Blog Post  Notes from the Library: Law Libraries of Plymouth County (June 2025)

Resources spotlight: MCLE New England Collections

MCLE New England is one of the leading providers of Continuing Legal Education in Massachusetts. They have live in-person and online sessions on almost every area of law, but what is a practitioner to do when they can’t make a session and need information? The Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries have in print everything you need! Every TCLL receives in print MCLE’s program materials. This includes the slides of the presentation; a transcript of the session; and referenced samples, filing, or decisions. If there was a forum, conference, or symposium we have the materials. Not sure if there is material on what you need? Reach out to your local law library and we will look for you.

Community events

Finding Trustworthy Immigration Resources in Massachusetts

Presented in partnership with the Boston Public Library

• When: July 30^th, 2025 at 1:00PM
• Where: Via Zoom – register at this link
• Open to the public

Law Librarian Office Hours at the Brockton Public Library

Every Thursday from 3PM to 4PM
304 Main St, 3rd Fl, Feinberg room Brockton, MA

Suggestions for future events

Have an event idea? Want to present at a movie night or community talk? Reach out to Jazz or Emily to get the conversation started.

What's new at the Brockton & Plymouth law libraries?

A monthly round-up of the newest titles and updates available at the Brockton and Plymouth law libraries!  

See a title of interest that’s not available at your local law library? No problem! Any book from any of our 15 locations can be delivered to the law library nearest to you for pickup and drop off.

Massachusetts

• Massachusetts Arrest, Search and Seizure Citator, 2025, MCLE
• Massachusetts Guide to Evidence, 2025, MCLE
• Trying OUI and Other Motor Vehicle Violations, 2^nd ed., 2025, MCLE
• Massachusetts Family Law Sourcebook and Citator, 2025, MCLE
• Massachusetts Criminal Law Sourcebook and Citator, 2025, MCLE
• LexisNexis Legal Practice Guide: Massachusetts OUI Law, 2025, LexisNexis
• West’s Massachusetts Criminal Law and Procedure, 2025, Thomson Reuters
• Massachusetts Practice: Employment Law, Vol. 45A, 2025 updates, Thomson Reuters

New in Brockton

• Handbook of Civil Procedure in the Massachusetts District Courts, Supp.  2025, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

General/Federal

New at both locations

• Scott and Asher on trusts, 6^th ed., Newly revised volumes for 2025, Wolters Kluwer 

New in Plymouth

• Evidentiary foundations, 13^th ed., LexisNexis
• Insurance claims and disputes, 6^th ED,  May 2025 Update, Thomson Reuters
• Suffolk University law review, Vol. LVII No.4 (2025)

New in Brockton

• Trademark:  Legal Care For Your Brand, 14^th ed., James Publishing
• Mental Disorders in Social Security Disability Practice, 1^st ed., James Publishing
• Suppressing Criminal Evidence, Rev. 3, James Publishing
• Qualifying & Attacking Expert Witnesses, Rev. 36, James Publishing
• Effective Voir Dire, Rev. 1, James Publishing
• Trial Objections, Rev. 29, James Publishing
• Exposing Deceptive Defense Doctors, Rev. 7, James Publishing
• Guerilla Discovery, Rev. 21, James Publishing
• Is it Admissible?, Rev. 26, James Publishing
• Becoming A US Citizen: A Guide to the Law, Exam and Interview, 11^th ed., NOLO
• Building A Parenting Agreement That Works: Child Custody Agreements Step-by-Step, 10^th ed., NOLO
• Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Keep Your Property and Repay Debts Over Time, 17^th ed., NOLO
• The Complete IEP Guide: How to Advocate for Special Education Services for Your Child, 11^th ed., NOLO
• Consultant & Independent Contractor Agreements, 11^th ed., NOLO
• Contracts: the Essential Business Desk Reference, 3^rd ed., NOLO
• The Corporate Records Handbook: Meetings, Minutes & Resolutions, 9^th ed., NOLO
• Credit Repair, 16^th ed., NOLO
• The Criminal Law Handbook: Know Your Rights, Survive the System, 2024, NOLO
• Dealing With Problem Employees: How to Manage Performance and Personality Issues in the Workplace, 12^th ed., NOLO
• Divorce and Money: Make the Best Financial Decisions During Divorce, 14^th ed., NOLO
• Divorce After 50: A Guide to the Unique Legal and Financial Challenges of Your Divorce, 6^th ed., NOLO
• Divorce Without Court: A Guide to Mediation and Collaborative Divorce, 7^th ed., NOLO
• The Employer's Legal Handbook: How to Manage Your Employees and Workplace,16^th ed., NOLO
• Essential Guide to Divorce, 10^th ed., NOLO
• Essential Guide to Family & Medical Leave, 7^th ed., NOLO
• Essential Guide to Federal Employment Laws, 7^th ed., NOLO
• Essential Guide to Workplace Investigations, 7^th ed., NOLO
• Estate Planning Basics, 12^th ed., NOLO
• Every AIRBNB Host's Tax Guide, 7^th ed., NOLO
• Every Landlord's Guide to Managing Property: Best Practices, From Move-in to Move-out, 4^th ed., NOLO
• Every Landlord's Legal Guide, 17^th ed., NOLO
• Every Landlord's Tax Deduction Guide, 21^st ed., NOLO
• Executor's Guide: Settling a Loved One’s Estate or Trust, 10^th ed., NOLO
• Fiancé and Marriage Visas: A Couple’s Guide to U.S. Immigration, 11^th ed., NOLO
• Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won’t Have To, 11^th ed., NOLO
• Home Business Tax Deductions: Keep What You Earn, 21^st ed., NOLO
• How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, 23^rd ed., NOLO
• How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation, 15^th ed., NOLO
• How to Get a Green Card, 16^th ed., NOLO
• How to Win Your Personal Injury Claim, 12^th ed., NOLO
• Law Forms for Personal Use, 12^th ed., NOLO
• Lease and Rental Agreements: Essential Rental Forms Every Landlord Needs, 14^th ed., NOLO
• Legal Forms for Starting & Running a Small Business, 13^th ed., NOLO
• Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business, 18^th ed., NOLO

