Access During Spring 2009 Exam Period
During the Spring 2009 semester exam period (May 4, 2009 to May 12, 2009) 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 Access Services Manager - Doug Avila, davila@law.berkeley.edu.
Access During Non-Exam Period
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 6:00 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 6:00 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 Access 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 Access 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 Patron Services Manager of the law library regarding class access.
Borrowing
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.
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
- 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.
- If the book is not checked out, go to the Circulation Desk and fill out a Search card.
- 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.
Lending to Other Libraries (Outbound ILL)
Academic and Public Librarians
Interlibrary loans for material from any library on the Berkeley campus are handled through the Main (Doe) Library. Please see their ILL webpage for more information.
Law Firms and For-Profit Company Librarians
We offer fee-based document delivery and research services through Boalt Express. Please see the Boalt Express website for more information.
Please see Reference if you have any questions.