Access to justice isn’t just a legal principle, it’s a real challenge for many Texans. That’s why libraries across the state are stepping in, using technology to bridge the gap. Virtual court kiosks, now available in public libraries like Harlingen and Harris County Law Library branches, offer a secure, private space where patrons can connect to legal resources and even attend virtual court hearings.

At the Harris County Law Library, Law Librarian Rod Hall shared during a recent TLA Tech Chat webinar how their network of six sound-dampening kiosks, nicknamed “LawPods,” are helping thousands of self-represented litigants. With nearly 25,000 self-represented family court cases filed annually in Harris County alone, the need is significant. “Access to justice is a big issue,” Hall said. “The LawPods give people a place to Zoom into court, connect with a law librarian, and access our legal subscriptions, without the commute or courthouse stress.”

These sleek booths, described by Hall as “overgrown phone booths,” are compliant with local fire codes, ADA accessible, and built for privacy. Inside, users can research legal information or print essential documents before court deadlines, sometimes with just minutes to spare. Check out the full Innovation and Technology Round Table (ITRT) Lunch and Learn video to watch Hall’s full presentation on the LawPods.

Meanwhile, down in the Rio Grande Valley, Harlingen Public Library is home to one of the first public library kiosks of its kind. Library Assistant Director Rolando Ramirez says the initiative was sparked by their mayor, who’s also an attorney. “It took some adjusting at first, people thought it was a regular computer,” Ramirez explained. But with privacy, accessibility tools like a new keyboard for the visually impaired and a built-in printer for legal documents, the kiosk is slowly becoming a valuable resource.

While usage is still growing in Harlingen, the library continues promoting the service through partnerships with organizations like Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. “It’s not just for virtual court,” Ramirez said. “It can be used for legal research, printing forms, and finding information on things like divorce or eviction. We’re helping people take that first step and providing some privacy.”

Texas libraries may not be legal clinics—but they are proving to be powerful partners in the pursuit of justice, providing access and technology to help close the digital divide.