Working with public libraries in the province, LawMatters provides all British Columbian residents with local access to basic legal information. Supported by the Law Foundation of British Columbia, the LawMatters program objectives are to provide public libraries with:
- Financial assistance for purchase of appropriate legal resources
- Bibliographies of recommended current resources
- Research guides on specific legal topics
- Training for public library staff
- Reference and referral support
- Consultation and advice for local libraries
LawMatters began as a three-year project in 2007, and now continues as a community outreach program of Courthouse Libraries BC.
Project Launch April 22, 2009
A virtual public launch for LawMatters took place April 22, 2009. See accompanying press release (Word, 1 page).
Project Background
The LawMatters project was formally announced in a news release on September 21, 2007 (PDF, 1 page). For more background, see the Pilot Project Backgrounder (PDF, 3 pages).
Program Updates
Program Updates are posted on the BC LawMatters Blog. The blog lists new titles and events concerning legal information for the public.
Law Books for Libraries List of Recommended Titles
One of the key components of the LawMatters program is the development of a list of recommended materials for small and medium size public libraries:
- Law Books for Libraries: Recommended Titles for Public Libraries (March 2012). Excel
Includes titles by library size, master title list and titles organized by subject headings list. - Free Titles Order Form (March 2012) Excel
- Law Books for Libraries Retention and Updating Guide (January 2011) Excel
- Law Books for Libraries Update (August 2011) Excel
Legal Information Toolkits for Public Libraries
- BC Toll-Free Referral Phone Numbers (January 2011) PDF
Contains phone numbers and web sites for many BC legal information and advice services. - A Brief Guide to Finding Court Documents (April 2008) Word
Gives sample questions, possible responses and tips for searching court documents. - Separation and Divorce in BC Research Guide Template (June 2010) Word
Provides a listing of resources that libraries may adapt to reflect their collections and local resources. - Community Legal Information Forums in BC Public Libraries Handout (August 2011) PDF
- Planning Guide for Community Legal Information Forums (March 2010) PDF
LawMatters Resources for Community Groups and Libraries
- Legal Information Reading Guide on Family Law (March 2011) PDF
- Legal Information Reading Guides (March 2011) PDF
240 titles from Law Books for Libraries arranged by subject headings. - Multilingual Legal Information Titles (March 2011) PDF
Titles listed in 9 languages. - LawMatters Poster 2009 PDF
- Questions About the Law? Visit Your Local Public Library for Information Handout 2010 PDF
Evaluation Reports
- Minutes From LawMatters Pilot Project Librarians Consultation November 16, 2007 (4 pp) PDF
- Summary of LawMatters Focus Group Held November 21, 2008 (7 pp) Word
- Summary of Activities and Evaluation Findings (9 pp, August 2009) Word
Includes training activities and 2009 legal reference survey. - Training Follow-Up Survey Final Report (32 pp, December 2009) PDF
Summarizes the findings of a survey of public library staff who attended the LawMatters Legal Reference Introductory Training in 2008 - 2009. - LawMatters Public Library Legal Resources Project Final Training and Legal Reference Survey Findings Final Report (64 pp, April 2010) PDF
- LawMatters At Your Local Public Library: A Report for Public Librarians (18 pp, December 2010) also available as PDF .
- Talking to Librarians about LawMatters: Promising Practices (15 pp, September 2011) PDF
The report of a telephone survey of 20 small- and medium-size public libraries in BC.
Contact Janet Freeman, Program Coordinator jfreeman@courthouselibrary.ca 604.660.9204 or 1.800.665.2570