Washington, DC-This week, HALT-An Organization of Americans for Legal Reform, a national leader in the publication of self-help legal materials, released a completely revised and updated version of one the most popular selections from its Citizens Legal Manual series. The book, Using the Law Library: Your Guide to Legal Resources In (and Outside) the Law Library, demystifies the typical nonlawyer fear surrounding law libraries and makes these libraries accessible to the general public, rather than just to lawyers and law students.

"Using the Law Library should be the 'court of first resort' for self-represented litigants faced with the daunting and unfamiliar prospect of conducting legal research," says Norfolk Law librarian Donna K. Bausch. "A neophyte legal researcher who invests the time to review this book in advance of his or her first visit to a law library will reap the benefits of well-thought out research. Using the Law Library will help you make the best possible use of your time and the resources lawyers and judges use every day."

HALT, which is also a legal consumer advocacy organization, receives questions daily from consumers who want to handle their own simple legal affairs. Responding to these queries, HALT publishes plain-English guides that offer comprehensive how-to information without the legalese. Working with Senior Reference Law Librarian Jennifer Sekula of the College of William & Mary School of Law, the new edition of Using the Law Library has been brought up to speed to include information about online tools and changes in law library locations or resources.

"With Using the Law Library, HALT and Jennifer Sekula have put together a thorough and easy-to-read guide for novice legal researchers," says Chuck Marcus, head of reference at the University of California-Hastings College of the Law Library. "Using the Law Library is an excellent resource that sets up a successful, systematic approach to legal research."

The manual takes legal do-it-yourselfers through the entire process of conducting legal research using a law library and other resources. Incorporating easy-to-understand and well-organized chapters that include helpful graphics, the guide teaches consumers to read, update and use the law or laws they need to understand their legal problems or to win their cases.

Using the Law Library has been an indispensable guide to legal consumers trying to maneuver the maze of the United States' complex legal system. Topics in the recently-released third edition include:

• Finding a Library
• Library Rules
• The U.S. System (A Crash Course in How Law is Made)
• Defining Your Legal Problem
• Secondary Research
• Practice Aids
• State Statutes
• Federal Statutes
• Administrative Law
• Understanding Case Law
• Reading Case Law
• Online Tools
• Self-Help Law Options

Using the Law Library is 190 pages long and sells for $12, plus $3.95 shipping and handling. The book is available for purchase though HALT's toll-free line, 1-888-FOR-HALT (367-4258). HALT's series of Citizens Legal Manuals include Legal Resources Directory, Using a Lawyer, Small Claims Court and Do-It-Yourself Law.

Founded in 1978, HALT-An Organization of Americans for Legal Reform is a non-partisan, non-profit public interest organization. HALT pursues an ambitious education and advocacy program that challenges the legal establishment to improve access and accountability and reduce costs in the civil justice system. Please visit www.halt.org for more information.