Windows Shortcuts

Today I learnt that CTRL + Z is a shortcut for undo.

I'm not kidding, I just learnt this today. I also learnt that CTRL + X means cut!

There a whole range of Windows shortcuts that I am not familiar with and they are available on the Microsoft support site:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/126449

Two sources for finding country constitutions

Today I learnt about two sources for finding county constitutions.

The first is World Constitutions Illustrated, a module of the subscription service HeinOnline. It contains the current constitution for every country, in the original language and in English.  It also includes commentary and historical versions of constitutions.
http://home.heinonline.org/ 

The second is Constitution Finder, a global directory of constitutions online. It's made available by volunteers at the University of Richmond School of Law, who endeavour to keep the links as up-to-date as possible.
http://confinder.richmond.edu/index.html

IALS Library's Institutional Subscription Rates

Today I learnt that the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Library welcomes access to practising lawyers and barristers if their organisation is an institutional library member.

Subscription rates are on a sliding scale according to location and number of lawyers:
http://ials.sas.ac.uk/library/iservice/isrates.htm

The subscription allows any member of the subscribing organisation to visit the library in person to make use of the extensive collection and also to request photocopies and scans via the Document Supply service.

Further information is available on the IALS website:
http://ials.sas.ac.uk/library/iservice/iservice.htm

Sorry if this sounds like an advert for the service; that's because I work at IALS Library! Until very recently I worked at a commercial firm in London which was an institutional subscriber and made frequent use of the document supply service. It's really interesting now to see how the service works from the inside.

Stationers' Foundation's Postgraduate Bursary Scheme

Today I learnt that the Stationer's Foundation offers 10 x £6000 bursaries to students on specific postgraduate courses related to "communications and content industries". Among these courses is the MA Library and Information Studies at UCL.

The deadline for applications for next year's intake is 7 July 2013. Applicants must normally be under 25 on 1 September 2013 and must not be in receipt of an AHRC bursary. Further details and an application form can be downloaded here:

http://www.stationers.org/postgraduate-bursary-scheme.html

Many thanks to Sam for this one! I found it when sorting through my inbox...

LISNPN: anonymous reviews of library masters courses

I'm back from hols and ready to start learning again! I've now left the commercial sector and I'm about to begin a new role in the academic sector on Monday...

Today I learnt that you can read anonymous reviews of library masters courses in the UK on the LIS New Professionals Network site. It's under Downloadable Resources.

LISNPN is a network for new professionals (no surprises there, then!). You don't actually need to be "new" (whatever that is) or a "professional" (whatever that is) to sign up, but topics discussed might be of interest to you if you fall under these categories. Recent discussions include career advice and interviewing tips, library school scholarship, library conferences and so on.

LISNPN:
http://www.lisnpn.spruz.com/

Welsh Legal System

Today I learnt what’s unique about Welsh Law.

A new article has been added to Globalex called Researching Welsh Law: What is unique in Wales. The article provides a brief overview of the development of the Welsh Legal System and provides details on where you can access sources of Welsh law. It’s written by Lillian Stevenson & Dr. Catrin Huws from Aberystwyth University:

http://www.nyulawglobal.org/Globalex/Wales.htm

I also learnt that there was a consultation earlier this year to seek views on whether Wales should become a separate legal jurisdiction. Although this has huge implications on the jurisdiction of England and Wales, I’m ashamed to say this passed me completely. You can read the consultation and summary of responses on the Welsh Government’s website.

http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/finance/seplegaljurisdiction/?lang=en

London Gazette Archive

Today I learnt the £50 reward for info on the whereabouts of Dick Turpin was advertised in the London Gazette in 1734 and you can see it online.

As well as being a source of current official, regulatory and legal information, the London Gazette has a vast and historically important archive. It was first published in 1665 (when Charles II was King). You can search the archive by date or keyword, or choose from the historic events from their drop down list including:

World War I

World War II

Great Fire of London 1666

King James declares freedom of religion 1687

Reward for Dick Turpin 1734

Battle of Trafalgar 1805

Death of Napoleon 1821

Coronation of Queen Victoria 1838

Birth of Princess Elizabeth 1926

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/