Legal research for non-law librarians

Abstract

Questions requiring access to legal publications are often asked in academic and public libraries, as well as in law libraries. Library users ask for information from statutes, codes, administrative regulations, and court reports. Though some questions should be referred to appropriate legal aid services, many can be satisfied by leading the patron to relevant legal publications. Some familiarity with legal publications and with the basics of legal research enables the librarian to serve library users effectively, and to decide when and where to refer the patron to another source of information.