The Law Library Popular Books

The Law Library Biography & Facts

A law library is a special library used by law students, lawyers, judges and their law clerks, historians, and other scholars of legal history in order to research the law. Law libraries are also used by people who draft or advocate for new laws, e.g. legislators and others who work in state government, local government, and legislative counsel offices or the U.S. Office of Law Revision Counsel and lobbying professionals. Self-represented, or pro se, litigants (parties to a civil lawsuit or criminal defendants who do not have a licensed attorney representing them) also use law libraries. A law library may contain print, computer assisted legal research, and microform collections of laws in force, session laws, superseded laws, foreign and international law, and other research resources, e.g. continuing legal education resources and legal encyclopedias (e.g. Corpus Juris Secundum among others), legal treatises, and legal history. A law library may also have law librarians who help legal researchers navigate law library collections and who teach legal research. Some law libraries serve scholars from around the world, e.g. Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in London and the New York City Bar Association Law Library. Law libraries in the United States are usually classified as a type of special library because of their focus on providing specialized resources, as well as their specialized and limited user base. Most law schools around the world have a law library, or in some universities, at least a section of the university library devoted to law. In the United States, law school libraries may be subject to accreditation review by the American Bar Association Standards of Legal Education. Law libraries may be found in courts (e.g. judge's chambers), legislatures (e.g. the Law Library of Congress), prison libraries, government departments, private law firms, and barristers' chambers. England and Commonwealth countries Outside of the United States, the largest and most extensive law libraries are those found in countries that follow the English common law which spread throughout the world with the expansion of the British Empire. These countries include but are not limited to Australia, Canada, India, and New Zealand. Law libraries in these countries can be found in law schools, courts, government, private law firms, and barristers chambers. The largest law library in the United Kingdom is the Bodleian Law Library with a collection of over 550,000 volumes. Outside of England, the largest law library in the Commonwealth of Nations is Osgoode Hall Law School's at York University in Canada, with more than 500,000 print volumes. The earliest common law law libraries were founded in the late 15th century in London and include Gray's Inn and Lincoln's Inn.Special collections of legal literature in university and research libraries in England include the Viner collection at the Bodleian Library, University of Oxford (the personal library of Charles Viner, bequeathed to the Radcliffe Library in 1756); a collection of English legal manuscripts at Cambridge University Library; the Smuts collection on Commonwealth law, the Maitland collection on legal history, and the Clark, Roby and Buckland collections relating to Roman law, all in the Squire Law Library, a department of the Cambridge University Library; and the Slade-Baker collection of correspondence accumulated by the Slade-Baker firm of solicitors in Bewdley which is in Birmingham University Library. United States Generally The largest law libraries in the world are found in the United States. The world's largest law library is the Law Library of Congress, which holds over 2.9 million volumes. The world's largest academic law library is the library of Harvard Law School, which holds over 2 million volumes. By way of contrast, the largest law library in the United Kingdom is the Bodleian Law Library with a collection of over 550,000 volumes.Broadly speaking, there are three categories of law libraries in the United States: academic, public, and private. Every law school accredited by the American Bar Association houses a law library. Public law libraries are available in many states, often in the local courthouses. Certain larger law firms maintain a private library for their own attorneys, but many firms in college towns and larger cities with universities simply dispatch their attorneys to local law schools to do legal research. A typical law library holds a large number of works not seen in other libraries, including a full set of United States Reports, one or both of the unofficial U.S. Supreme Court reporters, the West National Reporter System, the West American Digest System, official reporters from various states, the Federal Register, volumes of American Jurisprudence, bound volumes containing issues of prominent law reviews from around the country, federal and state statutes and regulations (such as the United States Code and Code of Federal Regulations), and a variety of treatises, encyclopedias, looseleaf services, and practice guides. Large law libraries may contain many additional materials covering topics such as: legal education, research, and writing; the history of the American legal system and profession; the history behind certain high-profile cases; techniques of oral argument; and the legislative history of important federal and state statutes. Smaller law libraries usually hold, at a minimum, one unofficial Supreme Court reporter, selected West national reporters and digests specific to the state in which the library is located, the United States Code, a few state-specific reporters and statutory compilations (if they exist for a particular state), and several state-specific treatises and practice guides. Most academic law library websites also contain legal research guidelines on numerous legal topics that are available to the public. In recent years, the advent of online legal research outlets such as FindLaw, Westlaw, LexisNexis, Bloomberg Law, and HeinOnline (or in Canada, CanLII) has reduced the need for some types of printed volumes like reporters and statutory compilations. A number of law libraries have therefore reduced the availability of printed works that can easily be found on the Internet, and have increased their own Internet availability. On the other hand, some university law libraries retain extensive historical collections going back to the earliest English reports. Many law libraries also participate in the Federal Depository Library Program which provides access to government information and documents to the public at no cost. This is particularly true of law school libraries as the library at any accredited law school is automatically eligible to become a depository library under the Program.Most law libraries are members of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). As of 2010, the association has over 5,000 member libraries. Another important association for law librari.... Discover the The Law Library popular books. Find the top 100 most popular The Law Library books.