New eBooks

The following eBooks are available through the Lexis Digital Library with a Trial Court Law Library card:

• Surprise Billing Handbook: A Guide for Lawyers and Providers, 2025, ABA
• Patent Litigation Strategies Handbook, 5^th ed., ABA
• Investment Company Determination Under the 1940 Act: Exemptions and Exceptions, 3^rd ed., ABA
• Corporate Governance: Understanding the Board-Management Relationship, 2024, ABA
• Chemical Product Law and Supply Chain Stewardship: A Guide to New TSCA, 2025, ABA
• A Manual of Style for Contract Drafting, 5^th ed., ABA
• The Commercial Office Lease Handbook: New York Model Clauses and Commentary, 2^nd ed., ABA
• Show, Don't Tell: How Lawyers Can Use Video to Stand Out and Revolutionize Their Firms, 2024, ABA
• Preventing the Dispute Before It Begins: Proven Mechanisms for Fostering Better Business Relationships, 2024, ABA
• Consumer Protection: Understanding Enforcement Actions Brought by State Attorneys General, 2025, ABA

What we do

There are 15 Trial Court Law Libraries located across Massachusetts to serve the legal research needs of the courts, attorneys, and the general public.

The Trial Court Law Libraries are free and open to everyone who lives, works, or goes to school in Massachusetts. We are committed to providing legal reference services and legal research assistance to all.

Library cards are free! Our card will work at all 15 law library locations and provides access to materials in the libraries as well as to some databases from your home or office.

We provide the following services to the public:

• Help locating legal resources
• Provide online assistance via email, chat and document delivery
• Instruction in the use of print and digital resources
• Verify legal citations
• Locate and obtain resources in other law libraries through inter-library loan service
• Deliver documents, such as cases, by email and mail
• Locate legal forms
• Referrals and contact information for community resources, legal assistance programs, and social service agencies

Virtual services

Can’t make it into the law library? We can bring the law library to you! We are happy to help you with all of your legal information needs directly from your home or office. Ask us a reference question over the phone or send us an email and we can send you relevant case law and book chapters electronically. If you have a legal citation, we can send you the document with the Lexis Shepard’s Report or West Law’s KeyCite.

How to contact the Trial Court Law Libraries

• Call or email your local law library
• Chat with a law librarian
• Statewide email reference and document delivery
• Text a law librarian at 866-885-6277 (866-885-MASS)
• Zoom with a law librarian

In-person services

Patrons who visit the Trial Court Law Libraries in person have access to the full range of services we offer. In the libraries, patrons can browse and borrow from each location’s full print collection, as well as request and pick up/drop off print materials borrowed from any of the Trial Court Law Libraries across the state. Every location also has patron computers with free access to Westlaw, Lexis, VitalLaw, HeinOnline, and multiple databases provided by Social Law Library. Free public wi-fi and printer/copier/scanner access are also available. Last but not least, every location is staffed by knowledgeable law librarians who can assist you with finding resources that meet your needs.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

About the authors

Emily Morin-Martel is the Head Law Librarian of the Plymouth Law Library. Questions or requests can be sent to: plymouthlawlibrary@jud.state.ma.us.

Jasmine ("Jazz") Bonanca is the Head Law Librarian of the Brockton Law Library. Questions or requests can be sent to: brocktonlawlibrary@jud.state.ma.us.