This Week in the Law Library ... June 9, 2025

This week in the Law Library we’re looking at bar exam resources, reviewing basic legal research skills for summer, reminding you about library services during our migration to a new library services platform, and celebrating Pride Month and National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

Bar Exam Study Resources

Congratulations! You have made it through law school but now the bar exam looms. Don’t worry, the Law Library’s got your back. When you’ve caught your breath and you’re ready to start your bar studying, we have resources that can help. Check out our Bar Exam Research Guide.

The July 2025 bar exam will be held in three locations: Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland. 

Examinees will be tested at the following locations:

• Cincinnati: University of Cincinnati College of Law, 2925 Campus Green Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45221
• Columbus: Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43210
• Cleveland: Cleveland State University College of Law, 1801 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115

Accommodations testing will be located at OSU Moritz College of Law (Drinko Hall, 55 W. 12th Ave., Columbus, OH 43210).

Learn more: Ohio Bar Exam

5 More Resources to Help You Study for the Bar Exam

• Help! I am Zoning Out!
  • Although this CALI Lesson references law school exams, students studying for the bar exam will find it useful. This lesson is designed to provide students with data about why their attention levels may dip during class or studying, including recent research regarding the effects of digital distractions on concentration. The lesson invites students to reflect upon the reasons they may lose focus and/or concentration while in class or while studying, and provides a robust set of strategies students can use to anticipate and control for that loss of focus, incorporating several free-writes. If using CALI, you will need to create an account (if you have not already done so) using a Cincinnati Law authorization code. You can obtain this code from a reference librarian.
• Learning Tips and Retention: Discussions in Law School Success
  • Although this CALI Lesson references law school exams, students studying for the bar exam will find it useful. This CALI podcast discusses tips to help you remember more information and to perform better on law school exams. Three learning strategies are explained: spaced repetition, the testing effect, and cognitive schema. Briefly defined, spaced repetition incorporates periodic studying throughout the semester. The testing effect can be more challenging and is exactly what it sounds like; it is testing yourself to see whether or not you know the material. Lastly, the podcast explains how to create a cognitive schema as an organizational structure that you can use to retain information. If using CALI, you will need to create an account (if you have not already done so) using a Cincinnati Law authorization code. You can obtain this code from a reference librarian.
• Mechanics of Memorization
  • Although this CAL Lesson references law school exams, students studying for the bar exam will find it useful. This lesson provides memorization tools and techniques for exam success. First, the lesson demonstrates the relationship between memorization and exam success. Next, the lesson explains memorization tools and techniques. After you complete this lesson you will be able to apply tools and techniques and effectively memorize important legal concepts to be successful on your exams. If using CALI, you will need to create an account (if you have not already done so) using a Cincinnati Law authorization code. You can obtain this code from a reference librarian.
• Metacognition
  • Although this CALI Lesson references law school exams, students studying for the bar exam will find it useful. This lesson focuses upon the concept of metacognition and teaches you how to enhance your understanding about how you learn to better improve your study, organizational, test-taking and self-assessment skills with the goal of improving your performance in law school. The lesson should help you better understand your individual learning process and show you how to use this information to develop study and test-taking skills needed for success. If using CALI, you will need to create an account (if you have not already done so) using a Cincinnati Law authorization code. You can obtain this code from a reference librarian.
• Secrets to Improved Memorization
  • Although this CALI Lesson references law school exams, students studying for the bar exam will find it useful. This CALI Lesson provides insight on how to remember the vast information to apply on the bar exam. If using CALI, you will need to create an account (if you have not already done so) using a Cincinnati Law authorization code. You can obtain this code from a reference librarian.

Be sure and take a look at our previous June 2, May 27 and May 19 posts on Bar Exam Resources.

Previously, we covered basic tips to think about before starting a research project, the initial steps to take, and using secondary sources to jump start your research. This week we will begin taking a look at researching a statutory issue in an annotated code. Learn more about researching statutes in our Researching Statutes Guide or watch our videos on finding and searching within annotated codes.

