Connecticut’s Executive Branch has cut $12.9 million in the budget for the Judicial Branch, forcing the proposed closure of six law libraries across the state including the Bridgeport Superior Court Library.

These courthouse libraries serve to meet a diverse range of legal research needs from the judiciary, corporate and government attorneys, solo practitioners, average citizens and the indigent. The physical collections and online services available through these libraries, as well as the professional knowledge and expertise of law librarians, contribute to making Connecticut’s court law libraries essential partners in the delivery of justice.

Connecticut’s fifteen Judicial libraries annually receive an average of 480,000 web site visits, 250,000 walk-in visits, and staff answer approximately 42,000 reference questions. These statistics demonstrate that our court law libraries are unique and essential.
 
The proposed closure of the Bridgeport Superior Court Library is especially alarming because, with the planned closure of the Milford Superior Court Library, there will be a gap of 41 miles between the two remaining public law libraries, Stamford and New Haven. Library users depend upon Bridgeport’s current and historic legal materials in all formats, and they value the court librarians for their unique knowledge and expertise.

Closure of this library will have a serious negative impact on pro se litigants who rely on the law library to gain access to legal materials they need to defend themselves in court.  These already disenfranchised individuals often lack transportation options to travel to a distant law library.  While we understand the dire budgetary circumstances that the state currently faces, it is essential that the Bridgeport Superior Court Library remain open.  It is indispensible to the city’s residents.

“The loss of the Bridgeport Superior Court Law Library would be a significant and overwhelming loss to the Bridgeport Community, the Fairfield County Judicial District, its Judges, lawyers and litigants. This community would no longer have a law library for its citizens and they would have to travel to other judicial districts to obtain the vital services which are now provided by the Bridgeport Law Library and its dedicated staff.”

Edward F. Czepiga, II, President-elect of the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association

The American Association of Law Libraries and the Southern New England Law Librarians Association urge residents of Connecticut to join our efforts to save the Bridgeport Superior Court Library, slated for closure by July 1, 2010. Time is of the essence and we ask that you please add your name to the petition today.

We, the undersigned organizations and individuals, join together in urging members of the Connecticut legislature to provide the Judicial Branch with adequate funding to keep the Bridgeport Superior Court Library open, and we urge the Chief Court Administrator to reconsider her decision to close this library.  It is crucial that the public value of the Bridgeport Superior Court Library is recognized and preserved to ensure equitable access to the law for all.

Thank you.