Introduction - first draft

The history of law libraries is inextricably tied to the history of libraries in general. Some of the earliest existing texts discovered are early collections of the law, and the earliest libraries existed to serve the ruling classes in the administration of the societies they ruled. Notwithstanding early libraries of a religious nature (and one could argue inherently related to them), the law library is probably one the earliest examples of the "special library" that is known.

This report presents a broad sweep of law libraries and law books throughout the ages; from early beginnings at the dawn of recorded history in Mesopotamia, the monastic keepers of the law in the middle ages, the beginnings of the common law and court systems in England, through to the modern law library today. Special emphasis will be placed on the history of the law library in Australia, and the history of the Australian Law Librarians' Association.



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This was the overview I had written ages ago, it seemed like a good idea to outline the scope before I went looking for sources.. I will end up scrapping it now though, the early history is way vaguer than I thought it would be and I am finding literally no information whatsoever..