Amicus Briefs - News from the Alexander Campbell King Law Library  
March 2006
 
In This Issue

 Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears

Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears: first woman appointed to Georgia Supreme Court
Celebrate Women's History Month
Are We Safer in The Dark? Law Library to Host Open Government Teleconference

Staying in town for Spring Break? Looking for something to do? Come join us at OpenTheGovernment's "Are We Safer in the Dark?" teleconference. A panel of experts, live at the National Press club, will address open government and secrecy - the problems we face, the impacts on communities, and what the public can do.

When/Where
  • Monday, March 13, 2006, 1:00pm - 2:30pm ET, broadcast from the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
Moderator:
  • Geneva Overholser, Endowed Chair, Missouri School of Journalism, a former editor of the Des Moines Register, ombudsman of The Washington Post and editorial board member of The New York Times
Speakers include:
  • Thomas S. Blanton, Director, National Security Archive
  • Thomas M. Susman, Partner, Ropes & Gray
  • Barbara Petersen, Executive Director, Florida First Amendment Foundation
Topics to be discussed:
  • Federal laws such as the Freedom of Information Act: are they fulfilling their promise of government openness? How have laws and policies/regulations since 9/11 encouraged secrecy or openness?
  • How does transparency (or a lack thereof) affect the government's readiness and response to disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the Sago Mine tragedy?
  • What about the public's ability to plan and respond - or to prevent disasters?
  • How do secrecy and openness influence the personal choices you make to ensure the education, safety and well-being of your family?
  • What tools and resources effectively safeguard government accountability?

National Program Sponsors:
  • American Association of Law Libraries
  • American Library Association
  • American Society of Newspaper Editors / Sunshine Week
  • Association of Research Libraries
  • Coalition of Journalists for Open Government
  • League of Women Voters
  • National Freedom of Information Coalition
  • OpenTheGovernment.org
  • Special Libraries Association
Contact Anne Burnett aburnett@uga.edu for more information.
March Is National Women's History Month
Sharon Bradley
In 1987 Congress declared March as National Women's History Month. The movement to recognize women's historic achievements began in the late 1970s by the National Women's History Project (NWHP). Their goal was to ensure that information about the myriad ways women have changed America would be part of our children's education.

Research and anecdotal studies have shown that learning the stories of women's success, talent, and accomplishments expands a sense of what is possible for girls and women. Learning about the extraordinary achievements of women helps diminish the tendency to dismiss and trivialize who women are and what they accomplish. In celebrating women's historic achievements, we present a more authentic view of history.

Visit the NWHP web site to learn more about this year's theme, Women: Builders of Communities and Dreams, and the 2006 honorees. The National Women's History Project also has information about celebrations throughout the country, educational resources, and promotional suggestions.

The University also recognizes the contributions of women through various events. It's not too late to attend a special event, like the film series, or a lecture. See the web site created by the Institute for Women's Studies for more information. The Women Law Students Association sponsor the annual Edith House Lecture. This year's speaker is Sarah Weddington. Her presentation is entitled “Some Leaders are Born Women.” She'll be speaking on March 23, at 4:30 in the Chapel.

Spring Break Hours
During the week of Spring Break (Friday, March 10 - Sunday, March 19), the Law Library will have reduced hours. 

REGULAR hours for the library are:

Monday - Thursday 7:30am - midnight
Friday 7:30am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - Midnight

SPRING BREAK hours are:

March 10: 7:30am - 5:00pm
March 11: 10:00am - 5:00pm
March 12: 11:00am - 5:00pm
March 13-17: 8:00am - 5:00pm
March 18: 10:00am - 7:00pm
March 19: 11:00am - Midnight

Regular hours resume on March 20.  The Library's hours for the Spring semester can be viewed at http://www.law.uga.edu/library/hours.html.
 
Clean and Beautiful
As finals approach, law students will inevitably be spending more and more time in the library. Please help us in keeping the library a clean and comfortable place for students to study.

• Please throw out your trash as you leave.

• Report spills to the Circulation Desk so we can have them cleaned up immediately.

• Remember: beverages are permitted in the Law Library, but only if they are in spillproof containers or commercial bottles with screw-on tops.

Thank you!