SMU Dedman School of Law has created an emergency helpline that helps North Texas residents access free legal assistance with issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The number to call is 214-SMU-COVD (214-768-2683).

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Remote access to library databases has been restored! This includes access to AILALink, HeinOnline, Fastcase, and our other remote databases. The library's access to AILALink is limited to a certain number of simultaneous users, so patrons who are having trouble accessing AILALink may want to sign up for their free 30-day trial. Please see AILALink’s FAQs page for more information. Additionally, remote access to Westlaw Edge and Lexis Advance is still available through June 30th or for a 30 day period, whichever is shorter. Please see our previous Spotlight announcement for more information. Our Digital Collection, CLE Materials, Recommended Titles, and Restrictions on Felons pages are still down at the moment as wait for OCA to fully restore our systems. In the meantime, users can search for specific titles directly through the library's catalog. Please don't hesitate to contact us directly if you are having trouble locating a particular resource.

LegalLine is a free weekly legal e-clinic hosted by the Dallas Bar Association. Callers can get up to 15 minutes of free legal advice from volunteer attorneys each Wednesday in June from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Registration is required, and callers must be registered by 1 p.m. the previous Tuesday. For more information, please see the Dallas Bar Association's LegalLine page.

Many Texans whose lives have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are turning to their local public libraries for help and information on civil legal issues. A webinar created by two law librarians helps public libraries learn how to respond to patron questions about civil legal problems.

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The Texas State Law Library turns 49 today! On this day in 1971, Texas Governor John Connally signed the bill creating the State Law Library as an independent state agency, and we've been happily serving the public's legal information needs ever since! You can view Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 2359, ch. 722, § 4. on the Legislative Reference Library's website.

The State Law Library stands firmly against racism and violence toward communities of color, and we are committed to doing our part to increase equity and access to justice in Texas.

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Emancipation Day (commonly referred to as Juneteenth) is generally celebrated as the end of slavery in Texas and the rest of the United States. Juneteenth can also be considered as the legal end of slavery, according to several Texas Supreme Court cases.

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We've received a *lot* of questions recently on whether or not a person can legally carry a handgun while wearing a mask, and we've added a legal FAQ to address this question directly.