NCJ Number
64888
Date Published
Unknown
Length
16 pages
Annotation
GUIDELINES TO AID IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE COURT LIBRARIES AND THE SELECTION OF LEGAL MATERIALS FOR THESE LIBRARIES ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE LOCATION OF A LAW LIBRARY DEPENDS ON USERS, I.E., JUDGES, LAW CLERKS, PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS, DEFENDER OFFICE ATTORNEYS IF THAT OFFICE IS IN THE COURTHOUSE, ATTORNEYS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE LIBRARY COLLECTION MUST BE CONTINUOUSLY UPDATED THROUGH THE ADDITION OF SUPPLEMENTS, ANNUAL VOLUMES, AND PERIODICAL LOOSELEAF REPORTS. A SMALL LIBRARY CAN BE HANDLED BY A CLERK OR ASSISTANT IN ABOUT 3 HOURS A WEEK, PLUS TIME TO ORDER BOOKS AND PAY BILLS. LIBRARIES ARE OF THREE TYPES: CENTRAL OR REGIONAL LIBRARY LOCATED AT THE SEAT OF A JUDICIAL DISTRICT; LIBRARY AT A COURTHOUSE WHERE AT LEAST ONE JUDGE SITS REGULARLY; AND LIBRARY AT A COURTHOUSE THAT IS JUDICIALLY IMPORTANT BUT NOT THE DISTRICT SEAT. MATERIALS TO INCLUDE IN A CENTRAL REGIONAL LIBRARY ARE LOCAL MATERIALS, NATIONAL REPORTER SYSTEM (SECOND SERIES), U.S. SUPREME COURT OPINIONS, SHEPARD'S CITATIONS FOR THE NATIONAL REPORTER SYSTEM, AMERICAN DIGEST SYSTEM, DIGEST OF FEDERAL OPINIONS, FEDERAL CODE AND STATUTES OF NEIGHBORING STATES, LEGAL ENCYCLOPEDIAS, LEGAL DICTIONARY, AMERICAN LAW REPORTS, TEXTS AND TREATISES, PRACTICE SETS, AND INDEX TO LEGAL PERIODICALS. COURT LIBRARIES SHOULD CONTAIN PUBLICATIONS SO BULKY AND EXPENSIVE, SUCH AS REPORTS, STATUTES, AND DIGESTS, THAT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR PRIVATE ATTORNEYS TO HAVE THEM IN THEIR OFFICES. LAW LIBRARIES ARE INCREASINGLY USING MINIATURIZATION PROCESSES, AND THE MOST COMMON MICROFORMS ARE MICROFILM AND MICROFICHE. LEGAL MATERIALS ON MICROFORM AS OF 1973 ARE LISTED. (DEP)