About the Friends of Los Angeles County Law Library
The Friends of the LA County Law Library's mission is to further access to justice by raising funds and supporting LA Law Library’s programs, services, and collections, which serve as an essential safety net protecting the most vulnerable in our community and everyone else in need of free legal information, education, and resources.
Founded in 1891, today LA Law Library holds over 1,000,000 volumes and is the second largest public law library in the United States — second only to the Law Library of Congress. LA Law Library's mission is to serve "as the curator and cultivator of a superior collection of legal resources, a gateway to legal information and a navigator facilitating access to the legal system." In this capacity, it provides services and access to legal information for judges, public officials, and attorneys. But just as often, its users are self-represented individuals who may have no other access to legal information.
Like many other venerable public institutions today, LA Law Library's revenues have declined, while the need for services has increased. Friends' activities raise the visibility of the Law Library's programs and services and provide a much-needed additional base of financial support. Over the past ten years, proceeds from the Galas have been used to expand access, upgrade technology, digitize appellate briefs, provide enhanced services to self-represented litigants and develop partnerships with public libraries.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors provides leadership and management of the Friends activities, including the Annual Beacon of Justice Award Gala event. Beginning each year in early fall, the Board solicits and receives numerous nominations for the annual award. Following selection of the recipient/s, the Board solicits sponsorships, raises funds and plans the Gala.
Thank you for helping us keep the LA County Law Library strong, vital and accessible to all. Your support is invaluable.