Highland County Law Library available as free resource for the community

Whether you are interested in researching legal history, reading about a recent court decision or are seeking information on case law for a personal situation, an underutilized free public resource is available right here in Highland County.

According to the Consortium of Ohio County Law Libraries, each of Ohio’s 88 counties is home to a law library. In Highland County, the library is located on the second floor of the Highland County Courthouse, 105 North High St., Hillsboro. (If entering from the main staircase, turn left at the top of the stairs and follow posted signs.)

Debbie Zile has served as law librarian since March 2022 — following in the footsteps of longtime librarian Michelle Vanzant-Salyer — and is responsible for overseeing the library itself, its budget and its bills. The library is also under the direction of a Board of Trustees, which includes appointees from Highland County Commissioners, Common Pleas Court, County Court and the Prosecutor’s Office, that meets quarterly.

Zile, who also works as a victim advocate for Highland County Victim Witness, said she wants to make the community aware of everything the facility offers, as she often hears people say they didn’t realize the library existed.

While the law library serves as a place for local attorneys and judges to conduct research, it is also available to the community, at no cost, to research laws, past court decisions and other legal documents. The library is open to the public each Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

“This is free to the public to use,” Zile said. “Every Thursday, they are free to come in and take advantage of this free service to research things.”

(Please note that Zile cannot give legal advice to members of the community who visit. However, she is happy to help individuals find legal books that may apply to their situation.)

Zile added that this is not a new resource, as Highland County’s library has existed for approximately 86 years.

“It wasn't always in this space, but the Law Library Association itself has been in existence since 1938,” she said. “That’s when it was legally formed.”

While in the library, you will find law books of all kinds, some dating back close to a century or more, according to Zile. The shelves include state and federal law books; law reviews from several universities; manuals on juvenile, criminal, civil and municipal court law; Ohio Attorney General opinions; reference guides, such as law dictionaries and medical information; and even the entire codes of ordinances for the City of Hillsboro and Village of Greenfield.

“The law changes all the time, so we’re always getting new books,” Zile said.

For example, Zile said they receive updates to the Ohio Revised Code in little booklets, which she inserts into the most recent bound copies of the ORC until they release a new bound volume.

You can also delve into local cases that are appealed, as the decisions of the Fourth District Court of Appeals, and in some cases the Ohio Supreme Court, are sent to the law library. Hard copies of their decisions and answers are kept in binders.

Other resources include a conference room and a room with a computer where attorneys can access Westlaw, an online legal research tool, as well as a printer, copier and shredder.

For more information on the Law Library and its resources, call Zile at (937) 393-4863 or email highlandcoll@yahoo.com. You can also stop in on Thursdays to tour the library.
 
Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 25 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.