Circulation Policies

Who Can Check Out Books?

• Boalt Students: This includes JD, LLM, and JSP candidates with a current UCB picture I.D.
• Boalt Faculty and Lecturers
• U.C. Berkeley Faculty with current faculty borrowing card
• U.C. Berkeley graduate students (must register at Boalt)

Borrowing privileges cannot be extended to undergraduates, students from other law schools, attorneys, or the general public. Boalt alumni do not have borrowing privileges, and borrowing privileges cease upon graduation. Exceptions are made for graduate students from the Berkeley campus with a 24 hour wait after registration at Boalt. .

What Can Be Checked Out?

The law library is primarily a research library, so much of the collection does not circulate to anyone, even those with regular borrowing privileges. You are welcome to use any of the materials in the library. Listed below are the general circulation rules and loan periods for Boalt students:

• Permanent and Course Reserve: Four Hours (Library use only)
• Hornbooks, Nutshells, etc.: Four Hours (Library use only), Overnight (Boalt Students)
• Monographs, Treatises, etc.: 28 Days

Renewals and Self-Renewals

Books can be renewed in person, by calling 510-642-0621 or by using the online catalog, lawcat. Choose "view your patron record and renew items" and you will be then prompted for you name and student id. Most circulating books can be renewed up to five times, but keep in mind that some books are not renewable.

Recalls

All books are subject to recall one week after being checked out. Recalled books must be returned immediately or your borrowing privileges (including Loan Desk books) will be suspended. For reasons of privacy, the names of those who have checked out material cannot be revealed. There are no exceptions to this rule.

What to Do If a Book Is Not On the Shelf

1. Check the on-line catalog to see if the book is checked out. If it is, go to the Circulation Desk and fill out a RECALL card.
2. If the book is not checked out, go to the Circulation Desk and fill out a Search card.
3. If you are looking for a journal, case reporter, or statutes volume, try the shelves again in a day or so. These materials are heavily used and often are not reshelved immediately. Also, try looking on the distribution shelves adjacent to the Loan Desk, and in the Reading Rooms and Copy Center.

Overdue Books

If you do not return your books on time you will lose your borrowing privileges, including the use of the Loan Desk collection (outlines, nutshells, treatises, course reserves). Once privileges have been withdrawn, you must clear your record with one of the Circulation Supervisors, weekdays only, between 9AM and 4PM. If books are not returned after the third overdue notice, your privileges will be suspended. If the book is not returned, you will receive a bill charging you for the replacement costs. The moral: RETURN YOUR BOOKS ON TIME! Thanks.