Law LibraryThe Law Library reference desk is located in the reading room on Level 3 (street level) of the State Library. TELEPHONE: The Law Library is the major public law library in New Jersey. It has a comprehensive collection of American legal materials, with special emphasis on federal and New Jersey materials. Out-of-state laws and cases, computer searches, and an extensive file of New Jersey legislative histories are available for the researcher. Staff offers reference assistance and provides photocopies that can be mailed, emailed or faxed to government agencies and to individuals for a fee. COLLECTIONThe Law Library's collection of New Jersey legal materials is its most complete collection. This collection contains statutes, cases, administrative regulations, administrative agency decisions, legislative bills since 1832, and a comprehensive collection of textbooks and journals dealing with New Jersey law. The Law Library's collection of materials from the federal government and all 50 states include statutory codes, session laws, court reports (official and National Reporter System), administrative regulations, federal administrative agency decisions and briefs of cases argued in the United States Supreme Court. A comprehensive collection of textbooks and journals on all areas of federal and American law is also maintained. Special collections maintained by the Law Library include:
LEGISLATIVE HISTORIESThe Law Library compiles legislative histories of New Jersey legislation on a current basis as laws are enacted and, if not already compiled, upon special request from state government researchers. The history indicates any recorded legislative intent concerning the passage of each act including reports, hearings, statements and Governor's messages. Once compiled, these histories are available for use by all researchers at the Law Library and can be photocopied for a small fee. Beginning with 1998 enactments, the Law Library has made legislative histories available on the State Library's Cyberdesk, www.njstatelib.org/cyberdesk. SERVICESThe Law Library provides telephone, mail, email and in person reference service to all branches of state government, to members of the New Jersey Bar, to other libraries through the New Jersey Library Network, and to the general public. Requested materials may be sent or, if non-circulating, photocopied for state government employees or libraries. For other patrons, photocopies of material available only at the Law Library will be made for a small fee, subject to applicable copyright laws. The Law collection is included on the State Library's online catalog. This catalog can be searched on the internet at the State Library's Cyberdesk website. COMPUTER SERVICESLEXIS, a primary computerized legal research system, includes federal and state statutes, cases and regulations, citator services, and an abundance of secondary legal materials. Librarians in the law section can do searches in LEXIS for specific words provided by the patron for free. Other online legal databases available to patrons:
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