Best Seller The Law Library Books of 2024

  • The Magic synopsis, comments

    The Magic

    Rhonda Byrne

    No matter who you are, no matter where you are, no matter what your current circumstances, The Magic is going to change your entire life!Your life will changeas if by magicwith gra...

  • A Perfect Blood synopsis, comments

    A Perfect Blood

    Kim Harrison

    “I wouldn’t miss a Kim Harrison book for anything.”Charlaine HarrisThere’s nothing more darkly satisfying than time spent in the HollowsNew York Times bestseller Kim Harrison’s alt...

  • Lady Killer synopsis, comments

    Lady Killer

    Lisa Scottoline

    A young lawyer searches for her missing rival from high school and finds more than she bargained for, in the latest highoctane thriller from New York Times bestselling authorShe’s ...

  • Crazy On You synopsis, comments

    Crazy On You

    Rachel Gibson

    Return to Lovett, Texas, the setting of Daisy's Back in Town, in this smart and sexy new story from Rachel Gibson, the New York Times bestselling author of Rescue Me and the Seattl...

  • Partner in Crime synopsis, comments

    Partner in Crime

    J. A. Jance

    For the first time, critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling suspense master J.A. Jance brings together her two most beloved creations: Arizona sheriff Joanna Brady and Sea...

  • Tombstone Courage synopsis, comments

    Tombstone Courage

    J. A. Jance

    With grit, courage and dogged determination, Joanne challenged the status quo and won. Now, as newly elected Sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona, she must battle the prejudice and ...

  • To Kill a Mockingbird synopsis, comments

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    Harper Lee

    Voted America's BestLoved Novel in PBS's The Great American ReadHarper Lee's Pulitzer Prizewinning masterwork of honor and injustice in the deep Southand the heroism of one man in ...

  • Skinwalkers synopsis, comments

    Skinwalkers

    Tony Hillerman

    Don’t Miss the AMC television series, Dark Winds, based on the Leaphorn, Chee, & Manuelito novels, coming this summer! From New York Times bestselling author Tony Hil...

  • Hillbilly Elegy synopsis, comments

    Hillbilly Elegy

    J. D. Vance

    THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER IS NOW A MAJORMOTION PICTURE DIRECTED BY RON HOWARD AND STARRING AMY ADAMS, GLENN CLOSE, AND GABRIEL BASSO"You will not read a ...

  • White Witch, Black Curse synopsis, comments

    White Witch, Black Curse

    Kim Harrison

    “The world of the Hollows is fastmoving, funny, harrowing, and scary, andthe greatest compliment to a fantasyabsolutely real.”New York Times bestselling author Diana GabaldonKim Ha...

  • The Vendetta Defense synopsis, comments

    The Vendetta Defense

    Lisa Scottoline

    "Scottoline knows the simple yet magical secret at the heart of compelling suspense fiction."  Philadelphia InquirerIn the sixth riveting thriller in #1 bestselling autho...

  • Devil in the Grove synopsis, comments

    Devil in the Grove

    Gilbert King

    Winner of the Pulitzer Prize“A mustread, cannotputdown history.”  Thomas Friedman, New York TimesArguably the most important American lawyer of the twentieth century, Thu...

