Author: Maryanne Daly Doran

Congo Week 2025: Cost of Power, Blood Cobalt & Corporate Responsibility

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Boy holding cell phone

UConn Law’s African Law Association (ALA), Black Law Students Association (BLSA), Energy & Environmental Law Society (EELS), and the UConn Law Library are sponsoring UConn Law's third annual Congo Week October 19-25.

The 18th anniversary of Congo Week features activities that commemorate the millions of lives lost in the Congo Conflict while celebrating the enormous human and natural potential that exists in the country. The goal is to raise global consciousness about the situation in the Congo and advocate for peace, justice and human dignity in partnership with the Congolese people.   

A few semesters back, Kwaku Aurelien, Co-President of the African Law Association at UConn Law,  moderated a symposium featuring Maurice Carney, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Friends of the Congo. This event highlighted the situation in the Congo, and sparked interest in bringing Congo Week to UConn Law. 

The Congo holds the world’s largest deposits of coltan, an essential component for cellphones, play stations and other electronic devices. We urge UConn law students to recognize there are many things they can do to affect change in the lives of the Congolese.  One action item is the “Cell Out” - a digital moment of silence starting at 12 noon on Wednesday, October 22nd. UConn Law encourages all students to turn off their phone for at least one hour, refrain from texting and encourage those in your circle to do the same. Activities abound throughout the UConn Law campus to raise awareness of this global issue. This week of recognition exemplifies the mantra by Martin Luther King, Jr.:

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”  

For more information on Congo week check out the following: 

Lake with Mountains
Lake Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo

If we are sitting on all this wealth, why are we so poor?  Maurice Carney

“Censorship Is So 1984”: A Legal Stand for the Freedom to Read

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Banned Books Week 2025 features the theme  “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.” The American Library Association explains that the phrase invokes the dystopian warnings of George Orwell’s 1984 to underscore how censorship remains a real and present threat — not some relic of a past era.

At UConn Law Library, we’re highlighting the legal and societal implications of that debate. From law to literature, from historical court battles to contemporary challenges, our curated Banned Books & the Law display (right by the entrance) will feature titles that have sparked censorship efforts.

We also encourage you to check out our accompanying Banned Books Research Guide, which links to key resources such as cases and legislation and advocacy organizations.

When a title is challenged — the question isn’t only “What do we read?” but “Who decides?” Our display and guide aim to help students, faculty, and patrons grapple with that very question.  This Banned Books Week, join us in resisting censorship, exploring the legal stakes behind challenged works, and reaffirming that the freedom to read is central to the rule of law — not a footnote to it.

 

Supporting Student Well-Being: Law Student Mental Health Day at UConn Law

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Fall in Connecticut brings crisp air, colorful leaves, and plenty of cider donuts—but for law students, it can also bring a heavier workload and looming deadlines. The American Bar Association designates October 10th as Law Student Mental Health Day aligning with World Mental Health Day, recognized by the World Health Organization.

Here at UConn Law we’re celebrating a little early with events on Tuesday, October 8—and you’re invited!

Featured Programs – October 8

  • Breakfast Break (9:30-11 am, Library Patio): Hungry?  There's a firm sponsored breakfast break in partnership with CCD on Wednesday 10/8 hosted by Pullman & Comley LLC . Representatives will be there to share coffee, snacks, information, and even a little swag. So please stop by, grab a cup of coffee, and introduce yourself!
  • Student Affairs & Mental Health Committee Tabling (12:30–1:45 pm, Library Patio): Stop by for treats, giveaways, and information about mental health resources in law school and beyond.
  • Yoga on the Quad (12:45–1:30 p.m., Hosmer Quad)
    Take a mindful break with a 45-minute yoga flow led by Christina Cruz ’24, certified yoga instructor and UConn Law alum. All levels are welcome. (Bring a mat if you have one, though it’s not required.) All levels are welcome—this is about moving, breathing, and taking a break.
  • Law Library Display: Visit the library to explore resources on lawyer well-being and mindfulness. You can also dive deeper into these topics through the Student Wellness Research Guide. 

        Year-Round Resources

        Stack of stones next to Daisy flowerYour well-being matters every day, not just on October 10. UConn Law and the Office of Student Affairs provide ongoing support, including:

        • UConn Law offers various resources to help you recognize mental health concerns as well as resources available to help you focus on your well-being.  The UConn Law Office of Student Affairs staff is located in One Stop on the second floor of the library.
        • On-campus Mental Health Counselor, Corrine, offers one on one counseling. Please email her at                       corrine.ochsner@uconn.edu to set up a time to meet! More info available through the UConn Law Student Portal.  
        • BeWell - offers free and confidential mental health support 24/7/365 by calling (833) 308- 3040 (for the US, Canada and the Caribbean). For all other locations please call +1-984-268-2016. This service offers immediate in-the-moment support with a counselor, regardless of your location, to help you manage your concerns.
        • Togetherall -completely anonymous online peer-to-peer mental health support community available free to UConn students 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Togetherall provides access to an online community and a wealth of useful resources, including self-help courses covering topics such as anxiety, sleep, depression and more. Register with your UConn email at: https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/student

          Online Resources:

          Together, UConn Law and the ABA are committed to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and fostering a culture of wellness in law school and the legal profession.

