Using the Library

Walk‑In Hours & Availability

 The Law Library is open to the public during designated walk‑in hours. Anyone can come in to use legal research tools, books, and other resources. Staff are available to help you find what you need, but they cannot give legal advice or interpret the law.

If you can’t visit in person, the library also offers help by phone and email.

Contact:

  • Phone: 831‑420‑2205
  • Email: santacruzlawlibrary@gmail.com

What the Library Offers

The library has a small but focused collection of California legal resources, including:

  • CEB publications
  • Rutter Group guides
  • Matthew Bender resources
  • Other helpful legal treatises

You can search the catalog through the Santa Cruz Public Libraries website. If you’re unsure whether they have a specific book, you can call or email to check. Grants from the Council of California County Law Librarians have allowed us to maintain our collection. 

Informational Packets

The library sells low-cost packets that explain common legal procedures. These include step-by-step instructions and the forms required for filing in Santa Cruz County. These can be especially helpful for people navigating legal procesees for the first time. 

Help with Legal Research

Staff is happy to guide you in using the library’s tools and materials. We can show you where to look and how to search but we cannot do your research for you. 

Document Delivery

If you can’t make it into the library, we can still help. Our staff can email certain materials to you. A small fee may apply. These requests do have some limitations – what we can send depends on the amount of material requested and staff availability. We’re able to provide things like case citations, and information pulled from secondary sources. 

Computers & Databases

The library has public computers you can use for:

  • Legal research
  • Drafting legal documents

If others are waiting, computer time will be limited to one hour. Available in-library databases include:

  • Westlaw
  • Legal Information Reference Center (also available remotely)
  • XSpouse (for family law calculations) 

Printing & Copying

Copies and printouts cost $0.20 per page (per side).

Staff will help log you into the copier, and you can print from the library’s computers or from your device to our printer through a dedicated WiFi.