Finding the Answer to Legal Questions: A How‐to‐do‐It Manual for Librarians

Citation

Shelton, M.E. (2012), "Finding the Answer to Legal Questions: A How‐to‐do‐It Manual for Librarians", Collection Building, Vol. 31 No. 2, pp. 87-87. https://doi.org/10.1108/01604951211229908

Research can be challenging for the novice information searcher, and it can be downright scary when it involves legal research. Even an expert researcher may find legal research intimidating. Tucker and Lampson's Finding the Answers to Legal Questions makes an excellent attempt at pulling back the curtain to help simplify legal information and how to navigate it.

The book's first section provides an overview of the US legal system and explains how the various parts are interconnected. This overview is followed by chapters that drill down into the legal information produced by the courts and government bodies. Federal law is covered first, followed by state and local law. With each legal level or type of court the authors provide specific detail on the kinds of information produced, where someone would go to find it, and why someone would seek that kind of information.

The second section seeks to aid someone in approaching the research process by providing an explanation of what kinds of legal information might be needed, and how someone might utilize the broader electronic and print tools available to support legal research. Tucker and Lampson also show their breadth of knowledge by including ways to find free legal help, mediation and resolution help, and how to find a good lawyer. The strength of the book is the fourth section, where how to approach specific kinds of legal questions are covered. These chapters deal with civil issues such as lawsuits, will and probate, debt, bankruptcy, family law and employment. Specific questions and approaches to answering these questions are nicely interwoven, and the authors approach issues from multiple perspectives. A chapter on criminal law is also included. The final section addresses building a collection of legal materials or a web site. This part is an odd inclusion and more appropriate for a librarian supporting others who might need legal answers.

There are several organizational aspects that make this book an excellent resource. First, at the beginning of each chapter a sidebar is provided that outlines all the topics included in the chapter, including sub‐headings. Second, at the end of each major section or chapter, the authors include a “resources recap” table that succinctly highlights the resources covered and provides key notes associated with each resource. The recap for Chapter 6's alternative dispute resolution is the exception, as it includes resources not mentioned in the associated section. Last, several different kinds of sidebars are provided throughout many of the chapters that complement the content in those chapters. These sidebars provide “quick tips”, items that are “good to know”, information on issues “worth watching” and topics that require a “closer look”. All of these organizational aspects increase the book's readability, and provide quick and easy ways to make the most of the book's content.

Tucker and Lampson have written a very useful and simple book that can be used by anyone. This book would be appropriate for any library where legal issues might be of interest.