Introducing the
National Equal Justice Library
at American University’s
Washington College of Law
The National Equal Justice Library commemorates America’s historic promise of equal justice for all, a promise not yet fully realized but long pursued by dedicated citizens, many of them lawyers. Washington College of Law of American University has generously donated over two thousand square feet of prime space in its new law building for this very special institution and its key elements described below.
¨ Library housing not just books and articles but Archives of historically important private papers, oral history videotapes, photos, memorabilia, videos of documentaries and newscasts, and an “International Collection” of materials about legal aid and related institutions in other countries—all to be accessible over the Internet.
¨ Oral Histories Program to videotape interviews with hundreds of people involved in the history of these programs at the national, state, and local levels.
¨ Museum of exhibits combining text, photos, memorabilia and graphics to tell the history of civil legal services, public criminal defense, public interest law, and similar developments.
¨ Wall of Justice to permanently honor those often unsung individuals who have earned major awards for their contributions to equal justice from the early 1900’s to the present day.
¨ Educational and Public Policy Programs using the NEJL’s holdings to advance the goal of equal justice—including conferences, “visiting scholar” and “affiliated scholar” programs, an awards program honoring sholarship on equal access to justice, curricular materials for secondary and college students, and assistance to legislators, bar leaders, and other policymakers.
¨
Website[http://nejl.wcl.American.edu] to make
all these materials and programs available to interested people throughout the
world. At present the NEJL Website
displays a “virtual” Wall of Justice, finding guides for important collections
of unpublished papers, lists of financial donors and donors of private papers,
and with many other features in development.
This website is part of American University’s master website and is
directly linked to Washington College of Law’s online library catalog.
The companion website [http://www.equaljusticeupdate.org] you are now visiting presents current news and other information about the National Equal Justice Library.