Many people ask what the “Social” in Social Law Library means. Is it related to family, community, or civil law? Does it feature cultural and educational events? Does it involve gatherings and observations of historical and legal significance?

Well, yes, yes, and, yes, but it’s much more. 

The Social Law Library is a private, non-profit, member-managed research library serving the intellectual requirements of the Massachusetts bench and bar. Operating under its original charter since 1803, it is the oldest law library in the United States. The term “Social” refers to a way of incorporation dating back to an act of legislation in 1798 whereby a group of individuals could jointly incorporate public libraries as proprietors. In the Library’s case, a group of the leading members of the local legal community, led by Theophilus Parsons, pledged fifty dollars each to establish a law library to act as both a source of legal information and a place for legal education. (Equivalent to $764.54 in today’s money, it could be considered an enormous sum at the time). Within a year it was taken in by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, with whom it has been a close partner ever since. Of course, at the first Annual Meeting, the founders had an informal gathering and celebrated by consuming 33 bottles of wine, 15 bottles of “Sider,” seven porters of claret (wine), two pitchers of punch, and several cigars. The attendees rejoiced with rounds of fervent toasts. “Social” Law Library indeed!

There were other social libraries in Massachusetts, both general and, like the Social Law Library, specific to profession (i.e. medical, architectural), but the only one to remain incorporated to this day is the Social Law Library.