Books and materials may be borrowed from the Law Library in accordance with the following rules:
BORROWING CLASSES
If you fall into one of the following classes, submit a proper application and pay the appropriate fees and security deposit, you may borrow books and materials.
- Individual Borrower – any individual 18 years of age or older. You must present photo identification with your name and current address.*
- Corporate Borrower – any law firm, corporate legal department, corporation, or other business entity. A corporate borrower may designate, in writing, members or employees as designated borrowers. Fines and charges accrued shall be the responsibility of the corporate borrower.
- Judicial Borrower - any judge, commissioner, magistrate or referee of a State or Federal court located in Los Angeles County or any State or Federal administrative law judge who conducts judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings in Los Angeles county.
- Official / Government Borrower – any elected or appointed State, Federal, County, municipal, or special district official who maintains an office in Los Angeles county and who does work of a legal nature in the performance of his/her duties, and who presents a letter of verification from a superior official.
- Non-profit Borrower – any partnership, corporation or other business entity that qualifies for federal 501(c)(3) status or California non-profit corporation status. A non-profit borrower may designate, in writing, members or employees as designated borrowers. Fines and charges accrued shall be the responsibility of the non-profit borrower.
- Reduced Deposit Borrower – any individual who presents a Court approved “Waiver of Court Fees and Costs” for a specific, currently pending legal action in any State or Federal court within Los Angeles county. You must present photo identification with your name and current address. *
* Photo Identification can be a California driver’s license or an ID card issued by the DMV. If you do not have a driver’s license or ID card, then present two of the following, one of which must be a photo ID and one of which must have your current address: Passport, school ID card, other government issued photo ID, employee ID card, printed personal check, credit card statement or business mail with current postmark.
SECURITY DEPOSIT
You must maintain the appropriate security deposit for your borrowing class. Security deposits shall be placed in a trust account. Any interest earned on the trust account shall be paid to the Law Library and used for its expenses.
A security deposit, less any outstanding charges, fees or fine, will be refunded to you upon written request provided all borrowed materials have been returned. Your borrowing privileges shall cease upon written request for refund of the security deposit.
ANNUAL BORROWING FEES
Members of the classes of Borrowers shall pay the appropriate annual borrowing fees. Annual borrowing fees are not refundable.
The annual borrowing year shall being on July 1 and end on June 30 of the following calendar year.
MESSENGERS
An Individual, Corporate, Judicial, or Government/Official Borrower may, in writing, designate up to 2 persons or services to function as messengers to take possession of book or materials for the Borrower. The borrower will be responsible for all fines, fees, and charges. The messenger must present proper identification when borrowing materials.
LOAN PERIODS
Most library materials are loaned for 5 days. Fines are charged only if materials are returned or renewed late. Failure to pay accrued fines may result in the borrower’s account being turned over to American Agencies, a collection agency.
Individual, Judicial, Government / Official and Non-Profit borrowers may check out a maximum of 15 items at one time. Corporate borrowers may check out a maximum of 50 items at one time. Reduced Deposit borrowers may check out a maximum of 5 items at one time.
Library materials may be returned in person or through a book drop. At the Main Library, the book drops are located at 1st street entrance and the freestanding drop in the Temple Street staff entrance.
RENEWING LIBRARY MATERIALS
Most items may be renewed a maximum of two times. You may not renew an item if there is a pending hold. If the item you renew is overdue a fine will be posted to your record.
You may renew your library materials in person or over the phone. You can renew items by telephone by calling 213-785-2529. Telephone Circulation also lets you review your library record to find out what you have checked out, when it is due, if items you reserved are being held for you, and if you have any unpaid fines or fees.
FINES AND CHARGES
Library materials are not due on Sundays or holidays on which the Library is closed, but such days shall count as days of the circulation period and for calculation of overdue fines.
If Library material is over due for more than 30 days, the item shall be deemed lost and replacement steps initiated. You will be charged a replacement charge, accrued fines and a processing charge.
If an item is lost, it is your responsibility to notify the Library of this fact as soon as possible. Fees will be charged based on the actual loss date. In lieu of replacement charges, you may replace a lost item with a copy acceptable to the Library.
Judicial borrowers shall pay all charges other than fines.
Table of fines and borrowing fees
SUSPENSIONS / TERMINATIONS
If you fail to return library materials or pay the amount of fines or charges due within 30 days of a mailed notice, your privileges shall be suspended until the amount due is paid. Outstanding amounts due which are not paid within 30 days of the suspension shall be deducted from your security deposit. If the outstanding amount is greater than your security deposit, the entire deposit will be taken.
A borrower whose borrowing privileges have been suspended or terminated shall not qualify as a member of another borrowing class until the suspension or termination has been removed.
A borrower whose borrowing privileges have been terminated for any reason may in writing request the return of their security deposit, less any fines or fees accrued, at any time within 2 years after they have ceased to have borrowing privileges. Any balance of the security deposit remaining and not demanded at the end of 2 years shall become property of the law library.