Tel: 925/283-0970 · Fax: 925/283-2053 · Email: agold@ccnet.com

BACKGROUND *

METHODOLOGY *

KEY FINDINGS *

RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS *

APPENDIX A – FOCUS GROUP QUESTIONS *

APPENDIX B – FOCUS GROUP INSTRUCTIONS *

APPENDIX C – FOCUS GROUP REPORTS *

In the fall of 2000 the Council of California County Law Librarians contracted for consultant services to perform a legal information needs assessment for the County Law Libraries. The purpose of the study was to assist key legal information providers in the State of California to assess the new environment for legal information needs and develop a strategic plan to most effectively meet those rapidly changing needs, while at the same addressing issues of reducing funding. As part of the needs assessment process, focus groups for law library users and non-users were required.

The focus group questions were developed by the consultant and reviewed by the Advisory Group and revised based on its input. The questions were intended to elicit informed discussion on the various topics to be covered and to create a balanced and realistic set of responses to issues facing the law libraries today. The focus group questions are included as Appendix A.

The Advisory Group defined where to hold the focus groups and which counties should be included in each group. The intent was to cover all geographic areas of the state in order to get as broad based input as possible.

Each focus group was to be hosted by a County Law Library that was responsible for all logistics for the group. The host library was responsible for identifying the participants who were supposed to be representative of the general population served by the law libraries in the counties covered by the group, including a cross section of users and non-users. However, in general the participants tended to be law library users. The host library focus group instructions are included as Appendix B.

Seventeen focus groups were held throughout the state from May through July 2001.

Initially two additional focus groups were scheduled in Stanislaus County and an additional group in Sacramento for governmental agencies. The Stanislaus County focus group was cancelled due to the inability to identify participants. The decision was made to eliminate the second Sacramento group as it was felt that the needs of the governmental agencies would be covered by the one general focus group.

Three separate experienced facilitators conducted the focus groups. Anne Campbell facilitated eight focus groups in the southern half of the state, Linda Crowe facilitated six focus groups in the central and northern portions of the state, and Anne Marie Gold facilitated three focus groups in the far northern areas of the state.

The focus groups were attended by 131 participants, with the number of participants ranging from 2 to 14, with an average of 8 per group. The participants were from 27 different counties; 10 of the focus groups were single county groups and the remaining 7 groups had from 2 to 4 counties represented. The participant included a broad cross section of users with the variety of affiliations ranging from:

• Law library staff
• Attorneys in private practice
• Attorneys in law firms
• District Attorney
• Public Defender
• Bar Association
• Users/public
• Pro pers
• Paralegals
• Legal Aid
• Court staff
• Law Library trustees
• Public Library staff

Not all attendees indicated their affiliation so it is not possible to correctly estimate the percentage from each type. Each individual report indicates the type of attendees at each group session.

The reports from each individual focus group are included as Appendix C.

The focus groups presented a mixed picture of use and interest in the services of the law libraries. The themes that dominated the discussions were:

• Use by legal profession versus pro pers
• Increasing use of legal digital resources by attorneys in their own offices versus the law library
• Lack of access due to hours or location

The key findings based on the responses are:

• There is an increasing divide between the usage of the law library by members of the legal profession and lay users or pro pers that is not necessarily seen as compatible by both parties.
• Participants noted an increase in the use of the law library by pro pers and lay users in general but expressed concern about their ability to effectively use the materials therein.
• The need for enhanced collections of self-help materials was noted, but constraints on the materials budget were also noted.
• Use of and familiarity with the resources and service of the law library were high for participants but perceived to be not as high for the general legal and/or lay user populations.
• Participants tended to be users and advocates for the law library; however members of the legal profession commented that their colleagues might not use the library as much.
• Library staff were highly rated, as were staff-mediated services such as telephone reference and fax back service.
• Non-users do not use the law library because of better access to the same or similar resources elsewhere.
• Access to digital resources in personal, firm or corporate libraries affected use.
• The perception was that pro pers and new attorneys used the library more heavily than experienced attorneys or attorneys in law firms.
• Referrals to the law library were generally for self-help types of materials for lay users.
• Attorneys generally referred individuals only for common types of self-help materials.
• Concerns were expressed about language and literacy barriers for referrals, as well as inability to effectively use legal resources by lay users.
• There is a difference between what additional resources and services members of the legal profession and pro pers want.
• More open hours, staff and digital resources are what members of the legal profession want.
• Pro pers want more self-help materials and staff assistance.
• The law library is not necessarily seen as the best source for digital materials and services.
• Participants identified a strong need for better online resources and training classes in how to use online materials.
• Participants noted that they had better access to digital materials in their personal offices and used the library for print materials.
• Funding is seen as a major barrier to better collections and services.
• Those participants who were aware of the primary funding source for law perceived it as a barrier to enhancements.
• Reductions in services and collections have results in reductions in use of the law libraries.

• Users are advocates.
• Participants came to the focus groups to learn and help build better law libraries.
• As advocates, participants were interested in knowing how they could positively influence the future of law libraries.

• Concern for the future of law libraries
• Asked to attend by law library staff
• On law library board
• Interested in learning more about the law library
• Want to help the law library
• Want to assist in planning for the future
• Concern that law libraries are under pressure and under-funded

1. How familiar do you consider yourself with the County Law Library? How do you know about the County Law Library?

The range of responses was from no familiarity to extremely familiar with more participants indicating that they were somewhat familiar. Participants also commented on the impact of digital resources on reducing familiarity with the law library and the increased use – and familiarity by – pro pers over the past few years. Some participants noted that they personally did not use the library but did refer people to it. Other factors affecting familiarity included location and access to other law libraries. Some participants noted that they felt the public awareness of the collections and services of the law libraries in general was lacking.

Because the majority of participants were occasional to active users of law library collections and services, the familiarity level was generally high, although there were significant numbers of comments that familiarity was decreasing due to increased use of digital resources in other venues.

2. Do you use the County Law Library? How often? When you use the library, what materials or services do you usually use?

• Resources not frequently available in other types of law libraries

• Out of state codes/legal materials
• Non-US legal resources
• County ordinances
• Historical materials
• Law reviews

• Specialty materials

• Specialty practice materials/guides

• Lay user/pro per materials

• CEB forms, Nolo Press materials

• Staff
• Telephone reference
• Fax service

• Access to digital resources in own office
• Access to print resources in own office
• Better geographical access to another library
• Do not use personally but do refer people
• No need for resources but does refer people for forms
• Use only on a strategic basis, e.g. when in court and need quick citation
• Not accessible for disabled user
• Inconvenient hours of operation

• Interlibrary loan through the library
• Specific individual or institutional contact recommended by law library staff
• Digital resources, e.g. Westlaw
• Law school libraries
• Public libraries
• State Law Library
• Personal network of colleagues/associates for referral

1. Do you ever refer people to the County Law Library for legal information needs? If yes, for what specific types of legal information? If no, why not?

The responses on whether participants referred people were mixed. The areas of referral were generally in areas frequently covered by self-help legal materials, such as family law, landlord/tenant, employment/housing, bankruptcy, etc. and forms in general. Many participants noted an increase in the number of pro pers using the law library, who are essentially self-referred but some participants noted concerns with referring people due to the perceived inability of lay persons to effectively use the resources of the law library. Language and literacy as potential barriers for some referrals were noted. Public library participants particularly noted that they refer people to the law library because of the level of expertise therein. A few attorney participants noted that they refer clients to the law library when they can’t afford their services.

2. If the County Law Library could add new services or materials, what should be added?

• More staff
• More open hours
• More digital resources, including free/reduced cost access to the major legal online resources such as Westlaw and Lexis/Nexis.

1. Law libraries are increasingly using computers to provide access to legal information. Are there types of computer services or technology that you would like to see the County Law Library add?

The clear mandate was for more computers with online access to legal resources and the Internet. Frequent mention was made of access to Westlaw and Lexis/Nexis, either by personal password or on a free or reduced fee basis. Comments were made about developing joint purchasing for online contracts. Classes on how to do legal research online were frequently mentioned, as well as the need for online catalogs or better interfaces to existing online catalogs. Some participants noted that they use digital resources primarily in their own offices and come to the library for print resources. A number of participants noted that access to the Internet would be increased as the result of InFoPeople grants to law libraries this year.

2. Are there parts of the library that you find are particularly comfortable for you to use? Are there parts that are not accessible or easy to use? If you could change anything about the library’s physical space or location, what would that be?

Comments relating to accessibility of higher shelving were frequently heard, as well as concerns about parking access. Several participants noted a need for more space to spread out to work, as well as quiet space in which to work with a colleague or in which they would not be disturbed by noise from other users. The location within the courthouse was discussed as possibly intimidating to the lay user. Several participants noted the need for maps outlining the physical layout of the library for users.

3. Do you know how the County Law Library is funded? If so, please describe the funding source.

Only about half the participants who were not library staff were aware of the primary funding source for county law libraries from civil filing fees. A number of participants had no awareness of the specific funding source but assumed some type of general public funding. Suggestions were elicited about potential funding sources including such as fundraising, Friends groups and Bar Association funds. Some groups discussed reasons for the decline in filing fees.

4. You are probably aware that funding for the County Law Library has decreased over the past few years. How do you perceive that has affected the collections and services of the library? How has it affected how you find and use legal information?

• Lack of updates to materials
• More obscure materials not available
• Subscription cancellations
• Reduction in hours creating lack of access
• Forced choices between digital and print resources

• A Legal Aid attorney noted that if affects clients due to unavailable information/materials which can lead to briefs being submitted that may not be up to date
• Development of personal law libraries by courts and judges

1. Are there any other comments you would like to make about the County Law Library?

• Interest in paying for services
• Separating services and collections for attorneys and pro pers
• Need for more and better-trained and compensated staff
• Need for better marketing of law library services to general public
• Need to identify current reason for law libraries which may be different from original reason and then change/develop services to meet current needs
• Users need to become advocates in order to create better law libraries
• Impact of/integration with new Self Help Family Law Centers

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1. What interested you about joining the focus group today?
2. How familiar do you consider yourself with the County Law Library? How do you know about the County Law Library?

1. LIBRARY SERVICES/COLLECTIONS/FUNDING (50 minutes)

1. Do you use the County Law Library? How often? When you use the library, what materials or services do you usually use?
2. If you don’t use the library, why not?
3. When you have legal information needs that can’t be met by the County Law Library, how do you meet those needs?
4. Do you ever refer people to the County Law Library for legal information needs? If yes, for what specific types of legal information? If no, why not?
5. If the County Law Library could add new services or materials, what should be added?
6. Law libraries are increasingly using computers to provide access to legal information. Are there types of computer services or technology that you would like to see the County Law Library add?
7. Are there parts of the library that you find are particularly comfortable for you to use? Are there parts that are not accessible or easy to use? If you could change anything about the library’s physical space or location, what would that be?
8. Do you know how the County Law Library is funded? If so, please describe the funding source.
9. You are probably aware that funding for the County Law Library has decreased over the past few years. How do you perceive that has affected the collections and services of the library? How has it affected how you find and use legal information?

1. WRAP UP (10 minutes)

1. Are there any other comments you would like to make about the County Law Library?

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1. Participants

Each focus group should have between 10–20 participants. The host library is responsible for identifying the participants. The participants should be representative of the general population served by the County Law Library, including a cross section of current County Law Library users and non-users.

For those libraries hosting a multi-county focus group that is to include participants from other counties in addition to their own, it is the responsibility of the hosting library to attempt to insure that participants from those other counties are included.

2. Focus group invitations

The host library is responsible for publicity for the focus group, inviting participants by letter and signing up participants. Depending on the user/non-user base of library, the library can choose various options to identify/invite participants such as:

• place a flyer/sign in the library inviting users to sign up to attend
• place a sign up sheet on the service desk
• calling individuals and inviting them to attend
• send letters of invitation to selected participants

It will be at the choice of the hosting library how they identify and invite participants, with the outcome being a good cross section. For those libraries hosting multi-county focus groups, attempts should be made to contact the County Law Library or other resources in the other counties to invite participants.

1. Confirmation of participation

The day before the focus group the host library should contact all participants who are scheduled to attend to reconfirm their attendance at the group.

2. Meeting room

The host library is responsible for providing the meeting room for the focus group. The meeting room ideally should be in the library or nearby. The meeting room should accommodate up to 20 people with room for both a facilitator and recorder, as well as 1-2 flip chart easels. If wall space is available to post flip chart pages, that would be helpful. Generally, the best set up for a focus group is having participants sit around a table, rather than classroom or theatre style.

