Don’t Forget to Sign the Petition

http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-closing-of-west-virginias-public-law-libraries

 

Stop the Closing of West Virginia’s Public Law Libraries

Hello,

I just signed the following petition addressed to: Steven D. Canterbury, Administrative Director, West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.

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Stop the Closing of West Virginia’s Public Law Libraries

This letter is to inform you that we, the undersigned, hold the closing of public law libraries in West Virginia by your office is both unconstitutional and unlawful under West Virginia Code.

The United States Constitution secures one’s rights to access to the courts and equal protection of the laws, and the United States Supreme Court has ruled that access to the courts means meaningful access to adequate law libraries and equal access for those who are indigent or without the means to defend their rights and assert their claims.  Even prisoners are guaranteed meaningful access to law libraries or programs to assist them with preparing filings and pro bono legal assistance.  (BOUNDS v. SMITH, 430 U.S. 817)

While you cite a lack of use and the advent of the internet, rights should not be diminished for lack of use, nor can all citizens afford internet access, particularly when it comes to accessing legal materials which most often come with hefty subscription fees or user costs.

Equally as compelling, if not more so, is that statutory language in the Code protects and provides for the funding of these law libraries. (W.V. Code §51-8-8)  In fact, the state law librarian is even charged in the Code with the responsibility of making sure that a copy of the volumes of the West Virginia reports is distributed to the law library in Ohio County.  (W.V. Code §51-8-5)

Therefore, we respectfully demand that, at a minimum, the law libraries referred to at the time the Code went into effect, along with the law library in Ohio County, be kept open or reopened and continued with the funding of the State as provided for in W.V. Code §51-8-8.
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Sincerely,

[Your name]

 

http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-closing-of-west-virginias-public-law-libraries