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Two free sessions on federal statutes and state law library collections offer practical professional development for librarians and legal researchers.
Legal reference questions land at public and academic library service desks daily, yet few MLIS programs require a dedicated course in statutory research. Continuing legal education for librarians typically carries registration fees that strain professional development budgets. In July 2026, the Law Library of Congress removes both barriers with two free, hour-long webinars: one introducing U.S. federal statutes, the other spotlighting the Supreme Court of Ohio Law Library's collections and outreach model.
Both sessions run from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, taught by practicing law librarians and guest experts. These programs offer LIS professionals, law librarians, and graduate students a practical, no-cost way to sharpen research instruction skills and observe how a state high court library stewards unique historical materials in partnership with a national institution.
For the growing number of information workers who support legal research without a law degree, access to structured, practice-oriented webinars like these fills a persistent training gap. The history of American libraries shows that public access to legal information has long been central to the library mission, and these sessions carry that tradition into modern professional development.
The Law Library of Congress has announced two free webinars in July 2026, open to all who wish to attend. Each session runs from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time and covers distinct aspects of legal research and law library collections. The official announcement appeared on the In Custodia Legis blog on June 11, 2026.
| Date | Time (EDT) | Webinar Title | Presenter(s) | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 9, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Orientation to Legal Research: U.S. Federal Statutes | Barbara Bavis, Bibliographic and Research Instruction Librarian, Law Library of Congress | Orientation to Legal Research |
| July 23, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Orientation to Law Library Collections featuring the Supreme Court of Ohio Law Library | Erin Waltz, Director, and Rachel Dilley, Research Services Manager, Supreme Court of Ohio Law Library | Orientation to Law Library Collections (50 State Outreach Project) |
Legal reference has become an expected competency in public and academic libraries, yet many MLIS graduates enter the field without formal training in statutory research. This free Library of Congress webinar fills that gap with a clear, beginner-friendly introduction to one of the most important bodies of law.
The session provides a basic orientation to the sources and techniques needed to research U.S. federal statutes. It walks through the structure of the United States Code, how bills become laws, and where to locate statutory language in both official and annotated compilations. The program also clarifies the relationship between statutes and the legislative history documents that courts use to interpret them. No prior legal research experience is assumed.
Barbara Bavis serves as the bibliographic and research instruction librarian at the Law Library of Congress. She holds a B.A. from Duke University, a J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an MLIS from Catholic University. That dual JD/MLIS qualification represents a powerful and increasingly common career path for law librarians. Bavis designs the Law Library's educational programs and brings both deep legal knowledge and a strong grounding in information science to her teaching. Participants can expect instruction that is rigorous yet accessible, reflecting years of experience in helping a wide range of learners navigate complex legal materials.
Statutes are the bedrock of American federal law. For librarians working in public, academic, or special library settings, questions about federal laws arise regularly. A patron may need to read the text of the Americans with Disabilities Act, locate environmental regulations, or understand how a recent Supreme Court decision interacted with a statute. This webinar builds the foundational skills to handle such inquiries confidently. It also strengthens competencies in government information management, a specialization highly relevant for MLIS students targeting roles in federal depository libraries, law firms, or court systems.
Many LIS students and early-career librarians feel intimidated by legal questions because they lack formal legal training. This session directly addresses that concern. It introduces a repeatable research process rather than demanding memorization of legal doctrine. By mastering the tools and methods taught, any information professional can provide accurate statutory references and know when to refer a patron to a law librarian. Among the top skills employers look for in library science degree graduates, legal reference fluency is increasingly valued. The rotating monthly series, of which this webinar is part, makes it possible to gradually deepen one's legal research skills over time without ever setting foot in a law school classroom.
The Law Library of Congress's second July webinar offers a direct window into how a national institution partners with state-level libraries to advance legal research education. This session is not just a tour of collections; it is a model of inter-institutional collaboration that spotlights how a historic state supreme court library stewards rare legal materials and adapts its services for modern users.
The webinar features two key voices from the Supreme Court of Ohio Law Library: Director Erin Waltz and Research Services Manager Rachel Dilley. Together, they bring deep expertise in managing a specialized law library that serves the state's judiciary, legal community, and the public. Attendees will hear firsthand how a court library operates within a larger judicial branch structure and how its staff navigates the dual mission of preserving historical records while providing contemporary research support.