3. Meeting supplies

The host library is responsible for providing all needed supplies for the focus group, including:

• 1-2 easels
• 1-2 flip charts
• flip chart markers in at least 2 colors
• nametags for participants
• sign in sheet for participants (attached)
• masking tape for putting flip chart pages on wall

1. Focus Group recorder

The host library is responsible for providing a recorder for the focus group. The role of the recorder is to write down on the flip charts the comments of the focus group participants. The comments do not have to be captured verbatim but rather the sense of the meeting is what needs to be written down. The recorder does not participate in the focus group but simply records it. The recorder should plan to meet with the focus group facilitator shortly before the meeting to review the questions and recording process, as well as prepare the flip charts for the meeting by numbering the pages and writing the specific focus group questions on separate pages. The recorder should also be available to work with the facilitator for a short time after the meeting as needed to clarify the information recorded. The focus group facilitator will take the sheets at the conclusion of the meeting.

Recording a focus group is not as easy a skill as it sounds so the choice of the recorder in an important one. There may be someone in your community who is skilled at recording meetings that you want to invite to record this focus group. An honorarium of $100 can be paid to the recorder is this would assist in recruiting a qualified individual. If you are going to be paying the honorarium, please contact Anne Marie Gold directly about payment arrangements.

2. Focus group questions

Anne Marie Gold will develop the focus group question instrument. The focus group instrument will consist of 7 – 10 open-ended questions, intended to solicit significant discussion on each topic and elicit a balanced, realistic and authentic response from the participants. The instrument will gather information on the current use patterns of county law libraries, the preferred use patterns and the general perception and awareness of the services of county law libraries. Each focus group participant should be given a copy of the questions that will be asked so they can be ready to provide good answers. The facilitator for your focus group will have an original copy of the questions when she arrives for your meeting; the host library is responsible for making copies then for the participants.

3. Refreshments

The host library is responsible for providing light refreshments, if possible, for the focus group participants. Depending on the time of day, this can be coffee and muffins for a morning group, or cold sodas/juice and cookies for an afternoon group.

4. Thanking participants

After the focus group, the host library is responsible for sending a short thank you to all participants, thanking them for their input, using contact information from the sign in sheet. When the focus group concludes, a copy of the sign in sheet should be given to the facilitator.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX C – FOCUS GROUP REPORTS

 

 

 

COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY LAW LIBRARIANS

STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY

Focus Group Report

Alameda County - Alameda

LOCATION: Alameda County Law Library, Oakland

COUNTIES COVERED: Alameda

DATE: June 29, 2001

FACILITATOR: Linda Crowe

NUMBER OF ATTENDEES: 10

1. GENERAL

Attendees included:

Bar Association

Paralegal

Attorney – private practice

Law Librarian

Law Library trustee

District Attorney

Public Defender

1. What interested you about joining the focus group today?
• Know more about resources available
• Curious to learn about information that impacts the law library
• Know the patrons are concerned about it
• Latest developments in the field and help improve the library
1. How familiar do you consider yourself with the County Law Library? How do you know about the County Law Library?
• Not very
• Extremely

B. LIBRARY SERVICES/COLLECTIONS/FUNDING

1. Do you use the County Law Library? How often? When you use the library, what materials or services do you usually use?
• 3 times per week
• 1 time per week
• 4 times per year
• Practice guides used; "CA Forms Practice," hard copy
• All of State codes (new codes), researching, cases, consent and photograph

non-commercial uses; very accessible to patrons

1. If you don’t use the library, why not?

N/A

2. When you have legal information needs that can’t be met by the County Law Library how do you meet those needs?
• San Francisco County Law Library
• L.A. County, carry out-of-state Practice materials
• Will sometimes ILL
• Boalt, Hastings
1. Do you ever refer people to the County Law Library for legal information needs? If yes, for what specific types of legal information? If no, why not?
• Yes, for topics where they need a form, a good resource, information that helps guide

patrons

• Family law, landlord/tenant, civil litigation, employment, housing issues, real estate,

lemon law, business issues, bankruptcy, electronics copyright, athletic contracts,

international laws, etc.

• About 50% of users are pro pers
1. If the County Law Library could add new services or materials, what should be added?
• Westlaw -- easiest, get through keys #’s ($7.50/min.)
• More staff
• More hours, open longer hours
• Shepards -- up to date on print format
1. Law libraries are increasingly using computers to provide access to legal information. Are there types of computer services or technology that you would like to see the County Law Library add?
• Computer, Internet access for public through InFoPeople grant
• Lower fees
• Typewriters, copy machines, change machines ($2,000)
• Self-help books available to patrons (coin)
• Map of library location
1. Are there parts of the library that you find are particularly comfortable for you to use? Are there parts that are not accessible or easy to use? If you could change anything about the library’s physical space or location, what would that be?
• Having to sign in and out of the library is annoying
• Self-guided tour
• Beautiful facilities, easy to get around, clean and comfortable
• Well designed, good lighting
• Reorganize summaries and other resources for better accessibility
1. Do you know how the County Law Library is funded? If so, please describe the funding source.
• $26/filing
• Filing fees (civil) 94%
• Copy machines, late fees, conference room rent, lost materials
1. You are probably aware that funding for the County Library has decreased over the past few years. How do you perceive that has affected the collections and services of the library? How has it affected how you find and use legal information?
• Need more staff
• Collections
• Stopped buying updates

C. WRAP UP

1. Are there any other comments you would like to make about the County Law Library?
• Consortium of non-profits could fund resources they need; library would maintain them
• Partnership with County Bar Association
• Purchase materials that are most profitable and useful
• Higher pay
• Volunteer lawyers
• Library proposal, lawyer members could have benefits and check out free videos
• CCCL have surcharge on federal filings; help fund county libraries for federal materials
• Up-to-date CD-ROMS
• Good librarians, "unbelievable service" – problems are immediately addressed

FACILITATOR’S COMMENTS

This is a well-funded, new, attractive facility yet it is still underfunded and will be using reserve funds for the first time. Staff has been cut and space increased. Another thread that runs through the interviews is the dedication of the staff.

COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY LAW LIBRARIANS

STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY

Focus Group Report

Alameda County – Contra Costa

LOCATION: Alameda County Law Library, Oakland

COUNTIES COVERED: Contra Costa

DATE: June 29, 2001

FACILITATOR: Linda Crowe

NUMBER OF ATTENDEES: 2

1. GENERAL

Participants included:

Law Library staff member

Law Library Board of Trustees member

1. What interested you about joining the focus group today?

Naomi Little is the Manager of the Contra Costa County Law Library.

2. How familiar do you consider yourself with the County Law Library? How do you know about the County Law Library?

Not familiar with Alameda.

B. LIBRARY SERVICES/COLLECTIONS/FUNDING

3. Do you use the County Law Library? How often? When you use the library, what materials or services do you usually use?

Refers users to Alameda

4. If you don’t use the library, why not?

West Contra Costa users, use Alameda County Law Library.

5. When you have legal information needs that can’t be met by the County Law Library how do you meet those needs?

Contra Costa users go to Golden Gate University, USF and Boalt besides Alameda.

 

6. Do you ever refer people to the County Law Library for legal information needs? If yes, for what specific types of legal information? If no, why not?

Refers to Alameda, especially for out-of-state codes or specific titles she has first checked for.

7. If the County Law Library could add new services or materials, what should be added?

Would like more Internet connections for public.

Ms. Little feels the collection is well balanced.

8. Law libraries are increasingly using computers to provide access to legal information. Are there types of computer services or technology that you would like to see the County Law Library add?

More terminals for public

No online materials, only CDs

9. Are there parts of the library that you find are particularly comfortable for you to use? Are there parts that are not accessible or easy to use? If you could change anything about the library’s physical space or location, what would that be?

The library is only 13 years old and all resources are accessible.

Fiche is in locked cabinet, but all users need to do is ask.

There is a Richmond branch in Courthouse with 6-7,000 volumes – mostly CA codes.

Shelves there are too close together for accessible use.

10. Do you know how the County Law Library is funded? If so, please describe the funding source.

As Manager of Contra Costa Law Library, Ms. Little knows how it is funded.

11. You are probably aware that funding for the County Library has decreased over the past few years. How do you perceive that has affected the collections and services of the library? How has it affected how you find and use legal information?
• Contra Costa County Law Library is balancing its budget through collection management
• Most acquisitions are on demand, e.g., family law, landlord-tenant

 

C. WRAP UP

1. Are there any other comments you would like to make about the County Law Library?
• The library needs a librarian; Ms. Little has had on-the-job training. She is finance person acting as librarian.
• Board is considering kiosks in other part of county.
• Need more patrons.

 

FACILITATOR’S COMMENTS

This library is not the equivalent of San Mateo, San Francisco, Alameda, or Sonoma. It is 13,000 sq. feet with 58,000 volumes plus branch. There is little awareness of the library, and there are 15 to 20 attorneys a day and 10 pro pers.

The Alameda County Law Librarian, Susan Dyer, thought location was a problem, but Ms. Little didn’t agree. Either they should do a large PR campaign or develop a closer partnership with Alameda, perhaps sharing costs and resources of the main library and using Contra Costa as a branch. (This is my thought only.)

COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY LAW LIBRARIANS

STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY

Focus Group Report

Butte County

LOCATION: Butte County Law Library, Oroville

COUNTIES COVERED: Butte

DATE: May 3, 2001

FACILITATOR: Anne Marie Gold

NUMBER OF ATTENDEES: 2

Participants included:

Attorney in private practice

Law Librarian

AMG – We’re doing about twenty focus groups all over the state. We’re trying to geographically cover as much of the state as we can. We’ve also done a fairly broad based survey of various types of groups or organizations that would refer people to the county law library. We sent out surveys to every bar association in the state, the DA’s, and we got some pretty good broad based information back from them. I have done a lot of work with county law libraries and what we’re looking for in the focus groups is kind of more, I want to say anecdotal, but kind of just a real sense of what people are seeing as the issues within the county law libraries. The real idea is to kind of bring us all together and say you know, what do we need to do to make our county law libraries better?

JAZ – The libraries of northern CA are all linked to the library of CA. Butte County Law Library is linked to the Library of CA, so librarians could guide patrons through the web page to the links I have and they could click on information if longing of judicial counsel. I want to hold that our clerk’s office, in helping the public, can…at that meeting…we were providing (unbundled?) legal services here…

DH – That could be bad…

JAZ - Very much so, because I’m not covered by insurance…

DH – Yes, and they’re using you too. They love to have you to send people to…to give any advice on which form packet to buy, because they think that’s legal advice, but I’ve heard them say, go down to the Law Library and ask John. Which is great, because I don’t think you’re going to get the clerks to make even those basic judgment calls...because they’re so drilled at answering no…

JAZ - …actually answering this question about The Judicial Council in Chico…the problem is that we only have so much staff, and it’s like all of a sudden, these people are expected to do this job in addition to their regular jobs, especially in the smaller counties…the purpose of my article is to say that if they know the answer, then it’s still not jumping over the line…and I’d like to apply those old guidelines here, because I know I’m not covered by insurance, and I want to help my people, who didn’t know that…to know what to say to people…like I had one, she wants to know if she can sue…we have these panels of attorney volunteers that must have minimum experience requirements…

(The above portion of the tape is barely audible

DH – Referral screens…

JAZ – And they screen the calls…and I think they can’t afford 175…claims there, but I’m going to talk to Sandy. It’s all set. I had originally planned something that could be done for undergraduates in various programs…active state year plans…pro-bono facilitator…actually doing it in that subject.

AMG – No, no we’re doing them all over May and June.

DH – So are you going to a number of different areas?

AMG – Actually I have two other colleagues that I work with who are doing…I’m doing one other one myself up in Eureka, and then I have a colleague who is doing other ones in Northern CA and some in Southern CA, and they’ll be staged over about the next 6 weeks or so.

DH – The response from other counties…probably indicates the status of law libraries…

AMG – Yeah it was interesting, because one of the things we did was an extensive survey, a survey instrument that I sent out to all the county law libraries. Part of what I did is for those county law libraries that generally don’t respond to state library surveys… Every county law library every year…but there’s a full set of ones that never respond. So I said okay, for those that don’t respond or I don’t get it back, I will call them myself and at least either get them to return it or find out what’s going on there. And that was kind of eye opening, because I was in most cases able to at least speak to somebody who indicated that they had at least some knowledge of county law library operations, even though you were just mentioning Glenn having a bunch of books in the back of the courtroom, and I did speak to somebody from Glenn, and basically what I got back from most of these places is that there is not a county law library. That the situation is, as one person put very bluntly, we haven’t bought anything in 5 years so everything is useless here and we’re basically packing it up. We’re not going to provide this. Another county said to me, he was an attorney in private practice in that county, and he had said that basically what I do is that I have the license for Westlaw in this county, and my license allows me to allow other attorneys and the public to use it on an as needed basis and that serves as our county law library. Which I thought serves as an interesting perspective…A couple other cases, at least in one county, it had been contracted out to a private law firm in that county…

DH – To be the law library?

