Provides background on the establishment of the Congressional Research Service, focusing on the growth of reference services and special librarianship during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The contributions of Melvil Dewey and Charles McCarthy, as well as legislative reference work in the Library of Congress, are discussed. (10…

Steps for acquisition of necessary skills for expertise in law librarianship are described and the role of the Law Library of Congress in relationship to the responsibility of law libraries is outlined. (AB)

The Detroit Municipal Reference Library's organizational structure and services are described as an example for those interested in organizing a governmental reference library. Procedure is outlined for the initial selection of a basic collection and the subject fields that should be included. (Author)

This discussion of the importance of the law library as a laboratory for anyone involved in a legal proceeding focuses on the role and function of the law school library. Library staff, facilities, new technologies, budget, and evaluation are noted. (EJS)