Librarians

Get Ahead in Your Research: One-on-One Support from the Zief Librarians

Posted on by Tim Sanzi

Elevate Your Legal Research: One-on-One Consultations with Zief Law Librarians

Are you grappling with a challenging research assignment? Your Zief Law Library research librarians are just a click away! Whether you’re crafting your first 1L LRWA memo, delving into an upper-division paper, or working on a project for a clinic, externship, or internship, our expert librarians are ready to provide personalized research consultation appointments tailored to your needs.

Credit: Scott Graham for Unsplash.com

Why Book a Research Consultation?

Our research librarians have walked in your shoes. They understand the complexities of legal research, especially when venturing into unfamiliar legal territories. The vast array of resources available in our databases, catalog, and across the internet can be overwhelming to navigate alone. That’s where we come in! By scheduling a consultation with Suzanne, Tim, or Mike, you can:

  • Get expert guidance at any stage of your project
  • Ensure you’re on the right track with your research
  • Discover valuable resources you might have overlooked
  • Learn efficient research strategies to save time and effort

Flexible Appointment Options

We understand the demands of law school life. That’s why we offer both in-person consultations at the Zief Law Library and virtual appointments via Zoom. Whether you’re on campus or studying remotely, we’re here to support your research needs.

Beyond Consultations: Quick Research Help

Need a quick research tip but don’t require a full consultation? We’ve got you covered:

  • Regular Reference Hours: Stop by the library during our scheduled hours for immediate assistance.
  • Email Support: For less urgent inquiries, drop us an email.

For more information on all our research support services, visit our Zief Research Help page. Don’t let research challenges slow you down. Book your one-on-one consultation with a Zief Law Librarian today and unlock your full research potential!

Habeas Corpus Cried the Porpoise

Posted on by Troy Cook

One fine day in May at the Zief Law Library, a quite singular event took place. One might even call it unthinkable. To get right to it: a porpoise (and curiously enough, a harbor porpoise) slithered its way into the library; it quickly and brashly slid under the gate. But that’s not the most extraordinary thing about the whole affair; it shouted, “Habeas Corpus!” Of all the creatures to shout “Habeas Corpus”, it had to be a porpoise with a purpose. What are the odds?

At the circulation desk stood Randall drinking coffee from an L.L Bean coffee mug, Troy who was actually sitting not standing, Maddy wearing a cast on her arm, Steffi frowning a little bit, and Yuni waving her arms. In their offices, busily toiling away with their research was John, Tim, and Mike. Suzanne and Shannon were in their offices in the back. The porpoise interrupted the circ. staff debating the merits of a good toast rack; the sides were split on the benefits of this breakfast table necessity when the porpoise barged in.

“Habeas Corpus!” cried the porpoise.
Continue reading “Habeas Corpus Cried the Porpoise” →

Summer Access to Lexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg

Posted on by Mike Muehe

Hi all! Summer is upon us, and you’re probably gearing up to tackle your summer internship placements. As an important reminder, there are certain limitations on using certain research platforms over the summer. Here, we’ll take a look at the big three  – Westlaw, Lexis, and Bloomberg – and run through what you’ll be able to use them for. And don’t forget, your librarians are also here to help support you throughout the summer

Westlaw

Westlaw can be used over the summer for non-commercial research — you can’t use it in situations where you are billing a client. Examples of permissible use include: Continue reading “Summer Access to Lexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg” →

National Library Week 2023

Posted on by Steffi Ando

“Bad libraries build collections, good libraries build services, great libraries build communities.”

David Lankes

Happy National Library Week! This year’s American Library Association theme is “There’s More to the Story” celebrating libraries’ expansive materials, services, and resources beyond print books. This week, learn how to use your library card to its fullest potential and celebrate with Zief Law Library!

National Library Week 2023 Logo

Events at Zief

All Week Activities

  1. Pick up a Zief-themed word search by the Brain Break table on the first floor!
  2. Vote on your favorite library, law school, or poetry themed haiku written by USF law students by April 27th, 3:00 p.m.! The winner receives a Green Apple Books gift card!
  3. Share your favorite books from childhood with the Communal Children’s Book Library! Located on the first floor near the Circulation Desk.
  4. Guess how many books are in Zief Law Library and win a prize!
  5. Pick up freebies from Lexis, Westlaw, Bloomberg, and more!

San Francisco

San Francisco Public Library

Continue reading “National Library Week 2023” →

Research Help From the Zief Librarians

Posted on by Mike Muehe

Hi Dons!

Need help with your research assignments? Your research librarians are just a click away! Whether you’re navigating a 1L LRWA memo, tackling an upper-division or directed research paper, or even completing an assignment for a clinic, externship, or internship, the librarians have one-on-one research consultation appointments available to you.

Credit: Scott Graham for Unsplash.com

Having also been through law school, the research librarians know how tricky research planning can be, especially if you’re diving into an area of law that you’re unfamiliar with. Plus, there are lots of resources in our databases, our catalog, and across the internet that can be really overwhelming to navigate alone. So, you can book a research consultation with Suzanne, John, and Mike at the beginning or even throughout your project, to make sure you’re staying on target and getting to the sources you need (or didn’t know you needed). Plus, we’re available to meet in Zief or on Zoom, so you can make an appointment whether you’re on- or off-campus!

Need other research help but don’t necessarily need a full consultation? The librarians also hold regular hours for live reference assistance. You can stop by the library to see us or send us a question via instant message or email! Visit our Zief Research Help page for more information and instructions!

See you then!