While the ideal law library would have limitless space, resources and staffing, reality dictates a more conservative approach. To grow responsibly, it is important to prioritize and to practice discernment based on an understanding of the Law Library’s role within the community. The county law library exists to serve the information needs of its user population. Knowledge of what the VCLL is not, helps the Law Library to direct its financial, spatial and staffing resources toward becoming the best county law library it can be.

The county law library is not a law school library, which would require the provision of extensive and esoteric resource collections along with custom services. The county law library is not a government documents library, and therefore is not expected to maintain a comprehensive collection of legislative and administrative materials. And although the VCLL preserves and archives important print materials, it is not primarily an archival institution and is not dedicated to the provision of original or historical documents.

The VCLL is not a static repository of books.  It is a place where people learn and are helped.  Individuals concerned with probate, guardianship, property, family law and many other issues come to the Law Library for general, substantive and procedural materials.  Library users also attend seminar presentations to become more familiar with Library resources and improve their legal research skills. Students arrange scheduled tours and return throughout the year to complete their assignments. Attorneys obtain Florida Bar tapes to fulfill their continuing education requirements.   

The Law Library is a place where court burdens are alleviated. Two opposing attorneys come in to settle their parties’ dispute and find a place with the resources and services available to resolve an issue that would otherwise take precious time in court.  A judge comes in for a county ordinance that will conclude the case at hand.  Two business associates wish to form a partnership.  At the Law Library, they learn of their rights and obligations under the law, and are able to locate sample formats of the paperwork needed to establish a partnership. A mother believes that her drug-addicted ex-husband is about to leave state lines with their child.  Although we cannot solve her problem, we are able to refer her to the appropriate agencies to receive guidance and assistance.

Like a triage unit, our role is to identify the problem and utilize the appropriate resources and services that address the immediate legal information need. The Law Library’s resources and services may help a person to resolve their legal issues, or may provide them with the direction or referral they require.  Many times, someone who thought it expedient and cost effective to do their own legal work will realize the complexity of their legal issues and their need for professional assistance and representation.  For judges and practicing attorneys, our purpose is often to supplement or make readily available the information necessary to inform or help resolve a matter before the courts. 

The resources and services available at the VCLL are developed to serve the optimum needs of the county law library user.  While the VCLL maintains the core collection standards in accordance with the American Association of Law Libraries, it also provides key supplementary resources.  Among these are substantial collections of topical treatises, practice manuals and form books to assist in the practice and procedures of law.  The Library also holds a wide range of self-help books to assist the general public in grasping legal concepts, understanding their rights and responsibilities, and gaining access to the courts. 

Alternative media and electronic formats are important components of the Library’s resource collection.  The VCLL provides free access to extensive Westlaw and Lexis databases for all its patrons.  The addition of VCLL legal research workstations at the New Smyrna Beach and Deltona Public Libraries provides expanded countywide access to legal materials.  Florida Bar and user friendly topical legal forms have been installed on the computers at all branches.  The Law Library’s website enables the VCLL to reach out electronically to current and potential Library users, to inform them of Library resources and services and to provide direct links to important research sites.

A video and audiotape collection is available to assist patrons in learning about various areas of law and to provide a means for attorneys to obtain continuing legal education credits.  Many of the tapes are useful to court and government agencies and to the business community.  The Library also maintains the complete Laws of Florida on microfiche, facilitating legislative and historical research.

While trends show that information users and the population in general are geared to a self-help, information-on-demand expectation, there is an increasing need to provide the framework, means and knowledgeable guidance to help library users obtain their desired results.  Professional library services and reputable resources help ensure proper research procedures and reliable content.  Toward this end, the Law Library incorporates educational programs into its service structure.  Legal research seminars and library orientation tours are among the programs that are offered by the Library on a regular basis.

The Law Library is engaged in coordinated efforts, information sharing and partnerships throughout the County and beyond. The VCLL works with Court Administration, the Clerk’s Office and the Family Law Advisory Group to improve the delivery of services to court users. The Law Library also partners with Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida to make Court approved form packets available to the public. Active and ongoing relationships with the County government and many other agencies help to ensure the successful provision of legal resources and services.

An important partnership exists between the VCLL and the Volusia County Public Library.  Originally an alliance formed to maintain a branch Law Library in New Smyrna Beach, this relationship has evolved over the years to significantly improve the delivery of legal information services to the citizens of Volusia County. The Law Library’s legal research workstations in the New Smyrna Beach and Deltona Public Libraries are examples of the benefits of this partnership.  

The Law Library seeks to increase awareness of its services throughout the County.  Brochures and other informational materials about the Law Library are developed, updated and distributed to key access points within the community. The Library’s website provides extensive information about available resources and services. The Law Library also publishes a monthly news page in the Volusia County Bar Association newsletter. The Law Library Board of Trustees is in itself a means of reaching out to the community, in that its members represent diverse interests and functions, and thus serve to recommend the Law Library’s services to various sectors of the community.

The VCLL participates in programs and communicates with educational institutions such as Stetson University, Daytona Beach Community College, Atlantic High School, and other schools. Professional memberships and information sharing activities are ongoing with state, regional and nationwide library associations.  Other relationships also exist and serve to further improve the availability and delivery of legal information resources and services.

The Volusia County Law Library serves the legal information needs of the citizens in Volusia County and provides meaningful access to that information. The Law Library is multidimensional in resource media, accessibility and services. It is a connected, responsive and vital resource to the community. 

The Law Library Board and the staff are wholeheartedly committed to excellence on every achievable level.  This is important because Library usage continues to increase not only in the quantity of people but in expanded qualities and complexities of legal information resource needs.  The Law Library welcomes the opportunity to improve existing services and respond to the legal information needs of a growing community.