Statutory Codes

A statutory code is a subject arrangement of the laws of a jurisdiction. A code may be annotated (containing editorial enhancements to help with research or interpretation) or unannotated. Use an annotated code for research! Why? An annotated code is a great research tool because it offers editorial enhancements to help with statutory interpretation. Useful annotated code editorial enhancements include (1) cross references to related statutes and regulations; (2) more detailed historical notes, secondary source references; (3) if it is a Thomson Reuters (Westlaw) code you will get topic and key number references to help you find cases; and (3) the case annotations. The case annotations are summaries of judicial opinions that interpret that particular statutory section. Usually, these opinions are chosen by the editors because they add something new to the interpretation of the statute or they are precedent setting opinions. All of these editorial choices in the annotated codes are subjective, so your annotations and references are not going to be identical if you have annotated codes for a jurisdiction by different publishers.

Structure and Organization of Statutory Codes

The structure and organization of statutory codes will vary by jurisdiction. The United States Code, the subject arrangement of federal statutes, is arranged by subject into 54 subject titles (title 53 is in reserve and does not yet have a subject assigned to it), with chapter and section subdivisions. In Ohio, the statutes are broadly organized by titles and then further broken down by articles, chapters, and sections. For more information on Ohio codes, see the Ohio Legal Research Guide. Some states, such as California, Maryland, New York, and Texas, use subject words for their broader organization.

Where to Find U.S., Ohio, and Kentucky Codes

Federal

United States Code (U.S.C.) – the official unannotated code for federal statutes

U.S.C. on GovInfo.gov

U.S.C. on HeinOnline

U.S.C. on Bloomberg Law

Many libraries also have the United States Code in print.

Annotated Codes

United States Code Service – annotated code on Lexis

United States Code Annotated – annotated code on Westlaw

Ohio

Ohio Revised Code – the official unannotated code on the state website

Ohio Revised Code on Bloomberg Law

Page’s Ohio Revised Code Annotated – annotated code on Lexis

Baldwin’s Ohio Revised Code Annotated – annotated code on Westlaw

Kentucky

Kentucky Revised Statutes – unofficial, unannotated code on the state website

Michie’s Kentucky Revised Statutes Annotated – annotated code on Lexis

Baldwin’s Kentucky Revised Statutes Annotated – annotated code on Westlaw

Many libraries also have state codes in print.

Migration to the New Library Services Platform

The OhioLINK consortium, which includes the University of Cincinnati Libraries, is upgrading the Library Services Platform (LSP) in summer 2025 to Ex Libris Alma/Primo VE.

This cloud-based, enterprise system software is the backbone of day-to-day library operations (acquisitions, cataloging, circulation/fullfillment, etc.). The new system will provide user benefits to help students, faculty and other library users find (and access) information critical to learning, teaching and research. Its user-friendly interactions will be more user intuitive.

Although we are working to minimize any disruption to services, the cut over to the new system will impact acquisitions and summer borrowing of print materials among other OhioLINK institutions.

Currently

OhioLINK and Search Ohio borrowing and renewals are unavailable. Physical books from other Ohio universities, as well as materials from public libraries, are not able to be requested through the catalog nor will previously borrowed materials be able to be renewed. While OhioLINK and SearchOhio services are unavailable, work with us to find alternatives that fulfill teaching and research needs.

June 25, 2025 

We go live with Alma, Primo and Rapido (replaces OhioLINK requesting)

The Library LSP upgrade website includes more information on the project, including a FAQ and a preview of the new OneSearch, the user discovery interface.

About Pride Month

Pride Month is commemorated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York City. The Stonewall Inn was a popular gay bar that police raided on Jun 28, 1969. The raid resulted in days of protest and the uprising is often cited as a catalyst for LGBTQ+ activism. Former President Clinton issued the first presidential proclamation designating June “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month” in 1999 and issued the second proclamation in 2000. Former President Obama expanded the scope to include bisexual and transgender people in his proclamations. In his first term, President Trump issued a Statement on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. President Biden issued annual proclamations during his term. 

UCBA Library Pride Month Display

This display of select books celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community. Topics include: memoirs, parenting, poetry, and even popular culture icons. There is something for everyone! 

UC Clermont, Frederick A. Marcotte Library Digital Display Pride Month

This display of selected books celebrates Pride 2025.