AMG – Yes, and it was the responsibility of the receptionist and she knew nothing about it. You know, so I mean it’s…

DH – Is every county supposed to have a law library?

AMG – Yes. Yes.

DH – In Susanville in Placer County, you used to have to go through what used to be the judge’s reception area to go upstairs, and they had CD-ROM that had codes and cases on it.

AMG – Yes, by law every county, and there is a funny methodology to fund law library services within the county, and then there’s the whole library board and everything, but, you know, I would say, easily at least a dozen to a dozen and a half of our counties really effectively don’t have a functioning county law library. Or it is so blended say with a collection in the judge’s chambers or something like that. It’s not really accessible to either a practicing attorney or a member of the public. There are certainly some real issues with that…a very good county law library…one of the things John and I were talking about is, you know, the other counties around here, for whatever combination of reasons historically they have not chosen to develop county law library services… rather than perhaps try and get them to do it…wouldn’t it make more sense to look at how when you have a thriving operation like this, are there ways to create some partnerships to reach out to some of those counties? To in essence use what you’ve been doing here would be probably a faster way to provide some services there than try to get that county to do it themselves. And the funding mechanism basically is there in every county, to do it, you know…I’d be interested to know what some of those counties are using that portion of the funding for.

DH – Getting the money, they don’t have to apply for it separately?

AMG – No, it is a portion of the civil court filing fee.

DH – But that’s automatic…it goes back to the county…

AMG – It’s supposed to be.

DH – It’s not like the facilitator…

AMG – It’s not a case of applying. It’s money that they have that’s supposed to be allocated by the county auditor for the county law library services.

JAZ – San Pedro County too…they only had seven dollars in filing and really didn’t have an organized county law library…until Trinity said…well Glenn actually could be represented very effectively in Oroville. Colusa, I understand they like their law library, Colusa, it’s a little law library, but they like it. And they eventually hope to have a law library under control as does Plumas County. I’m on a committee with Karen Letgy, a committee to develop CA county law library basic lists…the state law library is selected as basically being the model county law library. But with other media available now, with $20, 000 available a year, this is what you’re going to have…

AMG – You know, I’m wondering if maybe, let’s do this informally, I just know your time is valuable and I hate to keep you waiting that much longer. And Colleen can join us when she comes.

DH – She got stuck on some sort of case…

AMG – Ok. Normally what we do for a focus group…you’ve probably done this type of thing before…there’s just a series of questions and I think some of them, actually what’s been really interesting to me is just listening to kind of your conversation in that it touches on some of the questions that I’ve got here, which really are more about how you use it or you might refer people to use it, or what you’d like to see in terms of changes in the county law library. And that’s really more the kind of information I’m after today. And in view of the fact that we’re sitting here in Oroville, think about kind of not just Butte County, but how this might be representative of some of the other general geographic areas…what is going to help county law library services? So just in general, how familiar do you think you are with the county law library? Do you use it?

DH – I use it quite a bit, and especially I think most private practitioners…I’m family law, a certified family law specialist, so few lawyers update books, cause either they’re researching CD-ROMs or over the Internet. The books that we had before in our offices, most of us just don’t have anymore. And I guess I’m too old, because it’s still hard for me to do substantial research without having an actual book that I can open the pages and flip to. My mind just doesn’t work comfortably. So even when the law library duplicates resources that I have available to me on the online services, I still just like to come here because I feel I can get a better handle on it…plus there are available books here that I just don’t have access to.

AMG – Well that’s good to know.

DH – Plus the court is here, and it makes it possible for me to access the library without having to drive over somewhere else.

AMG – When you have legal information needs that can’t be met by the county law library, where do you go?

DH – Haven’t.

AMG – Okay.

DH – At this point, if it’s not something I have access to either online or through the library, I just haven’t felt a need to use it.

AMG – Okay, well, that’s nice to hear. Definitely. Now this may not be really applicable to you since you’re an attorney with your own practice, but do you ever refer people to the county law library for information?

DH – Yes, especially with the family law folks, cause you have the family law facilitator. So if we’re referring someone, it’s usually directly to the facilitator rather than to the law library. But I must admit, you heard me earlier talking about the clerk…I have done that, and I know other family law attorneys have, and we’re fortunate to have an attorney…

AMG – You’re very fortunate…

DH – In Butte County, and someone who is so committed to public access of the law library and generally interested in helping people. So I have referred people here.

AMG – So that would seem to say that if we were looking at why an individual or agency might refer somebody, that it’s the quality of assistance that they might be receiving as a result?

DH – Definitely. Plus the fact that for any questions they have, the books are right there.

AMG – It’s kind of having someone as an intermediary sometimes between the question and the book.

DH – That’s a big service that you see John doing. People have a heck of a time finding a book to open to read it. So that’s why the assistance of a librarian can be so valuable.

AMG – Let me circle back to that other question that came up…John you were talking about the issue of the court clerks really having it drilled into them…they cannot answer any of these questions…and it sounds like in your case they’re told that they can’t even recommend to someone what packet to buy or paperwork they need to fill out or something…and that certainly I know is a hallmark of many court clerk systems, and frankly it is say of public libraries in general. But there is this really strong feeling of you know, don’t cross that line. Appropriately there…I mean you don’t know where you’re going once you cross that line. And the question I guess I would bring up then for you is…are there ways that a county law library can help that middle ground? You are fortunate in that you have an attorney in your county law library…identifying that problem, are there things that a county law library can do or shouldn’t do in that area?

DH – What John mentioned earlier I think, and it’s always hard to delineate the limits. I was married to a court clerk in southern CA when I was practicing down there…on the family law petition, when the grounds stated for dissolution of marriage, they didn’t state what the grounds stood for, it was just the code section…one for irreconcilable differences and one was for incurable insanity. The form didn’t say which code section referred to which. The people would come in to fill out forms and ask the clerk, which one is irreconcilable differences? And the clerks were instructed to say, I can’t tell you that. I think that’s where you’re so rigidly afraid of doing anything that you’re really not providing any assistance. So that’s on one end of the spectrum I think, but then on the other end is telling somebody what the elements of a cause of action are or what provisions should be in a marital settlement…where you’re clearly practicing law. In-between, there are non-attorney individuals who have a lot of knowledge of what is what, it’s almost of a clerical nature, they can say, this is what this form is designed to do, but I can’t help you fill it out.

AMG – There’s two code sections, this is what this code section says, this is what the other says, now you have to figure out which one you want but here’s the two code sections.

DH – Yes, just a statement of fact to be referred to…like, this packet is for domestic violence, this packet is for legal separation, or anything else, and to just state as a fact what it is for, I don’t think that anybody, other than clerks who are afraid of getting in trouble with a superior…I think there’s a lot of information that can be provided…like issues dealing with foreclosure of a house…just direct them to the right set of books, show them the table of contents…you’re not rendering legal advice but instead providing a very valuable service. That’s the kind of thing I can almost guarantee a clerk would not do because they would be afraid that answering any question other than what’s the fee for filing this, any question beyond that gets into some kind of discretion.

JAZ – One man had a judgment for paternity declaring he was the father, and he got a paternity packet from the clerk, but he should have gotten an order to show cause packet from the clerk. The paternity packet did not include the form need for modification of custody or establishment of order. I see a timestamp on the clerk’s receipt of 3:38 pm, and the clerk would not get him a substitute…

DH – Yes, no refunds or exchanges.

JAZ – I went to Judge Roberts when she had her chambers back there and I said, I almost went and got them and just gave them packets, I just thought that was so, was such a mechanical application of the rules…I could see a specific purpose…our public comes in all shapes here…somebody could take out the form they need, hand back the packet to the clerk and get a refund, and then the clerk hands it out to someone else and it’s missing a page. That’s a real clear reason to make no refunds on these packets, but they could ask just one question…like do you already have a paternity order? And if he had said yes, the clerk would have known immediately to give him an order to show cause. That’s what I’m creating here in the library…little how to reference guides just like that…the only one I have that’s finished now is the one on expunging a misdemeanor off of the records. I leave the patron to process through the codes and check the boxes, write a little statement on the back…go on…this is how you get it served, this is how you get it back to the clerk…you don’t have to provide all the information, but there is a format for doing it. Do you want temporary orders…could be a thing. This applies to you, this is the packet you want. This is missing, this is the packet you want. So that we don’t have an episode…the proper role of the county law library is an information provider…I was thinking about the Justice Judicial Council …all of the attendees have a binder 3-4" thick full of material with a cover letter expressing that the county library is not administratively under the court…it’s its own little entity of local government, half of the board of trustees being responsible for supervisors, half being responsible for the courts. If this information is funneled more through the county law library, than from the clerk, it removes that possibility that the court is giving assistance to maybe one of two litigants…I’m just throwing that out…

AMG – If this county law library were able to add materials or services, are there specific ones that you can think of that would be helpful to you or say other individuals who might use the library services…or not use them now but might use them then?

DH – The family law practice…the facilitator…provides a lot of the services that I would otherwise need the law library for. With my experience at this time, I cannot think of additional resources that I would want to have here. I know something that John has just been dreaming of pushing towards for years…..

~TAPE FLIP~

DH - …our attorneys don’t charge the same fees that are charged in more urban areas, and we’ve been in family law cases etc…we’ve still been taking retainers…where lawyers would think that paralegals would handle those retainers...but all of that’s changing, because even in family law the cases are getting so complicated that in routine matters, there’s so much work that the lawyer has to do, that there was a meeting of family law lawyers cause of the local rules that are coming down, saying that we’re going to have to double our retainers through all of the procedural obstacles that need to be negotiated. And so, as a result of that, I think even the need in Butte County is going to skyrocket, and to have the law library as an environment where people can come in and get the help they need to be able to go into court and feel comfortable, that at least they’ll be able to present their case in such a way that the judge hears what they’re saying. And so, in an environment where clinics can be put on…

AMG – So basically, I think what I hear you saying is that there are things that are happening within the context that you can practice law that may drive some needs within the law library services.

DH – Yes. And especially if my perspective should be beyond Butte County…I forget that, I practiced quite a bit in Lassen County and to a certain extent in Glenn County…there are just not that many lawyers there to start with. They seem to have a much higher percentage of self-represented litigants that really don’t have anywhere to go, so a library would be a great source.

JAZ – Automobile accidents or small personal injury…the time required to file a lawsuit where they’ll have to initiate and defend discovery and subpoena witnesses…that is an area where I just don’t have enough time to walk through it…if I were to attend workshops I would perhaps be able to serve a population, but individually, those cases require so much time that that is a need that must be met somehow…

DH – When my practice was more general, I would get a couple of calls a month reporting damages…you’re not under the gun on the Statute of Limitations…it’s not where somebody has to get in and get an answer today…if you were doing those every month, or even every three months, you would put people in a position to gain assistance with enough time to protect their rights.

AMG – Interesting…so in this small niche that seems to be falling out, there might be a role for the county law library. Obviously, technology has changed how all libraries operate…law libraries being the types of libraries that are impacted by this…are there any types of technologies or computer systems or the like that would be helpful to you if the law library could add them?

DH – I would love to have more access to law reviews. In family law especially, the really interesting articles are not in Harvard or Stanford where you would expect to find easy access. So I would like to see that, and it’s easy to justify subscribing to law reviews…and so that’s something that I would like. Not so much as the primary authority cases or the codes…we have all of that, it’s the secondary resources that we would probably find most helpful.

JAZ – I have the entire database of journals and periodicals that are CA originated that I can get at no extra cost…it won’t cost us anything more than an operational printer. Through the Library of CA, there is something called Gail Reference Center Gold, I don’t know entirely what’s in it, Terry Siemas down at the public library would know that, but as a member, I have full text access to a lot of periodicals out there that the state just gives us. So when I start identifying what those are, Gail Reference Center Gold may already give me full text access…

AMG – Let me ask you about the physical setup of the law libraries. Is there anything within this room itself that you find works particularly well or not well?

