Scribd
Upload
11 views

Using Law Library

Uploaded by

mrkkr1034
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
11 views

Using Law Library

Uploaded by

mrkkr1034
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

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.

You might also like