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Category: Law Library

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Do You Remember How to Use a Card Catalog?

Posted by: Christine Sellers

When you walk into the Reading Room of the Law Library of Congress, you might notice something you haven’t seen in a while. A card catalog that is still in use, though no new cards have been added since December 1980. The Library of Congress Classification (LCC) is a classification system that was first developed …

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Gateways to Dutch Law

Posted by: Kurt Carroll

I just returned from the International Association of Law Libraries annual course on International Legal Information and Law.  The title of this year’s course was Dutch Gateways to International Law with three main themes: the broad reach of international law, the evolution of international law with a focus on The Hague as world capital of …

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Shanghaied!

Posted by: Christine Sellers

As you can see from my previous post on researching Al Capone’s jury, some of the questions that come through “Ask A Librarian” can be quite fascinating. Some on their face appear simple, but upon further research, reveal hidden depths. A recent question involved a private law from the 71st Congress (1929-1931).*  Private laws affect …

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A Pirate’s Life for Me

Posted by: Andrew Weber

Last week we posted a collection of pre-1923 piracy trials.  The immediate response was fun to follow on Twitter.  Georgetown Law Library tweeted: Avast me hearties! Read all about pre-1923 pirate trials from @LawLibCongress http://go.usa.gov/cQk A recent post on Slaw, a Canadian law blog, by Simon Fodden (the founder of the blog) discussed the collection.  …

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Is this thing on??

Posted by: Clare Feikert-Ahalt

The Law Library of Congress has decided to provide a little outlet for my genius personality to shine through in the form of a blog.  I have sat and pondered what to write about for the past few days now, after conveniently unfortunately being out of town on vacation during the launch week.  Whilst there …

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We’re a Week Old!

Posted by: Christine Sellers

It was an exciting first week for our new blog, In Custodia Legis! I want to thank everyone for stopping by and visiting us. I’d also like to thank the following blogs that took the time to highlight our arrival: Resource Shelf Et Seq. (Harvard Law School Library Blog) LexisNexis Government Info Pro Blog WisBlawg …

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Our Hours Thanks to 2 U.S.C. 138

Posted by: Andrew Weber

Did you know that we are open to Congress anytime either Chamber is in session?  If they are in session on Thanksgiving, we have a law librarian here open for business.  If they are gathering during a blizzard, we have someone walk through the snow to be here. What provision requires us to be open?  …

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The Foreign Jurisdictions of The Bluebook

Posted by: Andrew Weber

Back before the 18th Edition of The Bluebook was published, we were asked to help revamp table T.2 Foreign Jurisdictions.  We have a great group of almost two dozen foreign law specialists (that Kelly previously mentioned) who come from around the world to work at the Law Library of Congress.  In other words, we have the …