COLLECTION:
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The library collection is comprised of more than 81,500 volumes. As technology has developed in recent years, so has the variety of materials in the collection. In addition to a fine print collection, the library now offers audio and video cassettes and many treatises with disks or CDs included.

The online catalogs in the library and on our Web site provide a quick and easy Windows-based index to the print and non-print materials in the library's collection. Through the online catalogs you can determine whether the library owns a particular work, where it is located, and whether it is out in circulation or on the shelf. Any work may be found if the subject, author, or title is known.

Members of the library may also take advantage of free in-library use of Lexis and Westlaw state and federal libraries and of both Shepard's via Lexis and KeyCite via Westlaw. Weekly passwords for Loislaw are also available for check-out. Loislaw is an Internet-based legal research system that may be searched wherever the member has Internet access.

FACILITIES:
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The historic Summit County Courthouse was fully renovated in 1988. The Akron Law Library Association occupies the entire fourth floor of the Courthouse building. Comfortable chairs, tables and study carrels are available throughout the library.

A conference room with a large table, eight chairs and a telephone may be reserved by members for depositions or other small meetings. Three small, private, study rooms are also available for quiet research. These study rooms, as well as several other locations in the library, may also be used by members who wish to bring their laptop computers to the library.

Members may use our two photocopy machines with copycards purchased and programmed with 15-cent copies. Members are also invited to enjoy free coffee and tea while working at the library. A public address system and two semi-soundproofed phone booths are available to keep you in touch with your office and clients.

HISTORY:
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The Akron Law Library Association is a nonprofit corporation organized in 1888 by members of the Akron Bar Association under an 1872 Ohio law providing for such establishments. The Association was formed to promote "the study and investigation of law and legal research; to acquire and possess, operate and control a law library." Thanks to strong leadership by the various Boards of Trustees and Librarians perceptive to members' needs, these aims have been and are continuing to be fulfilled.

HOURS:
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The Akron Law Library Association is located on the fourth floor of the historic Summit County Courthouse. We are open Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Please see our home page for holidays and special hours.

MEMBERSHIP:
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The Akron Law Library Association is a membership library and membership is open to all. Membership is granted either by statute (elected officials, judges, court personnel etc.) or by payment of annual dues.

Members are entitled to the full services of the library, including free access to Ohio and federal libraries on Lexis and Westlaw, Shepard's and KeyCite, use of the library's four research computers, Loislaw passwords for check-out, and access to the Internet. Members receive reduced rates for photocopies and may bill for all charges. Members may also check circulating materials out of the library.

The library sends all members a quarterly newsletter including news about special events, research tips, Internet sites etc. We would be happy to send you an information packet containing futher details about the library and its services. Please contact us (membership at akronlawlib dot org) for further information if you are interested in becoming a member.

MISSION STATEMENT:
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The mission of the Akron Law Library Association is to provide its members with the best possible professional library services. The Association will seek to efficiently and cost-effectively operate the law library for its members, providing facilities, staff, and access to current legal resources in all formats, thereby supporting and enhancing the practice of law.

PHOTOGRAPHS USED ON THIS SITE:
All of the photographs on this web site were taken by Mr. David Manning of Sarah Rose Studios. Mr. Manning may be reached at P.O. Box 2946, Akron, Ohio 44309-2946 or (330) 328-5787.

REFERENCE SERVICES:
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"Reference" - information service to patrons - is the heart of any library's operation. The Akron Law Library Association has a staff of six, including three professional law librarians, to provide the very best service possible for our members.

Whether we help you in person, by phone, by fax or by e-mail, we will try our best to connect our members with the document, book, website, form, or piece of information you need. If we do not have what you need in our immediate collection, we have access to local and national library networks and the Internet and we will do our best to get what you have requested from another library.