Live simultaneous translations facilitate the direct participation by GLIN directors, including Dan Adrian Chirita of Romania and Bin-Chung Huang of Taiwan. - Dee McGee
A prototype of an updated Global Legal Information Network (GLIN) system that will function in four languages was demonstrated to GLIN directors at an annual meeting at the Library on Sept. 14.
Law Librarian Rubens Medina told the network's directors that development of the prototype "marks a turning point for GLIN." Users will be able to browse and navigate the GLIN system in Spanish, Portuguese and French as well as in English.
The new GLIN system, intended for broad public use, is scheduled to be fully operational in 2005.
Consisting of 24 contributing members, two supporting members and three associate members, GLIN is a cooperative federation of national, multinational and international governing bodies that contribute legal instruments and summaries in digital formats to an authoritative database that is accessible to online researchers using the GLIN system. The GLIN database includes 130,203 summaries and 82,298 full-text documents.
The new system will expand the capability to both input and retrieve records in all four GLIN system modules—statutes, judicial decisions, legal writings and legislative records.
Upgraded search options and query tools will enable researchers and network members to find information online more quickly and accurately. A newly installed subject term index linked to GLIN's comprehensive thesaurus will facilitate search and browse functions for legal researchers.
GLIN directors attending the 11th annual meeting tested the new system and provided feedback to designers.
In his remarks to directors, Medina expressed his appreciation for 2003 congressional support of the new GLIN system. Congress appropriated fiscal year 2004 funds for a multiyear program to enhance the GLIN system.
Medina noted the importance of maintaining an authoritative source of legal materials available for online research. GLIN members have documented that they rely increasingly on the Internet as a primary source of legal information, but not all digital information is reliable, he said. "I am more convinced than ever that GLIN has set the highest standards for reliable legal information on the Internet. Our commitment to providing access to official sources of law cannot be compromised," he said.
In welcoming remarks, Chief of Staff Jo Ann Jenkins underscored the importance of GLIN's contribution to understanding global law by citing philosopher John Locke's assertion that "Wherever law ends, tyranny begins."
Today's challenges include preserving law for future generations at a time when some nations have begun publishing their laws only in digital formats, Jenkins added.
