Public law libraries offer access to a wealth of legal information, statutes, case law, and other crucial legal materials. They are active information centers that provide guidance, legal reference services, and well-resourced libraries offer access to legal databases, such as Lexis Nexis and WestLaw, that would otherwise be costly or inaccessible to the general public.
By democratizing access to legal information, public law libraries empower individuals to educate themselves about their rights and the legal system, promoting a more informed citizenry.
For self-represented litigants, these libraries often become the crucial support needed to navigate the complexities of the legal system. Through workshops, legal clinics, and one-on-one reference assistance, librarians and staff at these institutions help demystify the law, making it more accessible and understandable.
That said, some law libraries are better than others. Larger, more populous, counties often have more resources and better libraries.
If you are a litigant in a high conflict family law case, and domestic violence is high conflict by nature, you might find solace in the education provided by the resources available in the law library. Law librarians cannot provide legal advice, nor can they piece through your case, but they can direct you towards the right resources to begin your research.
Resources from the Judicial Council of California: https://www.courts.ca.gov/1091.htm
Courtesy of: http://www.sblawlibrary.org/find-a-california-public-law-library.html
Bernard E. Witkin Alameda County Law Library
125 Twelfth St. Oakland, CA 94607
TEL: (510) 208-4800
FAX: (510) 208-4823
WEBSITE: https://www.acgov.org/law/
Contra Costa County Public Law Library
1020 Ward St, 1st Floor Martinez, CA 94553
TEL: (925) 646-2783
FAX: (925) 646-2438
WEBSITE: http://www.cccpllib.org/
Marin County Law Library
20 N. San Pedro Rd. Ste. 2007 San Rafael, CA 94903
TEL: (415) 472-3733
FAX: (415) 472-3729
WEBSITE: http://www.marincountylawlibrary.org/
Napa County Law Library
825 Brown St., Rm 132 Napa, CA 94559
TEL: (707) 299-1201
FAX: (707) 253-4229
WEBSITE: http://www.napalawlibrary.com/
San Francisco Law Library
1145 Market St., 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102
TEL: (415) 554-1772
FAX: (415) 863-4022
WEBSITE: http://sflawlibrary.org/
San Mateo County Law Library
710 Hamilton St. Redwood City, CA 94063
TEL: (650) 363-4913
FAX: (650) 367-8040
WEBSITE: http://www.smclawlibrary.org/
Santa Clara County Law Library
360 N. First St. San Jose, CA 95113
TEL: (408) 299-3568
FAX: (408) 286-9283
WEBSITE: http://www.sccll.org/
Solano County Law Library
600 Union Ave. Fairfield, CA 94533
TEL: (707) 421-6520
FAX: (707) 421-6516
WEBSITE: http://www.solanolibrary.com/law
University Law Libraries
UC Berkeley Law Library
Boalt Hall, Bancroft Way
Berkeley, CA 94720
Non-Law School Affiliated Patrons
Outside of law school exam periods the law library is open to attorneys and members of the general public who wish to conduct legal research or to use Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) materials. Borrowing privileges are unavailable for non-law school affiliated patrons.
https://www.law.berkeley.edu/library/library-information/hours/
UC Law SF Library
200 McAllister Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
https://www.uclawsf.edu/academics/library-about/