New Mexico Supreme Court Law Library Named the Best in the Nation

The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) has named the New Mexico Supreme Court Law Library in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the 2026 Federal Depository Library of the Year. The library was selected for its exceptional commitment to providing free public access to Government information, preserving its collection, and serving communities throughout New Mexico.

“The New Mexico Supreme Court Law Library demonstrates the vital role Federal Depository Libraries play in connecting people with Government information,” said GPO Director Hugh Nathanial Halpern. “Its commitment to preserving both print and digital resources helps ensure that people can access the information they need, regardless of their access to technology. GPO is proud to recognize the library and its dedicated staff for their outstanding service.”

“The Supreme Court Law Library preserves, promotes and provides access to public records and legal information, and has carried out that mission since it was established as New Mexico’s Territorial Library in 1851,” said New Mexico State Law Librarian and Depository Coordinator Stephanie Wilson. “The library responds to all requests from people who walk in, call, mail and email for help with legal research, court forms, document delivery and other information. We greatly appreciate the recognition of the library’s work by the U.S. Government Publishing Office.”

The New Mexico Supreme Court Law Library has served the Judiciary, Government, legal community, and public throughout New Mexico for more than 175 years. The library places a particular emphasis on preserving print Government information because some communities it serves have limited access to technology. It maintains key legal resources, including the Code of Federal Regulations, United States Code, and United States Reports, and rarely weeds its collection to support long-term access and preservation.

The library recently completed an item-level inventory of more than 11,900 items in its Federal Depository Library collection and is adding depository resources to its online catalog to make them more discoverable.