Some of you may have seen me in the library already, but to put a name to the face, I’m Michael Troon. I come from the Ministry of Justice where I spent 7 years as an Information Officer, working with staff and judges. Please feel free to contact me regarding any research/ library questions either in person, by ‘phone - 01483 216012 or email: michael.troon@lawcol.co.uk

It’s hard to imagine now, but on my first day in Summer 2001, there were no books - or even shelves - in your library. 

The College has now recruited a new Information Officer – Mike Troon – who will start in the new year.  He has 20 years law library experience – and I am sure he will look after you very well.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and every success in your studies and future careers.

Regards,

Jackie Hanes.

The list is arranged by classmark (subject) and includes a summary and picture of the book.

Library borrowing arrangements will be extended during the Christmas vacation:-

• Any 1 week loan item borrowed from Saturday 10 December
• Any 3 day loan item borrowed from Wednesday 14 December
• Will be due for return on Tuesday 3 January

Please click here Library Opening Times and Borrowing Christmas 2011 for a complete list of library opening times, including the library extension and BPTC library.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Finding commentary

How to find commentary using legal dictionaries, encyclopaedias and practitioner texts including Halsburys Laws.  It will also include discussion of how to find and reserve textbooks using the library catalogue.

• 10.00am Monday 12 December
• 2.45pm Tuesday 13 December
• 10.30am Saturday 17 December

Finding Journals

How to find journal and newspaper articles using the legal databases, library catalogue and hard-copy library resources.  It will also include explanation of our journal article request service.

• 11.00am Monday 12 December
• 3.45pm Tuesday 13 December
• 11.30am Saturday 17 December

I will be leaving the College at Christmas, so have scheduled these workshops especially for GDL students, who may want to make a start on their PfP research during the Christmas vacation.  I hope that my replacement will offer further workhops in the new year – although this may not be until February or March 2012.

If you would like to attend one or both of the workshops, please sign-up to the register on ELITE.   ELITE > My Centre > Click here for more info > Library > Library Workshops – Sign-Up Here!  Places are limited, although I have increased places to 30 per workshop, to ensure that as many students as possible are able to attend.

We are looking to recruit a part-time Information Assistant to work in the Library at the College of Law in Birmingham. This is to replace Marcin, who has recently qualified as a solicitor.

The role involves answering library, legal research and IT enquiries; issuing and returning library books; taking payments for library fines and print top-ups; and other general administrative tasks.

The working hours are expected to be 5pm-8pm on Thursdays and 10am-4pm/6pm on alternate Sundays. The role is offered on a fixed term contract finishing the end of June 2012. The rate of pay is £7.70 per hour.

If you would like to know more about this role, please see the attached job description Job Description, or contact Jackie.Hanes@lawcol.co.uk or 01483216012 for an informal chat.

If you would like to apply for this role, please complete the attached application form Application Form, and return it to Jackie.Hanes@lawcol.co.uk by Friday 18 November. I expect interviews to be held the following week, and the successful applicant to be available to start work on Thursday 1 December.

The assessment instructions includes guidance about how much help library staff can give to LPC students:-

Library staff CAN advise you where to find books, how to access databases, how to access legal research guides, and the mechanics of using particular resources. 

Library staff CAN NOT interpret your question, advise on your selection of resources, search terms or techniques, interpret your resources, advise if your research is up-to-date or accurate, or advise how to structure your research report.

You are welcome to attend the library legal research workshops, and legal database training and certification sessions – however you are not permitted to ask any questions about your PLR assessment.

Additionally you are not permitted to seek appointments with our student database representatives during the PLR assessment period – to protect you all from the possibility of collusion allegations.

If you have a question, but don’t know if library staff are allowed to answer, please do ask us! 

Library staff will judge how much guidance we can give you – the worst we will say is ‘sorry but I’m unable to answer your question’.