News  Notes from the Library: Law Libraries of Plymouth County (Spring 2026)

Resource Spotlight: Social Law Library Databases

The Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries provide in-person access to a wide collection of Social Law Library's offerings. Social Law has "40+ self-produced databases containing primarily state statutes, regulations, court decisions, and agency rulings." Some highlights from this collection include harder to find Substantive Law materials like Superior Court, Housing Court, and Land Court decisions; and many administrative law decisions put out by state agencies. Individual documents can also be sent electronically by library staff.

Community 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.

Golden Years Planning: A Guide to Estate Planning Documents

• When: May 18^th at 6PM
• Where: Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., Plymouth, MA

This informative presentation will provide an overview of the types of documents individuals may want to think about creating to manage the distribution of their assets and insure that their final wishes for end of life care can be accommodated. We will go over material such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare proxies, highlighting how each document helps ensure a person’s wishes are carried out while minimizing legal complications for loved ones. Attendees will be able to request relevant sample materials be sent to them after the presentation via email so they can create their own versions. Law Librarians are not attorneys so we are unable to offer legal advice or specific drafting guidance.

Law Librarian Office Hours at the Brockton Public Library

• When: Thursdays from 1PM to 2PM
• Where: Brockton Public Library, 304 Main St, 3rd Fl, Feinberg room, Brockton, MA
• Open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis

Plymouth County Probate and Family Guardianship Clinic

• When: 1^st and 3^rd Wednesdays of every month from 1PM-4PM
• Where: Plymouth Law Library, 52 Obery St., Suite 0117, Plymouth, MA
• Contact: Please reach out to the Plymouth Law Library at (508) 747-4796 for more information

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

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

Is there a title of interest that’s not at the library closest to you? No problem! We can have any book from any Trial Court Law Library delivered to the library branch nearest to you for pick-up and drop-off. 

Massachusetts-specific materials (both locations)

• Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Torts: Liability and Litigation, 6^th ed., MCLE
• Massachusetts Superior Court Civil Practice Manual, 7^th ed., MCLE
• Massachusetts Juvenile Delinquency and Child Welfare Law Sourcebook and Citator, 2026 ed., MCLE
• Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Sourcebook and Citator, 2026 ed., MCLE
• Tort Liability of Public Employers: The Massachusetts Torts Claim Act, 2026, MCLE
• Lease Drafting in Massachusetts, 6^th ed., MCLE
• Massachusetts Employment Law Sourcebook and Citator, 2026 ed., MCLE
• Fiduciary Litigation in the Probate Court, 7^th ed., MCLE

New in Plymouth

• Disabilities and the Law, fall 2025 update, Thomson Reuters 

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, including legal forms
• 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
• 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.