Category: Uncategorized

United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG) passed away at the age of 87 on Friday, September 18. We at the law library are grieving the loss of this legal, cultural and  gender equality icon. As you might predict – we turn to our books for comfort. Check out some of her biographies from our collection:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did you know we collect judges’ biographies? Learn about the lives of other influential judges from Canada and further afield by searching the catalogue or browsing the following subject headings:

• • Judges — British Columbia — Biography
  • Women judges — Canada — Biography
  • Judges — Canada — Biography
  • Judges — United States — Biography

Ideafest is the University of Victoria’s week-long festival of research, art and innovation. There are over 35 events set to capture your imagination, with lots of involvement from the faculty of law.

Catch John Borrows moderating a panel tonight with Brent Mainprize (Gustavson School of Business) on the unique journeys of six Indigenous Nations sharing their experiences of balancing economic development and well‑being in WISE: Wellness and Indigenous sustainable economies.

Tomorrow find Val Napoleon on the panel What’s truth got to do with it? Where she will help define truth and its limits.

For those of you who attended the ELC research-a-thon last week, you might enjoy Beyond plastic: Exploring the issue of waste in Canada where Deborah Curran will join the discussion on how to solve Canada’s waste dilemma.

Finally UVic Libraries will be hosting Class of 2030: Your UVic library of the future on Saturday. Bring little ones along to discover the library of the future at this family-friendly event.

This is just a sampling of the events on – check out https://www.uvic.ca/ideafest2020/ for the full program.

Happy Valentine’s Day

(Now and Forever)

 

By all accounts Diana M. Priestly was a charming, resourceful and dedicated professional.  She may have officially retired from the University of Victoria on June 30, 1987, but her spirit resonates throughout the building to this very day.

Diana’s academic journey started at the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Law in 1946 (following a three year stint in the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service). Between the years of 1964 and 1974 she perfected her craft with stops at the University of Toronto, Osgoode Hall, and the University of Western Ontario. However, it was her tenure at UVic, starting in 1974, that secured an international reputation for her contributions to the science of library administration.

In the early days of its existence the Faculty of Law did not have a collection of its own. Once she was hired Diana was asked to build one from scratch. In response, she relied on her experience and ingenuity to establish a law library that has passed the test of time.

Personally, I never had the opportunity to meet her, but judging by the smile her name brings to anyone who knew her, she was something special. So with that in mind, let’s take this opportunity to send Diana (and her lingering spirit) a perpetual valentine from everyone who has worked at the circulation desk in the law library that is named after her. After all, it’s the least we can do for someone who has done so much for us.

 

For more on Diana M. Priestly please see: The Advocate, 45 (1987)- print or online.

 

Written by David Eugene Everard

Art direction by Paul Totzke

Editorial assistance by Alex Burdett and Sarah Miller

 

UVic’s on the VERGE Student Writing Contest is officially underway. A  joint initiative of the UVic Libraries and Equity and Human Rights, on the VERGE is a reformulation of the 10-year running Diversity Writing Awards exploring an annual theme under the broad rubric of equity, diversity and human rights.

UVic students may submit their written work relating to this years theme ‘compassion’ in one of four categories:

• Poetry (150 lines maximum)
• Fiction (1500 word maximum)
• Non-fiction (1500 word maximum)
• Spoken word (3-minute maximum – video or audio file formats accepted)

In addition to cash prizes for first and second place (in each category), winners also receive an invitation to a writer’s workshop with this year’s judge, poet and songwriter, Sonnet L’Abbé .

Submissions are open until February 1, 2020.

For more information about the contest visit on the Verge Writing Contest.

The Law Library would like to wish all the students good luck on their exams!

We would also like to remind students of the extended study hours and research help options, as well as the supports offered by Amicus and the relaxation station available during library hours.

Extended Library Hours over Exam Period (Dec 2-18):
Mon-Thurs: 8am-10pm
Fri: 8am-8pm
Sat-Sun: 10am-10pm

Supports, Relaxation Station and the Ultimate Exam Playlist
Remember that Amicus Team support remains available to law students throughout the year and that the law library’s Relaxation Station is available whenever the library is open.

Above the Law published an “Ultimate Law School Finals Playlist” which has songs for any and all of the emotions brought on by exams.

Citation and Research Help:
You may have noticed that the research help desk in the law library is unattended during the December exam period.

Though the desk is quiet, research and citation help will remain available until December 24.

Students, you’re encouraged to email or phone the usual research help contacts. The librarians receive email and phone messages at those contacts and will respond as quickly as possible, Monday through Friday. You may also make an appointment with a librarian for research help via the staff at the library circulation desk.

Our regular Research Help Desk hours will recommence in the new year.

 

Looking for some law related podcast recommendations for the last week of summer? Below is our roundup of law related podcasts.

Stare Indecisis

Did you know that the UVic student run law journal Appeal has a podcast?  Stare Indecisis is Appeal’s companion podcast that further explores the scholarship contained in each volume of the journal through interviews with article authors.

Our favourite segment of Stare Indecisis is On Retainer where the podcast hosts a rapid fire Q&A with UVic Law Faculty.

Media Indigena

While not technically a law podcast, this weekly current affairs podcast often explores topics where indigenous issues and the law intersect. Below are just a few among many law related episodes from Media Indigena:

Episode 160: All White History is Revisionist History

Episode 152: Claiming Indigenous Rights to the 5G Wireless Radio Spectrum

Episode 149: The Deafening Silences in Canada’s Indigenous Languages Act

More Perfect: Season 3

Maybe you are not a ‘podcast’ person but are just looking for some road trip worthy songs to listen to. Season 3 of More Perfect may be just what you are looking for.

On our inaugural list we recommended More Perfect a podcast from the podcast heavyweights at WNYC’s Radiolab. This year’s list wouldn’t be complete without a recommendation to season 3 of More Perfect and the accompanying Most Perfect Album – comprised of songs created for More Perfect inspired by each of the 27 amendments to the US Constitution.

Currently on repeat in the Law Library: Dolly Parton – 19th Amendment.