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Statutes

The library collects statutes in force from states other than Massachusetts in the form of annotated (unofficial) codes.  Annotated codes are preferable for research because they have better indexing and are more current. Citations to the current official code are also easily converted to the current unofficial code, which allows for easy retrieval of the cited statute. 

In addition, Bluebook rules explicitly permit citation to the annotated codes.  Rule 12.1 states "Statutes may be cited to a current official or unofficial code". Rule 12.2.1(a) and rule 12.3 echo this by stating, respectively "If possible, cite statutes currently in force to the current official code or its supplement..." and "Cite the official code whenever possible."  [emphasis added]. 

Because citation to these unofficial codes is permissible and because of the limited availability of official codes, our Interlibrary Loan policy is to only request statutes when the volume is unavailable at Pappas or does not have the cited statute.