Law Libraries in District of Columbia: State, County, and Academic

The State-Level Law Libraries

District of Columbia's public legal-research collections are anchored by Law Library of Congress. 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

Beyond the collections listed above, many local courthouses in District of Columbia maintain a law library or self-help resources for people representing themselves. These are usually open to the public during court hours; the website of your county or district court is the best place to confirm what is available near you.

University Law Libraries in District of Columbia

The state's deepest research collections are at its law schools, including Georgetown Law Library, Georgetown University Law Center. 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 District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia'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 District of Columbia court records.