Madison County Law Library

Welcome!

The Madison County Law Library has been at its present location in the basement of the Courthouse in Edwardsville, Illinois, since September, 1994. Before that, there was an informal library in the Chief Judge's office. The Madison County Board maintains the library with advice from the circuit judges as defined at 55 ILCS 5/5-39001. The Circuit Clerk collects a fee on all civil cases filed to support the library. The library is a public facility, open to all.

Hours of the library are 8:30 a.m. - 12 and 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Materials may be photocopied, but lent only to judges and members of the Illinois bar. Photocopies are 10 cents per page. Services include call-in copying, faxing and e-mailing of materials, monthly billing for copies and assistance with computer research.

The library is a member of the Lewis and Clark Library System, www.lcls.org.

Suggested internet law-related spots include: www.aallnet.org/about/legal_links.asp, a good, basic list from the American Association of Law Libraries, www.findlaw.com, a comprehensive legal site with federal and state cases and statutes, www.martindale.com to find an attorney and www.ilga.gov, the Official Illinois General Assembly website for Illinois statutes, bills and public acts. www.law.siu.edu/selfhelp is a great resource for Illinois do-it-yourself legal information.

The Legal Self-Help Center, located in the Law Library, uses a combination of print and internet resources. A printer and three dedicated computers with internet access are available for public use. Computer Navigators are available to assist patrons with all online and print resources. The Internet support includes a link to the Madison County homepage with links to Madison County forms @ www.co.madison.il.us/CircuitClerk/CircuitClerkForms.shtml. An additional library of Legal Self-Help information and forms is available 24 hours a day online at http://madison.illinoislegalaid or www.illinoisleaglaid.org. To reach the Self-Help Center by e-mail use selfhelp@co.madison.il.us. or by phone 618/296-4472.

Kay Pile
Librarian
155 North Main Street
Edwardsville, IL 62025
618/296-5921

skpile@co.madison.il.us