Congratulations to Diana Duderwicz: 30 Years at the UGA Law Library

by Joyce Moss

The UGA Law Library is very fortunate to have many dedicated employees. An excellent example is Diana Duderwicz. "Diana" and "dedicated" could be synonymous. As of January 1, 1998, Diana completed 30 years of service in the Cataloging Department of the UGA Law Library.

Diana graduated from Druid Hills High School in Atlanta, received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Stetson University (DeLand, Florida) majoring in German, and received her Masters Degree in Library Science at Florida State University.

In 1973, Diana met her husband Phil, an Athens attorney, in the Law Library. Later, when Phil's health deteriorated, Phil and Diana owned and managed real estate in the Athens area. Since her husband's death, Diana has continued to manage these properties.

She enjoys reading, cooking, visiting friends, and attending gymnastics meets. For those days when she is really "stressed," you will find her walking in the Botanical Gardens. Her diversity is shown through some of her favorite things: Movie - "The Bear," Actor-Tommy Lee Jones, Actress-Whoopi Goldberg, TV show-Discovery Channel, and her choice of music includes classical, country and "oldies."

Diana is the proud owner of Tawny Vindicator, a registered 9 year old golden retriever affectionately called "Vinny."

We certainly are fortunate to have Diana on our staff and offer her our sincere congratulations on her anniversary and many thanks for her dedication.

Rediscover an Old Innovation: Microform

by F.X. Norton, Jr.

Clustered around the bases of the free-standing staircases in the Library Annex one may discover large steel filing cabinets with miniature drawers. Although the cabinets may look like part of the architectural design, they are actually home to the Library's microform collection.

Many patrons believe that a library only contains books. When they learn of the microform collection, they wonder why it should even exist. The answer is simple: practical necessity. Two functions of libraries are education and preservation. Paper documents, however, require a large amount of storage space. And, paper has a nasty habit of deteriorating over time. During the 1940's, institutions turned to the new technology of microforming documents in order to solve both problems.

Here, one may peruse old copies of the Wall Street Journal or Fulton County Daily Report on the microfilm reader. This is a reel-to-reel reading device, and with the simple instructions clearly printed on the front of the reader, it is possible for even a sleepy novice soon to use it like an old pro.

The microfiche cabinets contain a wealth of documents. One may find everything from the forgotten and mundane (a January 13, 1983 letter from the Director of the Government Accounting Office to Senator John Melcher concerning the Air Force's plans to convert the heating system from gas to coal-fired at Malstrom Air Force Base, Montana) to the current and tragic ( an agreement on the International Criminal Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Genocide and Other Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of Rwanda, signed on January 24, 1995). One may read the lively banter between Marlin Fitzwater and the press corps at White House briefings. Or, one may read through U.S. Supreme Court Records and Briefs.

If the next time you're researching a topic, and GAVEL indicates that your search result is on microform, don't despair. The index for microform is located in a black binder on top of the cabinets. If you need further assistance, just ask a librarian. Remember, when you explore your library, you explore your world.

Update on Shifting Projects

by Maureen Cahill

No doubt everyone has noticed the movement of books to, from and around the balcony. We have moved all of the English and Canadian materials to the basement. Several reporters from the main floor (for example, Bankruptcy and Court of Claims) have been added to the balcony. We have simply shifted the remaining balcony materials (K31s through end and KFs) to fill the entire space. Balcony shelving is no longer stuffed to the gills. You should be able to find materials up there much more easily. And, we'll actually have space for the new materials that are continuously arriving.

During the rest of the Spring Semester, we will be working to shift materials on the main floor and the second floor annex to fill gaps, consolidating and straightening as we go. These moves will improve access to statutes, reporters and law reviews.

Circulation Office Increases Check-Out Period to Four Weeks!

by Sally Curtis AsKew

At the beginning of this semester the Law Library made a change in the length of time for which certain materials are checked-out. The books with short white cards formerly were checked-out for two week periods; now, they are checked-out initially for a four week period. Most persons who check these materials out renew them at least once, and the library staff felt that it made sense to change the initial check out period to reflect the normal use by library patrons.

A few additional changes have been made regarding check-out periods. All videotapes will have orange cards which means they are checked out initially for three day periods. Green cards, which signify an overnight check-out period, will not be used in the Law Library. As we find materials with green cards, they will be replaced with blue overnight cards.

Long white cards will continue to signify a two hour check-out period. All materials on Reserve except for videotapes will circulate for two hour periods.

These steps to change check-out periods are being taken as a part of our long-range planning for an online circulation system.

Create-A-Web-site with Starr & Garlepp

Third-year law students Andrew Starr and Ed Garlepp will lead an introductory class for people who are starting or maintaining a Web-site (aka "home page"). Although the class is intended for student organizations, anyone in the law school community is welcome. The class will provide an overview of topics, with handouts of important details and where to go for more information.

This seminar will be given twice: Wednesday, February 18 and Wednesday, February 25, from 12:30-1:20 in Computer Lab 274 (main part of library). Please sign up in advance on the signup sheets posted on the lab door.

West Group's $25,000 "The Key to Good Law" Scholarship Contest

by Carol Watson

Contest Got an idea on how to improve Keycite? Law students can enter their suggestion of 50 words or more on how to make KeyCite even better. The award for the Grand Prize entry is $25,000 toward educational expenses. First place receives $10,000 and second place, $5,000.

The first 5,000 students who enter receive a free Swiss Army Knife and the article, "KeyCite, The Lawyer's Swiss Army Knife," by attorney Dennis S. Vorhees.

The contest ends March 31, and winners will be chosen by April 15. To enter the scholarship contest, send your suggestions to: Keycite Contest, P.O. Box 8514, Prospect Hts, IL 60070.

Web-Site of the Month: Martindale Hubbell Lawyer Locator

by Carol Watson

http://www.martindale.com/

Did you know you can search for Martindale Hubbell lawyer listings on their web page for free? Many law students are surprised to learn this little known secret! Furthermore, the Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Locator will soon feature one-step e-mail communications to attorneys and law firms with professional representation in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.

The Martindale Hubbell site also provides a "yellow page" section of businesses and professionals who provide support services to the legal profession, organized in more than 150 catagories from Court Reporters and Expert Witnesses to Software and Investigators. The site also includes academic and professional profiles on law schools and full-time faculty.

Hey Folks! No Food, Beverages or Tobacco

Several recent accidents lead us to remind all library users that food and beverages are forbidden. Yes, this includes chewing tobacco. And, yes, the prohibition applies to bottled beverages, even if you keep the lid on between swigs!

Library Staff News

Congratulations to Myrtle Miller, our new Circulation Manager. Many of you already know Myrtle, who has been in the Circulation Office since June of 1996. A big welcome to Carol Wolf, who joins the Circulation Office staff this month. Carol is a former public school teacher with a background in computers and accounting. With regret, we say "goodbye" to Xinying Guo, who is leaving the Acquisitions Department to take a position with CNN in Atlanta. Xinying will be archiving films in their Film Documentation Center. The best of luck to all three of you in your new endeavors!

Black History Month: Notable Figures in Law

Who organized Howard Law School and became its first law dean in 1869?

Who was the first African-American woman to graduate from Yale Law School?

Find the answers to these questions, along with photographs and other pieces of information about early African-American lawyers, in the Law Library's display case, just outside the main entrance to the library.

This newsletter is a publication of the University of Georgia Law Library. Look for it on the Web at http://www.lawsch.uga.edu/newsletter/index.html.
Please send all contributions and comments to:
Anne Burnett, Editor
UGA Law Library
Herty Drive, Athens GA 30602
aburnett@arches.uga.edu