State Library of Massachusetts
| Address | 24 Beacon Street State House, Room 341 Boston, MA 02133 |
| Phone | 617-727-2590 |
| Hours | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday |
| Website | http://www.mass.gov/anf/research-and-tech/oversight-agencies/lib/ |
| Catalog | https://bark.cwmars.org/eg/opac/home?loc=111 |
| Digital Collections | http://www.mass.gov/anf/research-and-tech/oversight-agencies/lib/digital-collections.html |
| Security | Visitors are required to pass through security screening |
| Public Transit | MBTA Red or Green Line to Park Street Station |
| Parking | The State House is located at 24 Beacon Street in the heart of Boston. Unfortunately, there is no free or visitor parking available. Metered spaces are available on a limited basis. The closest parking garage is the Boston Common Garage located on Charles Street, between the Boston Common and the Public Garden. |
Library of the United States Courts In the First Circuit
| Address | John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse 1 Courthouse Way, Suite 9400 Boston, MA 02210 |
| Phone | (617) 748-9044 |
| FAX | (617) 748-9358 |
| Hours | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday |
| Website | http://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/circuit-library |
| Security | Visitors are required to pass through security screening, provide a valid government photo ID, and electronic devices (cell phones, cameras, laptops, etc.) are not allowed in the courthouse. Devices can be checked with security prior to entering courthouse. |
| Public Transit | MBTA Silver Line or Bus Route 4 to Courthouse Station |
| Parking | Due to development in the area, parking around the courthouse is limited. Daily parking is available at One Marina Park Drive, at surface lots on B Street and Seaport Boulevard, and at the Seaport Hotel parking garage. Daily rates range from $20 - $38 per day (rates are subject to change without notice). |
Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries
General Information
| Website | http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/ |
| Catalog | http://masscourt.ipac.dynixasp.com/ipac20/ipac.jsp?profile= |
| Chat | http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/libraries/services/ask.html |
| Document Delivery Service Request Form | http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/libraries/services/deliveryform.html Need to have citation to take advantage of this service. |
| Information | Before visiting, be sure to check out the laws by subject pages and catalog. Library e-Cardholders can access HeinOnline, Nolo Law Books, and RetrieveLaw from home. To apply for a library e-card, you can fill out this form. |
Barnstable Law Library
| Website | http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/libraries/locations/barnstable.html |
| Address | 1st District Courthouse Barnstable, MA 02630 |
| Phone | (508) 362-8539 |
| Fax | (508) 362-1374 |
| barnstablelawlibrary@gmail.com | |
| Hours | Mon.-Fri. 8:00-1:00, 1:30-4:00 |
| Parking | Free parking in court complex |
| Public Transit | Barnstable Villager line of the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority |
Berkshire Law Library
| Website | http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/libraries/locations/berkshire.html |
| Address | Courthouse 76 East Street Pittsfield, MA 01201 |
| Phone | (413) 442-5059 |
| Fax | (413) 448-2474 |
| berkshirelawlib@hotmail.com | |
| Hours | Mon.-Fri. 8:30-4:30 |
| Parking | Free street parking |
| Public Transit | Accessible via the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority Routes 1, 2, 4/11, and 5. For maps, schedules, and more information see the BRTA website, or use Google Maps to plan your route. |
Bristol Law Library
| Website | http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/libraries/locations/bristol.html |
| Address | Superior Courthouse 9 Court Street Taunton, MA 02780 |
| Phone | (508) 824-7632 |
| Fax | (508) 824-4723 |
| bristollawlibrary@yahoo.com | |
| Hours | Tuesday and Thursday only 8:00-4:00 |
| Parking | Free parking lots at Trescott and Cedar Streets; Howard Street, south of the Taunton Green. Paid lot at 26 Court Street - $1 per hour, max rate of $10. 2-Hour metered parking nearby. |
| Public Transit | Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GARTA) |
Brockton Law Library
| Website | http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/libraries/locations/brockton.html |
| Address | Superior Courthouse 72 Belmont Street Brockton, MA 02301 |
| Phone | (508) 586-7110 |
| Fax | (508) 580-3329 |
| brocklaw72@hotmail.com | |
| Hours | Mon.-Fri. 8:30 -12:00, 12:30-4:00 |
| Parking | Free parking available across the street from the courthouse and metered parking |
