Month: September 2025

Your Research Success: Consultations with Zief Librarians

Posted on by Tim Sanzi

Hi Dons!

Feeling overwhelmed by your research assignments? Your Zief Law Library research librarians are just a click away! Whether you’re navigating your first 1L LRWA memo, tackling an upper-division or directed research paper, or completing an assignment for a clinic, externship, or internship, our expert librarians offer personalized one-on-one research consultation appointments designed specifically for your needs.

Why Your Research Librarians “Get It”

Having walked in your shoes through law school themselves, our research librarians understand exactly how challenging legal research can be—especially when you’re diving into an unfamiliar area of law. The vast array of resources available in our databases, catalog, and across the internet can feel overwhelming to navigate alone. That’s precisely where we come in!

What You’ll Gain from a Research Consultation

By scheduling a consultation with Suzanne, Tim, or Mike, you can:

  • Get expert guidance at any stage of your project—from initial planning to final source verification
  • Ensure you’re staying on target with your research goals and methodology
  • Discover valuable resources you might have overlooked or didn’t know existed
  • Learn efficient research strategies that will save you time and effort throughout law school
  • Navigate complex legal databases with confidence

Flexible Options to Fit Your Schedule

We know law school life is demanding, so we’ve made our services as accessible as possible. You can meet with us: in-person at the Zief Law Library for hands-on assistance or via Zoom for convenient virtual consultations.

Need Quick Help? We’re Here for That Too!

Don’t need a full consultation but have a quick research question? We offer multiple ways to get immediate support:

  • Regular Research Assistance Hours: Stop by the library for immediate assistance during our open research desk hours: M-F, 10am-2pm.
  • Ask the Zief Librarians Form: Send in a dsicreet legal question for a reply within twenty-four hours.
  • Email Support: Send us your questions for less urgent inquiries

Ready to Get Started?

Don’t let research challenges slow down your academic success. Book your one-on-one consultation with a Zief Law Librarian today and unlock your full research potential!

For complete information on all our research support services and booking instructions, visit our Zief Research Help page.

See you soon!

Optimize Your Study Routine: A Guide to Law Library Study Aids

Posted on by Tim Sanzi

As the semester kicks into high gear, it’s time to supercharge your study routine with the wealth of study aids available at the Zief Law Library. Whether you’re a 1L trying to grasp the fundamentals or an upper-level student diving into complex legal concepts, we’ve got you covered.

Study Aids Available in Print and on Digital Platforms

Print Resources
We offer an extensive selection of print study aids, including popular series like Nutshells, Short and Happy Guides, Examples & Explanations, Glannon Guides, and Emanuel Law Outlines. These resources provide in-depth explanations, practice questions, and summaries to reinforce your understanding of key legal concepts. Many of these titles are available in our Open Reserve collection, meaning you can just get them off the stacks and use within the library for an unlimited amount of time. Please be sure to return titles to the circulation desk or to the book carts beside the Open Reserve stacks.

Digital Study Aids
For those who prefer digital formats, we provide access to several online platforms:

  • Aspen Learning Library: Featuring full-text search, note-taking capabilities, and audio recordings.
  • Lexis Digital Library: Offering eBooks for online and offline reading.

How to Access Study Aids

To find the study aids you need:

  1. Search our catalog, Ignacio, for specific titles or subject areas.
  2. Browse the study aid collection on the low stacks near the Access Services Desk for a quick overview of available print materials. This is the Open Reserve section.
  3. Access our online platforms through the Law Library’s website (USF Law login required for some resources).

Exam Preparation: Focused Resources for Testing Your Knowledge

With midterms approaching, many students are seeking materials specifically designed for exam preparation. Here are our top recommendations for testing your knowledge and building exam confidence:

For Core 1L Courses (Torts, Contracts, Civil Procedure):

  • Examples & Explanations and Glannon Guides: Perfect for step-by-step learning with narrative explanations followed by short multiple-choice questions throughout. Available in print in our collection and fully accessible through the Aspen Learning Library.
  • Questions and Answers series: Ideal for intensive practice with short multiple-choice questions on course topics, cumulative finals, and detailed answer explanations. Some titles are available behind the circulation desk, with the complete collection accessible through Lexis Digital Library.
  • Perfect Practice Exams: Features essay questions with realistic time allotments to simulate actual exam conditions. The first edition is available in Open Reserves, while the updated second edition can be found on Lexis Digital Library.

