Law Library History

1944

  • November 20, 1944 – Commissioners' Court passed resolution creating Tarrant County Law Library
  • December 1, 1944 – Effective date of Commissioners' Court resolution
  • Homa S. Hill, referred to by some as the "Father of the Law Library," became the first Chairman of the Library Committee

1945

  • May 17, 1945 – George W. Steere chosen as the first Law Librarian
  • July 1945 – Law Library's Rules and Regulations adopted by Commissioners' Court
  • October 1, 1945 – Library officially opened to the public (located in 1895 Courthouse)

1946

  • January 1, 1946 – Law Library and Court of Appeals jointly hired a janitor, Sherman Williams, to replace the previous janitor, Israel Batteau, who passed away in December 1945

1948

  • George W. Steere passed away
  • Gueneth A. Babcock became the second Law Librarian

1958

  • Law Library and Court of Appeals moved to second floor of old Civil Courts Building

1962

  • Temporary, acting librarian, Alice Heaton, took over duties in the Law Library during Babcock's illness
  • Gueneth A. Babcock passed away
  • Dell DeHay became the third librarian and the first professional Law Librarian to serve at Tarrant County Law Library

1969

  • Homa S. Hill ended his service as Chairman of the Library Committee after 25 years

1970

  • Robert "Bob" Hobbs selected as Chairman of the Library Committee

1973

  • Jerry Hoodenpyle became Chairman of the Library Committee

1974

  • Jack C. Wessler became the Chairman of the Library Committee

1975

  • Frances Perry hired as Assistant Librarian

1977

  • April 23, 1977 – Jane G. Olm conducted an independent review of the Tarrant County Law Library and gave high praises to it and Librarian Dell DeHay

1979

  • Commissioners' Court officially changed the library's name to Dell DeHay Law Library of Tarrant County in honor of her many years of service
  • Dell DeHay passed away
  • Frances Perry became the fourth Law Librarian

1981

  • Law Library opened two branch libraries at Tarrant County (Junior) College Northeast campus and University of Texas at Arlington

1982

  • Sharon Wayland hired as Assistant Librarian

1983

  • December 3, 1983 – Law Library moved back to newly renovated 1895 Courthouse

1985

  • Smoking banned in Law Library

1988

  • Jack C. Wessler announced he would step down as Chairman of the Library Committee after 14 years
  • Wallace Craig named Chairman of the Library Committee
  • Peggy Martindale hired as Assistant Librarian for Public Services

1989

  • December 1989 – Frances Perry retired from Law Librarian position, but stayed on part-time

1990

  • Sharon Wayland became fifth Director of Law Library (head of library no longer referred to as Law Librarian)

1991

  • Sharon Wayland and Peggy Martindale helped found Tarrant County Association of Law Libraries
  • Law Library's phone system upgraded and current telephone numbers assigned

1997

  • Judge Michael Schattman named Chairman of the Library Committee

1999

  • Richard Bourland and Dennis Sheehan named as joint Chairmen of the Library Committee
  • November 1, 1999 – Law Library no longer open on Saturdays

2000

  • Tarrant County Bar Association passed resolution in opposition to Law Library's merger with Texas Wesleyan School of Law Library

2005

  • Law Library adopted new Library Advisory Committee with Commissioners' Court approval

2006

  • Judge David Evans named Chairman of Library Advisory Committee

2008

  • Law Library officially closed its two branch libraries

2009

  • Frances Perry retired

2013

  • Sharon Wayland retired
  • Holly Gerber became the sixth Director of the Law Library
  • Old Civil Courts Building demolished

2019

  • Cara Sitton became the seventh Director of Law Library

2020

  • December 15, 2020 - Commissioners' Court passed resolution honoring Peggy Martindale for over 34 years of service.
  • Peggy Martindale retired

2021

  • Amanda Hill became Assistant Director
  • Expansion of online forms and research guides on the Law Library's website

2022

  • Renovation of Law Library reference desk
  • Law Library partnered with Domestic Relations Office (DRO) to host ongoing series of monthly Family Law Workshops
  • Law Library celebrated its 77th Anniversary and Grand Reopening after renovation in October 2022

2023

  • Law Library partnered with Texas Legal Services Center (TLSC) to host a Virtual Court Kiosk
  • March 2023 - First DRO Family Law Workshop takes place in the library
  • Clock Tower Quarterly, the Law Library's quarterly newsletter, began in Summer 2023
  • Law Library staff expanded to six employees

2024

  • Law Library commemorated the 45th anniversary of being named the Dell DeHay Law Library with a display honoring its namesake
  • Director and Assistant Director spoke at TADRO Conference in Stockyards
  • Law Library added a second law librarian

2025

  • Peggy Martindale passed away