Santa Clara County Law Library Services
Reference Assistance
"I choose free libraries as the best agencies for improving the
masses of the people, because they give nothing for nothing.
They only help those who help themselves." - Andrew Carnegie
Library staff is available to guide patrons to appropriate legal materials in print or electronic formats, so you can conduct your own legal research. The Library staff does not perform legal research and takes great care to avoid the unauthorized practice of law. The Library staff will neither give legal opinions or advice nor will it comment upon or explain the meaning of a text.
Telephone reference is limited to reading short sections of statutes when a specific cite is given by the caller, or the status of specific titles. The number to our front desk is (408)299-3568. Patrons in the library have higher priority, we may ask you to call back later if we experience high traffic at front desk.
Under no circumstance will legal advice be given
Law library staffs are not 'Lawyer Lite':
If you are unable or unwilling to conduct your own legal research, but wish for a quick answer of your legal question, we recommend the following resources:
If all you want is somebody to fill out a legal form for you, you may want to engage the service of of a Legal Document Assistant.
For Family Court matters, please contact Family Law Facilitator's Office.
For Small Claims court questions, please contact Small Claims Advisor.
Obtain unbundled legal service from an attorney, also know as Limited Scope Representation.
San Jose Public Library has a very popular Lawyers in the Library program, reserve your slot early.
If you believe that you qualify under their income guideline, you may also wish to contact those service.
Bay Area Legal Aid has a Legal Assistance Line (LAL).
Pro Bono Project.
Santa Clara University, School of Law has a community legal clinic, click for advice clinics calendar. Call for appointments first.
Self-Service Photocopiers:
There are 4 copiers at San Jose and 2 copiers at Palo Alto North County Branch. Currently, the cost is 15 cents per page. The machines will take dollar bills, quarters, dimes, and nickels.
For frequent library visitors, we also have pre-paid copy card at $30 and $45 denomination.
We do not have ATM on site. Nor do we take credit cards or ATM cards payment.
Check-out privilege
Adult residents of Santa Clara County may sign up for library card with a $50 CASH deposit. After three months, the deposit borrowers can turn in their library card and receive refund of their deposit, less any fines or charges. The process take up-to 6-8 weeks. Attorneys who either reside in or maintain an office in Santa Clara County may also sign up for a library card. Attorney borrowers in good standing can also sign up their staff or other associates for library cards.
All borrowers must also purchase a library card for $2.00. Patrons will need to show a picture ID and provide proof of address.
Wireless network
The San Jose branch hosts a Wi-Fi wireless network. As the Law Library is surrounded by residential buildings, the network is encrypted to control access. The WEP encryption code is readily available within the Law Library. This service is provided as-is without any warranty. The Law Library will NOT provide ANY technical support. Please refer to documentations provided by your hardware/software vendors if you encounter any difficulties.
Last Modified:
Monday, May 5th, 2008