Submitted by Brian J. Archambault, Head Law Librarian, Lawrence Law Library
(The opinions expressed are those of the author, and not necessarily those of the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries.)

Why Use The Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries? - Or, Why GOOGLE Isn't Enough

Regional Reference Centers Memorial Hall Library (Andover) Phone: 978-623-8401 x31 or 32 Fax: 978-623-8407 http://www.mhl.org/region/reference/form.htm Lawrence Law Library Phone: (978) 687-7608 Fax: (978) 688-2346 http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/ Reference On Call Phone: 866-733-6622 info@referenceoncall.org http://www.referenceoncall.org

The Internet provides access to a vast (and growing) number of websites containing legal information, news, and other material. Much of this material is available free of charge to the user. So why would anyone need to visit (in person or electronically) a Massachusetts Trial Court Law Library?

1. Professional, trained library staff. The vast amount of legal information available can be very confusing. Which sources are likely to be accurate? Up to date? How can the patron research an area of law most systematically and efficiently? The staff of the Trial Court Law Libraries can help answer these and many other questions, and help make sense of what information is out there. We can't (and don't) give legal advice, but we do give individuals assistance in making their way through the mass of legal information available.
2. Public Access to Licensed Databases. The Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries, through our licensing agreements with legal information providers, are able to provide patrons with access to some of the most powerful electronic databases and research tools. Looking for Lexis? We've got it. Want Westlaw? We've got that too. Casemaker, Loislaw...all here. And we'll show you how to use these tools (with their many editorial features not found freely on the Internet) to your advantage. The library staff has access to many additional databases as well.
3. What about books? We've got print materials as well, and for good reason. Many older legal materials are not available electronically. Many secondary sources (books which explain or discuss the law) are not available in an electronic format. And hard as it may be to imagine, not everyone is able to, or wants to, use computers to access legal materials. For all of these reasons, it is important to have public access to a collection of print materials, and the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries fill that need. Most of these materials circulate, and if we don't have what the patron is looking for, the chances are very good that we can obtain it through interlibrary loan.
4. Ease of Access. There are seventeen Trial Court Law Libraries located throughout the Commonwealth (three in the NMRLS service area), all open to the public free of charge. The Lawrence Law Library is open to the public four evenings and Saturdays, thanks to grant funding from NMRLS. Our Library Lawline pilot project allows patrons to ask questions via "live chat" with a reference librarian from one of a large number of private and public law libraries. We accept reference questions by telephone, fax and email (and can respond by all of those methods as well). And our web page offers free twenty-four hour a day access to the many Pathfinders, FAQ's, Lawyer Referral Services and other important legal materials, all compiled by Trial Court Law Library staff. The Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries are your public law libraries. Come take another look!

New Trial Court Law Library Logo Coming Soon

Watch this space for the unveiling of a bold new logo to appear on Massachusetts Trial Court Law Library brochures, web pages, and other informational and promotional materials.

Trial Court Law Libraries Look Toward FY2004

As of this writing we are still early in the budget process. Two outside sections of the Governor's Proposed Budget (Sections 181 and 228) make proposals, which could result in a user fee being imposed for Trial Court Law Library services, and/or a change in the structure of the Trial Court Law Libraries. See, for example, "Law Libraries May Charge Fees: Some Might Close Shop," Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, March 24, 2003, Page 1.

Patrons who want more information regarding the budget process can visit http://www.state.ma.us/legis. The staff of the Trial Court Law Libraries can also assist patrons in learning more about the ongoing budget process.

In the face of likely budget reductions for FY2004, the staff of the Trial Court Law Libraries will continue to spend budget appropriations in the most efficient and effective way possible.

Extended Hours Continued:

The Lawrence Law Library is open to the public as follows:

Monday through Thursday: 8:30AM to 8:00PM

Friday: 8:30AM to 4:30PM

Saturday: 10:00AM to 3:00PM

Evening and Weekend Hours are made possible by NMRLS funding, as part of the "Reference-On-Call" service. We are available in person, by telephone (978-687-7608), fax (978-688-2346) or email LawrenceLawLibrary@yahoo.com.

The Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries are Your Public Law Libraries

The NMRLS Region includes three of the seventeen Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries: Lawrence Law Library, Lowell Law Library, and the Essex Law Library (Salem, MA). Directions, hours, telephone numbers and email addresses for all Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries can be found at http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us .