Access Policy

The Law Library is open to the entire University of California, Berkeley community, as well as attorneys and members of the general public who wish to conduct legal research or to use United States Government Printing Office Depository materials.

When the check station is staffed, the library is open to attorneys, the general public, graduate students, judges, law students, paralegals, U.C. faculty, U.C. staff, users of the federal depository documents and visiting scholars.

Except during the Fall and Spring semester exam periods, undergraduates are welcome to use the law library from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. During these hours all undergraduates have full library use of the collection and the assistance of Boalt's reference librarians. After 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and during all weekend hours the Law Library is open to those undergraduates needing to use Depository materials. This policy is in place to preserve much needed study space for Boalt students. However, UCB undergraduates who need to conduct extensive legal research may obtain a pass from the Patron Services Manager.

Undergraduate Access During Spring 2008 Exam Period

During the Spring 2008 semester exam period (May 5, 2008 to May 15, 2008) undergraduates can only use the law library from 8:00 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday. UCB undergraduates who need to conduct extensive legal research during times of limited access may obtain a pass from the Patron Services Manager.

Procedures for Obtaining a Pass

UCB undergraduates who have legal research needs that cannot be met during unrestricted hours can apply for a pass from the Patron Services Manager, Doug Avila, davila@law.berkeley.edu . Passes will be issued for the time period needed to complete the research.

Because the Law Library has extremely limited study space, passes will only be issued for research purposes, not for those who wish to use Boalt as a place to study. Passes are issued on an individual basis. All undergraduate professors who teach courses that have a legal research component should contact the All undergraduate professors who teach courses that have a legal research component should contact the Patron Services Manager of the law library regarding class access.

Borrowing Priviliges

The Law Library at Boalt Hall is primarily a research facility and most of the collection is non-circulating. Some materials circulate to Boalt Hall law students and UCB faculty only. If a UCB graduate student needs to borrow from the circulating collection, the student must fill out a special privileges card, obtained from the Law Library Patron Services Desk and present his/her graduate student ID card. There is a 24 hour wait period to verify registration before the student may check out books. Books may be left on the Patron Services Desk hold shelf until registration status is verified. Because the Boalt Law Library's on-line circulation system is separate from the main campus' computer, each patron must be entered individually. Circulation privileges cannot be extended to undergraduates, non-UC faculty, attorneys or members of the general public.