Introduction to Legal Materials, LLAW

Introduction to Legal Materials:
A Manual for Non-Law Librarians in Wisconsin

This guide was compiled by the Public Access to Legal Information Committee. Anyone may download a free copy here. Bound copies are available for $10. To purchase a bound copy, contact Sunil Rao, UW Law Library, 975 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI 53706, or email strao@wisc.edu.

Download the entire book (pdf):

Introduction to Legal Materials (1.4 MB)

Download sections of the book (pdf):

Preface and Detailed Table of Contents (253 KB)
Section I - The Judicial System (308 KB)
Section II - The Legislative System (196 KB)
Section III - Administrative Law (196 KB)
Section IV - Foreign, International and Comparative Law (190 KB)
Section V - Other Research Tools (303 KB)
Section VI - Lexis-Nexis, Westlaw and other Fee-based Electronic Resources (167 KB)
Section VII - How to Read Legal Citations (231 KB)
Section VIII - Collection Development (167 KB)
Section IX - Legal Reference and Legal Advice (127 KB)
Section X - Document Delivery (159 KB)
Appendix A - Glossary (104 KB)
Appendix B - Major Wisconsin Law Libraries (89 KB)
Appendix C - Government Documents Collections in Wisconsin (253 KB)
Appendix D - Selected Legal Publishers (99 KB)
Appendix E - Legal Information/Assistance Sources in Wisconsin (130 KB)
Appendix F - Bibliography on Public Access to Legal Information (94 KB)
Appendix G - Committee on Public Access to Legal Information (1988-1989) (70 KB)

Report on the Public's Access to Legal Information and Assistance in Wisconsin

With more and more people deciding to forego legal representation when they go to court, the demand for accurate, current legal information and the need for assistance with court procedures has never been greater. This report surveys Wisconsin residents' access to legal information and legal assistance and recommends improvements to collections and services of libraries throughout Wisconsin.

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Report on the Public's Access to Legal Information and Assistance in Wisconsin (346 KB)