LEGAL
Ayer Library supports your access to justice as a proud member of the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries’ Public Library Initiative.
ACCESS TO
JUSTICE
The Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries’ Public Library Initiative seeks to provide equal access to the court system for the public, including self-represented litigants, those with limited or no English proficiency, and individuals with mental or physical disabilities. Visit the Access to Justice website to learn more, or explore the services below.
Attend Court Remotely
Reserve a Room if you need private space to attend a court hearing. Borrow a Chromebook or hotspot from our Library of Things if you need the technology to attend here or elsewhere.
Request Interpreter Services
The Office of Language Access guarantees and protects the rights of non-English speakers in legal proceedings by providing them with free qualified court interpreters upon request.
Print, Copy, or Fax Documents
Use our public computers to access and print court documents or print files directly from your smartphone. Use our copier to copy or fax documents. Up to 10 pages of printing/copying is free daily.
Connect with a Law Librarian
The Trial Court’s law librarians can’t give you legal advice. But they can help you find legal information via phone call, chat, text, email, Zoom, or in-person at one of their 15 locations.
Access Online Legal Resources
Ayer Library has an institutional Trial Court Law Libraries card, allowing library patrons to access legal eBooks and databases within the library. Speak with a staff member to get started.
Other Remote Court Resources
Learn more about virtual court services. Prepare for your virtual hearing. Explore court forms and other resources. Look for legal assistance. Contact your court for information on your case.
MORE RESOURCES
Massachusetts General Laws
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws
General Laws are Session Laws or sections of Session Laws that are permanent in nature and of general application.
Massachusetts Session Laws
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws
Each bill that becomes law is given a chapter number based on the chronological order in which it was adopted. These chapters are called Session Laws and are compiled on an annual basis.
Lawyer Referral Service
The Massachusetts Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service is one of the largest legal referral services in the nation, which makes it easy to connect you to the right lawyer in your area.
Massachusetts Court Service Centers
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/learn-about-court-service-centers
Court Service Centers help people navigate the Massachusetts court system. Centers are available to all court users without attorneys and there are no income or immigration status requirements. All of the services in the Court Service Centers are free.
Center for Public Representation
https://centerforpublicrep.org/
The Center for Public Representation is an advocacy organization that provides legal services to people with disabilities. They are dedicated to enforcing and expanding the rights of people with disabilities and others who are in segregated settings.
Civil Legal Aid for Victims of Crime
Civil Legal Aid for Victims of Crime offers free legal help to crime victims who live or have a civil legal problem in Massachusetts, such as needing a divorce or child support, getting credit fixed, a housing eviction, or problems getting disability or other public benefits.
Community Legal Aid
https://www.communitylegal.org/
Community Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to low-income and elderly residents of central and western Massachusetts. CLA also provides free civil legal assistance to victims of crime and survivors of homicide victims.
Disability Law Center
https://www.dlc-ma.org/
The Disability Law Center is a private, non-profit organization responsible for providing protection and advocacy for the rights of Massachusetts residents with disabilities.
Can’t visit the Ayer Library right now?
Check out our streaming services or contact staff to arrange for home delivery of materials.
