About the Nevada Supreme Court Law Library

The Supreme Court of Nevada Law Library is the oldest continuing law library in the state and provides access to print and digital resources to the courts, the State Bar of Nevada, and all Nevadans. The Nevada State Library has existed since the formation of Nevada's political organization, and in 1915, the role of state librarian was created. In 1971, the Supreme Court Law Library split from the State Library in order to expand and improve its services. The Supreme Court of Nevada Law Library has existed in its current Carson City location since the building opened in 1992. The Supreme Court of Nevada Law Library is also the state law library, like thirteen other states where the state law library sits at the Supreme Court.

Sources: 

• Nevada State Library, Archives & Public Records, History
• Teresa Rankin, History of Nevada's Supreme Court Buildings, 31 Nev. Law. 16 (Apr. 2023).
• Texas State Law Library, Law Libraries of Other States

The table below lists all of the librarians that have served as the State Law Librarian of Nevada.

Highlights from 1861 - 1895

• 1861 ~ Territorial Council and House of Representatives pass a Concurrent Resolution “to collect as many of the old records connected with the early history” and file them in the archives of the Territory.
• 1861 ~ Territorial Auditor was named ex officio Librarian.
• 1861 ~ The Secretary of the Utah-Nevada Territory was assigned the responsibility of preserving public records. After Nevada became a state, this responsibility transferred to the Secretary of State, who became the de facto State Archivist.
• 1863 ~ Federal documents sent to the Nevada Territorial Library.  Beginning of the Federal Publications collection at the Territorial Library.
• 1864 ~ Becomes Nevada State Library with Nevada Statehood, October 31, 1864.
• 1865 ~ The Secretary of State is required to keep the proceedings and all papers of the two Constitutional Conventions; manuscripts containing the enrolled Acts and joint resolutions and journals of the Legislature of this state and the Territory of Nevada; the records, papers, and documents of Carson County, Utah Territory; and all other books, records and documents which are required to be deposited and kept in his office.  This constitutes the first de facto State Archivist.
• 1865 ~ State Library was created in statute as a responsibility of the Secretary of State, the ex officio State Librarian.  Funding for the State Library came from all fees collected by that office, and no person could practice law in Nevada without paying a fee to the State Library Fund.  The Library was for use by the Legislature during session and at anytime by the Governor, the Executive Officers, and the Justices of the Supreme Court.  The Board of Directors for the State Library consisted of The Governor, State Controller, and Attorney General. Purchasing decision should include the needs of the Supreme Court.
• 1883 ~ The Lieutenant Governor became ex officio State Librarian.
• 1883 ~ The State Library established office hours the same as other State offices.  The Lieutenant Governor was required by law to keep a register of  “all books, magazines, papers, pamphlets, maps, charts and other property.”  To keep the library open a clerk was hired for when the Lieutenant Governor acts as Governor.  The Lieutenant Governor assumes the responsibilities held by the Judges of the Supreme Court, who are no longer the Board of Directors.
• 1895 ~ Secretary of State becomes the ex officio State Librarian.

Highlights from 1915 - 1971

• 1915 ~ State Library Commission was formed, composed of the Supreme Court Justices and appointed the first full-time State Librarian.
• 1917 ~ Legislature authorizes the State Library to loan books to any resident or school district of the State.  This is the beginning of public library service to Nevada citizens.
• 1937 ~ The State Board of Control transferred the responsibility for the maintenance of historical records to the Nevada Historical Society in cooperation with the Office of the Secretary of State.
• 1960 ~ The State Librarian is still in classified service, but “serves at the pleasure of the Governor” for removal.
• 1965 ~ On October 4th, the Division of Archives officially opened its doors as part of the Secretary of State Office. Originally located in the basement of the Capitol, and later moved to the Capitol Annex.
• 1965 ~ Nevada Council on Libraries established to “examine and overview the whole state of libraries, librarianship, library education, library resources, and all allied and cognate activities and prepare a record of its findings.” 
• 1967 ~ Records Services Section, newly created in Department of Administration, Budget Division, includes a micrographics unit.   Appropriations made for its support.
• 1967 ~ Nevada Center for Cooperative Library Services organized under the provisions of Chapter 277 NRS on May 29.
• 1967 ~ Legislation to eliminate the Division of the Archives failed. Instead it became the repository of noncurrent state government records.
• 1968 ~ Regional Library for the Blind and the Physically Handicapped established at the State Library.
• 1971 ~ Legislation enacted which begins the official process of splitting the State Library and Supreme Court Law Library.  “On and after November 22, 1972, the justices of the supreme court shall be ex officio supervisors of the law library to assist the state librarian in performing the duties imposed upon him by NRS 378.080.