Circulation Policy

Any person who wishes to borrow materials from the Bernard E. Witkin Alameda County Law Library must have a complete, current registration on file. There are no exceptions to this requirement. All borrowers must purchase and present a library card ($1.00) in order to check out materials. Law library registration and library cards are non-transferable. Persons wishing to register must present satisfactory proof of being a member of one of the categories listed below in order to register and may be required to present current proof when checking out library materials. Borrowers with outstanding fines or other charges may not check anything out until these fines or other charges are paid. Circulating materials may be borrowed from the law library for use within Alameda County in accordance with the following rules.

Who May Borrow Materials

a. Judicial Borrowers
Any judge of a court located within Alameda County. Any administrative law judge who conducts judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings within Alameda County. Any judge or retired judge who resides within Alameda County. Judicial borrowers must have a current registration form on file at the Law Library.

b. Public Officials
Any elected or appointed federal, state, county or city official who maintains an office within Alameda County and who has a current registration on file at the Law Library.

c. Registered Attorneys
Any member in good standing of the State Bar of California who resides in or maintains an office in Alameda County and who has a current registration on file at the Law Library.

d. Authorized Agents
Any person employed by a registered borrower in one of the above three categories who is authorized on the Law Library's authorization form and who borrows materials on behalf of the authorizing employer. Any borrowing by an Authorized Agent is to be limited to materials used within the scope of such employment. The employer signing the authorization form remains fully responsible for any materials borrowed and any overdue fines or other charges accrued by that agent. The maximum authorization period is one year. Authorizations are renewable.

e. Alameda County Residents
Any adult resident of Alameda County who places a $60.00 cash security deposit with the Law Library may register. Deposit borrowers must maintain a current registration on file. Deposit borrowers may have no more than a total of two items (including sets of tapes) checked out to them at any given time. Deposit borrowers may not authorize others to check materials out on their behalf or to register as an authorized agent.



Items may be borrowed only for the personal use of the borrower, or for the use of professional associates or employees. Violation of this rule will constitute grounds for the revocation of borrowing privileges.

Only those materials which have been bar coded and processed may be checked out. There are no exceptions to this rule. Non-circulating items include but are not limited to looseleaf sets, reference books, digests, citators and rare books. Books and materials ordinarily subject to borrowing may, at the discretion of a Librarian, be withdrawn from circulation at times and for periods determined by a Librarian.



a. Number of Items
Judicial borrowers, Public Officials, Attorneys and Authorized Agents may check out a maximum of eight items at a time. Deposit Borrowers may have a total maximum of two items (including sets of tapes) checked out at any one time. No borrower may have more than two sets of tapes checked out at any one time.

b. Borrowing Period
Circulating materials may be borrowed for a period of fourteen days. There are no renewals. Once an item has been checked in, two days must elapse before the last borrower can check it out again.

c. Reserves
Borrowers may place a reserve on circulating materials which have been checked out by another patron. This may be done over the phone or in person. Materials on which a reserve has been placed will be held for a maximum of forty-eight hours after the person who placed the reserve has been notified before the materials will be available for the next reserve or general circulation.

d. Fines and Charges
A fine of one dollar per day per overdue item shall be charged (a volume and a supplement are treated as two separate items.) Overdue fines and other charges will not be cumulated and must be paid before additional materials may be checked out. No fine shall exceed the replacement cost of the item plus $50.00. If the overdue period exceed sixty days, the item shall be deemed lost, and the borrower shall be charged a $50.00 service charge plus the replacement cost or the value of the lost item.

A substantially damaged or defaced item shall be deemed lost unless it can be suitably repaired. In that event, the repair cost shall be charged to the responsible borrower.

e. Payment of Fines and Charges
All fines and replacement charges must be paid as follows: Overdue book fines must be paid within thirty days after being billed for the amount due. Borrowers who lose an item or in whose custody an item is irreparably damaged shall pay the replacement cost plus a $50.00 service charge within fifteen days after being billed for the amount.

1. Borrowing privileges cease when a borrower no longer qualifies under the provisions of Rule I.
2. A borrower who fails to reimburse the library for lost books or to pay fines or other charges shall be suspended.
3. A borrower who flagrantly or persistently violates the borrowing rules shall have his/her borrowing privileges terminated. At the discretion of the Law Library Director, a suspended borrower may have borrowing privileges reinstated by posting a $50.00 deposit.
4. A deposit borrower whose borrowing privileges have been terminated for any reason may request a refund of his or her deposit at any time within two years of such termination. The deposit amount will be refunded after payment of all outstanding fines or charges. Any such deposit remaining on file and not demanded within the two year period shall become the property of the Law Library.

