Lillian Goldman Law Library

Lillian Goldman Law Library is a premier research library located at Yale Law School in New Haven, Connecticut, founded with the support of Paul Mellon and William H. Gates Sr.. The library is named after Lillian Goldman, a philanthropist and wife of Sol Goldman, in recognition of their generous donation to Yale University. The library's collection is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the United States, with materials from Harvard University, Stanford University, and University of California, Berkeley. The library serves as a hub for legal research, supporting the academic and professional pursuits of Yale Law School students, faculty, and staff, as well as American Bar Association members and National Lawyers Guild affiliates.

● History

The Lillian Goldman Law Library has a rich history, dating back to 1931 when it was established as part of Yale Law School. Over the years, the library has undergone significant transformations, including a major renovation in 2006 supported by Bill Gates and Melinda Gates Foundation. The library's history is closely tied to the development of Yale University, with notable figures such as Woodrow Wilson, William Howard Taft, and Gerald Ford contributing to its growth. The library has also been influenced by other institutions, including Columbia University, University of Chicago, and New York University, and has collaborated with organizations like the American Library Association and International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions.

● Collections

The Lillian Goldman Law Library boasts an extensive collection of legal materials, including United States Supreme Court decisions, United States Code, and Code of Federal Regulations. The library's collection also features a wide range of international law materials, including European Union law, International Court of Justice decisions, and United Nations documents. The library is a depository for United States Government Printing Office publications and receives materials from Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The library's collection is complemented by digital resources, including JSTOR, HeinOnline, and Westlaw, which provide access to Harvard Law Review, Yale Law Journal, and Stanford Law Review.

● Facilities

The Lillian Goldman Law Library is housed in a state-of-the-art facility, designed by César Pelli and Robert A.M. Stern Architects. The library features a range of study spaces, including quiet reading rooms, group study areas, and individual carrels. The library is equipped with advanced technology, including Wi-Fi, printers, and scanners, and offers access to Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud. The library's facilities are designed to support the needs of Yale Law School students, faculty, and staff, as well as visitors from University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Sorbonne University.

● Services

The Lillian Goldman Law Library offers a range of services to support the research needs of its users, including reference services, research assistance, and instructional programs. The library's staff, including law librarians and library technicians, provide expert guidance on legal research, citation management, and academic writing. The library also offers interlibrary loan services, allowing users to borrow materials from University of Michigan, University of California, Los Angeles, and New York Public Library. The library's services are designed to support the academic and professional pursuits of Yale Law School students, faculty, and staff, as well as American Bar Association members and National Lawyers Guild affiliates.

● Special Programs

The Lillian Goldman Law Library offers a range of special programs and events, including author talks, book discussions, and workshops. The library has hosted notable speakers, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, and Sonia Sotomayor, and has partnered with organizations like the National Association of Law Libraries and International Association of Law Libraries. The library also offers research grants and fellowships to support the research pursuits of Yale Law School students and faculty, as well as University of London and University of Sydney scholars. The library's special programs are designed to promote legal scholarship, academic excellence, and community engagement, and to foster collaboration with institutions like University of Toronto, University of Melbourne, and University of Cape Town. Category:Law libraries in the United States