At Your Service: The Evolution of Law Libraries
“In the ‘new normal,’ there are two things libraries should view as their primary stock in trade; special collections and service.” So said Tracy Thompson, Executive Director of NELLCO, an...
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Past Cases Predict Future Outcomes
Browsing through one’s books at home can bring reminders of people, places and projects. A travel book evokes memories of having taken a wonderful trip, or reflects a hoped-for adventure. We may...
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Cases on the Road
The Law Libraries travel with you. Access cases wherever you go through our website. Use our links to read cases from the SJC, Appeals Court, District Court Appellate Division, and Land Court. You...
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200th Anniversary Celebration of the Establishment of Massachusetts Public...
An Act approving the establishment of law libraries by lawyers in each county was approved by Governor Caleb Strong on March 2, 1815. Beginning in 1842, these law libraries were open to the public....
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Happy 200th Birthday, Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries!
March 2, 2015 is the 200th anniversary of “An Act authorizing the establishment of Law Libraries” in Massachusetts. The Trial Court Law Libraries are celebrating their birthday with a number of events...
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Join Us in Celebration
In 1815, a petition was filed that led to a law creating the first public law libraries in Massachusetts. This is a milestone worthy of celebration, and we’ve planned a reception to celebrate the...
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200 Years of Free Legal Information
Enjoy the Trial Court Law Libraries’ commemorative book, 200 Years of Free Legal Information: From County Law Libraries in Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries, available on the web at...
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The Lincoln M. Grant case and the power of books
Several years ago, a woman came into our library with a question that only a book could answer. She had heard a rumor that a murder was committed on or near her property in Pittsfield, Massachusetts,...
View ArticleTeaching Legal Research
The American Association of Law Libraries’ Task Force on Legal Skills and Knowledge for Practice has released three reports about how legal research is conducted in the practice of law, based on...
View ArticleJob Vacancy: U.S. Librarian of Congress
President Barack Obama will have the opportunity to appoint a new Librarian of Congress when James Billington retires as of Jan. 1, 2016. This will be the first new Librarian of Congress in nearly 30...
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Looking for Legal Information?
The Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries offer six ways to get information to help you answer your legal questions. One of our favorites, online chat, is available Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 4...
View ArticleLooking Back on 2015
As we look back on significant events in 2015, we can mark the 200th anniversary celebration by the Massachusetts Trial Court of the legislation that created the first public law libraries in...
View ArticleWestlawNext and LexisAdvance now available
The Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries have made WestlawNext available at 15 law library locations* statewide at no charge for the user. The new service includes databases on Massachusetts and...
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A Valentine
“Vinegar Valentine” (1911) Two years ago, we featured this Valentine on February 14, noting that it was part of a Virtual Exhibit curated by Laurel Davis for the Daniel R. Coquillette Rare Book Room in...
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Let Libraries Transform Your Life
The theme for National Library Week (April 10- 16, 2016) is “Libraries Transform.” How has a library made a difference in your life? The Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries join libraries across...
View ArticleLegal Deposit in the Electronic Age
All works under copyright protection published in the United States are subject to the mandatory deposit provision of the copyright law. Two copies of each work must be sent to the Library of Congress’...
View ArticleDivorce and Financial Issues
When married couples decide to divorce in Massachusetts, there are financial issues that have to be addressed. These may include child support, alimony, and the division of marital assets, among...
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Online information: access and veracity
The Massachusetts Library System recently posted an online guide with resources to help citizens evaluate information online and hone media-literacy skills. Included is a popular eight-point...
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The Lincoln M. Grant case and the power of books
Several years ago, a woman came into our library with a question that only a book could answer. She had heard a rumor that a murder was committed on or near her property in Pittsfield, Massachusetts,...
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Massachusetts Declaration of Rights – Article 11
Access to Justice Article 11 (1780) Every subject of the commonwealth ought to find a certain remedy, by having recourse to the laws, for all injuries or wrongs which he may receive in his person,...
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