Annapolis's Other Libraries: Law

The interlibrary loan tour began at the Maryland State Law Library, beautifully housed in the Courts of Appeal Building on Rowe Boulevard. They don’t seem to have any dust, despite stacks filled with volumes of the Maryland Code, superseded volumes of the code, treatises and textbooks, county codes, code for the 49 other states, Maryland legislative bill files and other legal references, including Nolo and Sphinx publications.

Our guide was outreach librarian Catherine McGuire, who walked the group through the history of the library, and the freshly updated web site, as well as the facility.

Begun in 1827 as the Maryland State Library and housed in the State House, the law library collected a broad range of materials, but with the bulk of users being of the judicial persuasion, the library moved in 1972 to the Courts of Appeal and was formally housed under the judiciary in 1977.

Existing collections include genealogy resources and history, not a "huge" collection but "really good," McGuire said, and including a complete microfilm run of the Baltimore Sun back to 1837. Microfilm is more searchable than the digital version, McGuire said. plus a rare and wonderful collection of Audubon prints and texts dating back as far as 1579.

Both the law librarian and the archivist (a later post) mentioned that Maryland’s laws are based on English law, and legal researchers may need to refer to those exceedingly historic records. (West of the Appalachians, state laws are based on the Northwest Ordinance and follow more of a federal model.)

The public is welcome to use the library and its impressive online databases six days a week. It's usually not very crowded, our guide said. Visitors cannot check out materials, but public library patrons can receive them – including microfilm-- through interlibrary loan, for use only in the branch. Exceptions: Maryland genealogy, special collections, loose-leaf binders and Maryland-specific material of which the law library has only one copy are not loaned. The ILL number is 410-260-1430.

Among the to-die-for databases, accessible on the library’s WiFi or its public computers: Lexis Nexis, LegalTrac, BNA Tax Management, and HeinOnline (legal journals). I was unable to locate a “standard” will form – the library also uses Gale’s forms database -- and found a couple of disclaimers that should be stamped on every legal form we hand our patrons:

“Library policy prevents library staff from recommending forms; however, staff can assist with using the web sites and databases below or finding print forms from our extensive collection of form books.”

And: “Please note: All forms in 'Maryland Legal Forms' are provided without any warranty, express or implied, as to their legal effect and completeness. The library staff suggests consulting the Maryland Rules when submitting forms to the court. Please use at your own risk." Or, as our guide put it, they can’t provide legal advice but can point people to resources and provide research assistance.

The law library also maintains the People's Law Library of Maryland web site, revamped as of December '10. Its home page provides links to information in a host of popular areas, from consumer law to motor vehicles and health.

People's Law is billed as "self-help for Marylanders" and like the larger library's site makes this important distinction:

"This site offers legal information, not legal advice. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information and to clearly explain your options. However we do not provide legal advice - the application of the law to your individual circumstances. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney."

Next: Let's get digital. Or not.