Library Resources and Access
The UC Law SF Library provides a variety of services to its patrons, including research assistance and instruction, in-depth research classes, one-on-one research and teaching support to faculty, interlibrary loan, web and technology services, and more.
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The Library Staff
UC Law SF library staff provide legal and law-related research services to students, faculty, and members of the UC Law SF community in support of the College’s educational, research and public service functions. Librarians select and develop research materials for immediate and future needs; ensure the accessibility and availability of research materials; advise and instruct on multi-disciplinary law-related research; develop and maintain specialized information systems, including digital archives and integrated library systems; administer and manage library personnel and services; expand available resources through cooperation with other libraries and consortia; and develop awareness of the range of ideas and possibilities for scholarly research.
The Collection
The UC Law SF Library, located on the fourth and fifth floors of Mary Kay Kane Hall, supports the research and educational endeavors of the students and faculty of the UC College of the Law, San Francisco. The Library’s holdings of over 450,000 volumes include an extensive collection of federal, international, and California documents. The Library is a Selective Depository for United States government documents. It is also a Selective Depository for California government documents. In addition to these government documents, the Library has an archive of Ninth Circuit Records and Briefs, US Supreme Court Records and Briefs, California Supreme Court Records and Briefs, and California Courts of Appeal Records and Briefs. Highlights include:
- An extensive collection of bar study materials, see our California Bar Exam Research Guide for more information.
- Significant resources on foreign, comparative and international law topics, as well as extensive research guides in various related topics such as Chinese Law, Immigration Law, International Treaties, the United Nations and more. If you need assistance with a question about this area of law, please contact FCIL Librarian Dean Deane.
- The Library’s Archives and Special Collections include the Roger J. Traynor Collection, the UC Law SF Archives, the 65 Club Archives, the Brunetti Papers, and other materials. A few historical documents are available in the Scholarship Repository, but please contact the Library if you have questions.
- All available final examinations from previous semesters are accessible online. Exams are password protected. UC Law SF students & faculty must login to access the exams off-campus.
- The Library purchases one copy of each required casebook for each JD course section.  The casebooks are available for 3-hour checkout at the Circulation Desk. These are not intended to serve as a replacement for students purchasing their own copy of the required text. In addition, some superseded editions of casebooks are available in the library’s main collection.
Library Access and Policies
In order to ensure that the UC Law SF Library facilities and services are fully available to the UC Law SF College of the Law community, the Law Library observes a very limited access policy which is fully enforced at all times that the Library is open.
Excluding UC Law SF reading and exam periods, the following categories of patrons may use the Library whenever it is open:
- UC Law SF faculty, students, and staff
- UC Law SF alumni
- UC Davis MSBA students
- Current members of the California Bar with “Active” or “Inactive” status
- Individuals in possession of current UC Law SF Unaffiliated Borrower cards
- Federal Depository Library researchers. See the “Access to Government Documents” section below for further details.
During UC Law SF Reading and Final Exams Periods, only the following categories of patrons may use the library:
- UC Law SF faculty, students, and staff
- UC Law SF alumni
- UC Davis MSBA students
- Individuals in possession of current UC Law SF Unaffiliated Borrower cards
Non-alumni who are enrolled in a commercial bar exam prep course taught at UC Law SF during the summer may apply for a Special Access Card to study in the Law Library.
Identification Requirements
Identification will be checked at the building entrance. All Library patrons will be required to show appropriate ID at the first floor Security Desk. See the table below for more information regarding the specific ID requirements for various categories of users.
