Access to law-related information in public libraries

Abstract

This research project studied public access to law-related information in the public library context. The law-related reference questions received in one public library were logged for six weeks. The study found that law-related enquiries comprised 7.8% of all reference questions. Queries were received about a wide range of law-related topics affecting people's lives. The most commonly asked questions were about standards. Statutes were the most common source referred to by far in response to queries. Law-related queries did not take significantly longer to answer than other subject queries. Attention to issues of staff training, collection development and referral networks is recommended.