Additional Resources for Breaking Down Areas of Law:

  • Nutshells: Provide high-level overviews of legal areas and sub-areas, perfect for quick review and concept reinforcement. Available in Open Reserves.
  • Comprehensive Collection in the Stacks: Search Ignacio.usfca.edu to discover additional topics and resource types beyond what’s in Open Reserves.
  • Library Research Guides: Topic-centered guides covering specific legal areas with curated links to resources, current news, and practice materials.
  • Career Planning Section: Explore resources focused on professional identity development and various practice types to help contextualize your studies.

Maximizing Your Study Aid Experience

Remember, study aids are supplements to your coursework, not substitutes for required readings and class attendance. Use them to:

  • Clarify difficult concepts
  • Reinforce your understanding of the material
  • Practice applying legal principles with sample questions
  • Prepare for exams with comprehensive outlines
  • Build confidence through timed practice sessions

Need Help?

If you’re unsure which study aids best suit your needs or how to access them, don’t hesitate to reach out to our knowledgeable law librarians. They’re here to help you navigate our resources and optimize your study strategy.

For personalized assistance, visit our Ask a Librarian page to connect with a law librarian who can guide you to the most relevant study aids for your courses. Happy studying, and remember – the Zief Law Library is your partner in academic success!

New Books At The Zief Law Library: August 2025

Posted on by Jayda Fair
A collage of ten book covers from the list of new books at the Zief Law Library added to the collection in August 2025.
A book cover collage of ten new tittles added to the library’s collection in August 2025.

The Zief Law Library added new books and eBooks to its collection in August 2025. Topics from August include: animal law; art law; consumer law; courts and judiciary; decolonization; evidence; finance and banking; gender and sexuality law; international organizations; librarianship; national security; nonprofit organizations; property law; remedies; women, law, and power; and more!

Click the titles below or explore our monthly New Books at Zief Law Library webpage for the complete list of recent arrivals. On this site, you will find new additions to the Zief Library print and digital collections. Navigate the site by using the tabs to the left. New books are organized by date of arrival. 

From Study Groups to Job Interviews: Zief Has the Space You Need

Posted on by Tim Sanzi

Need a Great Study Space? Check Out Zief’s Group Study Rooms and Interview Spaces

Looking for somewhere to collaborate with classmates or conduct virtual meetings? The Zief Law Library has nine Group Study Rooms and two Virtual Interview Rooms available exclusively for USF law students, faculty, and staff.

Planning ahead is easier when you can reserve your preferred space up to one week in advance through our online booking system. These rooms offer a focused environment away from the distractions of busier public areas!

What Our Spaces Offer:

Our Group Study Rooms accommodate 2-8 people for up to two hours at a time. Each room includes large tables, whiteboards, power outlets, and big-screen TVs for presentations and screen sharing.

Our two Virtual Interview Rooms provide quiet, professional environments perfect for individual virtual meetings, office hours, job interviews, or online conferences.

How to Book Your Space:

Important: Before making a reservation, use the drop-down menu to select either “Group Study Rooms” or “Virtual Interview Spaces.”

Booking Instructions:

  1. Visit the USF Zief Law Library website and click “Book A Study Room.” Select either “Group Study Rooms” or “Virtual Interview Spaces” from the drop-down menu.
  2. View room details and features by clicking the “Info” button, then select your date and time.
  3. Check your USFCA email for confirmation.

Things to Keep in Mind:

  • Only USF law students, law faculty, and law staff may reserve these spaces. Other USF students, faculty, and staff should use Gleeson Library’s group study rooms.
  • Reservations must be made online with a valid USF email.
  • Group Study Rooms are for groups of two or more people only.
  • Virtual Interview Rooms are for individuals only.
  • Reservations can be made up to one week in advance.
  • Each reservation is limited to two hours within a calendar day.
  • Please arrive within 15 minutes of your reservation time or library staff may allow others to use the room.
  • Cancel your reservation if you no longer need it so others can use the space.

Reserve your space today and make this semester more productive!