The Library is not open to members of the general public, except where there is demonstrated need to access US government documents acquired by the Law Library through its membership in the Federal Depository Library Program. Please note that as a Selective Depository Library, the Law Library receives only a small portion of federal depository materials. It is recommended that users of the depository collection call to arrange an appointment prior to coming to the Library for the first time; however, walk-in users with an articulated need to use specific materials in the Federal Depository collection will be accommodated if a Reference Librarian is available. See the “Government Documents” section below for more information about our government documents policy and instructions for making prior arrangements for access to our Federal Depository materials.
| User Category | ID Requirement |
|---|---|
| UC Law SF faculty, students & staff | Current UC Law SF-issued photo ID |
| UC Law SF alumni | UC Law SF Alumni Unaffiliated Borrower Card or state bar card and official photo ID. The UC Law SF Alumni Office also provides a list of graduates to Security. If you do not have ID, and/or Security does not have your name on file, please contact the UC Law SF Alumni Office for access. |
| UC Davis MSBA students | Current UC Law SF-issued photo ID |
| Members of the California Bar | Attorneys should present proof of bar membership with a membership card or print-out of their status through the California Bar’s website, along with official photo identification. |
| Unaffiliated Borrowers | Current UC Law SF Unaffiliated Borrowers card and photo ID |
| Federal Depository Library researchers | Official photo ID and proof of appointment. |
Access to the Wireless Network
Only UC Law SF students, faculty and staff are allowed access to the secure network. A guest wireless network is available for visitors upon request.
Directions
- The UC Law SF Library is located at the northwest corner of McAllister and Hyde Streets. Google Map of our location.
- The UC Law SF Parking Garage is located at 376 Larkin Street, on the corner of Larkin and Golden Gate. There are also other outdoor and indoor garages in the area and metered street parking.
- BART: Ride Bart to the Civic Center Station. Exit the station at United Nations Plaza, walk 1 block north on Hyde Street to McAllister Street.
- MUNI: Ride MUNI Metro to Civic Center Station, exit station at United Nations Plaza, walk 1 block north on Hyde Street to McAllister Street.
Other Library Policies
Your College-issued identification card also serves as your borrowing card in the library. Your I.D. card must be presented to check out books and course reserve items. Materials may be checked out for specified periods of time as follows:
Circulation Desk Items
Most materials kept at the Circulation Desk are loaned for 3 hours. Circulation Desk materials include all items placed on Course Reserve by professors, as well as study aids, academic support materials, and foreign language dictionaries. The latter are loaned for 24 hours. Video adapters, phone and iMac chargers, laptops, and other electronic devices are also available to borrow at the Circulation Desk. Some of these materials are available for 24-hour use.
Laptops
PC laptops with power cords may be borrowed from the Circulation Desk. Laptops lend for 8 hours with the option to renew once. Regardless of when laptops are checked out, they must be returned by the time the Library closes. Laptops may leave the Library. Overdue fines for laptops are $10.00 per hour. The replacement fine for lost laptops is $600. Laptops do not circulate during exam periods.
Government Documents
Federal agency publications and congressional hearings and reports shelved in the UC Law SF Library may be borrowed for 30 days. California legislative hearings and reports may also be borrowed for 30 days.
General Book Collection
Monographs and single-volume treatises from the general book collection, shelved on the fourth and fifth floors of the library, may be borrowed for 30 days.
State and federal case reports and codes (including superseded code volumes), law reviews, multi-volume sets, loose-leaf publications, current casebooks, indexes, and microforms may not be borrowed. Materials located in the Research Alcove are also unavailable for borrowing.
Renewals
A book may be renewed by a patron if no holds have been placed on it. Patrons may view their current check-outs and renew materials online. Patrons may also renew items in person at the Circulation Desk. Renewal requests cannot be processed over the phone. No 24-hour use items can be renewed.
Recalls
All books are subject to recall one week after being checked out. Hastings students, faculty, and staff may request that a book be recalled by logging in to their library account, searching in Primo for the catalog record for the book, and clicking on the “Place a Hold” link in the record. Patrons may also place holds on books in person at the Circulation Desk. Recalled books must be returned by the date specified in the recall notice. For reasons of privacy, the names of those who have borrowed library materials will not be revealed.
Non-UC Law SF Borrowers
The library now operates an annual fee-based program for unaffiliated borrowers. Law firms, agency libraries, and alumni may apply to borrow materials from the library’s circulating collection.
Overdue Fines
Overdue fines are charged according to the following schedule:
3-Hour and 24-Hour circulation desk materials: $1.00 per hour during hours the library is open.
