Law Librarian

Smith County Law Librarian Chandelin Barnett received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from The University of Texas at Tyler and an Associate of Arts degree in Business. She previously worked for Smith County Juvenile Services, where she started as a Communications Officer and later became a Juvenile Supervision Officer. Most recently, she served as Smith County Law Library Assistant. Chandelin began serving as Smith County Law Librarian in September 2024, after being recommended by the Smith County Bar Association’s Law Library Committee and approved by the Smith County Commissioners Court. 

Our Mission

The Smith County Law Library’s mission is to provide access to legal information and services to the general public, legal community and court staff of Smith County.

About the Law Library

The Law Library is managed by the Smith County Commissioners Court. It is open to attorneys, judges and the general public at no cost. Because it is a research library, books and materials may not be taken out of the law library. It is focused on Texas law and documents and does not have state law from other states.

 In addition to Texas law, the library also has the following references available:

• U.S. statutes and cases
• drafting guides, such as the Texas Litigation Guide, Texas Transaction Guide and Texas Probate Guide
• real estate manuals
• family law manuals
• criminal and civil manuals

Computers are available, with access to the Internet, to conduct legal research in LexisNexis and other legal sites. The library offers an array of fillable forms for patrons who would prefer to represent themselves in court. These forms are only for simple uncontested cases and are not available for every type of case.

Law librarians are not attorneys and cannot:

• give legal advice
• interpret statutes, cases or regulations
• complete legal research
• choose language for legal documents
• select forms or aid in completing them
• answer legal questions

Smith County Law Librarians can direct pro se litigants to the materials that may be helpful in finding answers to legal questions. We may also be able to refer you to other sources or agencies which may be of assistance.

Forms that are available in books are guidelines and were written under the assumption that they would be used by attorneys. Staff cannot give advice or help in filling out forms. The best advice we can give you is to read the information and/or instructions, and if in doubt, it is always best to consult an attorney for legal advice.

Please remember, staff is PROHIBITED BY LAW from giving legal advice and practicing law, which includes choosing forms, assisting in the filling out of forms and legal research. The Law Library does not have an attorney on staff and there are no attorneys available for consultation by pro se litigants. If you need an attorney, resources are available to you. Please ask a staff member for a reference sheet.

Thank you, and we hope to see you soon!

Location

Basement of the Smith County Courthouse

100 N. Broadway Ave.
Tyler, Texas  75702

903-590-1750

Copies: .25 cents per page
Notary Service: $5 per signature
Fax:  .50 cents per page local/$1 per page long distance 

Monday – Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
(the library closes for lunch from 12-1 p.m.)