By Brenda Poku
Rare treasures reside within the Conyers-Rockdale (Nancy Guinn Memorial) Library at 864 Green St., Rockdale County. Established in February 1919 by the Conyers Women’s Civic League, this library has a rich history of collaborating with its residents for the greater good.
In October 1992, the County Law Library Board of Trustees entered into an agreement to establish, maintain, and perpetuate a public law library within the Conyers-Rockdale Library. The primary purpose was to house and maintain a collection of legal research materials, including treatises, digests, codes, official reports, form books, and various periodicals and publications relevant to law library patrons.
Public libraries have always played a crucial role as community-gathering places and in fostering networking, relationship-building, and productivity. It is not only the legal community that benefits from law libraries but also the wider public. Public libraries, like the Conyers-Rockdale Library, are dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of their communities.
The connection between public and law libraries acts as a bridge, providing valuable information, education, and access to various legal situations. Individuals who may be confused or struggling know precisely where to seek help. Moreover, local attorneys, law students, and court administrators appreciate the collaborative partnership between the library and the courts.
The library and the Clerk of Court successfully established the “Law Library Series” in 2020. These information sessions, led by local legal professionals, judges, and community scholars, aim to present complex laws and concepts in an easily understandable manner.
As communities continue to evolve, the demand for legal information only grows. This highlights the invaluable role of the legal community within the public library. This successful collaboration ensures everyone can access the necessary legal resources by tearing down barriers that often foster social justice issues.
Thirty-two years later, it is common to see Rockdalians lining up before the library doors every second Friday of the month, eagerly awaiting their appointments with Georgia Legal Services Program representatives. The law library offers extensive resources covering various legal matters, including custody cases, fraud, unemployment, eviction, patents, wills, trusts, etc. These resources give everyone a better chance at success in their legal pursuits.
In summary, libraries and their resources serve as a wonderful platform to showcase the library and promote broader legal knowledge, ultimately benefiting all members of our community.
If you would like more information, please visit the official website of the Conyers-Rockdale Library at https://www.conyersrockdalelibrary.org/.