DH – The one thing I think of every time that I’m in here is the noise…the conversation. I love the fact that it’s okay to talk, but when I’m really trying to get some research done, especially if I’m getting a headache and I can’t understand what I’m reading…

JAZ – That’s been something that I think is number one in here is to create some environment of quiet…I’ve given the trustees two different proposals for dividing this room including a quiet room in the back where Gary and Leslie’s office opens up into it, and that’s where the CEB and Matthew Bender and loose leaves would be. We could take out the copy machine, hoping to find one table along the window back here that won’t be disrupted.

DH – That’s a good aspect, because that way I can come in when I’m photocopying and still chat with people, but something nice is to be able to go back and have a window…for the light and to do some thinking is very helpful. The stacks diminish the noise some, but a lot of the people like me have voices that tend to carry, so it is not conducive to deep thought.

AMG – Just in terms of location…any comments about the actual location, the fact that it’s…pros or cons? Anywhere else you’d like to see it located?

DH – If I were being selfish I would want it in Chico because I am in Chico, but most of the lawyers in court are here 2-3 times a week, which provides them enough time to get to the library.

AMG – How long of a drive is it from Chico to here?

DH – About 20 mins.

AMG – Yeah, that’s what I was thinking.

DH – Yeah, I think it would be unfortunate to relocate the law library.

AMG – My next question actually we talked about before…I’m trying to find out if people know how their county law library is funded. One of the things we’re finding is that most people don’t know, even people that regularly use the law library, where the funding is coming from. I don’t remember what the numbers are, but a very significant portion of county law libraries are reporting up to a 25% decrease in the filing fee revenue in the last 5 years, which is a result of lowered numbers of filings.

DH – Not a result of more fee waivers?

AMG – Um, I think it’s the combination…we didn’t test why exactly, but certainly the conversation at the meeting awhile ago was more about fee waivers than anything else. So obviously one of the issues you’re facing at the county law libraries is, is there a different combination of funding sources that we can or should be looking for?

DH – The thing is, they don’t look at something that’s directly user-tied. I would hate to see a charge being imposed on someone who was actually using the library, because one of the problems you have with the community using it is, it’s so hard to get the word out into the public as to what resources are available to them. Especially being here by the courthouse, it’s not an area where people necessarily want to come. Even a slight charge to someone is an impediment.

AMG – There are a number in the state that are not in the courthouse. Alameda moved out of the courthouse about two years ago I think.

DH – I knew that because I went to court and saw some points of authorities filed by the DA and realized that I hadn’t read one of the cases, and I was surprised to find that the library was not in the building. It was close enough though that I could research it and still get back to court in time.

AMG – But for you the point is that you would still need to be able to bring materials to court with you?

DH – Yes. Because when things come up and you’re making the argument in court, it’s nice to have the books there to read from…and as long as that would not be a problem...it’s also really convenient when there’s downtime waiting for court to be called to be reading, but when you’re between calendars, to be down the hill could be difficult.

AMG – Well actually more and more libraries of all types are looking at creating more comfortable spaces, not necessarily throughout the library, but more in a portion of the library.

DH – Oh the Barnes and Noble Attempt?

AMG – Absolutely. Well you know, that’s what our public now knows.

JAZ – The Fairfax County Public Library in VA, they’ve dedicated…they have a fourteen branch system…they have a Starbuck’s in one of them.

AMG – John, is yours one of the libraries that has seen a decrease in filing fees in the last 5 years?

JAZ – Well yes, we remedied that with a filing fee increase twice in the last 5 years going from 20 to 23 in 1986 and 23 to 26…actually the number of dollars…I want to qualify what I just said…the actual filing fees have not really gone down, actually last year they went up by 7% before the pay increase…as it turned out because of the better job the selection department does of selecting filing fees. I had maybe $7000 in unexpected income, but the price of legal publications, I know the AA and LL…I did my own actual invoices, and the price of law books here using 10 representative titles was something like 22% increase over the last 4-5 years to pay for the very same selection without buying one new book. Well when filing fees are flat, things have to be cut…I eliminated $17000 dollars worth of subscriptions in here within the last year, going from $90000 in subscriptions down to nearly $70000.

AMG – Given what John has just said, do you have any perceptions then about how maybe your use of the county law library may have changed as a result of that? Or maybe it hasn’t.

DH – My having access to more resources…

AMG – When did weekend access end?

DH – I think with security, when you got keys on Friday and brought them back on Monday.

JAZ – It was a glorious system, it was great, and I have always been trying to push for a renewal of that system, even if it means a new entrance…cause if you move down the hill that ends the security because it’s cool when people can open the doors more.

AMG – Well you know, one of the interesting things in libraries is, the most expensive part of any library is the collection. So the fewer hours that you’re open, the less you’re actually utilizing that expensive resource. I mean, if you look around this room, can you imagine what’s invested in this collection?

JAZ – I know what’s in this collection. Half a million dollars would buy what’s in here plus about $90000 a year to maintain it…I only have about $80000.

DH – So 15 hours a day it’s asleep…it’s like being offline.

AMG – It’s interesting that you said that about it being offline…cause basically what you said before about Internet access is that it has really changed your habits of legal access…at least in part?

DH – Oh more than in part. Because with the library being open only from 8-5, those are my court hours.

AMG – Any other general comments?

DH – No…a concern after John and I talked about me being here…a concern that I should have talked off the record of…I don’t want anybody to get the impression that we’re so pleased with our law library that we don’t need more assistance, because any additional resources that would be available, I know John would put them to good use.

AMG – Well I think you can rely on me not to tell everyone that everything is wonderful here. I think you’ve done an extraordinary job with the resources at your disposal compared to other more rural counties. But that’s not to say that you’re really where you need to be. Particularly actually I’m glad to hear you refer back to the need of the lay user, not just the legal community. One of the problems that I think a lot of the county law libraries have is that much of their communities are not aware that they are there.

DH – Yeah, that’s a tough position for the lawyer to be in…when I come in, we have two sets of the family law, I would come in before when we only had one set, and the volume I needed was being used by the lay person…and of course there’s the initial response…gosh I wish they’d leave. Once you get over that initial irritation, you realize what everything here is supposed to be serving. I’m glad to see this used by lay people as often as attorneys, doing real substantial research.

JAZ – And I thought that was a good expenditure of the money, as I did acquiring Deerings.

DH – There was a time, in the more severe cutbacks, when we eliminated one of the sets of codes and we stopped updating. And that really bothered me, and I assumed we did it because West is tied more into other things. But it was really nice to get them both back, because I was one of the people that was really upset when they took away Deerings.

AMG – Well I understand, it’s not a totally subtle difference, but not an exactly obvious one either.

DH – Yeah, you’d think they’re codes, they’ve got annotations, who cares which one you have?

JAZ – My legal research teacher in library school, her name is my computer password to this day…and we did a Shepherd’s assignment where we Shepherdized the Michigan Official Codes…remembering that is what made me, when I got here, really make sure we got the Deerings and the West systems to research simultaneously.

AMG – Well thank you for your time. I appreciate it.

JAZ – Dinner at the Red Tavern courtesy of the Law Library Trustees. Thank you for your time.

FACILITATOR COMMENTS:

JAZ is Butte County Law Library Director John Zorbas, who served as recorder and transcriber for the focus group. The other participant is an attorney in private practice. The law library is located in the courthouse and has a good sized collection. The focus group was scheduled quickly which resulted in low attendance.

COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY LAW LIBRARIANS

STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY

Focus Group Report

Humboldt County

LOCATION: Humboldt County Law Library, Eureka

COUNTIES COVERED: Humboldt

DATE: July 19, 2001

FACILITATOR: Anne Marie Gold

ATTENDANCE: 9

A. GENERAL

Participants included:

Attorney in private practice

Public interest attorney

Public Defender

District Attorney

Judge (Law Library Board member)

Legal Aid Attorney

1. What interested you about joining the focus group today?
• Asked to attend by Law Librarian
• Law library an important resource
• Trustees want to know all options, esp. funding
1. How familiar do you consider yourself with the County Law Library? How do you know about the County Law Library?
• Computer access unavailable so library is very important
• May ask library staff, law librarian a wealth of information
• Fairly familiar, access to computers in office has slowed down use of library
• Pro per population using library more often now than in past

B. LIBRARY SERVICES/COLLECTIONS/FUNDING

1. Do you use the County Law Library? How often? When you use the library, what materials or services do you usually use?
• Library very user friendly; statistics show increase in pro per cases
• Majority of attorneys do not need services or only occasionally
• New attorneys and pro per rely heavily on services/materials
• During trial attorney may use more often because of accessibility but not after hours
• Majority of attorneys use computer services
• Legal Aid attorneys use library for specialty materials and often send clients to library on a regular basis
• CEB forms, Nolo Press, how to books very useful in pro per and for attorneys unfamiliar with online services
• Missing and stolen items a problem
• Federal resources
• Specialty volumes
• County ordinances
• Indian legal resources
• Real estate
• Basic research
1. If you don’t use the library, why not?
• Library hours make scheduling use time a problem
• No weekend or evening hours are a problem
• Physical location a problem
• People who are disruptive, talking
• How do other counties handle off hours access?
• Keys to members of bar and court personnel
• Not a lot of good solutions other an opening library during evening/weekend hours or computer access
• Need to hire employees to come in off hours, trustees, county personnel
• Stolen, lost materials are a problem
• Books not returned in a timely manner
• Stolen, missing pages
• No multiple copies
• May have materials but not available at the time needed due to untimely returns
• Materials loaned from library change hands and then are harder to get back; usually most used materials
• No set time limit for checkouts
1. When you have legal information needs that can’t be met by the County Law Library how do you meet those needs?
• Loans from state library
• Public Defenders office basically has no books; computer access is how needs are met
• Library has many lay and pro per users
• No computer access at this time but coming shortly
• Treatises are often not online so library useful
• Humboldt State U library, county library, state library, law firms
• For out of area attorneys, core resource
• Law firm databases, personal libraries
• Online fees are prohibitive, some resources will never be online
1. Do you ever refer people to the County Law Library for legal information needs? If yes, for what specific types of legal information? If no, why not?
• Usually refer Legal Aid clients to web page, not to library
• Lay persons not equipped with knowledge for research; most lay persons unable to use library without help
• Public often forced to use other resources for family law problems so law library useful but intimidating
• Criminal law – unlikely that a client will come up with something useful
• Public will often give up quickly
• Refer public to Nolo Press books
• Family law/small claims most used by public
1. If the County Law Library could add new services or materials, what should be added?
• Person to give info
• Pro per section to help public with questions/research
• Nolo Press type volumes for law persons
• Up to date services
• Indian Law Reporter
• Rights of Indians and Tribes
• Basic treatises replaced – real property, trusts
• Weekend and evening hours access
• Access to collection wanted
• Staff not completely necessary for attorneys, but completely necessary for public
• Internet access
• Book check out
• Internet has raised expectations of 24/7 access to library services
1. Law libraries are increasingly using computers to provide access to legal information. Are there types of computer services or technology that you would like to see the County Law Library add?
• Copy cards
• Telephone available to attorneys when doing research
• Larger work areas
• More resources available digitally
• Westlaw, Lexis available on computer in library
• Subscribers can use library computer for access to online services
1. Are there parts of the library that you find are particularly comfortable for you to use? Are there parts that are not accessible or easy to use? If you could change anything about the library’s physical space or location, what would that be?
• Too much in too little space but too much is still not enough
• Narrow aisles
• Lighting
• Top shelves are too high
• Larger tables for spreading out while doing research
• CEB locked cabinets with glass fronts dangerous - need proper shelving for books
1. Do you know how the County Law Library is funded? If so, please describe the funding source.
• Filing fees – board members present
1. You are probably aware that funding for the County Library has decreased over the past few years. How do you perceive that has affected the collections and services of the library? How has it affected how you find and use legal information?
• Books not getting updated or replaced
• Volumes allowed to lapse
• Obscure materials not available
• Federal collection needs to be kept up
• State law library access to resources available to urban areas but rural areas need county law library; maybe state should be aiding rural county law libraries
• Legal Aid – affects clients due to inadequate filings due to unavailable information; national support centers help but materials are not available which leads to briefs being submitted that may not be up to date
• Growing reliance on digital information
• Subscription cancellations due to cost increases

C. WRAP UP

1. Are there any other comments you would like to make about the County Law Library?
• How will info from report be shared
• What is happening in other county law libraries

FACILITATOR’S COMMENTS:

The attendees at the focus group represented a good cross section of law library users in Humboldt County but did not include any representatives from other counties. The general sense was that while the law library provides useful services, use has declined from the legal community because of access to digital resources elsewhere. There was concern about the relocation of the law library after the renovation.

COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY LAW LIBRARIANS

STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY

Focus Group Report

Los Angeles County- 1

LOCATION: Los Angeles County Law Library, Los Angeles

COUNTIES COVERED: Los Angeles

DATE: June 28, 2001 10:00am

FACILITATOR: Anne Campbell

NUMBER OF ATTENDEES: 7

A. GENERAL

Attendees included:

Law Librarian

Attorneys from law firms

Attorney in private practice

1. What interested you about joining the focus group today?

Major user of the Law Library, interested in helping staff.

Wanted to provide input into the future of law library, esp. because everything the law library has to give up, their law firm has to pick up.

2. How familiar do you consider yourself with the County Law Library? How do you know about the County Law Library?

Los Angeles County Law Library is considered one of the largest and best law libraries in the United States.

B. LIBRARY SERVICES/COLLECTIONS/FUNDING

3. Do you use the County Law Library? How often? When you use the library, what materials or services do you usually use?

Use the Law Library several times a day.

Use the Law Library for first and second level reference services, esp. in areas that the firm/attorneys are not familiar with.

Use for legal information for other U.S. states.

Use the foreign country legal information, and the excellent assistance of the foreign law librarian.

The foreign/international collection is only available at Law Library. This material is not available online, and it is not available at any other library.

Use for specialty law.

Use the services daily, esp. to phone for materials.

Use the online catalog.

4. If you don’t use the library, why not?

All who attended use the library.

5. When you have legal information needs that can’t be met by the County Law Library how do you meet those needs?

Usually the Law Library supplies the phone number of the agency or organization to contact directly for the information.

Use UCLA, USC and Los Angeles PL, Cal State LA.

Use RLIN.

6. Do you ever refer people to the County Law Library for legal information needs? If yes, for what specific types of legal information? If no, why not?

Depends on who asks. Mostly will do research for attorneys, but send summer interns to do own work.

Will refer attorneys if project very extensive.

Usually law clerks and attorneys get excellent assistance at the Law Library.

Often have the index of book by fax and then attorney can determine the parts they need.

7. If the County Law Library could add new services or materials, what should be added?

Faster fax services and more than 20 page limit.

Would pay extra for "rush" service.

Online reserves and holds.

Ability to place more than two books on hold (esp. if sending a courier).

Some wanted renewals, some argued against.

Retrospective conversion of older materials, could then use online catalog to locate.

Tours for summer interns, attorneys and the public (virtual tour?).

Overnight circulation of noncirculating materials (would pay large deposit for this service).

8. Law libraries are increasingly using computers to provide access to legal information. Are there types of computer services or technology that you would like to see the County Law Library add?

Need catalog instruction classes.

Would like access to circulation records, esp. helpful in knowing what attorneys have checked out and what is late. (Problem getting some attorneys to return books)

Like Orange County law Library website and catalog, seems easier to use than Los Angeles.

Additional links embedded in subject search.

Several participants indicated the online catalog was difficult to use. Several find the legislative information makes the "practice" materials difficult to find.

9. Are there parts of the library that you find are particularly comfortable for you to use? Are there parts that are not accessible or easy to use? If you could change anything about the library’s physical space or location, what would that be?

Lots of closed stacks that have limited access.

Use of fiche and film is not comfortable.

Parking difficult.

Library does an excellent job of handling the many vagrants that want to use the Law Library to keep warm/sleep/etc.

10. Do you know how the County Law Library is funded? If so, please describe the funding source.

Yes, most were aware of the funding.

11. You are probably aware that funding for the County Library has decreased over the past few years. How do you perceive that has affected the collections and services of the library? How has it affected how you find and use legal information?

Have not seen a decrease in hours or services.

Have seen some of the international materials are not up to date.

C. WRAP UP

12. Are there any other comments you would like to make about the County Law Library?

Please do not decrease the collection, hours or staff. This Law Library is vital!!

Most indicated willingness for their law firms to pay for services.

Would pay for the quality of staff.

"I am at their mercy, I would pay anything."

Further discussion on sliding scales…paying for higher levels of service…

FACILITATOR’S COMMENTS:

COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY LAW LIBRARIANS

STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY

Focus Group Report

Los Angeles County- 2

LOCATION: Los Angeles County Law Library, Los Angeles

COUNTIES COVERED: Los Angeles

DATE: June 28, 2001 2:00pm

FACILITATOR: Anne Campbell

NUMBER OF ATTENDEES: 5

A. GENERAL

Attendees:

Law Librarian

Attorneys from law firms

1. What interested you about joining the focus group today?

Los Angeles County Law Library has one of the best collections in the country! Want to help the staff.

Depend on the Law Library, want to help.

Knew about Los Angeles County Law Library while living in Oklahoma!

2. How familiar do you consider yourself with the County Law Library? How do you know about the County Law Library?

B. LIBRARY SERVICES/COLLECTIONS/FUNDING

3. Do you use the County Law Library? How often? When you use the library, what materials or services do you usually use?

Use for second level reference, excellent staff (brainy and creative). They are "unbelievable."

Staff able to find the most obscure materials.

Use Law Library once or twice a week.

Use daily for phone reference, sometimes call twice a day.

Use for historical legal materials.

Use for international law.

Use legislative history and esoteric legal materials.

Use phone reference and use fax service.

Only use the phone reference. Have used the Law Library for five years and today is the first actual visit!

Use for "bizarre stuff", often use international materials, i.e. American Samoa.

Use older materials, the things that can’t keep at law firm because of space.

Many materials can’t get at any other library.

4. If you don’t use the library, why not?

Everyone uses.

5. When you have legal information needs that can’t be met by the County Law Library how do you meet those needs?

Use UCLA.

Use OCLC for interlibrary loan.

Use SCALL listserve.

Use OCLC, First Search service.

Sometimes get materials from other offices of our law firm.

6. Do you ever refer people to the County Law Library for legal information needs? If yes, for what specific types of legal information? If no, why not?

Refer attorneys for more in-depth research.

Many attorneys don’t like to use Law Library; don’t get the level of service they are accustomed to from the librarians at the firm (want to be coddled).

Refer summer interns for research projects.

7. If the County Law Library could add new services or materials, what should be added?

Would like to have longer documents faxed.

Want ability to check out more books.

Increase size of international collection, esp. translations.

Additional state materials, esp. materials that compare states.

Additional practice guides for all states. Law firms are all competing for same business, are not only doing California and federal, also take cases in other states. Many firms are multi-state and need to have other state materials.

More lenient check out of materials, esp. international materials.

Frequently want to check out reference materials. Would like to be able to check out those materials, even if only overnight.

Discussions regarding overdue fines…attorneys don’t take them seriously.

8. Law libraries are increasingly using computers to provide access to legal information. Are there types of computer services or technology that you would like to see the County Law Library add?

Would like ability to reserve online.

Ability to check circulation records online.

Would like more general reference materials online (like LAPL).

Even librarians find the Law Library online catalog difficult to use.

Would like a better interface to the Law Library collection.

Like the link to ballot propositions.

9. Are there parts of the library that you find are particularly comfortable for you to use? Are there parts that are not accessible or easy to use? If you could change anything about the library’s physical space or location, what would that be?
10. Do you know how the County Law Library is funded? If so, please describe the funding source.

Most knew how funded.

11. You are probably aware that funding for the County Library has decreased over the past few years. How do you perceive that has affected the collections and services of the library? How has it affected how you find and use legal information?

The collection is not as up to date, esp. state specific information.

The collection is somewhat neglected.

C. WRAP UP

12. Are there any other comments you would like to make about the County Law Library?

The Los Angeles County Law Library has a classification system that predates L.C. for legal materials. Other County Law Libraries use the same classification system.

General discussion regarding the ability of law firms to pay for Law Library services.

Many indicated a willingness to pay for an even higher level of service…sliding scale…raise fees…

Is there a Friends group to help raise money?

FACILITATOR’S COMMENTS:

COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY LAW LIBRARIANS

STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY

Focus Group Report

Orange County

LOCATION: Orange County Law Library, Santa Ana

COUNTIES COVERED: Orange County

DATE: June 14, 2001

FACILITATOR: Anne Campbell

NUMBER OF ATTENDEES: 9

A. GENERAL

Attendees included:

Legal Aid

Public Law Center

Superior Court Clerk

Attorney in private practice

Law Librarian

District Attorney-Family Support

1. What interested you about joining the focus group today?

To learn more about the library.

To learn more about technology use at the law library. Working on a public access kiosk project and wondered about law library’s role in community. Exciting time for libraries.

Talked to law library personnel and wanted to learn more about library.

Use the library so much, wanted to endorse the services, collection and staff.

2. How familiar do you consider yourself with the County Law Library? How do you know about the County Law Library?

Use library’s website as portal to legal information.

Use several times a week.

Mainly refer people to law library.

B. LIBRARY SERVICES/COLLECTIONS/FUNDING

3. Do you use the County Law Library? How often? When you use the library, what materials or services do you usually use?

Use the library often, usually several times a week.

Use the library when really need a quiet place to work(no distractions).

Several expressed concern about theft of materials (esp. pages taken from books).

Several expressed that they mainly used print collection and were "not up to speed with technology". Could courses be offered by library?

Several expressed that they use the Continuing Education for the Bar audiotapes, either personally or refer other lawyers.

Public Law Center and Legal Aid mainly refer people to law library. They have regular legal clinics and would like to explore doing clinics at the law library.

Several expressed they use the "practice guides".

4. If you don’t use the library, why not?

Find research online faster than going to library, but expressed "fondness" for books.

5. When you have legal information needs that can’t be met by the County Law Library how do you meet those needs?

Sometimes go to governmental agencies that have involvement in area of interest.

If can’t find at the library then next best place is "associate"(personal network).

Use law school libraries (USC, Whittier).

6. Do you ever refer people to the County Law Library for legal information needs? If yes, for what specific types of legal information? If no, why not?

Public Law Center and Legal Aid refer people to the law library.

Legal Aid can only help 20% of those in need, those they can’t help they refer to law library.

Refer for research, and for background information on legal process.

Low literate and non-English speakers have further barriers to legal information. Asked what information available in other languages.

7. If the County Law Library could add new services or materials, what should be added?

Consumer law (debt collection, warranty issues).

Pricing of electronic information can be a barrier for small law firms and Legal Aid. Could a consortium use their power to reduce costs?

Online research classes.

Lunchtime presentations through Bar Association.

Are videos available for CEB classes? Might be more accessible than audiotapes.

Direct line to Lawyers Referral Service.

8. Law libraries are increasingly using computers to provide access to legal information. Are there types of computer services or technology that you would like to see the County Law Library add?

Technology sometimes the most cost effective way to obtain materials. Can download specific sections to disk and then use later at office/home.

Online research classes.

9. Are there parts of the library that you find are particularly comfortable for you to use? Are there parts that are not accessible or easy to use? If you could change anything about the library’s physical space or location, what would that be?

Classes can create too much noise. Pro pers (self-help patrons) don’t use the resources as intended (take reference guides out of area). Pro pers can often have emotional problems that cause them to "act out", creating distractions. Want quiet areas.

Need better copiers (two requests).

Need to improve outside of building (esp. empty water feature).

Location is very difficult, esp. when need to give directions to clients.

10. Do you know how the County Law Library is funded? If so, please describe the funding source.

Bar dues?

Board of Supervisors?

Expressed surprise at the actual funding source and brainstormed ideas to help: start Friends of the Library group; sell donated books; fundraising/partner with Bar Association.

11. You are probably aware that funding for the County Library has decreased over the past few years. How do you perceive that has affected the collections and services of the library? How has it affected how you find and use legal information?

Appears that collections have increased.

Appears that services have increased, esp. technology.

C. WRAP UP

12. Are there any other comments you would like to make about the County Law Library?

Collect materials for pro pers in one area, creating a "Self Help Center".

FACILITATOR’S COMMENTS:

 

 

 

 

 

COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY LAW LIBRARIANS

STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY

Focus Group Report

Placer County

LOCATION: Placer County Law Library, Auburn

COUNTIES COVERED: Placer, Yuba

DATE: June 26, 2001

FACILITATOR: Linda Crowe

NUMBER OF ATTENDEES: 6

A. GENERAL

Attendees included:

Public Library librarian

Law librarian

Court staff

Attorney in private practice

1. What interested you about joining the focus group today?

"Chris asked us to come; we refer people to the library." Yuba County librarian just appointed county law librarian (want to understand what to do); attorney refers clients here and also pro pers; civil courts, especially family law, refer pro pers

2. How familiar do you consider yourself with the County Law Library? How do you know about the County Law Library?

Some research; meetings here; refer people from public library; one participant never; very familiar

B. LIBRARY SERVICES/COLLECTIONS/FUNDING

3. Do you use the County Law Library? How often? When you use the library, what materials or services do you usually use?