  • 20th Century Ghosts synopsis, comments

    20th Century Ghosts

    Joe Hill

    Joe Hill’s awardwinning story collection, featuring “The Black Phone,” soon to be a major motion picture from Universal Pictures and Blumhouse ProductionsImogene is young, beautifu...

  • Gone, Baby, Gone synopsis, comments

    Gone, Baby, Gone

    Dennis Lehane

    “Powerful and raw, harrowing, and unsentimental.” Washington Post Book World “Chilling, completely credible….[An] absolutely gripping story.”Chicago Tribune “Mr. Lehane delivers bi...

  • Courting Trouble synopsis, comments

    Courting Trouble

    Lisa Scottoline

    Anne Murphy is the redheaded rookie at the Philadelphia law firm of Rosato & Associates, and one morning she wakes up to frontpage headlines proclaiming lawyer murdered above ...

  • The House Girl synopsis, comments

    The House Girl

    Tara Conklin

    “Assured and arresting...You cannot put it down.”” (Chicago Tribune)The House Girl, the historical fiction debut by Tara Conklin, is an unforgettable story of love, history, and a ...

  • Executive Privilege synopsis, comments

    Executive Privilege

    Phillip Margolin

    When private detective Dana Cutler is hired to follow college student Charlotte Walsh, she never imagines the trail will lead to the White House. But the morning after Walsh's clan...

  • Every Which Way But Dead synopsis, comments

    Every Which Way But Dead

    Kim Harrison

    In Every Which Way But Dead, witch and former bounty hunter Rachel Morgan's managed to escape her corrupt company, survive living with a vampire, start her own runner service, and ...

  • A Fistful of Charms synopsis, comments

    A Fistful of Charms

    Kim Harrison

    The author of the bestselling Dead Witch Walking makes her hardcover debut with this spellbinding new supernatural adventure featuring the highly original Rachel Morgan.Things are ...

  • Manhunt synopsis, comments

    Manhunt

    James L. Swanson

    Soon to be an Apple TV+ Series“A terrific narrative of the hunt for Lincoln’s killers that will mesmerize the reader from start to finish just as the actual manhunt mesmerized the ...

  • Dirty Blonde synopsis, comments

    Dirty Blonde

    Lisa Scottoline

    “A breathless thriller. . . . If a good rollercoaster is what you want, step up and have your ticket punched.”PeopleA female judge finds her life and her career on the line when th...

  • Supreme Justice synopsis, comments

    Supreme Justice

    Phillip Margolin

    “A master of plot and pacingand one of those rare authors who can create a genuinely surprising ending.”  Lisa Scottoline “It takes a really crafty storyteller to put people o...

  • Moment of Truth synopsis, comments

    Moment of Truth

    Lisa Scottoline

    When attorney Jack Newlin discovers his wife dead in their home, he's convinced he knows who killed herand is equally determined to hide the truth. He decides to frame himself for ...

  • Night Watch synopsis, comments

    Night Watch

    Terry Pratchett

    "Night Watch turns out to be an unexpectedly moving novel about sacrifice and responsibility, its final scenes leaving one near tears. . . Terry Pratchett may still be pegged as a ...

  • The Secret Daily Teachings synopsis, comments

    The Secret Daily Teachings

    Rhonda Byrne

    First time available in ebook! The Secret Daily Teachings, the muchloved companion guide for living The Secret day by day, is now available in a new ebook format.Take the next step...

  • For a Few Demons More synopsis, comments

    For a Few Demons More

    Kim Harrison

    Despite dating one vampire and living with another, Rachel Morgan has always managed to stay just ahead of trouble . . . until now.A fiendish serial killer stalks the Hollows, and ...

  • The Good, the Bad, and the Undead synopsis, comments

    The Good, the Bad, and the Undead

    Kim Harrison

    The second novel in the addictive bestselling supernatural series begun with Dead Witch Walking.To save herself and her vampire roommate, former bounty hunter Rachel Morgan must co...

  • The Secret synopsis, comments

    The Secret

    Rhonda Byrne

    The worldwide bestselling phenomenon that has helped millions tap the power of the law that governs all our lives to createintentionally and effortlesslya joyful life.In 2006, a gr...

  • The Pact synopsis, comments

    The Pact

    Jodi Picoult

    “Engrossing...The Pact is compelling reading.”PeopleIn this heartrending tale of love and friendship, Jodi Picoult brings to life a familiar world, and in a single terrifying momen...

