Knox County Governmental Library
(865) 215-2368
The Knox County Governmental Law Library is located on the Main Level of the City-County Building, Suite M 99. The Law Library provides immediate access to legal information for the general public, Knox County courts, judges, elected officials, government employees, and local attorneys. Memberships are available.
The library shelves contain a comprehensive collection of law books, codes, treatises, periodicals and case reporters focused primarily on Tennessee state and local government, but including the federal code and case reporters. Legal encyclopedias and law treatises cover issues such as Uniform Commercial Code, bankruptcy, wills and estates, and criminal and civil law procedures. Additional information is provided to some publications and documents by access to internet and online subscriptions. The library is governed by the Knox County Governmental Library Commission and administered by a head paralegal-librarian.
LIBRARY SERVICES
Services available to members of the Knox County Governmental Law Library include use of a code-accessed copying machine. Charges are 15 cents per page. Members are allowed circulation of most legal publications, as well as any needed assistance with research and location of those materials by available staff.
The Knox County Governmental Library also offers access to the following services:
- Westlaw, JIMS, Internet. The Library also contains several legal publications on state and federal case law. Searches can be done by request. For additional information concerning access to library software please contact the head librarian.
- The Knox County Governmental Law Library is a membership library that requires users to acquire a daily user’s pass or purchase yearly membership cards.
- Library user-fee card rates are based on the number of attorneys or individuals in a law firm or entity. The user-fee cards are valid from July 1st to June 30th. Government workers and public officials are exempt from membership charges.
Current rates for the Knox County Governmental user-fee cards are as follows:
$40.00 Sole practitioners or law firms made up exclusively of people who have been licensed to practice law less than three years
$120.00 One attorney or individual
$200.00 Law firms or entities containing two to five attorneys or individuals
$290.00 Law firms or entities containing six to ten attorneys or individuals
$375.00 Law firms or entities exceeding eleven attorneys or individuals.
Persons who desire less frequent use of the library may purchase a $5.00 daily user-fee pass.
Knox County Public Library System
Lawson McGhee Public Library
500 West Church Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902
(865) 215-8700
Lawson McGhee Public Library is open to the general public. Residents of Knox County may register free of charge for a library card upon presentation of identification reflecting the applicant's name and address. Library cardholders may check books out for three weeks and use library computers to access Internet resources. Photocopiers are available at a cost of .15 per page for black/white photocopies or computer printouts and .25 per page for color computer printouts or microfilm/microfiche copies.
Legal collection description:
(Resources may be available in print, online, or both)
- Tennessee Code Annotated, United States Code, Knoxville City/County Codes and Ordinances
- Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, Congressional Record
- Federal bills in progress are available through Thomas and GPO Access Internet services, in addition to bills, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, and the Congressional Record.
- General assembly bills, TN laws in progress and Tennessee State Rules and Regulations are available over the internet.
- Legal encyclopedias and dictionaries
- Legal forms for reproduction and modification according to existing statutes
- Self-help legal books on popular topics such as divorce, incorporating a business, wills & probate and landlord-tenant disputes. Many of these titles are available to check out.
Restrictions:
- Staff can provide some assistance for beginning legal research but cannot answer legal questions.
- Some titles are for reference use in the library only.
University of Tennessee Law Library
1505 West Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-1800
(865) 974-7419 | law.utk.edu/library
The University of Tennessee Law Library is the most comprehensive law library in East Tennessee. It is used primarily by students and local attorneys, but the general public is welcome to use its facilities. Photocopies and printing from online databases are available at a cost of .10 per page. Scanning or saving to a flash drive is free.
Collection description:
- Tennessee Code Annotated, United States Code, and all states' statutes (some states online only)
- Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, Congressional Record
- Tennessee Public Acts
- Selection of Westlaw databases (including federal and state cases, statutes, and regulations) and KeyCite
- Legal encyclopedias, dictionaries, treatises
- Tennessee Digest, Tennessee Jurisprudence
- Tennessee Bar Journal
- Legal periodicals
- Practice handbooks
- Legal and procedural forms
- Case reporters (federal ad state judicial opinions of appellate court cases)
- Many other reference materials and databases
Restrictions:
- Staff can provide some assistance for beginning legal research but cannot answer legal questions.
- Only Tennessee attorneys and University of Tennessee students may check books out.
- Hours may vary during semester breaks and in the summer. Call the library or visit the library web page for updated hours information.
Legal Resource Guide
Finding Legal Assitance in Knoxville
A Public Service of the Knoxville Bar Association
The Knoxville Bar Association is pleased to provide the following directory of Legal Service providers in our community. Learn about government agencies, nonprofits, pro bono organizations and others who help to ensure that all citizens have equal access to justice.