Laptops: $10.00 per hour.
Fines may be paid by credit card through your library account.
UC Law SF faculty and staff do not accrue overdue fines.
Lost Books
The replacement cost, plus $25.00 in processing and service charges, will be charged for each lost library book. Alternatively, patrons may bring a like-new copy of the book to the library. The book must be an exact replacement (same edition and format). The book may not include any markings, stickers, or discoloration. The library reserves the right to refuse any replacement copy.
Lost GadgetsÂ
The replacement cost will be charged for each lost gadget.
Students graduating from UC Law SF will be notified prior to graduation of any library materials still in their possession. If the materials are not returned or the replacement cost paid within 30 days of notification, a hold will be placed on the student’s law school record. The same policy applies to students who withdraw from the College.
The Library places a copy of assigned casebooks for courses offered in the JD curriculum on Course Reserve. These are not intended to serve as a replacement for students purchasing their own copy of the required text. After they are no longer assigned, all casebooks are fully cataloged and shelved by subject area in the general collection. Faculty may place a personal copy of a casebook on Course Reserve.
Retention: The Library retains current and superseded casebooks.
Borrowing: Casebooks in the general collection on the 4th and 5th floors of the Library may be borrowed for 30 days. Casebooks on Course Reserve may be borrowed for 3 hours.
The UC Law SF Library supports the educational and research needs of the UC Law SF College of the Law community. The Library serves as a research partner with the school’s faculty and students. The Library’s print and electronic collections directly support the UC Law SF faculty, UC Law SF students, the current curriculum, and the College’s affiliated programs. The Library staff works closely with UC Law SF faculty and students to provide access to the Library’s collections and to facilitate access to other research and teaching resources. The Library aims to provide for its authorized users an environment suitable for research, study, instruction, and reading.
In order to achieve these goals, the Library has established the following Code of Conduct. The following behaviors are in conflict with the mission of the UC Law SF Library and are cause for action by the Library staff or a representative of the Library staff:
Use and Protection of the Collections:
- Removing or attempting to remove Library materials, equipment or property without official library authorization.
- Failing to either renew or return Library materials when due, or pay library fines.
- Concealing or reserving, without Library authorization, materials in the Library for the exclusive use of an individual or group.
- Mutilating Library materials by marking, underlining, removing pages or portions of pages, removing binding, removing anti-theft devices, using post-its or paper clips, or in any other way damaging or defacing Library materials.
- Bringing in and consuming aromatic foods or beverages in public areas of the Library.
- Spilling any food or beverage on any surface in the Library.
- Using tobacco in the Library, including smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes or using smokeless tobacco.
- Not allowing search of possessions when the security gate alarm has been activated upon exit.
Use and Protection of the Building and Library Equipment:
- Being in unauthorized areas of the Library, remaining in the Library after closing or during emergency drills or evacuations.
- Opening emergency exits except in emergency situations.
- Vandalizing or defacing the Library building, furniture or equipment, or engaging in any behavior that could do so.
- Accessing without authorization (or altering or damaging) any computer system, network, computer program, or data.
- Blocking doorways, elevators, stairways, emergency exits or aisles. Large objects such as carts, duffel bags and large pieces of luggage may not be brought into Library facilities. Personal property must be within sight of the owner.
- Unauthorized use of student study rooms. Study rooms are for the exclusive use of current UC Law SF students.
The Library Environment:
- Engaging in any behavior which is potentially harmful or dangerous.
- Using portable or cellular telephones to make or receive calls.
- Failing to present proper identification upon demand by any college official.
- Carrying weapons of any kind unless authorized by law.
- Bringing animals inside the Library that do not conform to the UC Law SF Policy on Animals on Campus.
- Soliciting money, donations or signatures.
- Unauthorized photography or filming in the Library.
- Unreasonable use of public restrooms, including laundering and bathing.
- Any disturbance or activity that interferes with Library user or staff comfort, safety, use or quiet and peaceful enjoyment of the Library, including but not limited to:
- Harassing or threatening Library users or staff.
