The following is a guest post by Robert Newlen, the Assistant Law Librarian for Collections, Outreach, and Services in the Law Library of Congress. Robert has previously blogged about Marsh’s Library, the National Library of Uzbekistan, Souvenirs from Moscow, and Humboldt University Law Faculty in our Pic of the Week series. On a recent trip to Finland, I spotted this colorful bookmobile. In addition to this …
Our interview series on In Custodia Legis started almost nine years ago with an interview of the then-Law Librarian of Congress, Roberta Shaffer. We are now approaching 300 interviews. Today’s with Elin marks a first: it is the first time we have completed a follow-up interview. Elin was originally interviewed in 2011 when she was …
We recently started to do some user testing on our website, Law.gov. It has been interesting to listen to the feedback because I know the answers and sometimes people are close but miss what I can clearly see. I’m sitting in my office occasionally saying things to the screen (while my phone is muted). I have sat …
In May, a lot of people learned about the actual date of Mexico’s Independence Day, in what turned out to be our most popular post of the month, Cinco de Mayo is Not Mexican Independence Day? We also celebrated with Law Day, Jewish American Heritage Month, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, and Eritrean Independence Day this month. It must be because …
The following is a guest post by Roberta Shaffer, Law Librarian of Congress. It is that time again when so many of us reflect upon achievements, and shortcomings, of the previous year and look forward to keeping ambitious resolutions for the new year. In the past few days as the Law Library of Congress staff …
The following is a guest post by Taru Spiegel, Reference Specialist in the European Division. A lawyer I know who does legal drafting says that there is no need to use archaic terms such as “aforethought,” “forthwith,” “wherefore,” or “to wit.” Legal language should be clear, concise, and unambiguous. Everybody should be able to understand …