| Public Transit | Brockton Area Transit (BAT), Commuter Rail Middleborough/Lakeville Line |
Essex Law Library
| Website | http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/libraries/locations/essex.html |
| Address | 56 Federal Street Salem, MA 01970 |
| Phone | (978) 741-0674 |
| Fax | (978) 745-7224 |
| essexlawlibrary@hotmail.com | |
| Hours | Mon.-Fri. 8:00-4:00 |
| Parking | Metered spots. Paid lots on Church Street, Downtown Garage on Brown and New Library St. |
| Public Transit | The Essex Law Library is accessible by the Newburyport/Rockport line of the MBTA. The closes stop to the courthouse is Salem Station. The courthouse is also available by the following MBTA busses: Express Bus 450, Express Bus 455, Bus 456, Express Bus 459 and Bus 465. |
Fall River Law Library
| Website | http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/libraries/locations/fallriver.html |
| Address | 186 South Main Street Fall River, MA 02721 |
| Phone | (508) 491-3475 |
| Fax | (508) 491-3482 |
| fallriver.lawlib@verizon.net | |
| Hours | Mon.-Fri. 8:30-4:30 |
| Parking | There is metered street parking, as well as paid parking garages near the courthouse (Third Street Parking garage at 157 3rd St; Pearl Street Parking Deck at 1 Pearl St). |
| Public Transit | Southeastern Transit Authority (SRTA) |
Franklin Law Library
| Website | http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/libraries/locations/franklin.html |
| Address | 101 Munson St. Greenfield, MA 01301 |
| Phone | (413) 775-7482 |
| Fax | (413) 772-0743 |
| franklinlawlib@hotmail.com | |
| Hours | Mon.-Fri. 8:30-4:30 |
| Public Transit | Corporate Shuttle or Greenfield Route 21 |
| Parking | The entrances on Munson Street are marked, directing you to the second entrance, which has a sign "Franklin County Courthouse-Main Entrance." Upon entering the Main Entrance, there are signs directing you to the Franklin County Courthouse Parking areas. There is handicap accessible parking right by the main entrance. |
Hampden Law Library
| Website | http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/libraries/locations/hampden.html |
| Address | 50 State Street Springfield, MA 01102 |
| Phone | (413) 748-7923 |
| Fax | (413) 734-2973 |
| hampdenlawlibrary@yahoo.com | |
| Hours | Mon.-Fri. 8:00-4:00 |
| Public Transit | The court is accessible using the following routes of the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority: Blue 6, Blue 7, Green 1, Green 2, Green 5 and Green 8. |
| Parking | There are several paid garages near the courthouse (22 East Court St, and 1 Monarch Place), as well as metered street parking. |
Hampshire Law Library
| Website | http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/libraries/locations/hampshire.html |
| Address | Northampton Courthouse 99 Main Street Northampton, MA 01060 |
| Phone | (413) 586-2297 |
| Fax | (413) 584-0870 |
| hampshirelawlibrary@hotmail.com | |
| Hours | Mon.-Fri. 8:30-4:30 |
Lawrence Law Library
| Website | http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/libraries/locations/lawrence.html |
| Address | 2 Appleton Street Lawrence, MA 01840 |
| Phone | (978) 687-7608 |
| Fax | (978) 688-2346 |
| LawrenceLawLibrary@yahoo.com | |
| Hours | Mon.-Fri. 8:30-4:20 |
| Public Transit | For public transportation information to the courthouse, visit the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority website or call 508-588-1000. The Lawrence District Court is accessible by the Haverhill line of the MBTA. The closest station to the courthouse is the Lawrence Station stop, which is approximately 1/2 of a mile from the courthouse. Busses are also available through the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority. |
| Parking | Paid parking is available in several nearby parking lots, as well as the Museum Square Parking Garage, directly across from the front door of the building. |
Lowell Law Library
| Website | http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/libraries/locations/lowell.html |
| Address | Superior Courthouse 360 Gorham Street Lowell, MA 01852 |
| Phone | (978) 452-9301 |
| Fax | (978) 970-2000 |
| lowlaw@meganet.net | |
| Hours | Mon, Tue., Wed., Fri. 8:30-4:20 Thurs. 8:30-2:00, 2:30-4:20 |
| Materials | Lexis, HeinOnline |
| Copying & Scanning | The library has a scanner and recommends patrons bring a flash drive to save to. |
| Parking | Library patrons can park in the lot marked Jury Parking, but this lot has less availability on Mondays and Fridays. |
| Public Transit | There is a Lowell Superior Court bus stop, which is on the Highlands via Stevens, Lowell Circulator, and South Lowell lines (See the Lowell Regional Transit Authority for schedules). The court is also about half a mile from the Lowell commuter rail station. |
Middlesex Law Library
