J. A. Powell, Jr.
Great changes are about to happen with our county law library. The Board of Directors is directed by the County Commission to substantially reduce the cost of the library to the county. Part of the funding for the library comes from filing fees collected by the court clerks. It is the goal of the Board to completely fund the library with these fees.
To accomplish this goal, the Board has decided to make major changes to the library. The biggest change will be a move to computerized research. The Board has signed a contract with Westlaw to provide this service beginning on January 1st. Three terminals with printers will be installed in the library. Another terminal will be installed in the attorney's study. Finally, a terminal will be installed at the Washington Memorial Library for use after-hours and on weekends.
Westlaw will provide training for anyone needing it. The training will probably be at the vocational school's computer lab. Notice of the training dates will be published in the next Macon Bar Letter.
In addition to the move to computerized research, the library will move away from books. The library subscribes to many reporters that are rarely used. These books are available at the Mercer Law School and at the federal court's law library. The Board has decided to cut back drastically on printed materials purchased for the Law Library. If an attorney needs a book that has been discontinued, he or she can request that the librarian get the book. If there is enough demand to justify the cost of the book, then the Board will re-subscribe to that book.
The Board hopes that these changes will make our Law Library better and easier to use. As always, if you know of anything that can improve the library please tell the Board about your idea.