Hampden Law Library
There are 15 Trial Court Law Libraries located across Massachusetts to serve the courts, attorneys, and the public. They provide free legal reference services and legal research assistance to all: the public, the legal community, and the courts. They lend most books, videos, discs, etc for 14 days. Here you can access: state and federal laws & cases, electronic databases for legal research, legal forms, and more.
The Hampden Law Library, located at 50 State St, is the branch that serves Springfield. They’re open Monday through Friday from 9:00am-4:00pm.
If you can’t visit in person, they have a lot of ways to connect:
Text 866-885-6277
Email lawlibraries@jud.state.ma.us
Use their online chat service
Join a Zoom meeting, available every weekday at 1-2pm
Legal guides by topic
The Trial Court Law Libraries have compiled guides to help you get started with your legal research. They’re arranged by topic, and there 190+ guides for business, disability rights, gender identity, marriage & divorce, privacy, estate planning, and many more.
Each page lists information and links to court forms used for each of the topics covered. Pressing the button below will take you to a page of the most frequently used legal guides. You can also browse all the guides.
Legal Kiosks
The Western New England University School of Law’s Center for Social Justice supports a free Legal Kiosk program in Springfield. Legal Kiosks are free computer stations that provide access points to help individuals without access to wifi or technology connect with the justice system.
The Springfield City Library hosts 2 legal kiosks, at the Forest Park and Mason Square branches, and there are numerous other locations listed on the WNEU’s website.