Winter 1999

Issue no. 79

Fall Conference Focuses on Legal Resources

Among their long lists of publications, governments are known for their legal resources. Indeed, citizens, consumers, business owners, attorneys and many professionals rely on the wide dissemination and availability of legal resources to answer questions, clarify issues, and settle disputes. These vital government resources served as the topic of this year’s Documents Association’s Annual Fall Conference. The goal of this conference was to acquaint non-law librarians with these resources. The conference, "Legal Resources at Your Fingertips," was held at the Scholarly Communication Center located in the Alexander Library of Rutgers University on October 23, 1998. Approximately seventy librarians attended the Conference. Session topics ranged from the history and structure of the American legal system to accessing the text of laws and court cases via the World Wide Web.

Following an introduction by DANJ President Ellen Bonacarti, Hays Butler and Susan A. King began the morning sessions. Drs. Butler and King are both librarians at Rutgers Camden Law Library and have worked as attorneys in Delaware and Pennsylvania, respectively. Hays Butler earned a J. D. from Boston College School of Law and Susan King completed her degree at Temple University.

Dr. Hays Butler began the program with an introduction to legal research and advice to librarians on differentiating between reference service and legal opinion. The opening session continued with a brief history of the common law process and an explanation of the types of laws passed in the United States: Federal and state legislative, judicial, and administrative. Hays concluded with the organization of legal resources and examples of appropriate finding tools.

Dr. Susan King gave a thorough overview of the court system of the United States and New Jersey followed by an explanation of different types of decisions and the pattern of statutory publication. This presentation included numerous examples and methods for locating different types of case laws. Susan and Hays continued their presentation in the afternoon with a guide to researching statutes and regulations. This session focused on the Federal legislative process and sources for researching this process which follows the introduction of a bill in Congress to its submission to the President.

Thomas O’Malley, librarian at the New Jersey State Law Library, demonstrated several excellent World Wide Web sites for legal resources. These sites included New Jersey and federal law sources as well as sites for state and federal courts. Tom also reviewed legal finding aids, such as FindLaw and LawRunner, and directories for state government sites on the Web.

The Conference concluded with the Association’s Annual Membership Meeting. Susan Sabatino, Chair of the State Documents Interest Group presented awards for the "State Document of the Year" and the "State Internet Site of the Year." Wen-Hua Ren, DANJ Treasurer, presented the Annual Treasurer’s Report and Ellen Bonacarti, President, reported on the Association’s activities for the year. Ellen also presented a plaque to Dianne Hall in appreciation of her contributions to DANJ over the past twenty years. Unfortunately, Dianne was unable to attend the Conference and Ann Babits Grice accepted the award on her behalf. The final agenda item was the election of the members of the 1999 DANJ Executive Board. The new officers are Wen-Hua Ren, Vice President/President Elect; Yvonne Huacuja, Treasurer; Hays Butler, Secretary; and Barbara Campbell, Member-at-Large.

The lively and informative program gave the audience a sure beginning in the complex area of legal research. The modern and spacious Scholarly Communications Center and the delicious catered lunch served to the participants contributed to a rewarding day. The DANJ Executive Board extends special thanks to Yvonne Huacuja who served as the Conference Chair. Yvonne contacted the speakers, communicated with the caterers and the university parking officers, prepared the registrants’ packets, and handled all of the details for the conference. Part of the program’s success is undoubtedly due to her tireless efforts and organizational ability.

Susan Sabatino

William Paterson University