The start of a new year often invites reflection, goal‑setting, and practical planning for the future. We resolve to care better for our health, our finances, our relationships, and our responsibilities. One resolution that rarely makes the list—but can be one of the most meaningful—is preparing for the end of life. This post provides general, educational information about end‑of‑life planning, including checklists and links to trusted public resources. It is intended for those who are looking for a place to begin.
Read moreJanuary is Consumer Law Resources Month
January is Consumer Law Resources Month at the Harris County Law Library. Consumer law focuses on protecting individuals in everyday transactions—when buying goods or services, dealing with debt collectors, credit reporting issues, or resolving landlord-tenant disputes. In Texas, many of these protections come from laws like the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices–Consumer Protection Act (DTPA), which prohibits false, misleading, or deceptive business practices. At the federal level, agencies such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and nonprofit advocacy organizations—including the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC)—play a key role in enforcing consumer protections, developing policy, and providing educational resources for consumers and advocates alike.
Read moreEx Libris Yearbook 2025
Published irregularly but read consistently, Ex Libris Juris, the blog (or blawg) of the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library, continues to punch well above its weight. In 2025, the Law Library published 36 blog posts, which together drew more than 14,000 views—accounting for a remarkable 20% of all traffic to the Law Library website. For a blog that is neither daily nor news-driven, that percentage tells an important story: readers are not just visiting Ex Libris Juris—they are actively seeking it out.
Read moreDecember Is Impaired Driving Prevention Month: Preventing Wrong-Way Tragedies in Harris County
On December 11, 2025, Harris County Commissioners Court recognized December as Impaired Driving Prevention Month and underscored a sobering reality: more than 30% of deaths on Harris County roads involve alcohol. With the holidays bringing more celebrations (and more risk), the message is simple and urgent: impaired driving is preventable—and the choices we make save lives.
Read moreDecember Is Self-Help Resource Month at the Law Library
In December, the Law Library is featuring a number of self-help resources for self-represented litigants. Handbooks, research guides, and concise legal treatises will be on display in the library.
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