Submitted by Brian J. Archambault archambault_b@jud.state.ma.us, 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
Law Library Automation Project
The Trial Court Law Libraries have been working throughout the Fall to prepare to enter the "Age of Automation" for the first time. Having selected Dynix as our service provider, we have been weeding the collection and taking inventory, issuing new bar-coded borrower cards, and barcoding materials. Our newly unveiled public access catalog will allow patrons to see the circulation status of our holdings, view their patron records, request renewals, and initiate requests. The PAC is available now on our website www.lawlib.state.ma.us, with full functionality to be in place later this Spring.
Spanish Language Materials Added to Collection
With funding from an LSTA "Community Languages" grant, the Lawrence Law Library has acquired Spanish language materials in the area of law, personal finance, business, and the like; and we are in the process of cataloging and adding these materials to our holdings. An Open House will be scheduled in the spring to wrap up the grant period and display our new collection.
Spanish Language Materials Featured at Family Literacy Fair
Recently, a Family Literacy Fair was held at the Lawrence Public Library, which was attended by some 400 persons. Sponsored by the Lawrence Family Literacy and Family Support Initiative, the fair featured booths and displays by approximately 20 Community Service agencies, as well as entertainment, refreshments and the like. The Lawrence Law Library table featured a display of some of our newly acquired Spanish language materials, as well as additional "self-help" books and similar items. Using a portable VCR provided by the Friends of the Lawrence Law Library, we ran the video taped presentation from www.tribunalesvideo.com which describes, through lecture and drama, various Massachusetts court proceedings, all narrated in Spanish.
Recent Additions to Lawrence Law Library Collection
Accessing Affordable Housing
Anatomy and Medicine For Lawyers
The Annual Meeting and Proxy Statements
Bankruptcy Law Conference 2004
Business and Securities Law Conference 2004
Commercial Real Estate - MCLE BasicsPlus
Corporate Issues for New Nonprofits, Including the New 156D
Corporate Primer
CPCS Training Manual for Criminal Defense, Third Edition
Federal Court Judicial Forum 2004
Legal Tactics - Public Housing
Legal Ways to Get Out of a Contract
The Mold Muddle
Natalie Choate on Estate Planning for Retirement Benefits...
Practical Guide to Financing a New or Small Business
Practical Guide to Organizing a New Business
Preparing, Taking and Defending the Business Deposition
Pretrial Litigation Primer
Recent Developments in Negotiable Instruments Law
Representing Asylum Seekers
Trusts for the Paralegal
Trying Divorce Cases (2 volumes)
What Estate Planners Need to Know About HIPAA
What Every Lawyer Should Know About Arbitration
Workers Compensation Law Conference 2004
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 Saturday Hours are made possible by NMRLS Specialized Reference funding. We are available in person, by telephone (978-687-7608), fax (978-688-2346) or email at 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 www.lawlib.state.ma.us.