Never use/refer; staff meetings, 2/month; about once/week

Computers; conference room; Deerings; daily journals; Yuba County Library has form books and Deerings

4. If you don’t use the library, why not?

One participant doesn’t need resources -- sends people for forms.

 

5. When you have legal information needs that can’t be met by the County Law Library how do you meet those needs?
• Sacramento County Law Library
• McGeorge Law School
• State Law Library

It is extremely helpful that Chris Christman, County Law Librarian, is an attorney.

1. Do you ever refer people to the County Law Library for legal information needs? If yes, for what specific types of legal information? If no, why not?

Landlord/tenant cases; real estate; probate; patents; domestic violence; family law; small claims; appeals; pleading papers

2. If the County Law Library could add new services or materials, what should be added?

Unlimited online access to legal databases; Yuba County concerned about lack of trained staff; need trained staff; judicial counsel forms; self-help center with Nolo books in separate space for public users

Weak in federal law secondary sources; criminal law weak; more staff -- library is open 55 hours/week with one full-time librarian; 1-1/2 assistant, and on-call staff

3. Law libraries are increasingly using computers to provide access to legal information. Are there types of computer services or technology that you would like to see the County Law Library add?

Enough public terminals; Nolo books on CD that would help pro pers through process; there is Quicken Family Lawyer that walks pro pers through wills, etc.; keep software updated; scanners; this law library has good balance between print and electronic resources; adding Internet access to all computers with InFoPeople special grant

4. Are there parts of the library that you find are particularly comfortable for you to use? Are there parts that are not accessible or easy to use? If you could change anything about the library’s physical space or location, what would that be?

Location ideal; good parking; easy to find; need higher shelves and more shelves

 

5. Do you know how the County Law Library is funded? If so, please describe the funding source.

Civil filing fee -- last year increased $3. Placer receives $3 plus the baseline $20 = $23. It is possible to increase fee $3/year by decision of Board of Supervisors. In 1992 filing fees were doubled, but baseline $20 to law libraries remained the same.

6. You are probably aware that funding for the County Library has decreased over the past few years. How do you perceive that has affected the collections and services of the library? How has it affected how you find and use legal information?

Although the number of filings is generally down in California, Placer County’s have increased for the last four years. Even with this increase, the law library is spending down its reserve. Need increase to keep resources--print and electronic--up to date.

 

C. WRAP UP

7. Are there any other comments you would like to make about the County Law Library?
• More trained staff with customer-service skills
• Training available to Yuba County Library from Sacramento Law Library
• Need a base level throughout the state of services provided by county law library
• Need more court facilitators, e.g., family law
• This is best county law library for its size in state, yet they are spending down reserves
• Salary increases needed to retain good staff -- refers to current law librarian

FACILITATOR’S COMMENTS

A participant described the law library 10 years ago as "pathetic," but it is now a model for smaller law libraries. All participants agree that this is because of Chris Christman, the county law librarian. He moved the library into its present attractive new quarters and selected a balanced collection, both print and electronic. It is critical that a solution to the funding issues be found for law libraries and especially for libraries like Placer that serve as a model for smaller counties.

There is a common thread in focus groups about a self-help center in the library for the public with Nolo Press books and other tools for pro pers.

COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY LAW LIBRARIANS

STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY

Focus Group Report

Riverside County

LOCATION: Riverside County Law Library, Riverside

COUNTIES COVERED: Riverside, San Bernardino

DATE: June 22, 2001

FACILITATOR: Anne Campbell

NUMBER OF ATTENDEES: 11

A. GENERAL

Attendees included:

Law Librarians

Public Library Librarians

Paralegal

County Counsel

Academic Librarian

Exec. Dir. County Bar Assn./Attorney

County residents- nonusers

Attorney in private practice

1. What interested you about joining the focus group today?

Staff is excellent, wanted to assist them in planning for future.

2. How familiar do you consider yourself with the County Law Library? How do you know about the County Law Library?

B. LIBRARY SERVICES/COLLECTIONS/FUNDING

3. Do you use the County Law Library? How often? When you use the library, what materials or services do you usually use?

Attorneys use Riverside County law Library, rather than San Bernardino (where they practice) because find it more comfortable and staff more helpful.

Use staff to assist with research.

Use the Library for CEB tapes.

Use phone service, with fax response.

4. If you don’t use the library, why not?

Attorney has all the legal information he needs in his office.

5. When you have legal information needs that can’t be met by the County Law Library how do you meet those needs?
6. Do you ever refer people to the County Law Library for legal information needs? If yes, for what specific types of legal information? If no, why not?

Refer people from the public library on a daily basis.

Language and literacy can be a barrier for people to access legal information.

7. If the County Law Library could add new services or materials, what should be added?

Update and expand collection of CEB tapes.

Sell forms for pro pers. Would be even better if could actually file the papers from the Law Library.

Additional civil procedures materials (Rutter).

CEB books.

Additional hours, including hours until 9pm in the evening and longer hours on Saturday.

8. Law libraries are increasingly using computers to provide access to legal information. Are there types of computer services or technology that you would like to see the County Law Library add?

Would be interested in classes in using electronic information for legal research.

9. Are there parts of the library that you find are particularly comfortable for you to use? Are there parts that are not accessible or easy to use? If you could change anything about the library’s physical space or location, what would that be?

Need more areas to hold conversations (in person and on phone).

Would like to use conference rooms without a charge.

Parking is awful at Riverside County Law Library, parking better in San Bernardino.

10. Do you know how the County Law Library is funded? If so, please describe the funding source.

Most were not aware of funding.

11. You are probably aware that funding for the County Library has decreased over the past few years. How do you perceive that has affected the collections and services of the library? How has it affected how you find and use legal information?

Library started to charge for conference room use.

No apparent decline in service, in fact see more electronic information.

C. WRAP UP

12. Are there any other comments you would like to make about the County Law Library?

Need to market services (through utility bills/Chamber of Commerce?), make public aware the Library is a free public library. Use Tele-Law service to advertise Law Library.

FACILITATOR’S COMMENTS:

Recorder failed to capture all comments.

Difficult to discuss two counties at one focus group.

COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY LAW LIBRARIANS

STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY

Focus Group Report

Sacramento County

LOCATION: Sacramento County Law Library

COUNTIES COVERED: Sacramento, Yolo, Stanislaus

DATE: July 9, 2001

FACILITATOR: Anne Marie Gold

NUMBER OF ATTENDEES: 12

A. GENERAL

Attendees included:

Law firm librarian

Law library librarian

Paralegal

Attorney in private practice

District attorney

Judge

Law library board member

1. What interested you about joining the focus group today?
• Saw brochure in library (Stanislaus)
• Encouraged to attend by boss
• On Law Library board
1. How familiar do you consider yourself with the County Law Library? How do you know about the County Law Library?
• Very familiar
• Location has an impact on familiarity
• Necessity
• From college library – paralegal studies
• Office library is not very complete
• Law school – may need additional resources
• Interlibrary loan

B. LIBRARY SERVICES/COLLECTIONS/FUNDING

1. Do you use the County Law Library? How often? When you use the library, what materials or services do you usually use?
• Use it all the time
• May use other libraries for different needs/resources
• Core materials can be found here
• May use library for secondary sources
• Use once a week – bankruptcy cases, workers comp
• Use practice type books, law reviews on Lexis
• Non-practitioners are becoming an increased user of services
• Use books, hardbound materials
• Go to librarian first re: how to find books, articles
• Can tap into computer resources
• Lay person who doesn’t know where to start
1. If you don’t use the library, why not?
• In Stockton the library is not convenient, no parking
• Currently use McGeorge – if they don’t have it, they can get it for you
• Use UC Davis – familiarity with the facility
• Availability of UC Davis – geographic considerations, ease of location
• Resources at branch library are very incomplete
1. When you have legal information needs that can’t be met by the County Law Library how do you meet those needs?
• Use library as focal point to get the answer re: best resource
• Westlaw
• Research services, for statutes
• Wouldn’t expect library to have broad collection on state topics
• Library is one of many legal research services utilized
• Depends on topic – a specific topic may not be contained in collection
1. Do you ever refer people to the County Law Library for legal information needs? If yes, for what specific types of legal information? If no, why not?
• In law school taught how to do legal research, not what library to go to
• To fill out legal forms – court clerk has handed an individual a packet of forms
• When I decline a client – statute of limitations
• As a law student, not referred to library
• Taught in law school that library is for attorneys first
• Secondary resource
1. If the County Law Library could add new services or materials, what should be added?
• Copy services
• Dictating room
• Complete collection of Cumulative Bulletin of IRS
• City and county codes for surrounding jurisdictions
• Judicial college materials (CJER)
• State agency materials
• Better parking facilities
1. Law libraries are increasingly using computers to provide access to legal information. Are there types of computer services or technology that you would like to see the County Law Library add?
• Subscription to PACER
• Public access to Lexis or Westlaw; 1 day license
• Jurisearch.com
1. Are there parts of the library that you find are particularly comfortable for you to use? Are there parts that are not accessible or easy to use? If you could change anything about the library’s physical space or location, what would that be?
• When use library, set up wherever the books are that are needed
• Need bigger tables for ability to spread out materials – bigger workspace
• Stockton – copy facilities have long lines, copy machine does not work on bound books
• Sacramento great facility
• Stockton – in county courthouse, poor parking – meters on street or expensive garage
1. Do you know how the County Law Library is funded? If so, please describe the funding source.
• Half of group knew funding source – civil filing fees
1. You are probably aware that funding for the County Library has decreased over the past few years. How do you perceive that has affected the collections and services of the library? How has it affected how you find and use legal information?
• Yolo – horrible, depleted resources dramatically
• Yolo – affected attorneys in Woodland more than Davis, attorneys are looking for other sources
• Yolo – forced court and judges to develop their own law libraries
• Yolo – attorneys in Davis use UC Davis

C. WRAP UP

1. Are there any other comments you would like to make about the County Law Library?
• No discussion complete with discussion of Library of California potential impact
• Why were county law libraries created?
• Is this still the case?
• Historically to support civil litigation?
• Why do county law libraries exist now?
• Are libraries entitled to market to find funding for services?

FACILITATOR’S COMMENTS:

• 12 participants from 3 counties – good mix of attorneys, board members, paralegals
• Sacramento stronger law library than other two counties so comments could not be extrapolated from one county to another
• Group clear on focus of county law library
• Not much discussion of lay usage due to group composition

COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY LAW LIBRARIANS

STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY

Focus Group Report

San Diego County - Central

LOCATION: San Diego County Law Library, Main Branch

COUNTIES COVERED: San Diego

DATE: June 16, 2001

FACILITATOR: Anne Campbell

NUMBER OF ATTENDEES: 14

A. GENERAL

Attendees included:

Attorneys

Law Librarians

Public Library Librarians

Disabled Advocate

Pro pers

Prison Librarians

Paralegal

1. What interested you about joining the focus group today?

Wanted to support great staff.

Came to find out more about services.

2. How familiar do you consider yourself with the County Law Library? How do you know about the County Law Library?

Know they have essentials.

Public awareness of collections and services is lacking.

Attorney that went to law school in another state indicated that they only had access to law school library; no public law libraries were available.

B. LIBRARY SERVICES/COLLECTIONS/FUNDING

3. Do you use the County Law Library? How often? When you use the library, what materials or services do you usually use?

Use library for legal research for criminal cases several times a month. The staff is "magnificent"!

As a community college professor, use the library as a resource for paralegal students (arrange annual tour).

Donovan Prison librarian uses the County Law Library to supplement the prison library collection. Use reference services, esp. fax services.

The librarian from one of the largest law firms indicated that they use the collections to supplement the firm’s library.

Pro per indicated he used the library several times a week. Thinks general public unaware of the library and the services.

Pro per uses the library weekly for research. Has learned much from the wonderful library staff.

Librarian from San Diego Public uses the law library to obtain materials for disabled patrons.

Disabled individual indicated the building was out of compliance for ADA.

Several times a month uses the services of the reference staff to locate information unable to locate online from his office.

Librarians always able to find answers, even when patron ready to give up.

4. If you don’t use the library, why not?

Most of the public knows little about the law library, esp. that it is open to the public and available for legal research.

