1Ls: The Library Can Help You Through Your First Year
1Ls will soon discover that law school classes are different than undergraduate classes. In an undergraduate class, you typically have a textbook which sets out what you need to know in a fairly straightforward manner. Law school classes use case books composed of judicial opinions. It is up to you to read the cases, figure out the rule of law set forth in the case, and then arrange all the rules of law, from all the cases, into an outline (For more information on this—see yesterday’s post on How to Read a Legal Opinion). At exam time, you apply your outline of the law to fact patterns written by your professor.
Study Aids (books and audio CDs) can help you identify the important points in a case, and synthesize the body of law. Study aids contain discussions of the cases in your case book, outlines and sample exam questions. You can check out study aids at the library! Take a look at our Study Aids Guide or come to the circulation desk or research services office (LL112) to ask for help. Study aids are in Room A066, (one level down from the first floor. The first floor is the floor where you enter the library) and in reference on the 1st floor. Digital study aids are available for some titles as well.
Computer Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI) can be of great help to 1Ls as well. CALI contains interactive lessons—over 1,000 of them covering all years of law school and most topics. CALI access is free but you will need to sign up using the school’s authorization code.
The librarians can also help you with your legal research assignments. We look forward to helping you this year! Librarians are available during Research Services Hours and can be reached in person in LL112 by the circulation desk or by phone (216) 687-6877, email research.services@law.csuohio.edu, or
chat . For more in depth projects, you may want to schedule a research consultation.
