The problem of the "pro se" patrons (people who are representing themselves in a legal dispute or transaction) has received significant attention in the legal information literature, and many excellent suggestions have been offered to aid law librarians in dealing with this population group. However, these suggestions can be usefully applied in…

Use of the physical collections and services of academic libraries continues to plummet, with some exceptions, while use of electronic networked resources skyrockets. This article frames the extent of this decline with a focus on circulation and reference among ARL University, Medical, and Law Libraries, the Ivy League, other associations,…

Each year the State Library sends annual report forms to California's public, academic, special, state agency, and county law libraries. Statistical data from those reports are tabulated in this publication, with directory listings published in the companion volume, "California Library Directory." For this fiscal year, 389 libraries of…

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…

Genie Tyburski did not set out to be a law librarian. When asked at Drexel's library school what kind of librarian she wanted to be, she was surprised that "a good one" was not one of the options. But six weeks into the semester, she landed a part-time cataloging job at Community Legal Services in Philadelphia; six months later she was…

This manual, prepared for the UCLA Law School Library, outlines sample policies, procedures, and rules for a law school reference department. The manual consists of (1) a discussion of patron categories and priorities; (2) a statement of the kinds of services to be offered; (3) determination of the means of providing these services via procedures…

Librarians at Rutgers Law Library developed new programs of assistance to students which included: individualized instruction; inclusion of library information materials in registration packets; tours, workshops for introductory classes, printed guides; one-time classes on various subjects; and a newsletter. (LS)

The first part of this article reviews developments in Canadian legislative libraries since the 1960s, with emphasis on reference and research services. The second part is an annotated bibliography of looseleaf and newsletter services available from legislation, regulations, and legislative activities. (12 references) (MES)

Describes the experiences of a librarian who assists with prison law library outreach for the Minneapolis State Law Library. Topics addressed include the importance of good reference interviews; legal reference versus legal advice; confidentiality; and the rewards of public service. (LRW)

Discusses the diverse client base served by the Wayne State University Law Library (Michigan) which includes secondary school students, undergraduates, paralegals, law students, attorneys, faculty, the general public, court reporters, legal secretaries, and librarians. An information service center and research guides developed to serve patron…

A summary of the major activities of the Library of Congress (LC) is given for a 15 month period ending September 30, 1976. Highlighted are the activities of the Congressional Reference Service, Processing Department (acquisitions, cataloging, and networking), Federal Library Committee, Copyright Office, Reader Services Department, major exhibits,…

In order to discern states' compliance with court mandates to provide prisoners with adequate legal counsel or access to legal reference materials, a questionnaire was administered to state consultants in 1972 and updated and expanded by later contacts with institutional consultants. Findings indicated that states are trying to comply with…

Efforts to improve efficiency, cut red tape, speed operations and provide better service to the user are shown by each reporting department. The Processing Department, for example, adopted a new system of priorities in an effort to get books to the shelves faster and cataloging information to subscribing libraries more promptly. The Reference…

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 pamphlet focuses on developments in the Library of Michigan during the year 2000. The year 2000 marks the Library of Michigan's 140th consecutive year serving the citizens of Michigan as a federal depository library. A profile of the new State Librarian of Michigan, Christie Pearson Brandau, is given, including her goals as State Librarian,…