Welcome UConn Law Class of 2028

Please Welcome the Library’s Newest 1Ls

Welcome to a new academic year at the UConn School of Law!

Whether you’re returning or arriving on campus for the first time, we’re excited to see you.  The start of the semester is one of our favorite times of the year in the Law Library.  Familiar faces return, new faces appear, and the building starts to feel like a community again.  Of course, you incoming students aren’t the only newcomers around here…

While you were away, we welcomed several new resources to the Law Library in preparation for your arrival.  And since we know that getting to know a whole new class of people can be a little overwhelming, we thought we’d help with the introductions.

So, please meet some of our newest library “1Ls”:

Aspen Learning Library

First up is Aspen.  Aspen is the classmate you want to sit next to when a concept just isn’t clicking.  They’ve read the material already, have a different way of explaining it, and aren’t going to judge you for asking, “Wait, what does that actually mean?”

The Aspen Learning Library gives you access to Aspen’s collection of study aids; including classic titles like E&Es, Emanuel’s, Glannon’s, and more; which can help you review legal concepts, prepare for class, and approach difficult subjects from another angle.

PLI Plus

Then there’s PLI.  PLI is already thinking about practice.  While the rest of us are still trying to figure out where the classroom is, PLI is wondering what you’re going to do with all this legal knowledge once you graduate.  Maybe cause a little trouble, who knows, let’s hope it’s the good kind.

PLI Plus provides access to Practising Law Institute’s collection including practitioner-written treatises and practice guides, forms and checklists, and materials from PLI’s continuing legal education programs.

NewsBank

Every law school class has someone who seems to know what’s happening in the world.  That’s NewsBank.  The NewsBank World News Research Collection provides access to news coverage from around the world, making it useful when your research requires more than statutes and cases and you need to understand what actually happened on the ground.

Max Planck

Max Planck is the serious one.  You know exactly who I mean.  They may or may not smoke a pipe. They have somehow already read 400 pages, have strong opinions about comparative constitutional law, and can explain the constitutional structure of a country you’ve never even heard of.  We’ve added the Max Planck Encyclopedia of Comparative Constitutional Law and the Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law to help with exactly those kinds of questions.

And the rest of the class…

We’ve also welcomed new resources from Elgar, Oxford Handbooks Online, and HeinOnline, covering everything from intellectual property and comparative law to international organizations and state commitments with foreign governments. Certainly no slouches either!

All of these resources may not be the ones you need to meet during orientation, but you’ll be glad to know that they are around when the right research question comes along.  And, of course, the Library’s old friends are still here, too. Blackstone is a 100L+ at this point.

So welcome back.  And to our incoming students, welcome to UConn Law!  We’re very glad you’re here.  We hope you’ll get to know your classmates, your professors, your Library and eventually, some of these newest members of the research community.

And if you’re ever not sure who you should be talking to, there’s always a librarian nearby who can help with the introductions!  On all fronts!!

Opening Arguments: A Warm Welcome to Our 1Ls!

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.