Westlaw legal database now available at the Dover Public Library

posted on 4/6/2023

The Dover Public Library now offers Westlaw Public Access, a comprehensive legal research database designed especially for use in government, law, and public libraries. Westlaw access is provided through a partnership with the New Hampshire Law Library, the state’s only public law library. Derry’s, Portsmouth’s and Littleton’s public libraries also provide access to Westlaw.

“I am thrilled that the Dover Public Library was chosen to be a partner Library, and thank New Hampshire Law Library Librarian Mary Searles for making this happen,” said Dover Public Library Director Denise LaFrance. “Westlaw is a very powerful tool, and being able to offer free access to the public is a real boon to those doing legal research.”

People interested in researching legal information in their cases have few options, and they tend to be either time-consuming, far away, or expensive. Free Westlaw access means that anyone who comes to the Dover, Derry, Portsmouth or Littleton libraries will have the same online sources used by attorneys. The public can also access Westlaw for free in Concord at the New Hampshire Law Library.

“Partnering with public libraries increases the reach and impact of the state’s law library,” Searles said. “We’re able to bring accurate and reliable legal information closer to the people who need it. Public librarians are available to help patrons use Westlaw and to find legal information and appropriate organizations for more help.”

Researchers do not need a library card to use Westlaw, and librarians are available to provide reference assistance.

For more information about the New Hampshire Law Library, see https://www.courts.nh.gov/resources/nh-law-library.

Dover Public Library is open Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays, from 1 to 5 p.m.