Having access to extensive and reliable legal resources is crucial to a law student’s academic success. That’s why the Zief Law Librarians provide access to HeinOnline, one of the most powerful and comprehensive legal research databases available. Let’s explore what HeinOnline offers and how you can leverage it for your studies. Continue reading “Beyond Lexis+ and Westlaw: HeinOnline”
In celebration of Veterans Day, Zief Law Librarian Tim Sanzi explores the holiday’s history, highlights relevant legal research resources, and shares some upcoming Bay Area events of interest.
Veterans Day is a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. – US Embassy and Consulate in Brazil.
As Veterans Day approaches, the Zief Law Library wishes to recognize and honor the veterans among our students, faculty, and staff at the University of San Francisco School of Law. This day also serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have served with dedication and valor.
Veterans Day is observed every year on November 11th and has a rich history that dates back to the end of World War I. Originally called Armistice Day, it commemorated the official end of the First World War, which occurred at 11 AM on November 11th, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month), and the peace negotiations that followed. In 1954, the holiday was renamed “Veterans Day” after long-term petitioning of major United States veteran organizations. The first Veterans Day Presidential Proclamation was issued by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954. President Eisenhower’s speech publicly declared the holiday’s name change to Veterans Day. His speech encouraged Americans to “remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly…to preserve our heritage of freedom, and… promot[e] an enduring peace.”
Since 1954, Veterans Day has been recognized annually by presidential proclamations. In his 2023 Veterans Day Proclamation, President Joseph Biden highlighted ongoing challenges that U.S. veterans face, such as access to housing, employment, mental health resources, and legal representation. President Biden ended his speech by detailing national efforts to help support veterans and encouraged Americans to recognize the holiday each November by participating in appropriate patriotic ceremonies or community activities. To learn more about the history and social significance of Veterans Day, visit the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs website.
For those interested in learning more about Veterans Day and its significance, we recommend exploring the following resources:
Legion of Honor Centennial Weekend Celebration for Veterans Day: On November 11th, 2024, join The Legion of Honor for special Veterans Day programs as part of their Centennial Weekend Celebration. Events include live organ concerts on the museum’s rare Spreckels Organ, docent tours, and a special lecture, The Thinker’s Place, in conjunction with the newly opened exhibition Celebrating 100 Years at the Legion of Honor. Museum admission is free for all active duty military personnel and veterans during Veterans Day Weekend 2024.
For more information on Veterans Day events in your area, visit the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, VA News, or the City and County of San Francisco government website!
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.
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.
Digital Study Aids
For those who prefer digital formats, we provide access to several online platforms:
To find the study aids you need:
Remember, study aids are supplements to your coursework, not substitutes for required readings and class attendance. Use them to:
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!
Are there issues with this text? Email the author: Randall Seder, rseder@usfca.edu.
The Zief Law Library joins the University of San Francisco School of Law community in celebrating “Law Day.” This national holiday recognizes the significant role that the law, legal processes, and legal education play in the United States. These topics contribute to the country’s ongoing efforts to provide justice and extend civil liberties to all Americans. Law Day is celebrated annually on May 1st, but many events and programs are held the week(s) before or after. Continue reading “The Zief Law Library Celebrates Law Day: Legal History, Events, and Resources”
This spring the library purchased some useful and much needed items to make the Zief Law Library an even more pleasant and useful studying space.
One of the more appealing items are “Happy Lights,” tabletop lamps with alternative lighting to help with mood, focus, and energy. These are located at the Zief Circulation Desk and can be checked out for in-library use; there are nine of them for your convenience.
Practicing for oral arguments or a presentation? Zief now has four new tabletop lecterns, allowing you to keep your documents at the ready. These are available for checkout at the Zief Circulation Desk.
Another purchase to help with study-comport is thirty-five replacement task chairs to replace the worn-out/failing chairs. This will make study-time more comfortable and practical.
Three standing desks were purchased per student request. One is located on each floor to accommodate your needs. Also purchased were four podiums for presentations and oral arguments: these are located at the circulation desk for check-out.
We added fifty power-strips to study carrels, giving you easy access to outlets for all of your electronics.
We also added privacy screens for the main floor open computers and the four dual-monitor carrels; these are intended to help those working on sensitive or confidential matters and to keep information private. (Please note, we did not install them on the classroom computers).
We hope these new additions will make Zief a better study space. Good luck on finals everyone!!
On Monday, March 11th, Zief Law Library’s digital catalog, Igancio, and library software system for checkout, Sierra, will be under maintenance. Patrons will not be able to search the digital catalog but will be able to check out materials from the Circulation desk. Any materials checked out on March 11th will be recorded manually and patrons will receive handwritten due dates and times, including for course texts. Thank you for your patience and understanding.