Disabled would be unable to access most of the collections.

Have materials need from own collection, although partner uses several times a week.

5. When you have legal information needs that can’t be met by the County Law Library how do you meet those needs?

Sometimes use gov’t doc depository library at San Diego Public Library.

Go directly to governmental agency that has information.

Uses law school libraries (USD and Cal Western).

6. Do you ever refer people to the County Law Library for legal information needs? If yes, for what specific types of legal information? If no, why not?

Refer people from Chula Vista Public Library to the County Law Library. Many are Spanish speaking.

Refer people from San Diego County libraries, esp. when Nolo books are inadequate.

Public Librarians that refer patrons to law library need better orientation to collections and services available.

7. If the County Law Library could add new services or materials, what should be added?

Additional hours: Sunday hours, evening hours, early morning.

More federal materials.

Multimedia (virtual) tour of the library to provide introduction to collections and services.

Provide maps of collections and self help guides.

Have bilingual staff.

Make library ADA compliant (could not even get in front door).

Expand programs that assist with teaching public how to use materials.

Reduce copier costs.

Additional staff to expand teaching programs.

8. Law libraries are increasingly using computers to provide access to legal information. Are there types of computer services or technology that you would like to see the County Law Library add?

Need easy user guide to cd-rom products. Need more guides or classes to electronic information in the library.

Need online catalog.

Touch screens and self help guides would increase staff efficiency.

Upgrade technology.

Several participants indicated that they were computer illiterates.

9. Are there parts of the library that you find are particularly comfortable for you to use? Are there parts that are not accessible or easy to use? If you could change anything about the library’s physical space or location, what would that be?

Parking is a huge problem downtown.

Library not easy for disabled. Need to be ADA compliant.

Some areas comfortable (California Room and Upper Reading Room) but need better signage.

Have to ask staff to find things. Would like a guide so can use library self-directed.

10. Do you know how the County Law Library is funded? If so, please describe the funding source.

City tax?

Board of Supervisors?

Many unaware of funding and had suggestions for better funding: Local or CA State Bar Association assist with funding through dues structure; funding from law schools/universities/community colleges.

11. You are probably aware that funding for the County Library has decreased over the past few years. How do you perceive that has affected the collections and services of the library? How has it affected how you find and use legal information?

Cutback hours.

Fewer materials.

Suggested add services with cost recovery (i.e. Practice guides online).

C. WRAP UP

12. Are there any other comments you would like to make about the County Law Library?

FACILITATOR’S COMMENTS:

Very diverse group (attorneys/public library librarians/law firm librarians/pro pers/paralegals).

COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY LAW LIBRARIANS

STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY

Focus Group Report

San Diego County - North

LOCATION: San Diego County Law Library, Vista

COUNTIES COVERED: San Diego

DATE: June 21, 2001

FACILITATOR: Anne Campbell

NUMBER OF ATTENDEES: 5

A. GENERAL

Attendees included:

Attorney in private practice

Attorney in law firm

Legal Aid

1. What interested you about joining the focus group today?

Learn more about the library.

2. How familiar do you consider yourself with the County Law Library? How do you know about the County Law Library?

Attorney in private practice has used Law Library since law school.

Work in agency that refers clients to Law Library.

B. LIBRARY SERVICES/COLLECTIONS/FUNDING

3. Do you use the County Law Library? How often? When you use the library, what materials or services do you usually use?

Uses research materials and practice guides several times a month.

Use the library several times a week to do research for cases and uses practice guides.

Usually come about three times a month.

The librarians are legal research experts and always find the answer.

One attorney does not like to ask for help, would prefer more self help guides.

4. If you don’t use the library, why not?

Attorney with a large firm that has an adequate law library. Might call for a reference consultation, esp. with federal or out-of-state materials.

5. When you have legal information needs that can’t be met by the County Law Library how do you meet those needs?

Usually get help from other agencies or other attorneys.

Law Library has obtained books on interlibrary loan for attorney.

Sometimes materials are out of date and then

6. Do you ever refer people to the County Law Library for legal information needs? If yes, for what specific types of legal information? If no, why not?

Refer people for landlord-tenant cases, family law and traffic tickets.

Often refer to Nolo Press materials.

Although refer people to library not really familiar with all collections and services.

Refer Spanish speakers-do they get help they need?

One attorney refers people that can’t afford his legal fees.

7. If the County Law Library could add new services or materials, what should be added?

Additional hours, esp. weekend hours.

Working people can’t use the library because of the hours. Need evening and weekend hours.

Jury verdicts on cd-rom.

DissoMaster for general use. At the Courthouse only the attorneys can use.

8. Law libraries are increasingly using computers to provide access to legal information. Are there types of computer services or technology that you would like to see the County Law Library add?

Attorney uses online information from office. Finds many free resources online.

Attorney uses online resources at work, but comes to Law Library for print. Some legal research easier to do in print.

Would like to see forms available online that could be filled out and printed.

9. Are there parts of the library that you find are particularly comfortable for you to use? Are there parts that are not accessible or easy to use? If you could change anything about the library’s physical space or location, what would that be?

Copiers easy to use and cost is reasonable.

Restrooms always kept clean.

Nice that you can use conference room for depositions, conferences and mediations.

10. Do you know how the County Law Library is funded? If so, please describe the funding source.

Public Library?

Special tax?

Only one person knew the Library funded with civil filing fees.

Discussion regarding other sources of funding: property tax, County General Fund, user-based tax, County Library funding, donation through CA state tax, bake sales.

Concern expressed that user fees create barrier to information.

11. You are probably aware that funding for the County Library has decreased over the past few years. How do you perceive that has affected the collections and services of the library? How has it affected how you find and use legal information?

Have not noticed decreased services.

Finds many books not updated.

Five years ago there was a decrease in services, but seems better now.

C. WRAP UP

12. Are there any other comments you would like to make about the County Law Library?

If need to make cuts would prefer cuts to hours, rather than materials.

Need to keep practice books current.

Cutting hours adversely affects pro pers.

FACILITATOR’S COMMENTS:

COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY LAW LIBRARIANS

STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY

Focus Group Report

San Francisco County

LOCATION: San Francisco County Law Library, San Francisco

COUNTIES COVERED: San Francisco

DATE: June 20, 2001

FACILITATOR: Linda Crowe

NUMBER OF ATTENDEES: 12

A. GENERAL

Attendees included:

Public agency attorney

Attorney in private practice

User

1. What interested you about joining the focus group today?

Resource is indispensable; want to speak up about it; concerned about library’s letter to public (under siege); afraid library will be marginalized; need complete collection--not just electronic resources; "gold in here"

2. How familiar do you consider yourself with the County Law Library? How do you know about the County Law Library?

Group made up of: 2 public librarians, 10 lawyers, 2 law librarians

All are familiar with the library.

B. LIBRARY SERVICES/COLLECTIONS/FUNDING

3. Do you use the County Law Library? How often? When you use the library, what materials or services do you usually use?

1-3 days per week; all at least weekly.

West vs. official publications; how-to books; casebooks; codes (Witkin); Official Reporter; secondary resources; CA Jur; Am Jur

Local materials include SF Bay/CA materials (not found in academic libraries), e.g., water law, city reports; Bancroft Whitney Pubs; some law reviews

Use has changed since mid-70s -- basics (Witkin, etc.) in office; rest in archives; law reviews, Congressional materials

4. If you don’t use the library, why not?

N/A

5. When you have legal information needs that can’t be met by the County Law Library how do you meet those needs?

Hastings; USF, Boalt, Golden Gate University, Alameda County LL; U.S. Court of Appeals 9^th Circuit; "just give up"

6. Do you ever refer people to the County Law Library for legal information needs? If yes, for what specific types of legal information? If no, why not?

Yes – Small claims; information and lawyer referral forms; Nolo Press books; form books; codes and reports

No – Don’t feel clients/public are knowledgeable enough to use it.

7. If the County Law Library could add new services or materials, what should be added?

Section for average person/consumer away from others with Nolo section, etc.; professional volunteer to assist pro pers; complete set of West Reporter and regionals; Lexis/Nexis at branch.

Not updating some series at branch; Patent and Maritime resources inadequate; copy machines a problem at branch; materials on criminal law and immigration inadequate (Norton Tooby titles).

A concierge/greeter; Forecite Dictionary for Occupational Services; library needs home under one roof; permanent home and materials in storage retrieval.

8. Law libraries are increasingly using computers to provide access to legal information. Are there types of computer services or technology that you would like to see the County Law Library add?
• list of legal Web sites
• more terminals, esp. branch
• expand online newsletters for practice areas
• classes for users on how to use electronic resources (very enthusiastic)
1. Are there parts of the library that you find are particularly comfortable for you to use? Are there parts that are not accessible or easy to use? If you could change anything about the library’s physical space or location, what would that be?
• environment (cooler)
• map of library; signage improved
• bring entire collection together; can’t access resources in storage
• copy services for large job
• books on lower and upper shelves hard to get (depends on size)
• not enough space in Civic Center
1. Do you know how the County Law Library is funded? If so, please describe the funding source.

Yes – Portion of filing fees (declining).

Used to have benefactor who donated rare books and a "friends group."

S.F. fees are low because of population relative to Alameda County.

2. You are probably aware that funding for the County Library has decreased over the past few years. How do you perceive that has affected the collections and services of the library? How has it affected how you find and use legal information?
• short staffed
• some materials not updated
• need to make choices between resources

C. WRAP UP

1. Are there any other comments you would like to make about the County Law Library?
• Need to retain downtown branch.
• Staff is friendly and cordial; some may go overboard.

FACILITATOR’S COMMENTS

There was some discussion about the librarians "practicing law" to general public. Described by one participant as the first station to solving legal problems. However,

this is "not legal," and there is certainly a question about how far a librarian can go.

This is a group of very interested, supportive users, mostly attorneys. The Law Library is fighting for a permanent home and is finding it difficult to receive a commitment from the Mayor. The 13-member board is well placed and needs to pressure the City. Support from the users may become necessary, and the librarian looks to mobilize them. This same thread--users as advocates--was suggested in San Mateo focus group.

Again, the users of the San Francisco County Law Library are avid about its benefits to them and feel it is essential to their work.

COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY LAW LIBRARIANS

STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY

Focus Group Report

San Mateo County

LOCATION: San Mateo County Law Library, Redwood City

COUNTIES INCLUDED: San Mateo and Monterey

DATE: May 19, 2001

FACILITATOR: Linda Crowe

NUMBER OF ATTENDEES: 6

A. GENERAL

Attendees included:

Law Library Board trustee

Law Library staff

User

1. What interested you about joining the focus group today?

There were two members of the public who regularly use the library: two attorneys and two county law librarians; no non-users.

2. How familiar do you consider yourself with the County Law Library? How do you know about the County Law Library?

All of the participants felt comfortable with the law library.

B. LIBRARY SERVICES/COLLECTIONS/FUNDING

3. Do you use the County Law Library? How often? When you use the library, what materials or services do you usually use?

All use the library at least 1/week or more, up to 3-4 times/week. They use:

• Daily report
• Internet
• Case law
• Civil rights – Code
• Employment law

The law librarians feel they provide "directional assistance." Try not to do research since this is considered "crossing the line."

If users know what they want, they usually find it themselves.

1. If you don’t use the library, why not?

N/A – All are library users.

2. When you have legal information needs that can’t be met by the County Law Library how do you meet those needs?
• Internet
• San Francisco County Law Library
• Stanford Law Library
• San Francisco University
• Referral call to other attorneys
1. Do you ever refer people to the County Law Library for legal information needs? If yes, for what specific types of legal information? If no, why not?

Yes, all the time and bring people as well. Recommend people look at local codes, e.g.,

• Judge Stewart’s Book
• Family Law
• Child Support (most used)
1. If the County Law Library could add new services or materials, what should be added?

Public: Additional pay phone

Extend hours

Law Librarian: Archives – more historical materials

New carpeting

Self-help books

Attorney’s needs

2. Law libraries are increasingly using computers to provide access to legal information. Are there types of computer services or technology that you would like to see the County Law Library add?

More computer terminals

Librarian: DSL lines

3. Are there parts of the library that you find are particularly comfortable for you to use? Are there parts that are not accessible or easy to use? If you could change anything about the library’s physical space or location, what would that be?

Easy: Conference room

Library very spacious

Computers – web page – is a directional page with rules – staff – directional tool

Hard: Sitting next to windows (need reinforcing since ’89 earthquake)

California Code – not always available; tends to disappear

4. Do you know how the County Law Library is funded? If so, please describe the funding source.

First filing fees (Civil-A portion) are main income.

