The Pierce County Law Library, a particular hit with seniors at one of its sites, has received a national award for its “library within a library” collaboration with the Pierce County Library System (PCLS).

The Excellence in Community Engagement Award is presented by the American Association of Law Libraries in recognition of efforts to educate communities and encourage public involvement. The Pierce County Law Library, located in downtown Tacoma in the County-City Building that also houses county courts, was cited for increasing its availability through satellite locations in the and Gig Harbor branches of PCLS.

The satellites have print and electronic resouces to help meet the public’s needs for legal information. Law Library surveys revealed an emphasis on elder law and probate resources at the Gig Harbor location, and family and landlord tenant law at Lakewood. The satellites also in-person reference assistance and public workshops on legal issues.

“Our partnership with PCLS allowed us to take the law out of the courthouse and to the neighborhoods where people live and work. The success of these branches proves that legal information is a resource everyone needs and should be available without cost,” said James Bush, president of the Law Library Board of Trustees.

More information about the Law Library is available at laurie.miller@piercecountywa.gov.