Introduction: The Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Library has partnered with the Harris County Public Libraries to provide free legal resources to individuals seeking guidance in navigating the court system. These entities plan to accomplish this goal through LAW pods.
What are the LAW Pods?
The LAW Pods, or Legal Access Workspace, are a sound-dampening workspace equipped with a computer station where patrons can access legal resources offered at the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Library without traveling to the location.
The LAW Pod initiative began a while ago to broaden access to legal resources for community members struggling to navigate the court system. Available legal resources include assistance in finding helpful forms, access to valuable research materials, and one-on-one video calls with a Law Librarian.
The purpose of the LAW Pods is to amplify further the efforts of the Harris County Law Library to provide legal assistance to patrons. Andre Davidson, the Law Library director, expressed the importance of offering services to individuals who struggle to travel downtown. “We want to take our services to people who don't necessarily have the resources to make it downtown, whether that be transportation, whether that be their financial situation, work, so we want to be able to bring those services to them,” Andre said.
Mariann Sears, the Law Library Deputy Director, provided further insight into the inspiration for the LAW Pods initiative. “I wanted to do what Andre has described as getting our resources to where they are most used in the community to people who can't come downtown, can't pay for the parking, and don't have the way to come to us downtown. So, the impetus for that was to go to them.” Sears said.
Future of the LAW Pods
The LAW Pods initiative marks a significant milestone in the fight against legal injustice in Harris County. Despite challenges in implementing this initiative, our commitment to public service has paved the way for us to serve our communities. “It’s been a labor of love for me.” Sears said, “It's been a long time coming, and I am so pleased that the day has finally arrived where we can provide the access that we so desperately want to provide to the citizens of Harris County and anyone else in surrounding counties who might want to take advantage of it. And I think we are the only county in the state offering this kind of a solution, a law pot solution.” As plans unfold to introduce LAW Pods at additional libraries, such as the Harris County Barbara Bush Library and Harris County Parker Williams Library, the LAW Pods initiative continues to grow, promising to make legal assistance more accessible and convenient for all who need it.
Written by Sophie Kaloustian, HCAO Communications & Public Affairs intern.