The Lavinia Goodell State Law Library has released its 2024 Annual Report, highlighting its continued efforts to provide legal resources and services to people across the state. Through expanded outreach, reference assistance, and digital initiatives, the library remains committed to ensuring equal access to justice.
In the past year, library staff answered over 4,300 reference questions and processed document delivery requests numbering into the thousands, including copies of court records, legal briefs, legislative drafting files, and research materials. The library’s website received nearly 900,000 visits, plus frequent downloads of popular files like the Wisconsin jury instructions. Over 241,000 database items were accessed, reflecting the strong demand for its online resources. The library also played a key role in assisting self-represented litigants, with branch locations in Milwaukee and Dane County courthouses offering legal forms, research support, and access to legal aid sources to over 22,000 visitors.
The 2024 report highlights several new initiatives, including the library’s collaboration with Wisconsin Law Help, a project designed to connect people with free and low-cost legal assistance. Additionally, the library contributed to the Wisconsin Digital Archives, ensuring access to historical and government legal documents.
Continuing legal education remained a priority, with staff presenting 22 hours of training across 19 unique sessions, including specialized courses on legislative research, administrative law, and online legal tools. The library also hosted free CLE webinars and provided research instruction at judicial conferences and other professional gatherings.
Named in honor of Wisconsin’s first woman lawyer, the Lavinia Goodell State Law Library continues to advance its mission of providing high-quality legal resources to attorneys, government officials, and the public. To explore the full 2024 Annual Report and learn more about the library’s services, visit https://wilawlibrary.gov/.
Third Branch eNews is an online monthly newsletter of the Director of State Courts Office. If you are interested in contributing an article about your department’s programs or accomplishments, contact your department head. Information about judicial retirements and judicial obituaries may be submitted to: Sara.Foster@wicourts.gov