  • Hero synopsis, comments

    Hero

    Rhonda Byrne

    From Rhonda Byrne, creator of the international bestselling movie and book, The Secret, comes Hero, her latest worldchanging project and the most important to date.FROM ZERO TO HER...

  • Snuff synopsis, comments

    Snuff

    Terry Pratchett

    For nearly three decades, Terry Pratchett has enthralled millions of fans worldwide with his irreverent, wonderfully funny satires set in the fabulously imaginative Discworld, a un...

  • Here, Right Matters synopsis, comments

    Here, Right Matters

    Alexander Vindman

    Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, who found himself at the center of a firestorm for his decision to report the infamous phone call that led to president...

  • Next synopsis, comments

    Next

    Michael Crichton

    Michael Crichton, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Jurassic Park, comes an astounding, eyeopening look at the world of genetics as it’s happening now, told as only ...

  • Paradise Lost synopsis, comments

    Paradise Lost

    J. A. Jance

    The New York Times bestselling J.A. Jance is back! Cochise County, Arizona, and Sheriff Joanna Brady faces her most personal and dangerous case when her daughter discovers a body i...

  • Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy synopsis, comments

    Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy

    Karen Abbott

    Karen Abbott, the New York Times bestselling author of Sin in the Second City and “pioneer of sizzle history” (USA Today), tells the spellbinding true story of four women who riske...

  • The Hidden Reality synopsis, comments

    The Hidden Reality

    Brian Greene

    The bestselling author of The Elegant Universe and The Fabric of the Cosmos tackles perhaps the most mindbending question in modern physics and cosmology: Is our universe the only ...

  • Pale Demon synopsis, comments

    Pale Demon

    Kim Harrison

    "I wouldn’t miss a Kim Harrison book for anything."Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse novelsNew York Times bestselling urban fantasy superstar Kim Harrison is back w...

  • Keeping Faith synopsis, comments

    Keeping Faith

    Jodi Picoult

    “A triumph. This novel’s haunting strength will hold the reader until the very end and make Faith and her story impossible to forget.” Richmond Times Dispatch “Extraordinary.” Orla...

  • Ever After synopsis, comments

    Ever After

    Kim Harrison

    Witchturneddaywalkingdemon Rachel Morgan needs to save the demonic realm of the Ever After in the eleventh entry in the New York Times bestselling Hollows series from supernatural ...

  • The Night Watchman synopsis, comments

    The Night Watchman

    Louise Erdrich

    WINNER OF THE 2021 PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTIONNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERWASHINGTON POST, NPR, CBS SUNDAY MORNING, KIRKUS, CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY, AND GOOD HOUSEKEEPING BEST BOOK OF T...

  • Dead Even synopsis, comments

    Dead Even

    Brad Meltzer

    “Heartstopping intensity.” San Francisco Chronicle“Meltzer has come up with a gem of a plot….It breezes along in high gear….[A] highly recommended suspenser.” Chicago Tri...

  • Black Water Rising synopsis, comments

    Black Water Rising

    Attica Locke

    Attica Lockea writer and producer of FOX’s Empiredelivers an engrossing, complex, and cinematic thriller about crime and racial justiceLos Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist (M...

  • The Power synopsis, comments

    The Power

    Rhonda Byrne

    The Secret revealed the law of attraction. Now Rhonda Byrne reveals the greatest power in the universeThe Power to have anything you want.In this book you will come to understand t...

  • The Wrong Victim synopsis, comments

    The Wrong Victim

    Allison Brennan

    From New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan comes a gripping new thriller.A lethal attack with no clear motive…and a killer deadset on keeping the truth buried.A bomb ex...

  • Outlaw Mountain synopsis, comments

    Outlaw Mountain

    J. A. Jance

    Alice Rogers, an elderly widow, is dead, found murdered in the Arizona desert. It's easy enough to pin the killing on the teens caught driving her car across the Mexican border, bu...

  • Free Fall synopsis, comments

    Free Fall

    Kyle Mills

    From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp SeriesIt's bold. It's dangerous. It's the kind of maverick operation that has made Mark Beamon both the FB...