The law library has been an important part of the law school since the founding of the University of Texas in 1883. Starting from the modest personal collections of law school faculty, the Tarlton Law Library is now one of the finest academic law libraries in the country. Each director of the library has provided important guidance that has shaped the institution’s development.

The earliest law librarians were graduate students who held the position of Fellow and Law Librarian while they completed their studies for a Master of Laws.  Ione Petty Spears was hired as the first full-time law librarian for the law department in 1916. Lucy Moore served as law librarian from 1926 through 1940. During this time, the library began to provide reference services to law students, faculty, lawyers, and the larger university community.  Helen Hargrave led the library from 1940 to 1964 and had a long and distinguished career in law librarianship. One of the law school’s first-year societies is named in honor of Professor Hargrave. Roy Mersky, the library’s longest-serving director, led the library from 1965 to 2008. In his over forty years as director, Professor Mersky, more than anyone, transformed Tarlton into the institution that it is today. Barbara Bintliff, the director of the library from 2010 to 2021, modernized the library and prepared it to meet the challenges of the future. Molly Brownfield, from 2021-2024, made many important changes to the library’s operations and was highly regarded by Tarlton’s staff.

Tarlton’s directors have all made important contributions to the library. However, the management and operation of an academic law library is a team effort. The director’s most important role at Tarlton is as the leader of the wonderful team of professionals who provide outstanding services and resources to the law school community.

Matthew R. Steinke
Assistant Dean for Information Services 
Director of the Tarlton Law Library