"West Virginia Supreme Court and Library Commission To Create Pilot Research Centers"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:		CONTACT:
August 8, 2003		Michelle T. Mensore
		(304) 720-0342

West Virginia Supreme Court and Library Commission
To Create Pilot Legal Research Centers

Charleston, W. Va. - The West Virginia Supreme Court is partnering with the West Virginia Library Commission to create nine pilot legal research centers in libraries throughout West Virginia.

The Supreme Court received a $45,000 grant from the State Justice Institute (SJI Grant Number SJI-03-N-107) in late July to fund the legal research centers for one year. If the project is successful, the Court may apply for more funding to continue and expand the project.

The Supreme Court and the Library Commission will work together to establish legal research centers in three urban public libraries, three rural public libraries and three circuit court law libraries. The Court is surveying public and circuit court librarians to determine the best locations for the legal research centers. The first center will open on October 1, 2003. The remaining eight centers will open by March 2004.

As part of the legal research centers’ services, trained librarians will assist members of the public with legal research questions. Patrons also can use legal research computer databases and written legal materials. "Public libraries have limited funds to purchase legal research materials and many of our patrons have legal research questions," West Virginia Library Commission Secretary J.D. Waggoner said.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Larry Starcher also described the partnership between the West Virginia court and library systems as mutually beneficial. "A librarian’s job is to help people find information," Chief Justice Starcher said. "Placing legal research centers in libraries is logical because we can serve the largest number of people in a comfortable setting."

The State Justice Institute is a non-profit organization established by federal law to award grants to improve the quality of justice in state courts nationwide, facilitate better coordination between state and federal courts, and foster innovative, efficient solutions to common problems all courts face. More information about SJI is available at www.statejustice.org.

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