          No More Cousin ‘I Do’s’, 100+ mph = big fines, and Sunday hunting begins. New CT laws drop Oct. 1.

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          Dozens of new Connecticut laws are set to take effect October 1, 2025, covering everything from hunting rules to towing regulations. Here are some highlights students, researchers, and curious citizens may want to know about:

          Want to dig deeper?
          Explore how these laws took shape with the help our our Connecticut Legislative History Research Guide!

          A Century of Legal Research—On Display in the Library!

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          As the law library’s centennial in 2026 draws near, we’re taking time to reflect on a century of legal research—what has evolved and what has remained constant. From the early days of commercial legal publishing in the United States, publishers have continually promised new ways to make research faster, more comprehensive, and more efficient.

          If you were a student at the Hartford College of Law in the 1920s, you would be learning legal research using books familiar to today’s law students: American Jurisprudence, Shepard’s, and A.L.R. Although these are now accessed primarily in electronic format, they remain relevant and useful resources for legal researchers. 

          The amount of legal information grew exponentially throughout the twentieth century, as legal publishers responded to the increasing complexity of the law with new treatises, looseleafs, and practice materials. Libraries had to confront the inevitable problem of lack of space, and turned to new technologies, including microform, CD-ROMs, and dedicated terminals for Westlaw and Lexis. 

          Electronic access to legal information has been the default for more than twenty years, and we are beginning to move into artificial intelligence as a tool for legal research. These technologies are built upon the structure of books that have been published for over 100 years, and their creators are making the same promises of efficiency and speed.  

          Visit the display near the main entrance of the library to see how legal research books, tools, and technologies have changed over the past 100 years.

          If you have questions or need help navigating the guide, contact the Law Library’s reference staff. We’re here to help!

          Welcome Alumni! Special Reunion Exhibit on 9/13!

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          Welcome back alumni! Join us in celebrating  2025 UConn Law Reunion Weekend  on Saturday, September 13, with a special exhibit: "Memories - From the Law School Archives."  Explore rare photos, documents and milestones that shaped UConn Law through the years.

          Check Out Our Exhibits! 

           

          This Reunion Weekend, the Law Library is opening its doors not just as a study space, but as a place of memory and connection. Alumni, students, and friends are invited to explore special exhibits that highlight the library’s evolution over the decades—its collections, its role in legal education, and its place at the heart of the law school community.

          For a walk down memory lane, we have created several exhibits on the library’s main floor. Check out Celebrating 100 Years of the Law Library, Memories, From the Law School Archives, as well as 100 Years of Legal Research, (directly across from the Circulation desk.)

          Stop by during Reunion Weekend to reconnect with old classmates, revisit the space where so many milestones happened, and see how the library continues to support learning, scholarship, and community.

          We can't wait to welcome you back to the library!

          Newsflash! Digital Access to New York Times and WSJ

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          Stack of Newspapers

          Digital Access to the New York Times and Wall Street Journal is available to all current law students, faculty and staff!  Once signed up, you can read the publications on your computer or phone apps! 

          New York Times 

          Students, faculty, and staff can create an account to view the New York Times website by following the instructions from our catalog.  To create an account, complete your registration (use your UConn email address and create a password!)  

          Once you have an account, you can access the New York Times from anywhere on any device by going to http://www.nytimes.com and logging in with your username and password. You can access from the New York Times app on your phone as well.  

           Wall Street Journal 

          Wall Street Journal access is provided by the UConn School of Business to all active students, faculty and staff at the University.  You can activate your complimentary membership by logging on to this link (you will be prompted for your NetID and password to activate your subscription using this link):  Wall Street Journal Sign Up. To access the WSJ from your phone, simply download the app and log in with your credentials.  

          Happy Reading!

          FAQ – Top 5 Questions at the Law Library!

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          Questions and sticky notes with question marks

          We are a week into the new semester and are so excited to welcome (back) everyone!  Here are some of the most common questions we’ve seen at the front desk.  This way you can make the most of your time here on campus and focus on other things like getting ready for class!

          1. What are Course Reserves?

          One copy of all required textbooks from each class is kept on reserve at the library.  To check them out (four hours at a time) just stop by the Access Service desk to see if it is available.

          To return them when the library is open, just bring those books back to the front desk.  If you put them in the drop box, you may end up getting late fines, and you also deny your fellow students the ability to check the book out for themselves.

           

          1. What’s the scoop with Study Aids?

          In addition to electronic study aids such as  Cali and West Academic Study Aids, did you know you can use numerous study aids at the library?

          For example, on the third floor of the library you can study with Emanuel's, Nutshells and Examples and Explanations (AKA "E & E's) for Civil Procedure. You can use them in the library, scan sections you want- they are all available at your fingertips!  We even have copies of the trusty Blue Book if you happen to forget it!  Looking for writing assistance, there are loads of books dedicated to this topic you can check out!