Cincinnati Pride Parade and Festival

Cincinnati's Pride Parade will take place Saturday, June 28, 2025 at Sawyer Point & Yeatman's Cove.

5 Resources to Learn More about LGBTQ+ Legal Issues & History

• Gender Studies Database
  • Gender Studies Database, produced by NISC, combines NISC’s popular Women’s Studies International and Men’s Studies databases with the coverage of sexual diversity issues. GSD covers the full spectrum of gender-engaged scholarship inside and outside academia. This database includes more than 696¸750 records with coverage spanning from 1972 and earlier to present.
• GenderWatch
  • GenderWatch is a full text database of publications that focus on the impact of gender across a broad spectrum of subject areas.
• ILGA World Database
  • A knowledge base on laws, human rights bodies, and news related to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics issues worldwide.
• LGBTQ+ Source
  • LGBTQ+ Source (formerly LGBT Life, formerly GLBT Life) is an index to the world’s literature regarding gay¸ lesbian¸ bisexual and transgender issues. This database contains indexing and abstracts for more than 120 LGBTQ+-specific core periodicals and over 230 LGBTQ+-specific core books and reference works. The product also contains data mined from over 40 priority periodicals and over 1¸700 select titles¸ as well as full text for 50 of the most important and historically significant LGBTQ+ journals¸ magazines and regional newspapers¸ and dozens of full text monographs. The database includes comprehensive indexing and abstract coverage as well as a specialized LGBTQ+ Thesaurus containing over 6¸300 terms.
• LGBT Thought and Culture
  • LGBT Thought and Culture is an online resource hosting books, periodicals, and archival materials documenting LGBT political, social and cultural movements throughout the twentieth century and into the present day. Supported by the Charles Phelps Taft Research Center.

Be sure and check out last week's post for more resources.

About National Caribbean-American Heritage Month

The Institute of Caribbean Studies’ (ICS) led the effort to establish the National Caribbean American Heritage Month (NCAHM) in 1999 which resulted in the first White House Caribbean American Community Briefing being held at the Clinton White House in 1999. In 2004 an official campaign for June as National Caribbean American Heritage Month was launched and a bill passed the House in June 2005, and the Senate in February 2006. President George Bush signed a proclamation on June 5, 2006 and there have been proclamations annually up until this year.

• Caribbean Law and Jurisprudence Collection at Florida International University
  • These materials cover acts, ordinances and case law reports, as early as 1643, from sixteen Caribbean countries: Trinidad and Tobago, British Guiana (Guyana), Saint Lucia, Saint Christopher and Anguilla, Barbados, Grenada, Bermuda, Nevis, the Leeward Islands, Saint Vincent, British Honduras (Belize), the Bahamas, and Jamaica, mainly former British Commonwealth colonies and territories and from Venezuela (1900 – 1928) and Guatemala (1893 – 1944). This Collection provides the history and development of the law and legal systems of the Caribbean during the 19th and first half of the 20th century.
• Yemisi Dina, Caribbean Law Research, Globalex (Nov./Dec. 2024)
  • The Commonwealth Caribbean describes all Caribbean countries geographically located in the West Indies. The region is made up of dependent and independent states. Caribbean legal literature has evolved rapidly in the last decade. This guide provides information on available resources for conducting legal research for the following English-speaking Caribbean countries: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Belize, British Virgin Islands (BVI), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, and Turks & Caicos.
• Caribbean Court of Justice, Legendary Caribbean Legal Practitioners - Documentary (YouTube)
  • This year's documentary celebrates legendary Caribbean legal practitioners and their contributions to Caribbean society and the practise of law within the region.
•  Caribbean Law Project, CommonLII
  • The Caribbean Law Project is a free‐access resource that makes it easier to find legal information from all Caribbean jurisdictions. It is located on the Commonwealth Legal Information Institute (CommonLII), operated by AustLII in conjunction with other free access Legal Information Institutes across the Commonwealth. The Project covers 16 countries and British Territories.
• The Digital Library of the Caribbean
  • dLOC provides users free and open access to Caribbean cultural, historical, scientific and research materials held in archives, libraries, museums, private collections, and other institutions of memory and preservation.

Posted June 9, 2025 by Susan Boland

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