Addison Public Library Selected to Provide Court Access Services to Community
October 2, 2025
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The Addison Public Library has been selected by the Chicago Bar Foundation and the Illinois Secretary of State office to provide court access assistance to the surrounding community through a statewide pilot program.
As one of 18 public libraries chosen across Illinois—and the only pilot location in DuPage County—the Addison Public Library now serves as a Court Access Library Center, offering space and dedicated equipment for residents without lawyers to navigate the legal system. Patrons can make appointments at the library for help with finding and filing forms, attending court hearings via Zoom, and accessing legal information and resources.
The program focuses on helping individuals representing themselves in local civil court cases involving divorce and child custody; domestic violence; wills, trusts, and estates; housing; and consumer debt.
Staff at the Addison Public Library have received specialized training on Illinois courts, e-filing, statewide standardized court forms, remote court appearances, and available resources. Lesley Cyrier, Head of Adult Services, and Sara Lock, Adult Services Specialist, both serve as certified Court Library Navigators to offer more customized legal information to patrons.
"The court navigator program is a wonderful acknowledgement of the need we have been seeing in our community for years," said Lesley. "Not only has the state said, we see what you need, but they have provided us with the training and the tools to make a difference."
Sara added: "We've had several appointments in the last year as we've slowly introduced this service, and we expect it to grow a great deal as more people learn about it. We've helped these patrons attend Zoom court dates at the library, with one of us requesting a Spanish translator if needed, find court forms, and do legal research related to Illinois law."
The Court Access Library Center pilot program represents a collaboration between Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias' office, the Illinois Supreme Court's Commission on Access to Justice, and the Chicago Bar Foundation. The 18 participating libraries were selected using a data-driven approach based on the volume of people without lawyers, geographic and transportation limitations to local courthouses, broadband internet access constraints, and interest from public libraries in the area
"Libraries have long been trusted community spaces where people can find help close to home," said Roya Samarghandi, Chief Advocacy & Innovation Officer at the Chicago Bar Foundation. "That's why the Addison Public Library—along with 17 other public libraries across Illinois—was selected as a pilot location for the Court Access Library Center project. We've already seen how Addison has built on its existing resources to better assist people navigating legal issues on their own. With the support of our partners, the Secretary of State and the Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice, we're excited about the potential to bring this resource to more communities across the state."
"The DuPage County Law Library is so happy that Addison Public Library was selected to receive the Court Navigator Grant through the Illinois Secretary of State's office,” noted Kathleen Willis, DuPage County Circuit Court Law Library Manager and Addison Public Library Board Trustee. “This partnership helps make access to court-related documents and questions easier for people that may not have the ability to come to Wheaton. Addison Public Library continues to be innovative in serving the needs of their community. We continue to look forward to working with them on the program."
The program aims to reduce barriers to court access, particularly for those with limited technology capabilities or transportation challenges. By establishing court access centers in libraries, all patrons can more easily obtain legal information and assistance with navigating the legal process in their own communities.
To learn more about court access services at the Addison Public Library or to schedule an appointment, visit addisonlibrary.org/court-access or call 630.458.3320.
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About Addison Public Library:
The Addison Public Library is dedicated to providing exceptional resources, programs, and services to the residents of Addison, Illinois. From traditional library offerings to innovative initiatives like the Court Access program, the library remains committed to fostering a thriving and inclusive community for all. For more information, visit addisonlibrary.org.
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