It may not take up much space, but the Colusa County Law Library puts a powerful legal research tool within reach of the entire community.
Housed inside the Colusa County Free Library, the Law Library is centered around a dedicated computer station that provides free access to legal research databases. The station gives local residents access to the same type of professional legal research database routinely used by attorneys.
The Law Library is maintained as its own entity, separate from the Colusa County Free Library, even though its resources are conveniently housed within the public library. The computer and access to the legal databases are paid for by Colusa County Counsel, helping make legal research tools more accessible to people throughout Colusa County.
The Law Library is available to attorneys and members of the public alike. Patrons can use Westlaw to research statutes, case law and other legal information, whether they are trying to learn more about a legal issue, preparing to speak with an attorney or navigating a matter on their own.
Additional reference materials are available, including access to the Legal Bluebook, a standard guide to legal citation, and a series of NOLO books. Written with non-lawyers in mind, NOLO publications cover a variety of common legal subjects and can provide a helpful starting point for residents who may not know where to begin their research.
The station also happens to sit next to another valuable research resource: the library’s microfilm machine and collection of local newspaper microfilm. Those archives allow visitors to search through local history, including past news stories, announcements, obituaries and other community records.
County law libraries are found throughout California and are intended to make legal information available beyond courthouses and law offices. In Colusa County, that mission is accomplished on a smaller scale, but with resources that can make a meaningful difference for someone searching for legal information.
The Colusa County Law Library may occupy only a small corner of the library, but for someone who needs reliable legal information without the cost of a private database subscription, it can be a great resource close to home.
Library staff can help visitors access the available resources, although they cannot provide legal advice or interpret the law.