Step 10. Literature Searches.

Scholarly studies of New York State laws are published in law reviews and monographs. Newspapers, like The New York Times, cover the political, social, economic and legal aspects of society. Observations of editors and columnists may be useful in providing background information on State legislation.

Indexes to Legal Periodicals.

NOTE: To find where a law journal is indexed consult Ulrich's International Periodicals Directory (New Providence, NJ: R.R. Bowker, annual). RR, 016.05/qP44.

1. Printed indexes.
   • c. 1790-1937. An Index to Legal Periodical Literature (Boston: Boston Book Co./ Los Angeles: Parker and Baird Co./ rpt. Buffalo: Dennis). "To Dec. 1886-1937". LAW/ PER.
   • 1926-present. Index to Legal Periodicals and Books (Buffalo: Dennis/ New York: H.W. Wilson). Monthly issues, annual cumulations. LAW/INDEX. Also, on CD-ROM, 1981-present, at ERS Station # 2.
2. CD-ROM indexes.
   • 1981-present, with a few months lag. Index to Legal Periodicals (New York: H.W. Wilson).
     
     Use its companion CD-ROM, Wilson Journal Directory, for publishing information about journals, and where they are indexed.
3. Online databases.
   • 1980-present ( the beginning date varies with serial title). LegalTrac (Foster City, CA: Information Access Co.).

     This database indexes over 800 English- language legal publications. It includes law-related articles from over 1,000 business and general periodicals. A list of law journals indexed in LegalTrac is kept at the Reference Desk.

     Open Netscape Navigator at one of the Internet terminals in the Reference Area. Pull down "Bookmarks", and select "Reference", then "InfoTrac". Choose "LegalTrac."

     earch your topic by subject heading or keywords. This database indexes a journal article by assigning it a subject heading. These headings are found in an online thesaurus, "The Subject Guide." Also, the database enhances the title of the article with descriptors and jurisdiction. If the subject is not known, type a keyword in the keyword search mode, "EasyTrac." Scan the resulting list for relevant articles. Click on the icon, "Explore," to display subject headings in the "Search Guide," and continue your search with these subject headings and divisions. For example, to find law review articles on reforming rights of petition within New York State jurisdiction, type "petition and york."

     If you are searching a specific law journal in a given year, use the field search mode, "PowerTrac."

   • 1980- present. Legal Resource Index (DIALOG, File 150). We search this commercial database for the public for a fee; the search is free of charge for the State government.
   • 1980 (or later)- present. " Law Reviews Library" in LEXIS- NEXIS.
   1. "Annotations and Indexes." Includes Index to Legal Periodicals, and Legal Resource Index, which is LegalTrac mentioned above.
   2. "Law Reviews by Jurisdiction". Includes "New York Law Reviews Combined."
   3. "Law Reviews by Topic."
   4. "Individual Law Reviews and Law Journals." Each article is full-text. A search fee is charged, except for State government.

Background Material for New York State Laws.

1. New York Times Index ( New York: R.R. Bowker/ New York Times). This newspaper is on microfilm in the Microform Area, from 1851 to current with about a two month lag. Current paper editions available at the Circulation Desk.
   • Printed index.
     • 1851-present. Printed index at RI, 071, qN5492. Last five years in Microform Area. Semimonthly updates/ quarterly cumulations.
   • Online index.
     • 1985-1996. Newspapers Abstracts. CD-ROM at retrospective CD-ROMs ERS terminal.
     • 1996-present. "Newspaper Source" in EBSCOhost. At Netscape "Bookmarks" select "Reference", and "EBSCOhost," then "Newspaper Source."
   • Online indexes searched by Library staff.
     • 1979-present. National Newspaper Index (DIALOG, File 111).
     • 1980-present. "News Library" in LEXIS-NEXIS. Full-text. A search fee is charged, except for State government.
2. Public Affairs Information Services.
   • Printed indexes.
     • 1915-1990. PAIS Bulletin (New York: H.W. Wilson/ Public Affairs Information Services). "Cumulative Subject Index, 1915-1974." RI, 016.3/ qP97.
     • 1991-present. PAIS International in Print. Monthly/ interim cumulations. RI, 016.3 qP147 91-12335.
   • CD-ROM index.
     • 1972-present. PAIS International. At ERS Station #9.

Last modified on June 18, 1997
URL: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/leghis10.htm