Law Libraries in California: State, County, and Academic

The State-Level Law Libraries

California's public legal-research collections are anchored by California State Library. State, court, and public law libraries like these are generally open to anyone and are the natural starting point for a self-represented researcher, since they hold the state's primary law and are set up to serve the public rather than only the bar.

County and Court Law Libraries

For local access, California residents can use county law libraries such as Los Angeles County Law Library, Sacramento County Public Law Library. County law libraries are usually located in or near the courthouse, are open to the public, and are oriented toward people handling their own cases. Many more counties operate smaller law libraries than can be listed here; check the website of your local courthouse or superior court for the nearest one.

University Law Libraries in California

The state's deepest research collections are at its law schools, including UC Berkeley Law Library, Robert Crown Law Library, Stanford Law School. Academic law libraries hold extensive print and digital collections. As a rule, members of the public may use these materials on-site, but borrowing privileges and access to commercial databases such as Westlaw and Lexis are generally limited to enrolled students and faculty.

Who Can Use Them? Access and Borrowing Rules

Access depends on the type of library. State, county, and public law libraries in California are generally open to everyone, and many exist specifically to help self-represented litigants. Court libraries may be open to the public but prioritize judges and attorneys. Academic libraries usually welcome the public to read on-site while reserving checkouts and database logins for their own community. Because these rules — and the hours — change, confirm them on each library's website before you visit. Our guide to how to use a law library covers what to expect on a first visit.

Online Databases and Remote Access

Many law libraries provide on-site access to commercial research databases that individuals rarely subscribe to on their own, and some state libraries extend limited remote database access to registered residents. A great deal of California's primary law — its statutes and appellate opinions — is also published free on the state's official judiciary and legislature websites. If you are researching a case rather than the law itself, see our guide to California court records.