5. You are probably aware that funding for the County Library has decreased over the past few years. How do you perceive that has affected the collections and services of the library? How has it affected how you find and use legal information?
• Both librarians felt funding was flat.
• It has decreased buying power; "research collection seriously compromised"
• Cut hours

C. WRAP UP

1. Are there any other comments you would like to make about the County Law Library?

This discussion should be used to help convince Board of Supervisors what the needs are. They should provide a base level of funding and take the filing fees. If filing fees don’t equal base funding, the Supervisors should absorb the deficit.

FACILITATOR’S COMMENTS:

Both public members were strong advocates for the County Law Library, and using these advocates to "lobby" for County Law Libraries might be a way to raise awareness of how important the County Law Library is to those who need it and use it. This might be on local or state level.

COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY LAW LIBRARIANS

STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY

Focus Group Report

Santa Barbara County

LOCATION: Santa Barbara County Law Library, Santa Barbara

COUNTIES COVERED: Santa Barbara, Ventura

DATE: June 30, 2001

FACILITATOR: Anne Campbell

NUMBER OF ATTENDEES: 6

A. GENERAL

Attendees included:

Law Librarians

Public Library Librarians

Attorney/paralegal professor

Attorney

Superior Court Self Help Center staff

1. What interested you about joining the focus group today?

The Law Library staff has been so helpful, wanted to help them.

2. How familiar do you consider yourself with the County Law Library? How do you know about the County Law Library?

Have worked at public library for 21 years, and as a Federal Depository Library had assisted the Law Library. The public library gave up status of depository in 1999 and that has impacted public library and Law Library.

B. LIBRARY SERVICES/COLLECTIONS/FUNDING

3. Do you use the County Law Library? How often? When you use the library, what materials or services do you usually use?

Teach paralegal class at the Law Library.

Use the law Library for Codes and research.

4. If you don’t use the library, why not?

 

5. When you have legal information needs that can’t be met by the County Law Library how do you meet those needs?
6. Do you ever refer people to the County Law Library for legal information needs? If yes, for what specific types of legal information? If no, why not?

Refer for "Forms of pleading and practice."

Refer for Nolo materials and United States codes.

Refer from the public library; sometimes call ahead to alert them.

Language and literacy can be a barrier to use legal materials. Very little available in Spanish.

7. If the County Law Library could add new services or materials, what should be added?

More hours.

More computers and more databases.

National agency materials.

Public relations campaign to advertise Law Library as "user friendly".

8. Law libraries are increasingly using computers to provide access to legal information. Are there types of computer services or technology that you would like to see the County Law Library add?

Problem to use some databases with public. License agreement only allows staff to use.

Need to have online catalog. Ventura uses LA County Law Library cataloging scheme, but only has card catalog.

Santa Barbara has an automated inventory and catalog. They use LA County law Library cataloging.

9. Are there parts of the library that you find are particularly comfortable for you to use? Are there parts that are not accessible or easy to use? If you could change anything about the library’s physical space or location, what would that be?

Santa Barbara Law Library in the beautiful and historic Court House, but space is very limited. Parking difficult.

Ventura has a nice facility, but very difficult to find the front door. Parking difficult.

Good to provide free conference rooms.

*General discussion regarding public perception that all law libraries are only for those in legal profession, and the public is not welcome.

10. Do you know how the County Law Library is funded? If so, please describe the funding source.

Users were not aware of funding.

11. You are probably aware that funding for the County Library has decreased over the past few years. How do you perceive that has affected the collections and services of the library? How has it affected how you find and use legal information?

Reductions in print collection.

In Ventura had reductions in collection, hours and staff.

C. WRAP UP

12. Are there any other comments you would like to make about the County Law Library?

 

FACILITATOR’S COMMENTS:

Interesting discussion regarding the Ventura County Self Help Center funded from the Superior Court. In many ways they are providing services that duplicate the Law Library, but they are a mobile unit (so can go to neighborhoods) and have attorneys that can help and give advise.

COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY LAW LIBRARIANS

STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY

Focus Group Report

Sonoma County

LOCATION: Sonoma County Law Library, Santa Rosa

COUNTIES COVERED: Marin, Sonoma, Lake, Napa

DATE: June 22, 2001

FACILITATOR: Linda Crowe

NUMBER OF ATTENDEES: 14

A. GENERAL

Attendees included:

County Counsel

Law library staff

Legal Aid

Paralegal

Court staff

Attorney in private practice

1. What interested you about joining the focus group today?

County law libraries under pressure; fall-off in revenue; increase in pro pers; Marilyn said to come; to get information about services and answer questions for referrals; need and like this resource; refer people here; self-help access; project refers pro pers here; students at USF do research and depend on this library; Napa Co. Law Library going through changes, need good public access

2. How familiar do you consider yourself with the County Law Library? How do you know about the County Law Library?

Tour of resources; use it moderately; use it all the time

B. LIBRARY SERVICES/COLLECTIONS/FUNDING

3. Do you use the County Law Library? How often? When you use the library, what materials or services do you usually use?

Here weekly, monthly, every day when in court

Use: Shepherds; federal cases; treatises; law review; practice guides; form books; pleadings, electronic resources; factual research; attorneys; exhibit collection (graphic, exhibits); conference rooms; faxing service--staff mentioned several times

4. If you don’t use the library, why not?

N/A

5. When you have legal information needs that can’t be met by the County Law Library how do you meet those needs?

Marin County Law Library (after hours and weekends)

Online – backup resources from other law libraries

Use this library only

Davis; S.F. State; Boalt (Napa County Law Librarian)

6. Do you ever refer people to the County Law Library for legal information needs? If yes, for what specific types of legal information? If no, why not?

Civil cases; landlord/tenant; family law; Nolo Press books; out-of-state cases; treatise; hospital admin. cases; health care; pleadings and practice books; see staff for assistance; people who want to determine rights and liabilities need specific documents; call in reference questions that can be answered on phone; continuing legal education

7. If the County Law Library could add new services or materials, what should be added?

Hours (unanimous) evening/weekend or both

Lawyers who could give advice – volunteer or paid

Another conference room

8. Law libraries are increasingly using computers to provide access to legal information. Are there types of computer services or technology that you would like to see the County Law Library add?

More public workstations; automated catalog integrated with public library; more electronic resources; list of databases; Napa, Marin, Lake – no websites

9. Are there parts of the library that you find are particularly comfortable for you to use? Are there parts that are not accessible or easy to use? If you could change anything about the library’s physical space or location, what would that be?
• Need more space; different, secure location; better parking
• More tables; sound proofing; "bigger offices;" need new, bigger library – slated to move "possibly" to larger quarters with first floor access
1. Do you know how the County Law Library is funded? If so, please describe the funding source.

Filing fees for civil cases: $23/filing (will send Marilyn’s chart); library charges for circulating materials; group explored county options for money, e.g., a fee for criminal filings;

Reasons why filing fees are decreasing:

• Fewer suits in good economic times
• Mediation is increasing
• Courts have taken over some filing (e.g., family law)
• Exemption of fees
1. You are probably aware that funding for the County Library has decreased over the past few years. How do you perceive that has affected the collections and services of the library? How has it affected how you find and use legal information?

More and more pro pers need more help from staff; shrinking resources; focus on fiscal responsibilities; borrowing fee affects user; stopped buying new materials; purchase updates; cut some of less standard materials; can’t move into new areas of law, e.g., senior law (Marin); realize cost for electronic resources limits spending on other materials

C. WRAP UP

2. Are there any other comments you would like to make about the County Law Library?
• Staff exceptionally helpful, pleasant
• Security, if library moves, when dealing with some clients
• Self-representation conference – law libraries will be expected to give "legal advice;"

much pressure to move in that direction; need a govt. "legal good samaritan law"

• Charge for loans out of county
• Regionalization should help develop argument for more state funding since many users

are from outside county (serve 4 counties)

• Need bi-lingual materials (forms) and staff who speak Spanish
• Video for pro pers
• Legal training for reference desk; corps of attorneys to assist

 

FACILITATOR’S COMMENTS

This group was very heterogeneous, but all need the law library and were very complimentary about staff. The only person using other law libraries Davis, S.F. State, was law librarian from Napa. The rest depend heavily on their county with Lake Asst. D.A. primarily depending on Sonoma. There was much interest in assisting the law library to stabilize funding for needed resources, including: physical improvements, materials and especially staff. Advocacy is again a "common thread."

COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY LAW LIBRARIANS

STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY

Focus Group Report

Tulare County

LOCATION: Tulare County Public Library, Visalia

COUNTIES COVERED: Tulare, Kern, Fresno, Kings

DATE: June 26, 2001

FACILITATOR: Anne Campbell

NUMBER OF ATTENDEES: 11

A. GENERAL

Attendees included:

Attorneys

Law Librarians

Superior Court staff

Public Librarians

Family Law Facilitator

Paralegal

1. What interested you about joining the focus group today?

Interested in helping the Law Library

2. How familiar do you consider yourself with the County Law Library? How do you know about the County Law Library?

Fairly familiar, use the Library every month.

Refer people, but not really familiar with services or collections.

Have been on the staff of the Library for 30 years and am very familiar.

B. LIBRARY SERVICES/COLLECTIONS/FUNDING

3. Do you use the County Law Library? How often? When you use the library, what materials or services do you usually use?

Attorneys use the practice guides.

Use the Law Library for basic legal research. Mostly for own practice, but do some consulting for colleagues. Prefer to use the Library at times when less busy and have more access to materials.

Use the expertise and wisdom of the Law Library staff. Use practice guides, Shepherds, and lots of databases.

The staff is very helpful in locating materials my clients need.

4. If you don’t use the library, why not?
5. When you have legal information needs that can’t be met by the County Law Library how do you meet those needs?

ILL from Los Angeles County Law Library.

Ask for assistance from colleague.

Have approx. 5-10 referrals per week for specific materials that the Library does not have.

6. Do you ever refer people to the County Law Library for legal information needs? If yes, for what specific types of legal information? If no, why not?

Refer people 5-10 times per week.

Many referrals are for people who need help/materials in Spanish.

Refer daily from the Superior Court.

Refer daily from the public library.

When potential client can’t afford legal services, then refer to Law Library.

Pro pers are limited in their ability to use materials by language and literacy level.

One of the problems with referrals is the lack of follow-up…do these people ever get help?

Pro pers almost always want advice, which Law Library staff can’t provide. (Except in Kings County where the Librarian is also the Small Claims Advisor)

7. If the County Law Library could add new services or materials, what should be added?

Additional hours, esp. nights and Saturdays.

More hours and more staff.

Fresno County could use more electronic information.

More online databases.

More hours, esp. Saturday hours.

Another copier.

Online catalog. At Kings County they have no catalog!

8. Law libraries are increasingly using computers to provide access to legal information. Are there types of computer services or technology that you would like to see the County Law Library add?

Would like to see Lexus/Nexus access on public workstations.

Public Librarian would like access to the Law Library catalog (online).

Need to have catalog online.

Grateful for InfoPeople grant to put catalog online.

Need both group and one-on-one classes.

9. Are there parts of the library that you find are particularly comfortable for you to use? Are there parts that are not accessible or easy to use? If you could change anything about the library’s physical space or location, what would that be?

Fresno County not comfortable, not good for users or staff.

The fact that the Law Library is located in the Court House makes it totally intimidating for general public.

Kern County has an excellent facility, very inviting. Have a bank of computers.

Tulare has a comfortable facility, but bad acoustics and some space issues.

10. Do you know how the County Law Library is funded? If so, please describe the funding source.

Not familiar, if not Library staff.

11. You are probably aware that funding for the County Library has decreased over the past few years. How do you perceive that has affected the collections and services of the library? How has it affected how you find and use legal information?

Some collections not updated.

Purchase electronic database and cancel print, unable to purchase both.

See no difference.

Patrons may not be aware until it is bad.

WRAP UP

12. Are there any other comments you would like to make about the County Law Library?

Suggestion that Law Library be incorporated into public library (city or county). Appears that attorneys are using the Law Library less because of electronic information, but general public using it more. Makes sense to combine with public library.

General public needs legal information without charge. The public needs a sense of justice and to feel that the law works for them.

FACILITATOR’S COMMENTS:

Disparity between large counties and small counties. In Kings County the County Law Librarian is also the Small Claims Court Advisor. The Kings County Law Library has never cataloged the collection (no card catalog/no index). In two of the four counties, attorneys, judges, and others are issued keys to the library.