| Website | http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/libraries/locations/middlesex.html |
| Address | Courthouse 200 Trade Center, 3rd Fl. Woburn, MA 01801 |
| Phone | (781) 939-2920 |
| Fax | (781) 939-0874 |
| midlawlib@yahoo.com | |
| Hours | Mon.-Fri. 9:00-4:30 Best time to come in: It varies, but afternoons (except Thursday) are usually less busy than mornings |
| Materials | Lexis, HeinOnline, Westlaw, Retrievelaw, Nolo Law Books |
| Copying & Scanning | There is a public copier with a cost of 15 cents per page |
| Additional Tips | The librarian recommends looking at the Trial Court Libraries’ website, specifically their law by subject pages, and their catalog to develop a focused question before coming to the library to conduct research. |
Norfolk Law Library
| Website | http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/libraries/locations/norfolk.html |
| Address | 649 High St, Suite 210 Dedham, MA 02026 |
| Phone | (781) 329-1401 |
| Fax | (781) 329-1404 |
| norfolklawlibrary@hotmail.com | |
| Hours | Mon.-Fri. 8:30-4:30 |
| Parking | There is a parking lot behind the Registry of Deeds Building, as well as metered parking on High and Court Streets. More spaces are available in the parking lot after 1:00 when the jury pool is dismissed. |
| Public Transit | The library is within walking distance of bus stops on the 34E line. |
| Materials | Extensive Massachusetts law collection, including MCLEs; Nolo Books, Lexis, HeinOnline, Westlaw, and federal pro se titles. |
| Best time to visit | Staff are less likely to be available on Thursday mornings, otherwise any time is good. |
| Copying | There are 2 copiers available and it costs 10 cents per page. |
Plymouth Law Library
| Website | http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/libraries/locations/plymouth.html |
| Address | 52 Obery Street, Suite 0117 Plymouth, MA 02360 |
| Phone | (508) 747-4796 |
| Fax | (508) 746-9788 |
| plymouthlawlibrary@hotmail.com | |
| Hours | Mon.-Fri. 8:30-4:30 |
| Security | Patrons have to go through courthouse security to go to the law library. |
| Materials Available | Lexis, HeinOnline, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education publications |
| Copying | Public copier available at a cost of 15 cents per page. |
| Parking | There’s a public parking lot on the right side of the courthouse. Parking is free. |
Worcester Law Library
| Website | http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/libraries/locations/worcester.html |
| Address | 184 Main St. Worcester, MA 01608 |
| Phone | (508) 831-2525 |
| Fax | (508) 754-9933 |
| worcesterlaw@yahoo.com | |
| Hours | Mon.-Fri. 8:00-4:00 |
| Materials | Lexis, HeinOnline, Westlaw |
| Public Transit | The library is .7 miles from Worcester Union Station. It is also near the Main Street & George Street bus stop on the 8 and 18 bus lines. |
| Parking | There are lots nearby as well as metered parking (see map). If you park at a meter, you need to be diligent about feeding the meter because they are quick to ticket. |
| Copying | The library has a copier. It costs 10 cents per page to copy. |
| Additional Tips | If you are looking for something specific (i.e., a form), call the library or use the Chat Service to see if it can be emailed to you. If you have paperwork related to your case (ex. a Summons or complaint), bring it with you when you visit the library. You may also want to bring a thumb drive so you can save documents you find using the library’s databases. |
Private Law Libraries
Social Law Library
| Website | http://www.socialaw.com |
| Address | John Adams Courthouse 1 Pemberton Square Suite 4100 Boston, MA 02108 |
| Phone | (617) 226-1500 |
| Fax | (617) 523-2458 |
| reference@socialaw.com | |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8AM - 8PM |
| Public Transit | MBTA Red, Green, Blue, and Orange lines. Government Center station is closed until March 2016. State, Bowdoin and Park Street Stations are currently the closest stations. |
| Parking | Parking is limited. 2-Hour metered parking can be found on Cambridge St and New Chardon St. Rates for the Government Center Garage on New Sudbury are available here. Rates for Center Plaza Garage are located here. |
| Security | The Social Law Library is located in the Courthouse of the Supreme Judicial Court and Appeals Court of Massachusetts. Visitors will need to go through a security screening upon entering. |
| Usage | The Social Law Library is a private membership research library. You do not have to be an attorney to become a member, but there is a yearly subscription fee to access the library. Pro Se litigants may be issued a courtesy pass if they demonstrate a need to access resources that are unavailable at public libraries. Courtesy passes are only good for one calendar day and cannot be renewed. For more information, see here. |