Materials and services offered through the Cumberland County Court Library are moving out of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Courthouse to the Headquarters Library at 300 Maiden Lane. The transition will be completed by Feb. 1.
The Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center will offer legal resources in the Local and State History Room on the second floor of the library and online at cumberland.lib.nc.us. In addition, materials from the Court Library collection are also being made available to local libraries for use by the public.
In addition to copies of N.C. Statutes, the Local and State History Room will have forms for small claims court available.
The Court Library space on the third floor of the Courthouse will be renovated for use by the court system as the County continues to manage space needs for both county and court operations.
Headquarters Library is open Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Library staff will be available to show individuals how to use the legal resources. However, North Carolina law (NCGS 84-4) prohibits non-lawyers from assisting anyone with legal questions; therefore, library staff are forbidden from giving legal advice or opinions. For additional legal assistance, individuals should seek legal counsel.
To learn more about library resources, individuals may make an appointment with a librarian by calling 483-7727 ext. 1359, or by visiting any of the library’s eight locations.
“Our goal is to continue to offer resources for County residents who need to conduct legal research and we plan to do that through on-site materials at Headquarters Library and other libraries in the community and through online platforms,” said Library Director Jody Risacher.
Residents seeking information about jury summons, jury duty, divorce, child custody, adoption, marriage, small claims court, estates, wills and probate, court calendars, criminal record checks, traffic tickets and other court system related subjects are encouraged to visit the Cumberland County Judicial District 12 website at nccourts.org/County/Cumberland.