By James Durham, Deputy Director of the Maryland State Law Library

This selection of new tools, upcoming conferences, and announcements has been gleaned from library organization discussion lists, blogs, websites, and conversations. Perhaps one will spark your interest…?

•  The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation is now available as an iPad application. The Bluebook continues to be available in paper and online. A new guide by Mary Whisner, called Bluebook Technologies, is available through LLRX at http://www.llrx.com/features/bluebooktechnologies.htm.|
• Google now offers free Course Builder software to create online classes. Course Builder enables posting of course materials, creating a course community, and evaluating student progress. Course Builder is the same software used to present the recent online course series called Power Searching with Google. To learn more about Course Builder and to watch an intro video, please visit https://code.google.com/p/course-builder.
• The Library of Congress recently launched the beta site of Congress.gov, the successor to Thomas.gov. The new site currently contains legislation from 2001 to the present, and Congressional profiles from 1973 to the present. Over the next two years, Congress.gov will incorporate all of the information currently provided by Thomas.gov. The new site contains improved Google-like search features, updated design, and compatibility with mobile devices.
• Support the Maryland Library Association (MLA) with every sip of coffee! MLA will receive 20% of the purchase price of any MLA Coffee Blend (100% Arabica) purchased through Cabin Creek Roasters. The featured blends are Dewey’s Decaf, Readers’ Brew, and Margaret’s Choice. To order, visit http://www.mdlib.org/.
• A complete library of Maryland Attorney General Opinions will be available through HeinOnline, beginning in late October or early November. To learn more, visit http://www.heinonline.org.
• Coming soon! State Library Resource Center (SLRC) Conference, October 31, 2012, Enoch Pratt Free Library / Central Library. This year’s conference will feature traditional programs, discussions, tours, and hands-on instruction. For more information, visit http://www.slrc.info/index.aspx?id=74287 or contact Shayna Siegel at slsiegel@prattlibrary.org.
• Coming soon! Best Practices Exchange, December 4-6, 2012, at Lowes Annapolis. (Acquiring, preserving, and providing access to government information in the digital era.) For more information, visit http://www.bpexchange.org/.Registration Now Open! American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits, January 25-29, 2013, in Seattle. For more information, visit http://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/.
• Save the date: Bridging the Spectrum: The Fifth Annual Symposium on Scholarship and Practice, February 1, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Great Room of the Pryzbyla Student Center at Catholic University of America. The conference will feature briefings, poster sessions, and panels on a wide range of library and information topics. Visit http://slis.cua.edu/symposium/2013/index.cfm.
• Save the date: AALL 2013 Management Institute, March 7-9, 2013, Palomar Hotel in Chicago (Developing future managers; leading new managers to success). Details not yet available.