Law and Legal Research
The State House on Beacon Hill. Boston, Massachusetts. 1931.
Related Guides
The US Constitution
Introduction
This guide highlights resources for those with legal questions and research queries.
Although BPL is not a law library, we have been a federal depository library for government documents since circa 1859, which means we have innumerable historical legal documents. We also have databases and other resources for legal researchers and lay-people navigating the court system.
Massachusetts legal resources and organizations not affiliated with BPL are also highlighted.
Upcoming BPL Legal Events
Highlighted Legal Databases at the BPL
Fastcase is a comprehensive, nationwide law library, including case law, statutes, regulations, court rules, constitutions, and law review articles. Visit the Fastcase help feature for tutorials and other tips for effective searching. Only available at Boston Public Library.
HeinOnline contains more than 140 million pages and 125,000 titles of legal history and government documents in a fully searchable, image-based format. Available within is a research guide for Civil Rights and Social Justice with briefs from major Supreme Court cases, publications from the Commission on Civil Rights, and much more. Only available at Central Library.
LawDepot allows you to create your own personalized legal documents specific to your state/province and personal situation. LawDepot is now available through Libby. Log in using the Libby app or website.
The Social Law Library in Boston has made a subset of its legal research databases available to public library patrons in Massachusetts. These databases focus on legal topics relevant to Massachusetts, both state and federal. Please ask a BPL librarian for access to this resource. Only available at Boston Public Library.
ProQuest Congressional Record provides full text of the Congressional Record (1873-1997), Congressional Globe (1833-1873), Register of Debates (1824-1837), and Annals of Congress (1789-1824), representing the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress.
What about Westlaw or LexisNexis?
The BPL does not currently provide access to these popular legal databases. However, access to one or both databases is possible via the Trial Court Law Libraries or the Social Law Library. See below for more information.
Highlighted Resources Outside of BPL
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Trial Court Law Libraries
There are 15 Trial Court Law Libraries located across Massachusetts to serve the courts, attorneys, and the public. You can receive legal reference assistance, borrow books, and use print and electronic resources. Getting a library card from TCLL is free. In-house use of Westlaw and LexisNexis is available through the Trial Court Law Libraries, -
Massachusetts Law About...These general guides will help you find webpages on various Massachusetts legal topics that have been compiled by the Trial Court Law Libraries. These pages are similar to this guide's "Resources by Topic" section but the TCLL pages emphasize laws, legal sources, legal forms, as well as where to go within the State Government for more information.
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Social Law Library
Although a subset of Social Law legal research databases is available to BPL patrons, paid membership to the Social Law Library provides full benefits. With Social Law membership, patrons get unlimited online access to the Substantive Law Library searchable databases, including, Code of Massachusetts Regulations, Massachusetts General Laws, Appeals Court Decisions, 1:28 Decisions, Business Litigation Session, select Superior Court Decisions, Supreme Judicial Court Decisions, Massachusetts Rules of Court, Massachusetts State Constitution, U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and more. LexisNexis Digital Library and In-library use of Westlaw are available to members. -
Court Service CentersCourt Service Centers can answer basic questions, help with court forms, give information about court rules, procedures, and practices, and connect you with community resources. All Court Service Centers are free to court users, but there may be other fees associated with your case, such as filing fees. -
Library of Congress: Massachusetts LawThis guide, prepared by the Law Library of Congress, includes links to free online legal resources regarding Massachusetts, focusing on its constitution; executive, legislative, and judicial branches; legal guides; and general sources.