The Washington State Law Library will have reduced in-person hours starting Monday, September 16, through the end of the month. It will be closed to in-person services for most of October as it prepares to move back to the Temple of Justice in Olympia after a two-year renovation.
During this period, the Library will maintain phone and email services. The Supreme Court Clerk’s Office will also be closed to in-person services from October 14 to 25 but will continue to offer telephone and online services.
The Temple of Justice is scheduled to reopen on October 28, with Washington Supreme Court justices resuming oral arguments at that time.
In July 2022, the Supreme Court and State Law Library relocated their offices from the Temple of Justice on the Capitol Campus in Olympia for renovations. State lawmakers approved funding for structural upgrades in 2021. Since then, both entities have been operating from leased office space in Tumwater.
Adjusted hours for the Law Library and Clerk’s Office are as follows:
- The Library will be open to in-person patrons from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- It will be closed to in-person patrons but accessible via phone and email except on specific dates.
- It will be fully closed to public patrons, including phones and email, during the final stage of the move.
- The Clerk’s Office will also be closed to in-person patrons but accessible by phone and email. Parties can continue using online e-filing.
The Temple of Justice, located on the Capitol Campus in Olympia, began construction in 1912 as the first state capitol building. Renovations included replacing aged heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems, lighting, and plumbing systems throughout the building at an approximate cost of $33.5 million.
For further information or contact details:
- Washington State Law Library: Phone: 360-357-2136; Email: Library.Requests@courts.wa.gov
- Supreme Court Clerk’s Office: Phone: (360) 357-2077; Email: Supreme@courts.wa.gov; Web portal for electronic filing
Contact persons:
Wendy K. Ferrell
Judicial Communications Manager
Phone: 360-705-5331
Email: Wendy.Ferrell@courts.wa.gov
Lorrie Thompson
Communications Officer
Phone: 360-705-5347
Email: Lorrie.Thompson@courts.wa.gov