Earlier this week, the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library received the O. James Werner Award for Distinguished Service to Persons with Disabilities for providing extended, remote access to justice during the pandemic via STAN (Synchronous Touchless Assistive Node), a virtual presence device that is stationed in the Law Library lobby during operating hours. This award was from the Government Law Libraries Special Interest Section of the American Association of Law Libraries.
STAN is composed of a CPU, a large TV screen, and a printer. During hours the library is open to the public, a library staff member runs a two-person virtual meeting to assist patrons who walk up to STAN.
Law Library staff started using STAN in June 2021 to interact with patrons just outside our doors to help many without increasing traffic in the library while we are social distancing. STAN operators can check in patrons for appointments, set up appointments for walk-ins, and assist with quick questions and forms.
To learn more about our current operating procedures and to sign up for an appointment, visit https://www.harriscountylawlibrary.org/reopening.