I changed the name of this thread, which started as Couch... because I
want to broaden the discussion. Most of what our lawyers know about
legal publishing they learned in their legal bibliography courses.
I quote from the 9th edition of How to Find the Law, page 332, the chapter
on Looseleaf Services. "The looseleaf publishing format is an ingenious
response to our legal system's constant state of change....The major attri-
butes of looseleaf services are the promptness with which they notify
researchers of developments." Nauseating, isn't it?
Those who teach the courses should make an extra effort to help the
student distinguish between the real looseleaf services and the
"knock-offs. If I remember correctly, the year I taught the course
I skimmed this chapter. Apparently some of the lawyers checked back
with it - or were referenced to this material by some of the
publishers' reps. Practicing attorneys do not have time to investigate
deeply into the practices of publishers. They take what they are given
on faith. Also, some titles are purchased to fill a specific, one-time
need and are not kept up-to-date.
If lawyers are to be wise consumers they need to be educated on the
problems they will encounter, and it needs to be in the classroom where
they cannot escape.
Jacqueline S. Wright
Supreme Court Library
625 Marshall St.
Little Rock, AR 72201-1080
501-682-2147
sclibrary@ualr.edu
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