The Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library (LLRL) serves as a vital resource for legal and governmental information, catering to the needs of Maine’s citizens, government entities, and the legal community. Established by statute, the LLRL operates under the authority of the Legislative Council and its Executive Director, providing comprehensive support to the legislative process and public inquiries. (legislature.maine.gov)
Services Offered by the Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library
Legal and Legislative Research
The LLRL offers extensive research services, including:
- Legislative and Statutory History: Tracking prior attempts to enact Maine legislation on specific topics and researching changes in statutes over time. (legislature.maine.gov)
- Issue-Related Research: Providing background information on policy issues and other states’ legislative actions, and identifying and obtaining relevant books, reports, studies, and articles. (legislature.maine.gov)
- Responding on Legislators’ Behalf: Addressing constituent questions and facilitating access to online resources. (legislature.maine.gov)
- Providing Instruction and Assistance: Offering guidance with information technologies and assisting with recreational reading or listening needs through interlibrary loan and audiotape collection. (legislature.maine.gov)
- E-Book Collection: Over 900 legal titles available as e-books, accessible from home computers, tablets, or smartphones. (legislature.maine.gov)
- Physical Library: Located on the second floor of the State House in Augusta, Maine, the library is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with extended hours during legislative sessions. (legislature.maine.gov)
- Phone: (207) 287-1600
- Email: Use the “Ask A Law Librarian” form available on their website. (legislature.maine.gov)
- Mailing Address:
- Physical Address:
- Low Vision Services: Resized and large print versions of bills, committee documents, and other written materials are available upon request. (president.maine.gov)
- Video Phone: Located on the first floor of the State House for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing. (president.maine.gov)
- Courtesy Phones: Available on the first, second, and fourth floors of the State House and on the second floor of the Cross Office Building. (president.maine.gov)
Constituent and Patron Services
The library assists constituents and patrons by:
Access to Resources
The LLRL maintains a comprehensive collection of legal and governmental materials, including:
Contact Information
For assistance or inquiries, the LLRL can be contacted through the following methods:
Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library
43 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0043
State House
Corner of Capitol and State Streets
Augusta, ME 04333
Accessibility Accommodations
The LLRL is committed to providing accessible services to all patrons. For individuals requiring accommodations, the following services are available:
Additional Resources
For further information on legislative processes, bill statuses, and committee meetings, the Legislative Information Office (LIO) serves as a primary resource. Operating under the auspices of the Legislative Council, the LIO provides support to the Legislature’s joint standing committees and coordinates the public hearing process for gubernatorial nominations to boards and commissions and state courts. (web.legislature.maine.gov)
Conclusion
The Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library plays a crucial role in supporting Maine’s legislative process and providing essential resources to the public. Whether you’re seeking legislative history, policy information, or assistance with legal research, the LLRL offers comprehensive services to meet your needs.