The library's origins stretch back to 1860, when nearly 2,000 volumes were transferred from the State Library of Ohio.1 The role of law librarian was formally established on February 16, 1867, by the 57th General Assembly, making it one of only four statutorily defined administrative positions within the Ohio Supreme Court. This institutional longevity offers a compelling case study in how state law libraries evolve alongside the legal system they serve. The webinar will explore this history while connecting it to the library's current physical home on the 11th floor of the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center in Columbus.1
A highlight of the session will be the library's unique holdings that are unavailable through typical commercial databases. Chief among these are the Briefs and Records of the Supreme Court of Ohio and Unreported Decisions from the Courts of Appeals.2 These primary sources for information literacy are invaluable for researchers tracing case law development, legislative intent, or local legal history. The library also provides access to digitized documents like the Proceedings and Debates of the Constitutional Convention of Ohio , 1912, expanding remote access to historically significant records.1 For LIS professionals interested in special collections or government documents, the library's approach to preserving and providing access to these items serves as a practical model.
This session is part of the Law Library's 50 State Outreach Project, an initiative designed to highlight the diverse resources available through state law libraries. Attendees will learn not only about on-site collections but also about digital tools the library makes available, such as remote access to LexisNexis ebooks for active Ohio attorneys, public research terminals, and ask-a-librarian services via email.2 The webinar will cover practical details like borrowing policies, document delivery, and how the library supports reference questions on topics ranging from legislative history to family ancestry.3 By the end, participants will have a clear understanding of how a state supreme court library functions as both a historical archive and a dynamic public resource.
Each Law Library of Congress webinar requires a separate, free online registration.1 Direct links to the registration pages are posted alongside the session descriptions on the In Custodia Legis blog and the Law Library's events page.2 The library uses an external registration platform to manage sign-ups and deliver attendance instructions. After completing the form, you will receive a confirmation email with a unique link to join the live session. There are typically no capacity limits or waitlists, but registering in advance is strongly recommended to secure your spot and receive reminders.
There are no geographic restrictions, professional prerequisites, or citizenship requirements. The webinars are open to anyone anywhere in the world, whether you are a librarian, legal professional, student, or simply a curious learner. All you need is an internet connection and a device capable of streaming video.
The In Custodia Legis blog is the primary channel for announcements and registration details. You can subscribe by email or RSS to receive notification of each new post. The Law Library also shares webinar announcements on its official social media accounts, including its Twitter/X handle @LawLibCongress and the Library of Congress's main accounts. Additionally, the Law Library's events page serves as a central calendar. No separate law-specific email listserv is currently promoted for public subscription, but the blog subscription effectively fills that role.
Selected recordings of past Legal Research Institute webinars are archived on the Law Library of Congress event videos page.3 While not every session is recorded, many are posted within a few weeks after the live event. For easier browsing, a curated YouTube playlist is also available through the Library of Congress's official YouTube channel. Recordings are generally accompanied by closed captions to support accessibility.
Whenever possible, presenters' slides, handouts, or resource guides are posted alongside the recording on the LOC site. These supplementary materials can be downloaded directly from the archived event page. Captioning and transcripts are provided for most recordings, making them accessible to viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing or who simply prefer text. If you require additional accommodations for a live session, the registration page typically includes a contact for accessibility requests.
In 2025, the Foreign and Comparative Law Webinar Series hosted 11 individual programs, making it one of the most active continuing education strands at the Law Library of Congress.1 The July 2026 sessions highlighted in this article are part of a broader suite of free, online learning opportunities designed for legal professionals, library staff, and students. Understanding the full catalog of webinar series can help you plan ongoing professional development that matches your specific interests in law librarianship.
Two monthly series introduce core legal research skills and Library of Congress resources.2 The Orientation to Legal Research series rotates through four basic topics each year, covering U.S. legal sources and research techniques at a beginner-to-intermediate level. In contrast, the Orientation to Law Library Collections webinar provides a live overview of the Law Library's unique holdings and digital services, aimed at newcomers. Both series are taught by reference librarians and are ideal for those new to legal information work or seeking a refresher.
