Exploring a Library Devoted to Law- Middle Temple Library




Harpeet Dhillon, Deputy Librarian of the Middle Temple Library, guided us on a tour. Her library is home to a collection of around 250,000 volumes related to British, European, and American law. The Middle Temple is located in a historic building that operates as a members club for qualified lawyers and law students. Early practitioners of law with the Middle Temple focused on refining their social skills and becoming well-rounded gentlemen. In the Victorian age, education became more standardized and membership in the Middle Temple shifted towards learning through discussion, mock trials, and the written word. Members of the Middle Temple access the library for legal reference and research. The library staff is comprised of eight full time employees and one part timer. 

I was interested to learn from Dhillon how the library and archives balances the guidelines of traditional collections care with the functionality of the Middle Temple. The activities of this collegiate membership organization take precedence over the building's status as a historic site. Members of the Middle Temple feel a sense of stewardship towards the building and collections and tend to treat them with respect while utilizing the buildings and their services. The majority of the library collection that is readily accessible in the library is exposed to environmental and climate risks such as open windows and unregulated temperatures This is a mitigated risk to provide members with current legal references. Rare items are kept in a climate controlled repository. 

Dhillon likes to remind members of the Middle Temple that it's not just a library they're using, it's their library and exists to serve them. Among the services available to members are a multifaith room for prayer and reading sacred texts, daylight therapy lamp loans, and document delivery. It was enlightening to see how library services can be adapted to fit the needs of special user groups! 

Related links:

https://www.middletemple.org.uk/library 

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