          For more info on study aids broken down by topic, check out this research guide.

           

          1. Where are the printers and scanners located?

          Printing

          Law students have access to WEPA printers and release stations at several locations on campus. Printing costs $0.08 per side (black and white) and $0.35 per side (color). Students may upload print jobs from their own laptops directly to WEPA. Law Computer Lab workstations are also configured to allow printing.

          WEPA stations are located in the Computer Lab (Library 2nd Floor), Library 3rd, 4th  and 5th Floor.

          Lexis Printing

          It’s free to print material from Lexis to the Lexis printer also located on the 2nd floor! Lexis offers free printing from Lexis Advance from dedicated Lexis printers located outside the second floor computer lab. You can print Lexis materials from any computer using your Lexis account. For instructions:

          Lexis Printing Instructions

          Scanners

          The Law Library provides two sheetfeed and book-eye scanners on the 3rd Floor of the Law Library, adjacent to the circulation desk. There is no charge to use the scanner. You can email scans to yourself or save them on a flash drive.

           

          1.  Where can I find a filtered water fountain/fill station?

          While there are a number of water fountains all over campus, the fill stations are located in a few specific spots.  From the front desk of the library, we often tell people to go through the double doors and take a right down the hallway to find the one we have in our building.  Otherwise, there is a station in the gym in Knight, and two in Hosmer, one of the first floor and one on the second.  They are located down the hallways amongst the faculty offices, so maybe say hi to a professor while filling up!

          1. How can I get my hands on library materials?

          You are always welcome to come into the building and pull things from the shelves yourself and check them out at the front desk, and reference librarians love to help locate them if you need a helping hand.  During the pandemic, we also created a new on-demand service called Library2Go.  It’s still a thing!  Check out our page explaining the Library2Go pickup and digital scanning service.  

          Always remember that we are here to help and available to answer any questions you may have.  Stop by the front desk anytime to say "hi" or feel free to reach out electronically.

          Any questions we forgot?  Reach out and ask away!  Have a great semester!

          Opening Arguments: A Warm Welcome to Our 1Ls!

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          From Orientation to Graduation: We’ve Got Your Back!

          The start of your 1L year is an exciting, challenging, and transformative time—and the law library is here to be your partner every step of the way. Whether you’re mastering your first case briefing, untangling the mysteries of the Bluebook, or just looking for a quiet spot to read, the library is more than just a place for books. It’s your hub for research, study, collaboration, and, yes, a bit of well-deserved downtime.

          What You’ll Find Here:

          Expert Research Support: Our reference librarians can guide you through legal databases, legislative histories, and specialized research tools that will save you time and frustration.

          Study Spaces for Every Style: From silent zones for deep focus to group rooms for collaborative projects, you can choose the environment that works best for you.

          Technology and Tools: Need a scanner, charging station, or printer? We’ve got you covered.

          Workshops and Tutorials: Learn essential legal research skills, explore advanced search strategies, and get tips on effective outlining and exam prep.

          Pro tip: Stop by early in the semester—even if you don’t have a burning research question yet. Building familiarity with the library now will pay off when assignments and deadlines start to pile up.

          Finally, we wanted to feature the Student Toolkit  which provides information on all aspects of the law library, from study aids, research help, course reserves and study rooms, check out this research guide to get started.

          Image of landing page of research guide named Student Toolkit.
          Landing page of Student Toolkit research guide

          We’re thrilled to welcome you into our law school community and can’t wait to see how your journey unfolds. Here’s to a year of curiosity, resilience, and maybe just a little too much coffee.

           

          Bear Aware: Explore Connecticut’s Bear Laws with Our Research Guide

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          With rising black bear sightings across Connecticut—and increasing interactions between wildlife and residents—the legal landscape around these powerful and protected animals is more relevant than ever. Whether you’re a law student, practitioner, policymaker, or found bears eating your garbage (it happens!), understanding bear law is key to navigating the balance between public safety and wildlife protection.

          UConn Law Library has created a comprehensive Connecticut Animal Law Research Guide that includes valuable resources, legislation, and case law addressing everything from pet custody disputes to livestock protections. But one especially timely section you won’t want to miss is our curated content on black bear law in Connecticut.

          This section offers:

          • Links to state statutes and regulations about bear feeding, hunting restrictions, and nuisance complaints

          • Recent headlines and case developments related to bear-human encounters

          • Resources on proposed legislation, such as bear hunting bills and feeding bans

          • Local government responses and public education initiatives

          • Scholarly commentary and law review articles exploring animal law, wildlife ethics, and environmental concerns

          Whether you’re researching a legal issue, writing a paper, or just trying to understand what your rights and responsibilities are when a bear visits your backyard—this guide is your go-to resource.

          Visit the guide now: Connecticut Animal Law Research Guide

          If you have questions or need help navigating the guide, contact the Law Library’s reference staff. We’re here to help!