The Florida Supreme Court Law Library has launched a Live Chat feature on the Florida Supreme Court website as an alternative to in-person legal research assistance for patrons. The Library is leveraging innovative uses of technology to provide services while the courthouse is closed to the public and visitors. The Law Library remains closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Live Chat is a two-way chat feature that offers a fast, convenient way for patrons to reach Library staff, ask questions, and access research materials. “Our Court recognizes the value of our Law Library and the assistance we provide to self-represented litigants and walk-in visitors,” said acting Librarian Terry Farley. “We hope people looking for legal research help will find Live Chat useful during this time of limited in-person access.”

The Live Chat feature is available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to Noon ET, as staffing permits. The chat feature is located on the Law Library Link – Help for General-Public Patrons webpage on the court’s website. Live Chat is one alternative to the regular walk-in services available; other options include email and phone calls. 

To further assist the public during the pandemic, the Library offers free remote access to legal research databases through Westlaw Patron Access.  The link and log-in instructions are available on the law library’s webpage under the Law Library Link – Help for General-Public Patrons.  Staff cannot provide legal advice. They can answer questions regarding the Library and its collection, and how to locate and use online legal resources, including Westlaw Patron Access. Other services include finding law-related materials using specific citations and referring patrons to appropriate agencies. 

The Florida Supreme Court Library has been in existence since 1845 and is the oldest state-supported Library in Florida. The Library is reachable via the web, email, and by phone at 850-488-8919.