News and Noteworthy

The Library now has access to the digital edition of the Financial Times. This newspaper, published by The Financial Times Limited, based in London and one of the world’s leading business news organizations; focuses on financial news, analysis, and economic current affairs. 

Libraries are increasingly facing restrictive eBook licensing terms that can make digital books more expensive, less durable, and harder to preserve than print. In this episode, “Will State Law Solve the Library eBook Crisis?” Kyle K. Courtney and Juliya Ziskina of the eBook Study Group, and Deborah Schander, State Librarian of Connecticut explore a growing state-by-state movement to establish fairer terms for library eBook contracts—and what these laws could mean for libraries, publishers, authors, and readers. 

The Massachusetts Trial Court announced today that it has launched the Blue Card Initiative (BCI) at courthouses statewide to support individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during court visits. The voluntary program provides a resource to assist individuals navigate courthouses and facilitates communication with court personnel.

BOSTON, MA – At a ceremony in the John Adams Courthouse on Thursday, October 29, Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice Elizabeth N. Dewar presented awards to lawyers and a law student, who were selected by the Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services in recognition of their exceptional dedication to providing volunteer services for persons who cannot afford an attorney. 

The committee also recognized the achievements of attorneys, law students, and legal organizations who qualified for the Supreme Judicial Court Pro Bono Honor Roll and High Honor Roll. 

On Thursday, October 29, 2026, Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice Elizabeth N. Dewar will present the annual Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards on behalf of the SJC Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services to the following recipients, in recognition of their exceptional dedication to providing volunteer legal services for persons who cannot afford an attorney.

See for yourself whether Vincent AI can increase your productivity by improving your legal workflows.  Social Law Library members can add the Vincent AI tool to their vLex Fastcase accounts at a discounted rate of 25% off the current monthly fee!

As law firms evaluate their technology stacks and finalize their budgets for the coming year, one line item is drawing unprecedented scrutiny: artificial intelligence.

Members have online access to PLI Course Handbooks through Social Law Library’s subscription to PLI PLUS, the Practising Law Institute’s award-winning database.

Social Law Library members can search state court dockets in Massachusetts and 44 other jurisdictions on Trellis.  You can search across states dockets without specifying the court, even if you don’t have a party’s full name; or search by any keywords of your choosing – statutory cites, attorney and firm names, pleadings, common actions, and more. Members can find real-world examples of motions and pleadings.