Closing of Norwich law library disappoints bar association

The Judicial Branch's plan to close the law library at the Superior courthouse in Norwich courthouse is disappointing to members of the local bar association.

The branch has announced it will close the libraries at courthouses in Norwich, Milford and Willimantic in 2010 and disseminate collections in those libraries to other courthouses. No layoffs are planned, and library staff are expected to be transferred to other facilities.

The closures are expected to save the Judicial Branch $189,000. The savings will come from reducing the number of subscriptions and other legal resources that are purchased for each library, according to branch spokeswoman Melissa Farley.

Joseph J. Sellinger, president of the New London County Bar Association, said the decision to close the library disappointed some association members.

"Unfortunately, we didn't really get notice that this was I the works until it was pretty much a done deal," Sellinger said.

He said the closing impacts the general public, including people who are representing themselves in court cases and rely on the library for research assistance and materials. Many larger law firms have their own libraries, but solo practitioners and smaller firms often depend on the courthouse libraries, Sellinger said. Also, the courthouse library is a convenient resource for lawyers who have a need "for quick research while they're on trial," he said.