RETENTION DECISION LIST - September 27, 2024
This list identifies generic categories of materials for which the Library has established a retention policy. Feedback on specific retention decisions, as well as the format of this list, is encouraged and welcomed. Questions and suggestions regarding a category not listed, a particular title, or the format of this list may be directed to
Elaine Rosselle, Collection Development Librarian.
Elaine Rosselle Tel: (617) 226-1313
E-mail: erosselle@socialaw.com
Administrative Codes
Federal
(Code of Federal Regulations)
-One paper copy of superseded volumes kept until published online.
-Upon availability online, superseded paper volumes discarded.
-Note: In 2013, Library discontinued its microform holdings and relies now on online availability.
State -
CA & MA
-All editions retained
-Note: CA retained in microform. Paper copies of MA CMR kept until replaced by microform or digitized. Upon receipt of microform or digital version, paper discarded.
- FL, NH, NJ, NY, VT
Latest edition only retained. Discarded when title ceases publication.
-Note: Library acquires administrative codes only for those states listed.
Administrative Registers
State
MA, NJ, NY, RI, VT
-Paper copies of registers discarded after regulations contained therein are incorporated into code. (State-by-state list available).
–Exception: Paper copies of Massachusetts Register kept until replaced by microform or digitized. Upon receipt of microform or digital version, paper discarded.
-Note: Library acquires administrative registers only for those states listed.
ALI-ABA Course of Study Materials
All editions retained.
Attorney General Opinions
Federal
-Paper copies discarded upon receipt of microform. -Ceased publication with volume 43. -Library holdings: 1789-1974 (microform) and v.43 (paper).
State
-Massachusetts opinions retained in paper and microform. All other available states retained in microform.
-Note: In 2012, Library discontinued its microform holdings and relies now on online availability.
Canadian Tax Foundation Publications
-Latest edition only retained. -Exception: All editions of Annual Corporate Management Tax Conference retained.
Citators (Shepards, etc.)
-Superseded volumes and issues discarded.
Corporate Practice Portfolios (BNA)
Latest edition only retained.
Court Rules
Federal
-Superseded volumes and all editions retained.
State
-Superseded volumes and all editions retained.
-Note: Library acquires court rules for all 50 states.
Dictionaries (Legal and Non-Legal)
All editions retained.
Digests (Case)
State
-CA, CT, DE, FL, IL, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TX, VT
-Superseded volumes discarded. All editions retained.
-Exception: First series digests, except for case name index volumes, have been discarded for the following states: FL, IL, NJ, PA, TX.
-Note: Library holds digests only for those states listed. ALL but MA have been discontinued.
Encyclopedias
Legal (AmJur, CJS, Words & Phrases)
-Superseded volumes and all editions retained until received on microform.
-Upon receipt of microform, paper volumes discarded.
Non-Legal
-Superseded volumes discarded. Latest edition only retained.
Jury Instructions
Federal
-Retention decision varies by title.
State
-CA, CT, DE, FL, IL, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TX, VT
-All editions retained.
-Note: Library acquires jury instructions only for those states listed. NJ and VT have been discontinued.
Jury Instructions Companion Handbooks
Federal
-Retention decision varies by title.
State-CA, CT, DE, FL, IL, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT
-All editions retained.
-Note: Library acquires jury instructions Companion Handbooks only for those states listed.
Lorman Education Services Manuals
-All editions retained
-Note: Library primarily acquires Massachusetts-specific manuals only.
Matthew Bender Looseleaf Treatises
-Latest edition only retained.
-Exception: All editions of Collier on Bankruptcy and Moore's Federal Practice retained.
MCLE Program Materials
One copy of all editions retained.
NOLO Publications
-Latest edition only retained. Discarded when title ceases publication.
Periodicals (Law Reviews, Bar Journals, Newspapers, etc.)
Bar Journals & Law Reviews
-All issues retained in paper or microform.
-Note: In 2012, Library discontinued many of its print and microform holdings and relies now on online availability.
Legal Newspapers
-Paper copies discarded upon receipt of microform.
Non-Legal Newspapers (Dailies)
-Current issue only retained.
Practising Law Institute Answer Books
-Latest edition only retained.
Practising Law Institute Course Handbooks and Institutes
-All editions retained.
-Note: Because past practice was to keep only latest three editions of course handbooks, Library's retrospective holdings may not be complete for all titles.
School Alumni Directories
-Latest two editions only retained.
State Bar Association Publications
All editions retained.
State Jurisprudence
CA, FL, MA, NY, OH, PA, TX
-Latest edition only retained.
-
Note: Library acquires jurisprudence only for those states listed.
State Law Finders
-Only latest edition for Massachusetts retained.
-Note: Library acquires Law Finder for Massachusetts only.
State Manuals and Directories
-All editions retained only for Massachusetts.
-Latest edition only retained for CT, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT.
-Note: Library acquires manuals and directories only for those states listed.
State Practice Series
All editions retained for CA, CT, DE, FL, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT. Library retains two copies of all MA editions.
Latest edition only retained for AZ, CO, GA, IL, MD, MI, MS, NV, NC, OH, TN, TX, VA, WI. Discarded when title ceases publication.
-Note: Library acquires State Practice Series only for those states listed. These states are incomplete: AZ, CO, GA, IL, NC, OH, PA, TN, TX, VA
Statutory Codes
Federal
-Superseded volumes retained.
State- CA, CT, FL, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT
-Superseded volumes retained. Microform copy also acquired.
State- DE, IL, MD, MI, MS, NV, NC, OH, PA, TX, VA, WI
-Superseded volumes retained.
-Note: Library acquires statutory codes only for those states listed.
U.S. Territories
-Superseded volumes retained.
State Statutory Subject Compilations
-Latest edition only retained.
-Example: Massachusetts Probate Law and Rules.
Supplements- Pocket Parts and Pamphlets
-Superseded pocket parts and pamphlets discarded. Exception: Pocket parts and pamphlets that accompany replaced or superseded volumes retained by Library are not discarded.
Tax Management Portfolios (BNA)
-Latest edition only retained.
-Note: All WITHDRAWN portfolios discarded.
Tax Transactions Library (CCH)
-Latest edition only retained.
West's Nutshell Series
-Latest edition only retained.
-Exception: All editions of Legal Research in a Nutshell retained.