diff --git a/chrome/chromeFiles/content/scholar/xpcom/scholar.js b/chrome/chromeFiles/content/scholar/xpcom/scholar.js
index c7b8b9ffe..0a124892c 100644
--- a/chrome/chromeFiles/content/scholar/xpcom/scholar.js
+++ b/chrome/chromeFiles/content/scholar/xpcom/scholar.js
@@ -384,4 +384,34 @@ Scholar.HTTP = new function(){
 			break;
 		}
 	}
+}
+
+
+
+Scholar.Date = new function(){
+	this.sqlToDate = sqlToDate;
+	
+	/**
+	* Convert an SQL date in the form '2006-06-13 11:03:05' into a JS Date object
+	*
+	* Can also accept just the date part (e.g. '2006-06-13')
+	**/
+	function sqlToDate(sqldate){
+		try {
+			var datetime = sqldate.split(' ');
+			var dateparts = datetime[0].split('-');
+			if (datetime[1]){
+				var timeparts = datetime[1].split(':');
+			}
+			else {
+				timeparts = [false, false, false];
+			}
+			return new Date(dateparts[0], dateparts[1], dateparts[2],
+				timeparts[0], timeparts[1], timeparts[2]);
+		}
+		catch (e){
+			Scholar.debug(sqldate + ' is not a valid SQL date', 2)
+			return false;
+		}
+	}
 }
\ No newline at end of file