ABSTRACT
This entry presents a current picture of law librarianship in the United States, with some international coverage, through discussion of three major types of law libraries: those supporting legal education, law firms, and the public. The primary mission of the law school library is to meet the information needs of the faculty and students of the institution it supports. Beyond support for the core functions of legal education and research, the specific missions of law school libraries vary depending on the size and missions of law schools of different types. Law firm libraries combine the atmosphere of research with the stimulations of big business. Law firm librarians help lawyers clarify and refine their research projects and provide timely and cost-effective solutions for those projects. The term “public law library” refers to all law libraries that are not affiliated with either law firms or law schools. In this category are found county public law libraries, court libraries, state law libraries, state and federal agency law libraries, and bar association and subscription law libraries.
