The Law Library is a part of a social network. The network includes judges, attorneys, court staff and the public. These groups interact within the court system and in the library to the mutual benefit of all. When members of the public find easy access to legal information, they can increase their understanding when communicating with an attorney or a judge in a court setting. By participating and supporting this social network, the Law Library is building social capital.
The World Bank defines the concept of social capital as “the institutions, relationships, and norms that shape the quality and quantity of a society’s social interactions … social capital is not just the sum of the institutions that underpin a society — it is the glue that holds the society together.” (12:8 AALL Spectrum, July 2008, at 8) It is not hard to imagine the Law Library as a natural space in which a social network emerges.
In a recent article in the Law Library Journal, titled “Legal Information as Social Capital,” the authors posit that “shared legal information is necessary to creating ‘habits of cooperation’ that bridge the divide between citizens and the exclusive world of the legal community.” (99:2 LLJ 267, 2007) With technology comes the possibility of linking groups together in a common purpose. Many people are now creating MySpace and Facebook accounts with personal information that increasingly finds its way into legal matters.
The Law Library staff are always glad to provide more information on any of the social networks and their interaction with the legal world. Contact us at 206-296-0940 for copies of the articles mentioned here.
Training Classes:
- Skip Tracing: Friday, August 15, noon to 1:30 p.m.
- Beginning Westlaw: Friday, August 29, noon to 1:30 p.m.
- Advanced Westlaw: Friday, September 5, noon to 1:30 p.m.
Classes are held in the Legal Resource Training Center in our Seattle location.
Marcus Hochstetler is the King County Law Librarian. Please direct comments or questions to him at 206-296-0940 or marcus.hochstetler@metrokc.gov.
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