Mission Statement

Allegheny County Law Library Mission Statement

The mission of the Allegheny County Law Library (ACLL or Library), the only public law library in the County, is to be a vibrant legal information center for its User Communities. Its Communities consist of all Allegheny County residents, members of the legal profession (the Bar), and the judiciary (the Bench),– irrespective of age, ability, or physical location. ACLL will continue to provide a welcoming environment for legal research and learning; a collection of legal information resources designed to meet the needs of the Community; and innovative and user-centered services. ACLL offers both free access to legal information and fee-based tailored services.

The three main avenues to achieve this mission in the next five years require:

  • Raising awareness of the ACLL’s informational role and services. 

  • Continuing education and cross-training of the staff.   

  • Assuring healthy finances to digitize ACLL services as needed by its User Communities.

The annual organizational plan will further detail the ways in which:

  • The Library empowers its users to access legal resources and services.  

  • The Library advances legal knowledge within its Communities by providing customized, excellent services.

  • The Library strengthens its User Communities through targeted legal information literacy resources and legal education programs.

Values

ACLL is committed to organizational excellence; its staff approaches their work with a mindset of continuous improvement which includes the adoption of the latest information technologies.

ACLL’s work is characterized by integrity, respect, care, transparency, and efficiency.

Partnerships

ACLL’s resources and services require flexible partnerships with others, including its technology partners, other public libraries within the community, universities, as well as various professional organizations.

The Allegheny County Residents Community  

ACLL plays a critical role in fostering a vibrant, legally literate Community. Its physical and digital spaces provide an ever-changing environment for learning, research, and collaboration.

 
The Bench Community  

ACLL strives to offer the most up-to-date legal information resources to pro-se litigants and all Community members in need of legal services, so they better understand their rights and duties when engaged in litigation. 

 
The Allegheny Bar (Legal Profession) Community  

ACLL strives to offer services to support all members of the legal profession within Allegheny County. 

 
The Fee-Based Membership Community  

ACLL strives to provide additional services to its members, with the same goal of informational empowerment. 

 

Priorities

Priority 1  

Secure consistent and sufficient financial support to fulfill the ACLL’s mission.

 
Priority 2   

Support the ACLL’s staff continuing education and access to
the latest advances in information technologies.

 
Priority 3   

Support its User Communities with access to the most up-to-
date legal information in the most efficient and productive way.

 
Priority 5   

Create a structure for data-driven assessment of the ACLL's
operation, resources, and services.

 
Priority 6  

Maximize the ACLL’s operational effectiveness.