Hours & Attorney Access

Law Library Hours

Public Hours – Self-represented litigants and attorneys 
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm or as posted on the door.

Friday: 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
 

Attorney After-Hours 
Attorneys may access the Library via key checkout only when the Law Library is closed, and the Government Center is open. Patrons cannot check out a key after 4:30 pm.

*There is only one part-time Law Librarian; availability may vary and differ from Library hours. Due to limited staffing, hours are subject to change without advance notice – apologies for any inconvenience. The Law Library is a self-service Law Library.

Special Hours and Closures 

Closures: The Law Library is closed on official County holidays and when the Law Librarian is out of office.

• January 16, 2023 – Martin Luther King Jr Birthday
• February 2023 – President’s Day
• March 6-8, 2023 – Law Librarian will be out of the office. We apologize for any inconvenience.
• April 7, 2023 – Good Friday
• April 11-14, 2023 – Law Librarian will be out of the office. We apologize for any inconvenience.
• May 29, 2023 – Memorial Day
• June 19, 2023 - Juneteenth
• July 4, 2023 - Independence Day
• September 4, 2023 - Labor Day
• October 9, 2023 - Indigenous People’s Day
• November 10, 2023 – Veteran’s Day
• November 22-24, 2023 – Thanksgiving Day
• December 22, 25-26, 2023 – Christmas

Attorney Access

When the Law Library is closed and the Hays County Government Center is open, attorneys may check out the key to the Law Library at the front desk of the Criminal District Attorney’s office. You must exchange a driver’s license or Hays County bar badge for a key to access the Law Library. The Law Library is not accessible when the Government Center is closed. Below is the downloadable form to fill out for key access. The form must have all the information filled out. The Law Librarian will contact attorneys to notify them if the information is missing on the form.

Hays County Law Library Key Checkout Policy: When the Law Library is closed, attorneys may check out a key to the Law Library at the front desk of the Criminal District Attorney’s office. By checking out the key, attorneys agree to abide by the policy detailed below.

• The attorney must leave their driver’s license in exchange for the key to the Law Library.
• Attorneys must return the key to the Criminal District Attorney’s office upon exiting the Law Library. The attorney must return the key by 4:30 pm and cannot keep the key overnight. Failure to return the key will revoke Law Library key checkout privileges.
• The attorney should not grant access or open the door for anyone not included in the checkout form. There are four attorney keys available for checkout at one time. Anyone needing access to the Law Library should check out the key at the front desk of the Criminal District Attorney’s office.
• Attorneys will not remove books from the Law Library. Removing books from the Law Library will result in the revocation of Law Library key checkout privileges.
• The attorney will notify the front desk of the Criminal District Attorney's office if anyone remains in the Law Library upon exiting.
• Upon exiting the Law Library, the attorney will be sure to check that the door to the Law Library is closed and locked to prevent unauthorized access.
• The attorney ensures that anyone entering the Law Library will observe all policies. The attorney must indicate the number of people joining the Law Library; this includes clients, assistants, staff, co-counsel, opposing counsel, etc.
• The attorney will follow all Law Library policies on this form and in the Law Library.
• The attorney MUST fill out all the required information below. The Law Librarian will check the forms for completeness and notify you if the information is missing on this form.