This guide lists a selection of print and electronic resources available at the Blinn College Library and on the Web.

Encyclopedias

Encyclopedia of Crime and Justice
R 364.03 En19o (Bryan)

Juvenile Justice: A Reference Handbook
R 364.360973 (Bryan)

Nolo's Encyclopedia of Every Day Law
R 348.73 N724e 2003 (Bryan)

Dictionaries

Black's Law Dictionary
R 340.03. B561b (Bryan)

There are two ways to search for books and audiovisuals in the library's collection:

• Search the Library Catalog

• Browse the Shelves

Search the Library Catalog

Before you search ...

Log in to the Library Catalog so that you can use all of its features! After you log in click on "New Search" to begin searching. To access the library catalog from the library's home page, follow the pathway FIND IT, BOOKS, LIBRARY CATALOG.

 

Useful search terms:

How can I request books that are only available from another Blinn College campus?

 

1. Make sure you are logged into the library catalog.

2. Click on the item's request button. Requests generally take 24 hours or less to arrive at your campus library.

3. Select the pickup location and click "OK"

Note: You can also follow these steps to place a book on hold if all copies (including those from other campuses) are checked out.

Browse the Shelves

Here is a list of call number ranges pertaining to the grammar, vocabulary, and learning of paralegals:

Articles in Magazines, Journals, and Newspapers

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Periodical Indexes

Academic Search Complete - A multidisciplinary database that provides full text access to many articles in magazines, newspapers, and peer-reviewed journals in the fields of fire extinction, emergency medicine, sociology, psychology and others.

InfoTrac Newspapers - Offers full text articles from local and national newspapers such as the Austin-American Statesman, Bryan/College Station Eagle, Houston Chronicle, Washington Post, New York Times, The Financial Times, and The Times (London).

Legal Collection - Centered on the discipline of law and legal topics, this database is a collection of respected, scholarly peer-reviewed publications including law journals, documents, and case studies. This database is an authoritative source for information on current issues, studies, thoughts and trends of the legal world. It is an ultimate collection of bibliographic and full text content. This resource includes full text, both in HTML and PDF format, back to 1965.

SIRS Researcher - A general database containing thousands of full text articles exploring many topics such as criminal justice, federal law, organized crime, terrorism, and more. Articles are selected from domestic and international newspapers, magazines, journals, and government publications. Also provides access to images and reliable web sites. SIRS also has a companion resource just for government information SIRS Government Reporter.

Texas Reference Center - Includes more than 80 full text journals and books covering a multitude of topics related to Texas.

TOPICSearch - This current events database allows researchers to explore social, political & economic issues, and other popular topics. TOPICsearch contains full text for over 102,800 articles from more than 2,500 diverse sources, including more than 1,550 full text periodicals.

What if a periodical index does not have the entire text of an article I need?

If the full text of an article is not available in a library database, it is possible to check another database for the full text or determine if the library owns a print version of a publication. Refer to "Locate Journals & Magazines in the Library" for an explanation on how to find full text articles.

What print periodicals does the library subscribe to?

• Fifth Circuit Survey (Bryan)
• Southwestern Law Review (Bryan)
• SMU Law Review (Bryan)
• Texas Law Review (Brenham)

Basic Legal Citation (LII 2007) - Created by Peter W. Martin, this resource was most recently revised in May of 2007. It reflects the changes in ALWD Citation Manual (2006) and The Bluebook (2005). The resource provides rules on how to cite various books and materials, as well as examples of these citations.

Fedstats - Billed as a "gateway to statistics from over 100 U.S. Federal agencies". This resource has both "Links to Statistics" available from a variety of different sources and "Links to Statistical Agencies" providing access to various Federal agencies' statistical information.

Findlaw - This invaluable resource can be used to find sources on legal issues, including federal and state case law. FindLaw will also help you find a lawyer, based on a legal issue of interest.

Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas - produced by the State Bar of Texas, Paralegal Division. The member resource can be used to learn about CLE Classes for Paralegals, Texas Paralegal Standards, and it provides access to the Texas Paralegal Journal. It also includes an FAQ page, as well other useful links for the Paralegal.

Statistical Abstract of the United States - produced by the Bureau of the Census. Published since 1878, this resource, which is updated every other year, provides statistical information on the economic, political, and social make-up of the United States.

Texas Administrative Code - created by the Office of the Secretary of State [Texas]. This is an online version of the TAC. The TAC is a compilation of all state agency rules in Texas.

Texas Courts Online - created by the Office of Court Administration, this website provides information on the fourteen Courts of Appeals, the Supreme Court of Texas, the Criminal Court of Appeals, and the Court of Appeals. The site also contrains information on the Texas Judicial Council; links to certification boards for Court Reporter, Guardianship, and Process Server; as well as a calendar of court events a judicial directory.

Texas Rules of Civil Procedure - created by the Fred Parks Law Library, South Texas College of Law, this website provides information on The Rule of Civil Procedure effective 1941 to the present date. The website also includes Advisory Committee Proceedings (1985-1989); Advisory Opinions - January 1942 through December 1948; a bibliography of law reviews, state bar newsletters, CLE and books; and articles and photos from the Texas Bar Journal.

Texas Statutes - created as part of the Texas Legislature Online, statute parts are available as zipped HTML, PDF, and Word files or use the search feature to search any or all codes.

Understanding the Federal Courts - developed by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to provide an introduction to the federal judicial system, its organization and administration, and its relationship to the legislative and executive branches of the government. Part four, "Jurisdiction of the Federal Courts" is an invaluable resource for paralegals. Also available as a PDF document from the website.

USA.gov - as the official U.S. gateway to all government information, searching USA.gov provides access to millions of federal and state government web pages that are not generally available on commercial websites. You can also do business with the government online. It provides access to many types of U.S. federal government documents, as well as many state government documents.

Additional resources can be found in the on the Blinn College Library's Government Page

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