Update 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 Library]
New Edition of "Old Favorite" Landlord-Tenant Reference Book has been Released
The Sixth edition of Legal Tactics: Tenants' Rights in Massachusetts, edited by Annette R. Duke and published by Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, in conjunction with Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. (MCLE) has just been released and is now available at all seventeen Trial Court Law Libraries.
The MCLE website http://www.mcle.org calls Legal Tactics "the most comprehensive handbook on tenants' rights in Massachusetts," and it is certainly one of the most heavily used resources in the Law Library's collection. Written in easy to understand terms, Legal Tactics covers almost every rental situation - from moving in to moving out. It answers questions on security deposits, rent, evictions, housing discrimination, mobile homes and lead poisoning. Sample legal forms and letters will help tenants protect themselves and communicate effectively with their landlords while saving time and money. Tenants and persons working with tenants will benefit from this guide, and it has been our experience that landlords will find this publication valuable as well.
This Sixth edition maintains the basic format of earlier editions, with the added benefit of having the sample checklists, forms and letters placed at the back of the book, organized in topical "booklets", which make it easier for the patron to locate the material needed. The typeface is easier to read than earlier editions, and a helpful Glossary, as well as numerous citations to information on the Internet, has been added.
The list price for this book is $45, but bulk purchase or library discounts may be available. The Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries have long recommended this book to public and other librarians who ask what they should have on their shelves for this subject matter, and this Sixth edition is no exception.
Copies of Legal Tactics are available for loan (either direct to patrons or interlibrary loan) from the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries. Holdings and other record information for this and all of our cataloged materials can be found at http://www.MassCat.org.
Call for Spanish Language Legal Resources
The Lawrence Law Library continues its implementation of an LSTA Community Languages Grant awarded by the MBLC for FY2004. As part of this endeavor, we are continuing the process of locating Spanish language legal resources, and would welcome any suggestions from the library community regarding specific materials (print, electronic, audio-visual or multimedia), vendors of these materials, or legal materials which are not currently available in Spanish but which you would like to see. Resources may also encompass such areas as consumer matters, business, personal finance, and similar topics. Also, links to Spanish language legal materials on the Internet would be welcomed.
Please send all comments, suggestions and requests to Rachel Diaz at the Lawrence Law Library diaz_r@jud.state.ma.us, and we thank you for your assistance.
Collection Development Assistance Available
The staff of the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries is available to assist librarians of the Region with collection development / management issues or questions concerning their legal collections, including print and electronic materials.
Lawrence Law Library Continues to Offer Extended Hours
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 Supplemental Reference funding. 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.