All deposits shall be placed in the Depositors' Trust Fund, but may be used by the Law Library for operating expenses. A deposit will be refunded upon request, provided that all books and materials checked out of the Law Library or the Branch by that borrower have been returned and that all outstanding fines and charges have been paid. The refund shall be in the form of a check. Deposits will be refunded only from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Rules Of Conduct

Adopted by the Board of Trustees April 1, 1995
Amended April 29, 1997, May 2, 2000, and January 2, 2004

Founded in 1891, the Alameda County Law Library has grown into one of the largest and busiest County Law Libraries in the state. The library is regularly used by judges, attorneys, pro per litigants, students, and members of the public. We hope that your time at the Alameda County Law Library is pleasant and productive. In order that as many Library Patrons as possible may use the Library's legal information resources effectively, we ask that you observe the following rules:

1. Use of the Alameda County Law Library's facilities and services is limited to persons, including unaccompanied minors, preparing a legal matter or otherwise using the library's legal information resources including state and federal depository materials. Persons not engaged in these activities may be asked to leave. Loitering is not allowed.
2. Library patrons should conduct themselves at all times in a manner which does not hinder other patrons or staff members from being able to carry on their work. [California Penal Code § 602.1(b)]
3. Quiet should be maintained in all study areas. Patrons who need to converse should do so outside of the library or rent a conference room. Voices carry easily throughout the library and can disturb other persons using the library.
4. Smoking is prohibited in the Library and in any part of any building owned and/or operated by the County of Alameda. [1996 Alameda County Ordinance Code § 6.72.050 (Ordinance 98-6 §1)].
5. No open containers of food or beverages may be brought into the library. Closed water bottles may be brought in but must be kept off of the tables.
6. Laptop computers and portable typewriters equipped with quiet keyboards may be used in the Library. They must be used in carrels with electrical outlets and must not disturb other patrons.
7. Cellular phones, pagers and similar electronic devices should be turned off inside the library and must be used outside the Library.
8. Walkways and aisles must be kept clear. They cannot be obstructed by electrical cords, books, large packages, or personal effects.
9. Personal belongings may not be left unattended. Security guards or Law Enforcement will be asked to remove unattended personal belongings from the Library. Personal belongings cannot be stored at the reference or circulation desks or at the guard's station.
10. Human powered vehicles (e.g. Bicycles, scooters and skateboards) are not permitted in the library, except those which may be medically necessary (e.g. Wheelchairs and walkers).
11. Animals are not allowed in the library with the exception of properly identified seeing eye-dogs, guide dogs, signal dogs and service dogs as described in California Civil Code sections 54.1 and 54.2.
12. Library patrons should conduct all reading, study and research at the tables and carrels provided, not at the reference desk, circulation desk, or on the floor.
13. Library patrons should reshelve their books.
14. The Library staff reshelves all Library materials that have been left out and are not currently in use. Books cannot be left out on the tables over-night.
15. Library patrons must allow Library staff or other patrons access to Library materials and equipment. [California Penal Code § 602.1(b)]
16. California Penal Code §490.5 and Education Code §§19910 and 19911 outlawing the theft, detention and mutilation of Library materials will be enforced.
17. Library Patrons who damage Library property including furnishings or whose belongings damage library property including furnishings will be asked to leave the Library.
18. Sleeping is prohibited in the Library.
19. Children must be under the control of a responsible adult.
20. Posting or distributing of any printed materials is prohibited.
21. Soliciting, begging for money or attempting to sell any item within the Library is prohibited.
22. Suspicious, disruptive or illegal behavior will be immediately reported to Security and/or Law Enforcement.
23. Time limits for use of electronic and online services will be enforced.
24. Classes and group tours may not be conducted in the library without prior arrangements.
25. Anyone failing to observe one or more of these Rules or who repeatedly ignores may be asked to leave.

Media Center Guidelines

1. All CD-ROMs, audio tapes and microfiche materials are listed in the library's online catalog.
   
   
2. Always sign in at the Reference Desk before using any of the CD-ROM materials.
   
   
3. Time limits for use are posted at each workstation and at the sign-in book at the Reference Desk.
   
   
4. Review the use of the CD-ROM product before using the workstation. Read written materials first or ask the librarian for assistance in getting started.
   
   
5. Printing from CD-ROM products is $.50 per page. Pick up copies at the Reference Desk. Pay for copies at the Circulation Desk. Always review printing options and know how much material is to be printed before actually printing the materials.
   
   
6. Downloading is free, but you must use a diskette purchased at the law library Circulation Desk on the same day it is to be used. Show a today-dated diskette to the reference librarian on duty before using. Diskettes brought into the library are not to be used on any library equipment. This procedure is to help protect library systems from viruses. Diskettes cost $1.00.
   
   
7. CD-ROM and diskette titles that are not on the library's network may be checked out from the Circulation Desk by registered borrowers for use on the stand-alone workstation. There is a limit of 2 CDs or Diskettes at a time. There is a 30-minute time limit.
   
   
8. Audio/Video tapes are kept at the Circulation Desk.
   
   
9. Audio/Video tapes may be checked out by registered borrowers.
   
   
10. There is a charge for taking MCLE audio/video tapes out of the library. A fee schedule is at the Circulation Desk. There is no charge for using the tapes within the library.
    
    
11. Headphones must be used if tapes are played within the public areas of the library.
    
    
12. Ask at the Reference Desk for access to the microfiche cabinets.
    
    
13. Microfiche materials do not circulate and may be viewed on machines in the Media Center. Printing microfiche materials is $.50 per page. Pay for copies at the Circulation Desk.
    
    
14. Permission to use law library media equipment may be denied to any patron who does not observe these guidelines

Adopted by the Law Library Board of Trustees April 19, 1995;
amended June 24, 1997.