For intermediate and advanced learners, the Foreign and Comparative Law Webinar Series explores international legal issues and Law Library research reports, often featuring guest experts from around the world.1 Sessions are held roughly monthly. The Lunch and Learn Series offers deeper dives into select Law Library collections at an intermediate level, with a more informal, discussion-oriented format. These series suit professionals in academic, government, or firm libraries who handle complex, cross-border inquiries.
The Introduction to Congress.gov webinar runs several times each year and provides a structured walk-through of the legislative research platform.3 Appropriate for beginners and intermediate users, it covers bill tracking, congressional records, and committee materials. Government information specialists and public librarians will find this series especially relevant for assisting patrons with legislative history questions.
Choosing the right series depends on your professional context. Public service librarians and reference staff benefit most from the Orientation and Congress.gov series. Those exploring MLIS alumni career paths in special libraries often gravitate toward the Lunch and Learn and Orientation to Collections sessions that spotlight unique physical and digital archives. Those focused on international, comparative, or human rights law should follow the Foreign and Comparative Law calendar. All series provide no-cost, high-quality instruction that easily fits into a busy schedule, with live attendance and archived recordings available afterward.
Law librarianship demands continuous learning, and the Library of Congress Law Library webinars deliver exactly that: free, accessible, and led by practicing professionals.1 For current MLIS students and information professionals, these sessions are more than an hour of instruction. They serve as a bridge between classroom theory and real-world legal information practice, offering exposure to specialized career paths without a financial commitment.
Legal information roles span government agencies, academic institutions, law firms, and special libraries. The July 2026 webinars touch on skills directly relevant to each. The Federal Statutes session provides foundational knowledge in legislative research, a core competency for government information specialists and public law librarians. The showcase of the Supreme Court of Ohio Law Library illuminates the management of unique archival collections, a topic central to special library and archives tracks within MLIS programs. Attendees gain practical insight into how law libraries operate, what collections they steward, and how reference services are structured, all transferable to course projects and job interviews. For students still mapping out their options, library science careers span a wider range of specializations than most people realize, and law librarianship is one of the more distinctive paths available.
The Library of Congress does not offer CLE credit or certificates of completion for these webinars.2 Attendance is entirely self-directed; no formal documentation is provided.2 However, that absence does not diminish their professional worth. Many employers recognize participation in national library programming as evidence of initiative and ongoing education. Additionally, the content often aligns with competencies outlined by the American Association of Law Libraries and other professional bodies, making it a useful study supplement for certification exams or portfolio development.
One of the most significant barriers for MLIS students considering law librarianship is the fear that a JD is mandatory. The LOC webinars explicitly counter that assumption. Instructors like Barbara Bavis, who holds both a JD and an MLIS, design sessions for a general audience, including public librarians, students, and non-lawyers.1 The introductory level of the series means no prior legal training is needed,1 allowing curious LIS students to test the waters in areas like statutory research or court records management. This low-stakes environment encourages exploration and can spark a deeper interest in legal information work. Early career tips for librarians often emphasize exactly this kind of proactive, low-cost professional engagement as a way to build direction before graduating.
The collaboration with the Supreme Court of Ohio Law Library is part of the Law Library's 50 State Outreach Project, an ongoing initiative to feature state-level law libraries and their unique holdings.3 The mission is straightforward: systematically highlight the legal information resources of each state, building a national network of awareness.3 By bringing a guest presentation from Ohio and previously partnering with institutions like the Maine State Library,4 the Law Library of Congress amplifies voices that might otherwise remain unheard outside their jurisdictions. For attendees, it is a chance to see how state law libraries balance tradition and digital access, a case study in government information management that resonates deeply with LIS coursework.
The Law Library of Congress's Legal Research Institute offers a variety of free webinars to help librarians, legal professionals, and students improve their legal research skills. Below are answers to frequently asked questions about attending, registering, and getting the most out of these sessions.
Whether you attend live or watch the recording later, July's free webinars offer practical, expert-led legal research instruction from the Law Library of Congress. On July 9, Barbara Bavis demystifies U.S. Federal Statutes; on July 23, guest librarians from the Supreme Court of Ohio Law Library open their unique collections to a national audience. Both sessions run 1-2 p.m. EDT. Register now via the In Custodia Legis blog, and follow the Law Library on social media for future announcements. For those considering dual MLIS degree combinations that pair library science with legal studies, these sessions are an ideal, no-cost introduction to law librarianship in practice. Missed a session? Past recordings are available on demand.
