September 20, 2010 (New York, NY) — Legal questions rank among the most daunting–and the most frequent–of questions asked at library reference desks every day. But, where can librarians turn for help finding the most reliable answers to those questions? Finding the Answers to Legal Questions: A How-To-Do-It-Manual, to be published by Neal-Schuman Publishers on October 31, 2010, will equip frontline reference staff with an easy-to-read, well-designed, practical tool that will enable them to provide faster, more accurate answers to these crucial questions.

Virginia Tucker, a county law librarian and adjunct library science faculty member, and Marc Lampson, both a lawyer and a libraria, provide an exhaustive guide to finding and evaluating legal information. In Part I, Foundation: Legal Information Overview, the authors outline the structures of the U.S. legal system, give recommendations for secondary sources, and offer suggestions for finding information at the federal, state, and local levels. In Part II, Preparation: Understanding Legal Information Needs, they teach the basics of legal research. Part III, Information: Specific Legal Questions, addresses the most frequently asked legal questions including such topics as lawsuits, family law, landlord-tenant contracts, wills, estate planning and probate, bankruptcy, employment and unemployment, and criminal law. Part IV, Collection: Building a Basic Collection or Website, covers how to compile the best resources, offering guidance for finding and assessing online information, evaluating self-help law books and websites, and creating a library web page and basic legal collection. The guide also includes a glossary, an annotated directory of recommended legal sources online, and a directory of state law resources online.

Practical and comprehensive, Finding the Answers to Legal Questions: A How-To-Do-It Manual is an essential guide for reference librarians, students preparing for careers in public and law libraries, and members of the general public looking for legal information.

Finding the Answers to Legal Questions: A How-to-Do-It Manual

ISBN 978-1-55570-718-7
2010. 8.5 x 11. 215 pp. $75.00

About the Authors

Virginia Tucker teaches at the School of Library & Information Science at San Jose State University and is the head law librarian for Whatcom County in Bellingham, Washington.   She received the prestigious Liberty Bell Award in 2010 from her local bar association for her “outstanding work in helping the public gain a better understanding of the law.” As a volunteer, she has created websites for both the Whatcom County Bar Association and LAW Advocates, the local legal aid group. She has taught CLE workshops on legal research in Bellingham and Seattle.  She has a Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of California at Berkeley, and a paralegal certificate; she is currently a PhD student at Queensland University of Technology. She is a member of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL).

Marc Lampson was admitted to the practice of law in 1985.  In addition to his law degree, he holds a Masters of Library and Information Science with a specialization in law librarianship from the University of Washington.  He taught legal research, legal writing, and other courses at Seattle University School of Law for eleven years and has also taught legal research at the University of Washington’s School of Law. Since 2003 he has taught courses, including the legal resources course, for San Jose State University’s School of Library and Information Science.   He is currently the Executive Director of the Unemployment Law Project, a non-profit law firm that provides free legal assistance to people who are seeking unemployment benefits.

About Neal-Schuman Publishers

Neal-Schuman Publishers is a leading publisher of professional books for librarians, archivists and knowledge managers. Founded in 1976, Neal-Schuman Publishers is based in New York City, with offices in London, UK.

For More Information and/or Cover Art

Contact Laura Berlinsky-Schine

laura.berlinsky-schine@neal-schuman.com

100 William Street, Suite 2004

New York, NY 10038

212-925-8650

www.neal-schuman.com

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Popular workshop presenters share expert tips in this debut Neal-Schuman/VOYA Press co-publication

September 7, 2010 (New York, NY) – Some historians believe that Egyptian hieroglyphics, Mayan murals, and Bayeux tapestries are the earliest examples of comics. Whenever and wherever the timeline for graphic novels began, these books have a long and intricate history. Today, there is a great deal of enthusiasm (and some confusion) about the place of graphic novels in libraries. Library Collections for Teens: Manga and Graphic Novels, the first book to be co-published by Neal Schuman Publishers and VOYA Press on October 15, 2010, is an authoritative guide that will help librarians better serve their young adult readers with a commanding knowledge of graphic novels.

Teen librarians and graphic-novel enthusiasts Kristin Fletcher-Spear and Merideth Jenson-Benjamin share all the information librarians need to have for managing their collections of this unique narrative form and for advising their young patrons. They begin with a brief overview of the history of American graphic novels and comics and the evolution of manga, the Japanese graphic novel. Next, they describe graphic novels in a library context, offering advice on defending these narratives, collection development and management, evaluating a graphic novel for purchase, purchasing options, mending the books, and programming with graphic novels. They include sample activities, charts, pictures, a glossary of terms, and carefully selected  lists of recommended graphic novels.

VOYA Editor-in Chief RoseMary Honnold says, “Library Collections for Teens: Manga and Graphic Novels is the guide I was looking for when starting a teen graphic novel collection. The authors answer all the questions librarians have about creating an exciting and popular graphic collection teens will love. The engaging activities and fascinating history included in this indispensable guide will give readers the confidence to discuss this popular format in depth with teens.”  The book is an essential resource for young adult librarians

Library Collections for Teens: Manga and Graphic Novels

ISBN: 978-1-55570-745-3
8.5 x 11 | 175 pp. | $55.00

About the Authors

Kristin Fletcher-Spear is a teen librarian at the Foothills Branch Library in Glendale, Arizona. She reviews graphic novels for a variety of publications, including VOYA, and has written several articles on anime and graphic novels.

Merideth Jenson-Benjamin is a teen librarian at the Glendale Public Library in Glendale, Arizona. She reviews graphic novels and other materials for publications, including VOYA. She has served as a panel member at Comic-Con International: San Diego.

About Neal-Schuman Publishers

Neal-Schuman Publishers is a leading publisher of professional books for librarians, archivists and knowledge managers. Founded in 1976, Neal-Schuman Publishers is based in New York City, with offices in London, UK.

About VOYA Press

VOYA was founded in 1978 as a bimonthly journal and  remains the only magazine that exclusively focuses on the informational needs of teenagers and professionals who work with young adults. It is owned by E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC which also publishes Teacher Librarian: the Journal for School Library Professionals and various book imprints including Teacher Librarian Press and 4th Division Press.

For More Information and/or Cover Art

Contact Laura Berlinsky-Schine

laura.berlinsky-Schine@neal-schuman.com

100 William Street, Suite 2004

New York, NY 10038

212-925-8650

www.neal-schuman.com

Comments Off