UGA Amicus Briefs

January/February 1997


From the Director

Professor Ann Puckett

Welcome back for a brand new semester. We have had a few changes since classes ended in December:

Heather Turnbull left us for greener pastures in Atlanta (at twice the pay!); that's the bad news -- the good news is Leslie Madden took her place. Leslie has been working for us as a temporary employee since October, so she's up to speed and fully prepared to deal with law students.

Margaret McGrath is recovering at home from major surgery. She sends her thanks to all the folks who contributed blood for her benefit.

Anne Burnett got married. She retained her name, though. She and her husband, Christian Lopez, considered combining their two names but dropped the idea when they realized the new name would be Burpez.

Probably the best news of all is that we have hired a computer specialist to assist Carol Watson. His name is Keith Baitsell, and you will be seeing a lot of him in the computer labs, the permanent learning centers, and everywhere else computers live. We think his presence will improve the quality of your lives markedly (and we know he has already improved the quality of our lives!)

All of us in the Law Library wish you a successful semester. And remember our motto: the only dumb question is the one you didn't ask!


Thank You from Margaret McGrath

Thank you to the law students, faculty and staff who donated blood for me. I also thank all of you for your words, thoughts, and cards of encouragement and support.

Review of Law Office Computing

Carol Watson, Computer Services Librarian

Interested in law office technology? The Law Library has recently subscribed to the journal Law Office Computing. Law Office Computing will be shelved on the balcony of the Law Library at the following call number: KF320 .A9 L39. It is published bimonthly, six times per year.

So far, we've only received one issue (December/January 1997, Vol. 6, No. 6), but those of you who are interested in law office technology will enjoy this periodical. For example, the cover story is a Shopper's Guide to Case Management Software. The cover story examines 16 programs that promise to organize your practice, make you more efficient and help you win more cases. This issue includes a review of improvements in WordPerfect 7. There is also a Q & A with Brian Hall. Brian Hall is the new president of West Information Publishing Group, the legal publishing empire created by the West/Thomson merger.

In addition to these special articles, there are regular features in Law Office Computing such as short reviews of hardware and software, tips & tricks and technology news. Check it out!


New Reserve Lists Available

Sally Curtis AsKew, Public Services Librarian, has created new Reserve Lists which will make it easier for all of us to determine which items are on reserve for a particular class. The lists of items in pamphlet boxes and the lists of books on reserve have been merged into one list for each course. To view the Reserve Lists, please ask at the Circulation Office.

How to Buy a Copy Card

When purchasing a new Copy Card, remember to eject the card before adding value to it. For example, if you want $5 worth of copies, first purchase the card by inserting a $1 bill. Eject the new card. To add value, reinsert the card in the slot marked "Insert VendaCard." Insert a $5 bill into the appropriate slot. Press the green eject button to get your card. You need purchase a new card only once, since you can continue to add value to it.The dispenser accepts $1, $5, $10 and $20 bills, but it does not give change. If you have difficulty purchasing a Copy Card, remember to follow closely the instructions posted above the card dispenser. Please report any problems to the Circulation Office.

Staff Focus

The Law Library has undergone some exciting staff changes recently. We are all pleased to welcome Keith Baitsell, who is pioneering the new position of Computer Specialist. Keith brings with him a tremendous amount of experience and expertise. Most recently he worked as a Network Troubleshooter at IBM in North Carolina. In addition, he has worked in Technical Support for UGA's University Computing and Network Services. Keith holds degrees in Math and English from UGA.

In addition to computers, Keith enjoys hiking (he hiked the entire length of the Appalachian Trail recently) and mycology (ask him about it). We've also heard rumors that he makes a mean vodka cream sauce with mushrooms over pasta. When he's not trouble-shooting problems with staff computers, meeting with UCNS folks, or working on computers in the lab, Keith can be found at his desk in the Circulation Office.

In other staff changes, Leslie Madden has replaced Heather Turnbull as Head of Circulation (Heather leaves us for a job with the EPA in Atlanta). While we will miss Heather, we are pleased that Leslie has agreed to take on the job. Many of you already know Leslie, who has been working in a temporary Circulation Office position since October.


Forget Your Password?

If you have forgotten one or more of the numerous passwords you are required to remember, please ask a reference librarian for assistance. We can look up your Lexis and Westlaw passwords, and we can arrange to have your CONTAC e-mail accounts re-set. Remember, if you get your CONTAC account reset, you'll need to use the default password the first time you log-on. The default password is: U258PRF. The system will inform you that the password has expired and walk you through the steps to create your new password. If you have one of the new ARCHES accounts and cannot recall your password, you can re-set it yourself. Upon accessing ARCHES, look for the "re-set password" option.

Holloman Wins Name-the-Newsletter Contest

Congratulations and thank-you to Katina Holloman (December 1996 law grad) for coming up with the winning entry in the Name-the-Newsletter contest. Katina's entry of UGA Amicus Briefs now graces the front page of the law library's newsletter. Her creativity earns her a $10 copy card, a home-baked cake (generously donated by Public Services Librarian Sally Curtis AsKew), a law library mouse pad, and a UGA visor.

First runner-up James Roberts (first-year law student) receives a mouse pad for his entry of Stack Chat, and second runner-up Andrew Starr (second-year law student) gets a UGA visor for his entry of In Re Library.

The Editor sends many thanks to all who entered, and a special thank you to the members of the Committee of Judges: Adrienne Howard, second-year law student; Prof. Paul Kurtz, Associate Dean; Kathy Pharr, Law School Communications Director; Prof. Ann Puckett, Law Library Director; and Carol Watson, Computer Services Librarian.


Book Exchange Waits for You!

Make room for all those items you acquired over the Break by bringing your dusty books to the informal book exchange on the third floor of the law library (in the old copy room). While you're at it, if you see any that interest you feel free to take em.

Guide to Finding Treaties in the UGA Law Library

A guide to finding treaties in the UGA Law Library is now available. Look for it on the counter next to the Circulation Office, or ask Anne Burnett, Foreign & International Law Librarian, for a copy.

This newsletter is a publication of the University of Georgia Law Library. Please send all contributions and comments to:

Anne Burnett, Editor
UGA Law Library
Herty Drive
Athens GA 30606
e-mail: aburnett@uga.cc.uga.edu