Did you know that the law library has moved not once but twice in the last three years? The law library is now in a great new space right inside the front door of the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court – right after security. (Room 301 – the old jury office.)
The law library moved to the AABA Lawyers’ Lounge in September 2020. (The law library space was needed for the social distancing of jurors.) This was a much smaller space with only four workspaces and computers. It was also difficult to find. Still, with COVID limiting access to the courthouse and then having such a small space, the law library could offer access to the same services as before:
- Research assistance
- Online legal research databases including Lexis and Westlaw
- Legal research training and instruction
- Online query formulation
- Research co-browsing
- Document delivery
- Technology and MDEC assistance
- Pro bono coordination
- Circulation of legal texts and treatises
The law library had converted much of the United States resources to a digital format with a plan to gradually acclimate library users to more reliance on online. With COVID, the plan was accelerated. Luckily, Lexis and Westlaw already provided access to just about all the material once held in print. Use of online resources does make it easy to email information and even provide co-browsing research sessions with results sent via email.
The Maryland collection is still available in print and superseded codes have also been retained for historic research. Use the catalog to see what is in the collection whether print or digital: https://a94031.eos-intl.net/A94031/OPAC/
The law library now provides a variety of workspaces, 13 computers with access to legal research databases and Microsoft office, a Maryland print collection and a small conference room equipped with videoconferencing capability. It is a great space to visit for legal research, client consults, document preparation and copies. But if you are not in the courthouse, just call (410-222-1387) or email (AALawLibrarian@mdcourts.gov) and take advantage of library services wherever you are.
AACPLL Blog: Law Library News 