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3 Law Libr. J. 1 (1910-1911)
Management of a Small Law Library

handle is hein.journals/llj3 and id is 7 raw text is: LAW LIBRARY JOURNAL-
VOL. IH                       APRIL, 191o                            Nor. I
MANAGEMENT OF A SMALL LAW LIBRARY.
BY
OLARIBETL H. SmITK, Librarian, 11ampden Co. Law Library, Springfield, Mass.
HETTIE GRAY BAKrn, Librariah, Hartford Bar Library, Hartford, Conn.
Originally the subject given was What can the larger law libraries ,do to help
the smaller?  This proved a-subject difficult.to handle at length, for in a few
words the answer is kind and intelligent advice. The subject was changed to the
one now under consideration because the librarian of the small library is often inex-
perienced and puzzled by the many problems of daily occurrence and the most
needed advice is as to the management of a small library. I
As many of you know, eight questions in regard to this matter were sent to
librarians of both small and large law libraries in all parts of the country, These
questions concerned size of library, duplication of material, 'classification, cata-
loguing, selection of books, indexing, and circulating. It seemed best to tale these
questions one by one and answer each bv a compilation of the answers received, thus
making a composite answer which would represent the concensus of opinion of many
experienced librarians.
First let us consider, however, -if there are not other ways, beside intelligent al-
vice, in which the larger libraries can help the smaller.
A few of the suggestions received are as follows:
Could there not be close co-operation between the state library 'and the county
libraries? They both serve the same purpose, namely: to furnish the law to the
legislature, the bench, the bar, and to the different state and municipal departments.
The state library might help the small law libraries by lending them books upon re-
quest. There should be uniformity of classification and cataloguing, so that it
would be possible for the state library to issue duplicate ca talogie cards for the
county libraries, as the Library of Congress does. By combining, it might be poz-
sible to buy books at a lower rate.
If is easier for law libraries to co-operate more effectively than others, because,
though localities differ, their work is similar in character. Large libraries should take
the lead and give the smaller ones the benefit of the expert work done by their trained
'corps of workers; for instance, the digesting of the advanced opinions of the court
-of last resort, indexing of magazine articles (unless continued by the Amcrian As-
sociation of Law Libraries), attorneys-general opinions, etc. These are mere sug-
gestions for your consideration.
Now let us take up the direct questions in regard to The Management of a
Small Law Library.
One of your number has said: It is impossible to lay down any hard and fast
rules to serve as a guide for the management of a small law library. The individual
library must be governed by its peculiar wants.
* NOTE: This is the same article which appeared in Vol. 1, Law Library Journal,
p. 56, with some additions and revisions.

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