Welcome to the State Library of Pennsylvania.
Hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10am to 6pm
Reference and Research
If you have a question related to law, email ra-law@pa.gov or call 717-787-3273.
Appointments encouraged by emailing ra-reflib@pa.gov to have items pulled or talk to a librarian
Commonwealth employees may access online collections at any time with your library card.
History
The State Library of Pennsylvania has been collecting law materials ever since it started in 1745. As the clerk for the General Assembly, Benjamin Franklin was given the commission to acquire law and other reference books to the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
This collection contains primarily law books, but also includes dictionaries, books on architecture, philosophy, history and religion. It can still be viewed at the General Assembly Collection in the State Library Rare Collections Library.
The staff of the State Library of Pennsylvania welcomes the opportunity to assist you in your legal research but cannot conduct research for you, give legal advice or do anything which might constitute the unauthorized practice of law. The law librarians are professional researchers, not attorneys, and information provided by the staff is not a substitute for legal advice. If you need legal advice, we recommend you contact a licensed attorney.
Law library staff can | Law library staff cannot |
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explain how to use legal resources, and answer questions regarding the Library and its collection.
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perform research on behalf of a patron in response to a legal question or in response to a request for legal advice. Should I create a trust for my family? How can I create a Limited Liability Company? |
help you locate a particular statute or case when you have a specific reference or citation.
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interpret the meaning of statutes, cases or regulations, or how it might impact a particular situation or case.
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assist in locating printed or online legal resources within the collection such as Westlaw, HEINOnline, statutes and form books.
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offer advice on any legal procedure, court rule, or jurisdictional question.
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refer you to appropriate agencies or suggest lawyer referral resources.
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choose statutes, cases, regulations or lawyers for your situation.
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e-mail, photocopy or mail limited print resources when requested by specific citation, restricted by copyright law. |
choose specific forms, language to use in forms, or assist in filling out any form.
tell you how to file a document, what document to file, or how to proceed with court actions.
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These guidelines were adapted from the Supreme Court of Ohio Law Library.