- Staring at, following, or photographing Library users or staff.
- Strong, pervasive odors, including odors caused by perfume or cologne.
- Making any loud or unreasonable noise or other disturbance, including disruptive use of personal communications or entertainment devices.
- Persons under the influence of alcohol or non-prescribed drugs are not allowed on Library property.
- Sleeping by students beyond the usual short study nap is discouraged in the Library for safety and security reasons. Community users are reminded that the Library is open for research purposes and sleeping is not allowed.
- Any patron who commits or attempts to commit any of the offenses listed above — or anything construed to be a disturbance — or any other behaviors illegal under the laws of the state or federal government — is subject to sanctions, including:
- being asked to leave Library premises;
- being reported to the police;
- legal prosecution.
Offenders are subject to loss of Library privileges and may be criminally prosecuted. Those who are UC Law SF students are also subject to penalties that may be imposed under the Student Conduct Code.
There are 12 group study rooms in the Library. These rooms are available for use by UC Law SF Community for group study or shared study-space on a first-come, first-served basis during the academic year.
The following rules apply to the group study rooms:
- The rooms are for the exclusive use of UC Law SF community members.
- The group study rooms cannot be reserved.
- No aromatic foods and beverages are permitted in the study rooms.
- Users may consume non-aromatic foods and beverages in the study rooms, but they must clean up after themselves.
- Upon leaving, users are required to remove all items brought into a group study room.
- All UC Law SF librarians are empowered to require that library patrons comply with these rules.
Government Documents
The UC Law SF Library is a Selective Depository for United States government documents. As such, it receives only a small portion of federal depository materials. A more extensive collection of government documents is available at San Francisco Public Library’s Government Information Center, which is located one block from the Law School at 100 Larkin Street. It offers public access to one of the largest and oldest government document collections in Northern California. The collection includes census publications for all decennial censuses, economic censuses, statistics, annual reports, legislation, statutes, codes, regulations, treaties, military history, and major publications of federal departments.
Access to the Federal Depository Collection by the general public is an exception to the Law Library’s Access Policy. This exception is made in order to provide access to government information. Access to the Federal Depository Collection entitles members of the public to use those publications received through the Federal Depository Library Program and online within the FDLP only; it does not entitle use of the Law Library’s general collections, services (except reference services regarding the Federal Depository Collection), or physical space. Once the user has completed his/her use of the federal depository documents, he/she is required to leave the Law Library.
Procedures for Using the Depository Collection
Federal Depository Appointment Form
Advance reservations are recommended for members of the public who wish to access the Federal Depository Collection. Access to the Federal Depository Collection entitles members of the public to use those publications received through the Federal Depository Library Program and online within the FDLP only; it does not entitle use of the Law Library’s general collections, services (except reference services regarding the Federal Depository Collection), or physical space. Once the user has completed his/her use of the federal depository documents, he/she is required to leave the Law Library.
Appointments are scheduled between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, when classes are in session.
Check in at the Security Desk on the first floor of the 200 McAllister building at the appointed time. A government issued photo ID must be presented.
The guard at the Security Desk will notify the Reference Librarian, who will escort the visitor to the Fourth Floor Reading Room where the requested document(s) will be paged.
The visitor will be required to work in the Fourth Floor Reading Room for the duration of the appointment. Upon completion of the use of the federal depository documents, the visitor will be required to leave the Law Library promptly.
Current Openings
The Circulation Department of the Law Library is accepting applications from 2Ls, 3Ls, LLMs, and MSLs to staff the Circulation Desk. Work between classes, during the evening, or on weekends. Flexible schedules. Work-Study preferred, but not required. Applications are available online. For additional information, contact the Circulation Librarian.
Virtual library internships are also available for qualified MLIS students. If you are a San Jose State MLIS student, please see our listing in the San Jose State University SLIS internship database for more information. For additional information, please contact Camilla Tubbs.
How to Make a Gift to the Library
Monetary donations to improve the library or to fund a collection should be directed to the UC Law SF Alumni Center. Donations of books should be directed to Hilary Hardcastle.