The Court System operates and maintains a variety of law libraries. Our primary purpose is to provide books, online resources, and helpful staff so anyone can learn more about the law. By doing this, we help facilitate the just and timely resolution of all matters before the courts.
Have a legal research question? Visit Ask a Law Librarian to get help by live chat, text or email.
Address
80 Centre St, room 242
New York, NY 10013
Phone: 646-386-3715
Hours
Monday through Friday
9:45 AM - 1:00 PM
We are not open on weekends or Court Holidays.
Directions
We are in the Civic Center near the Municipal building as well as the Federal and State Courts. All of the Manhattan train stations in the City Hall area are in walking distance of the library.
Mission
The Public Access Law Library seeks to provide a comfortable environment where a broad base of patrons are given the ability to obtain legal and related information in an easily accessible manner and format.
Wifi/Cellphones
The library provides free wifi services and patrons are allowed to bring their laptops and connect to it. Users may use their Cellphones to read or send text messages, but cannot speak on the phones while in the library.
Collection
The library has print material and online legal material. This includes cases, statutes and legal treatises. Most of this material covers New York State Law with an emphasis on Landlord Tenant Law, Family Law, Criminal Law and Civil Procedure. We also have legal encyclopedias. We have some limited resources on Federal Law.
Research
The Library does not allow any material to be removed or borrowed from the premises. In addition, you cannot request the staff to locate or access your legal resources over the phone or through regular mail or email. You must come in person for assistance.
Services
Patrons are welcome to use a designated computer workstation to print documents free of charge. Book copies can be made for just 25 cents per page. Legal research platforms such as Lexis and Westlaw are available, enabling users to email their research findings directly.
Additionally, patrons have access to online resources—including the court’s official website—to support their legal research. Patrons may also access their personal email accounts to send research-related materials as needed.