Faces of the Library: Erica Lux-Flores

Erica is one of the most hard working students at Texas Tech Law Library. We are very grateful for her hard work and dedication. Although the library isn’t open right now, you can still find Erica at the online circulation help desk. Please, read her profile and get to know Erica:

What are some of the tasks you do for the TTU Law Library? I work at the circulation desk, and assist students with checking out materials, answering reference questions, and generally being available during my shifts.

 

What is your favorite thing about working at the TTU Law Library? The best part is interacting with students, and making their days just a little bit brighter.

 

What is one thing about the law library that current and prospective students should know? If you lost something, check with us in the Library! We may have it.

 

What is your favorite restaurant in Lubbock? Royal Indian Cuisine and Seoul Korean Restaurant are two of my favorite places!

 

What hobbies or activities do you like to do outside the law library? I love to spend time with my pets, enjoy playing video games, and like to catch up on my favorite shows when things are not too busy at school.

 

Tips for Virtual Group Studying & Instructions for Law Library’s Virtual Study Room Reservations

Tips for Successful Virtual Group Studying: 

1. Keep the group size small and manageable.
   • 3-5 members is a good size for a virtual study group.
2. Keep Study Group Goals Realistic.
   • Set a realistic goal for efficient studying time. 2 or 3 hours with breaks will likely be productive, but 5 or 6 hours may be too ambitious.
   • Build in time at the beginning to catch up and chat with your friends.
   • Build in study breaks to refresh and re-group, and to give your eyes a break from looking at a screen.
   • Give yourselves grace. This is a unprecedented time for everyone. If your online study group session does not go as planned or perfectly, that’s okay.
3. Keep Study Time Focused.
   • Pick a group leader to keep the group on track.
   • Select a quiet space in your home with minimal distractions.
   • Try to start on time and end on time.
4. Stick to a plan.
   • Discuss with group members how the study group time will be used most effectively, depending on the studying styles of the group members.
   • Try to meet the needs of all group members—this is where it is beneficial to keep the size of the group small.
   • Create a schedule/syllabus of tasks:
     • I.e. Spend an hour on practice questions, 20 min talking out/explaining big concepts, 45 min on a practice essay.
5. Be prepared.
   • Study ahead of time so group time can be used efficiently.
   • Identify concepts that you struggle with.
   • Make a list of questions to ask group members.
6. Take Action.
   • If there are areas multiple group members are struggling with, email the professor with questions. Send a single email from one group member and share the response with everyone in the group.
   • Several professors have indicated that they are willing to virtually conference with study groups. If your group has some subject areas that they think would be best explained coming from the professor, set up a virtual conference with a professor.
   • Come to the conference prepared. Have specific questions ready. It may be helpful to assign questions to specific group members so everyone participates, keeping the meeting productive and beneficial for everyone.
7. Reflect.
   • Be honest with yourselves— how productive was the study group?  Be open to discussing with your group members what did and did not work.
   • Adjust based on your reflections.  This will ensure that the study group is working for everyone.

How to Reserve Virtual Study Rooms: 

The Law Library has created ten virtual study rooms where students can meet with their study groups.

Students can register to use one of our online study rooms using our Room Reservation system.

Law Students may reserve two 2-hour blocks per day for a total of 4-hours maximum for study rooms per day.

The same study group should not book the same room for more than 4 hours per day.  Students must reserve the room using the link above BEFORE entering a room.

Study Room Reservation Guidelines:

• Rooms are only available to Law Students, Law Faculty and Law Staff.
• Rooms are available for booking 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Each study room booking defaults to a maximum 2-hour reservation.
• Law Students may reserve two 2-hour blocks per day for a total of 4-hours maximum for study rooms per day.
• The 2-hour reservations may be consecutive, or may be split.
• The same study group should not book the same room for more than 4 hours per day.
• Study room reservations can be made up to 2 weeks in advance.
• During Law Library finals hours, study room reservations can be made 2 days in advance.
• You are expected to use the room while you have it reserved, please do not leave the room empty for an extended period of time.
• If you are finished with a study room before your reservation has expired, please contact the Circulation Desk at 806-742-3957 or email to circulation.law@ttu.edu.

For more resources on how to cope with the challenges of remote learning, please see the Law Library’s Remote Access to Library Services LibGuide, where you can get more tips on working from home, ideas for how to de-stress, and much more.

Faces of the Library: Ben Laney

Ben Laney is a pretty good guy. We are grateful for his work. He has been a valuable asset as we navigate this stressful time. Read his profile here:

What tasks do you do for the TTU Law Library?

I work the circulation desk. I check in and out books and I help patrons find the material they are looking for.

What is your favorite thing about working at the TTU Law Library?

I love the relaxed nature of my work. It’s low stress, which allows me to study for class and enjoy working the desk.

What is one thing about the law library that current and prospective students should know?

The law library has so much more content than you realize. The library has a ton of resources that are useful for any legal practice, whether it be criminal, water, patents, anything.

What is your favorite place to eat in Lubbock?

Blue sky. #BestBurgerEver.

What hobbies or activities do you like to do outside the law library?

I play a lot of music in my free time. I’ve been playing the guitar and the banjo for over 10 years. It’s hard to feel sad and stressed about law school when you’re plucking a few happy chords.

 

Faces of the Library: Joe Lara

Meet Joe Lara. He’s an American soldier that helps keep students safe while they study at night in the library. He loves carne guisada and talking about Texas Tech sports. Read his profile here:

What tasks do you do for the TTU Law Library?

Work circulation desk and evening facility supervisor. Make sure everyone and everything is safe and secure at night. Facilitate events in evenings.

What is your favorite thing about working at the TTU Law Library?

Staff and students. I love talking to students and working with the staff members.

What is one thing about the law library that current and prospective students should know?

I we can’t find something off the top of our heads, we can do some research and help find the answer for you.

What is your favorite place to eat in Lubbock?

That’s a tough one, I like them all. But I like to eat at Montelongo’s, their carne guisada is the best.

What hobbies or activities do you like to do outside the law library?

I like going to the shooting range. I also collect guns and coins.

 

Faces of the Library: Elizabeth Balido

If you’re ever in the library, go to the circulation desk and talk to Elizabeth Balido. She loves talking to new people about BOB and her mock trial teams. Please, read her staff profile here:

What tasks do you do for the TTU Law Library?

Student assistant at the circulation desk.

What is your favorite thing about working at the TTU Law Library?

Getting to meet new people at the circulation desk.

What is one thing about the law library that current and prospective students should know?

The law librarians and staff are really nice and helpful. They want to help you so ask them stuff!

What is your favorite place to eat in Lubbock?

The Garden

What hobbies or activities do you like to do outside the law library?

I am on the Board of Barristers, I compete on Mock Trial National teams, and I am in the Criminal Defense Clinic.