Jenkins Law Library

The Law Library Company of the City of Philadelphia was founded in 1802 by 71 attorneys, among whom were the most prominent lawyers of the time. They formed a corporation so they could jointly purchase a collection of legal materials with which to practice law. Shares of stock in the company were sold for $20; annual dues were $2.

In 1827, the Law Library Company merged with the Associated Members of the Bar and became known as the Law Association of Philadelphia. Eventually this organization became known as the "Philadelphia Bar Association", and in 1931 the library's name was changed (the first of several name changes) to the Law Library of the Philadelphia Bar Association.

The library was operated by the Bar Association until July 1, 1967, when the Theodore F. Jenkins Memorial Law Library was established with court approval to carry out the provisions of the will of the late Madeleine Hart Jenkins. It was her wish that her late husband, Theodore Finley Jenkins, be memorialized in a manner that would benefit the Bar and the public.

Governed by a Board of Directors, the Jenkins Memorial Law Library is a 501(c)(3). Although now independent from the Philadelphia Bar Association, the two organizations work together on mutual projects that benefit members of the Philadelphia legal community.

Library Mission

Since its founding in 1802, the Jenkins Law Library has been dedicated to bringing people and information together within the legal community. As the nation’s oldest law library, it is committed to providing value through its outstanding service, comprehensive access to legal and other information, relevant educational programs, the latest technologies, and a hospitable place to work and visit.

Library Vision

Jenkins Law Library will be seen as a destination to an ever expanding clientele, as a result of innovation and adherence to an excellence in maintaining, preserving and providing access to legal information by the public and legal communities.

References

* [http://www.jenkinslaw.org/about/history/history.ppt| The History of Jenkins Law Library] [5.9MB - PowerPoint Format]
* [http://www.jenkinslaw.org/about/history/firstlawlib-philalaw.pdf| America's First Law Library] - By bringing together the latest information technologies with centuries of legal information, Jenkins Law Library continues in its traditions of resource sharing and personalized service. Originally published in the Winter 2002 issue of The Philadelphia Lawyer.
* [http://www.jenkinslaw.org/about/history/renovation-aall.pdf| Let the Sun Shine In] - Jenkins Law Library now a destination, not a book warehouse. Originally published in the May 2005 issue of AALL Spectrum.
* [http://www.jenkinslaw.org/about/history/renovation-bar.pdf| Renovations Complete at Jenkins Law Library] - When it came time to renovate the Jenkins Law Library, library director Regina Smith had one thought in mind – make the library a destination for lawyers. Originally published in the May 2005 issue of Philadelphia Bar Reporter.

External links

* [http://www.jenkinslaw.org Jenkins Law Library]
* [http://www.jenkinslaw.org/about/membership/ Membership Benefits]
* [http://www.jenkinslaw.org/services/flash.php Sign up to receive the Jenkins Law Library e-newsletter]