by Nathalie Matthey
Member of the IALL Board; Swiss Institute of Comparative Law, Lausanne, Switzerland
As a member of the International Association of Law Libraries, you are already familiar with our association and its annual meeting[i]. In your respective countries, you may also have a national association bringing together law libraries. This has been the case in Switzerland for over fifty years. Allow me to briefly introduce this association, which brings together members from all linguistic regions of the country[ii].
The history of the Swiss Association of Law Libraries (ABJS in French) began in 1974 with the creation of an informal group, which formally became an association nearly a quarter of a century later, in 1998. From the outset, its aim has been to bring together legal information professionals at a national level. This objective is reflected in its organization, in particular thanks to the co-presidency system established in 1979, which requires one French- or Italian- speaking co-president and one German-speaking, as well as in the organization of its annual conference.
This conference takes place each spring in a different city, alternating between French-, German-, and Italian-speaking regions of Switzerland. This rotating principle reflects a consistent commitment to fostering exchanges between regions and to highlighting the diversity of the Swiss legal landscape.
The first conference, then known as the “Law Librarians’ Day,” was held in Lausanne at the invitation of the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland. It is in this same city that the 2026 congress will take place, on May 7–8. This year’s conference is the result of close collaboration between several institutions: the libraries of the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law, the Cantonal and University Library of Lausanne, the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland, and the Cantonal Court of Vaud.
Each year, participants are offered a diverse program combining presentations on legal and library science topics with more informal moments, including an evening event featuring visits to emblematic locations in the host city and a shared meal that encourages networking. The program for the 2026 edition is available in the document ABGS-Programma-2026.pdf.
Beyond organizing this annual event, the association has long been committed to facilitating access to legal information. In a field that is often complex, it works to make resources more accessible and better structured. For example, it supports the development of a shared catalogue of Swiss law libraries and has contributed to the enrichment of the Legal Classification of French-speaking Switzerland developed by the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law, thereby enhancing the coherence and usability of documentary systems.
Today, the association continues to evolve while remaining true to the spirit of collaboration that has guided it since its beginnings. Its website plays a key role in disseminating information about its activities and in fostering communication within the Swiss law library community.
What about your national association? When was it established? What are its main missions? What role does it play in terms of networking or continuing education? Consider introducing it by contributing a post to our blog; contact the blog editor or another member of the IALL Board with your proposal. We are particularly interested in developing connections across different regions of the world to raise awareness of the organization, especially the grants which support participation in the Annual Course. Thanks to each and every one of you for your input!
[i] By the way, if you haven’t registered yet, check out David Isom’s post, “Who Should Attend the IALL Annual Course? Maybe You!” He gives you three good reasons to do so.😊
[ii] The dates mentioned in this post are taken from presentations given to the association’s members during its 50th anniversary in 2024.
This Blog contains entries by members of the International Association of Law Libraries on issues germane to the Association’s areas of focus. Views expressed in an individual entry only represent the views of the author, and not those of the International Association of Law Libraries or the author’s employer.