Using Law Library
1. Introduction to Law Library
● Definition: The law library is described as a "community trust," providing access to specialized legal materials like statutory
laws and case reports.
● Purpose: These libraries support researchers by offering resources for understanding legal authority and precedents, as well
as secondary materials like textbooks and reform books.
● Skills Required: Researchers must develop the ability to navigate complex legal literature effectively.
2. Objectives of Using a Law Library
● Equip researchers with skills to handle extensive legal literature.
● Guide researchers to locate materials relevant to their studies.
● Familiarize them with secondary materials and foundational principles in their fields.
● Identify diverse sources of secondary research materials.
3. Use of Books in Law Libraries
● Books are arranged subject-wise with classification numbers.
● Cataloguing System:
○ Subject Catalogue: Cards arranged by subject classification numbers.
○ Author Catalogue: Cards sorted alphabetically by author names.
● Researchers should:
○ Identify books through subject catalogues or author cards.
○ Locate resources by their classification or call numbers.
● Periodicals and Reports:
○ Arranged either alphabetically or by jurisdiction (e.g., Indian law reports separated from foreign).
○ Library staff assistance may be sought for locating resources.
● Starting Point for Research:
○ Begin with textbooks to understand the subject and explore further references like journal articles and case reports.
4. Methods of Using a Law Library
● Card Catalogue:
○ An index of publications categorized by author, subject, and title.
○ Requires knowledge of specific author names or subject headings.
● Subject Classification:
○ Uses schemes involving numbers or combinations to group texts by subject.
● Periodicals:
○ Organized by jurisdiction or subject and title.
● Specialized Collections:
○ Include reform books (e.g., encyclopedias), government publications, and international organization materials.
5. Monographs and Government Publications
● Monographs:
○ Provide detailed insights into specific subjects, such as legal issues or case studies.
○ Examples include publications by the Indian Law Institute.
● Government Publications:
○ Include committee reports, commissions (e.g., Law Commission), and parliamentary committee records.
○ Essential for comprehensive legal research.
6. Skills for Legal Research
● Researchers must know:
○ How libraries organize collections (e.g., classification, catalogues).
○ Techniques for identifying relevant materials and bibliographies.
○ Access limitations (e.g., loan periods, non-circulating materials).
● Technological Integration:
○ Modern libraries use digital catalogues, but older resources may still rely on microforms or card catalogues.
7. Summary of Key Practices
● Law libraries require special skills for effective use.
● Researchers should:
○ Be familiar with cataloguing systems and classification schemes.
○ Identify the closest comprehensive law library.
○ Contact librarians for specific needs, especially in unfamiliar libraries.
