www.lawschool.cornell.edu/library/WhatWeDo/HelpStudents/PrizeStudentResearch.cfm
Papers will be accepted on an ongoing basis through May 1, 2014. The winners will be announced May 8, 2014.
Just two days left for our annual book sale in the Reading Room! The items for sale are extra copies from our collection and you never know what gem you might stumble upon. Need a newish outline or hornbook for finals or bar prep? You just might find one!
Check out a few of the photos from yesterday’s pet therapy event. A big thanks to the Cornell Companions program and the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund Club for their time and efforts in making this event possible every semester!
Join the Law Library for pet therapy in the student lounge on Tuesday, December 10. Four dogs and a llama (that’s right, a llama) will be available to all for relaxing companionship from 11am to 1pm – drop in any time!
This program is co-sponsored by the Cornell Law Library, Cornell Companions, a pet visitation program sponsored by the Cornell University veterinary community, and the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund Club, who will provide refreshments.
This month marks the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. The speech is sometimes referred to as the greatest closing argument in history, in part because Lincoln himself spent his early career as a lawyer in Illinois.
The law library has numerous books available for checkout detailing Lincoln’s career as a lawyer and covering his skill as an orator. One of the more recent examples is Arthur Rizer’s Lincoln’s Counsel: Lessons from America’s Most Persuasive Speaker, published by the American Bar Association.
From the publisher’s website:
Before Abraham Lincoln was called “Mr. President,” he was called “counselor” and “esquire.” Some consider him to be one of the nation’s greatest attorneys and, at the very least, an enormously persuasive speaker. He spent more years practicing law than any other president, and his years in the legal profession were essential to his eventual election to the Presidency.
As a lawyer, Lincoln knew how to craft successful closing arguments. As a president–with his Gettysburg Address, perhaps the greatest closing argument in history–he knew how to persuade a bitterly divided country into ultimately doing what was right for all.
Through examples from Lincoln’s great speeches and closing arguments–included in their entirety are Lincoln’s First and Second Inaugural Speeches, the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation and more–this book instructs you in the art of persuasion in two simple ways: by providing lessons from Lincoln’s career as a lawyer and politician, and then by analyzing those lessons and discussing how to apply them to your own life. Lincoln’s Counsel gives important advice about advocacy straight from the very best.
Also, due to Cornell possessing one of the original copies of the address, be sure to check out the commemorative events taking place around campus this month by visiting the university’s events calendar here.
September 22-28 is Banned Books Week, an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Started in 1982, the week brings together the entire book community to celebrate the free and open exchange of ideas and information.
According to the American Library Association 464 separate titles were challenged in the United States last year alone. Challenges to ban books over the years have included everything from To Kill a Mockingbird to Harry Potter. The top ten most frequently challenged books for the previous year include:
For more information check out bannedbooksweek.org and for additional lists of recent and classic titles that have been challenged or banned in communities across the country check out The American Library Association’s Frequently Challenged Books page.
All Cornell law students, faculty, and staff are invited to enjoy pet therapy in the Saperston Student Lounge on Tuesday, April 30. Two dogs and a llama will be available from 11am-1pm for relaxing companionship. No sign-up required; drop by anytime. Spouses, partners, and children are welcome.
This program is co-sponsored by the Cornell Law Library, Cornell Companions (a pet visitation program sponsored by the Cornell University veterinary community), and the Cornell Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, who will provide refreshments.
Attention Cornell Law Students:
Are you interested in sharing your opinion about study space in the library?
Consider taking a break next week to enjoy some pizza and weigh in on library space and services. The library will be hosting a student focus group on Thursday, April 25, 12:30-1:30pm in room 389. The group is open to the first twenty Cornell Law students who sign up here:
https://cornell.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_7PwbHGtlfffiyEt
We hope you can join us!
