Information Connection, 0418 WYBJ, Vol. 41 No. 2. 44
| Position | Vol. 41 2 Pg. 44 |
Written From the Perspective of the State Law Librarian in 1920
This is an exciting time to be a law librarian, both in Wyoming and in this country. Our history as a state library goes back to territorial times. Wyoming has long discerned the value of a library. In 1871 the territory's first library was established. The library served the judges of the Supreme Court and other government officials.
The Session Laws from 1871 enumerate the duties of the state law librarian: "It shall be the duty of the librarian to issue books upon the order of the chief justice or either of the associate justices of the territory, or upon the order of the governor of the territory; Provided, That in each case said justices and governor shall become responsible to the territory of Wyoming for the return of said books in as good order as when they were taken from the library, and if any damage be done to said books, or they be lost, the librarian shall estimate the damage or value of said books, and if necessary recover the same of the party authorizing the loan or the party receiving them, by civil process in the name of the territory of Wyoming."The law continues, "The librarian shall have the charge and custody of all books, maps, papers, charts, engravings, paintings and all other things properly belonging to the library, or directed to be deposited therein, and shall also keep a regular file of all newspapers published in the territory which shall be donated thereto."
Since 1912 the library has been housed in the Capitol Building. At that time, we had 25,000 law volumes and 86,000 volumes total in our collection. Our proximity to the state legislature only helps us fulfill our mission.
Our influence and recognition as law librarians extends beyond the borders of our state. Wyoming law librarians have served as officers in the American Association of Law Librarians (AALL) for years. AALL was founded in 1906 to advocate for law librarians and develop the profession of law librarianship. Since its founding, several of our state law librarians have served that organization. Frances A. Davis served as Vice President in 1915-1916, and more recently, Agnes Wright served as Secretary for two terms and Vice President.
AALL publishes the Law Library Journal, which has been an extremely helpful way for librarians all over the...
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