Our history

In 1869 the founders of the Law Society resolved that the first objective of the Society would be the formation of a law library. The first library was set up in Victoria in 1869 followed by a library in New Westminster in 1890. The Vancouver library was established in 1893. Over the years the library system expanded throughout the province and in the early 1950s Vancouver became the main library.

The Society was formed in 1975 to manage the libraries throughout the province. In 1984 the Society changed its name from the B.C. Law Library Foundation to the British Columbia Courthouse Library Society.

Timeline

1975

B.C. Law Library Foundation formed.

1984

Name changed to B.C. Courthouse Library Society.

1988

Copy cards are first used for photocopying.

1993

Staff first accessed the Internet for users.

1995

Online catalogue became operational.

2001

Computer workstation roll out across 25 libraries.

2007

A - Z Knowledge Base goes public

  • renamed Asked & Answered 
  • renamed Our Legal Knowledge Base in 2017

2009

  • Clicklaw beta website launched.
  • LawMatters virtual launch.

2010

Launch of first Online Learning course for CPD.

2012

  • Lawyers' Reading Room launched
    • renamed Remote Access to Subscription Databases, 2017
  • Clicklaw Wikibooks launched

2013

Book-in-a-Box service launched.

2017

Online community platform Lawbster is created

2020

Adjustments to library service delivery in response to Covid-19.

2021

Abbotsford branch is opened.

2024

The Clicklaw is significantly updated to focus on the most common legal issues that British Columbians face.