Access to the Law Library

In order to insure that the Hugh & Hazel Darling Law Library facilities and services are fully available to the UCLA Law School community, the Law Library observes a very limited access policy which is fully enforced at all times that the Library is open during the academic term (details below). Identification will be checked at the Library entrance and you will be asked to sign in at the guard desk during all hours the Library is open. In addition, visitors to the Library are expected to abide by the Law Library Use Policy. Visitors to UCLA should also be aware of the U.C. Regulations Governing Conduct of Non-Affiliates in the Buildings and on the Grounds of the University of California. Questions about the access policy may be directed to libraryaccess@law.ucla.edu.

Information about alternative legal resources can be found in our brochure "Legal Resources for the Public."

Limited Access Policy (PDF Version)

I. INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE

The primary responsibility of the Law Library is to support the teaching and research functions of the UCLA School of Law and other University of California (UC) researchers who need to use legal materials; therefore, access to the UCLA Law Library is restricted. All users must present official photo identification to permit verification of user status. Upon entering, all Limited Access Users must receive a Daily Access Ticket. These Daily Access Tickets are limited in number and will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

Note to UCLA faculty teaching or supervising UCLA students who need on-going access to the Law Library’s materials for research or assignments: view our "Exemption Handout" for information on how to obtain a temporary exemption to this policy for these students.

II. DEFINITIONS OF AUTHORIZED USERS

Unlimited Access User: UCLA law students; UC faculty and staff; members in good standing of a state bar association; UC law school alumni; members of the judiciary and their staff; students from law schools (not online) located outside of Los Angeles County; faculty of other institutions of higher education in California.

Limited Access User: UCLA non-law students; non-law students from other UC campuses; depository users.

III. STATEMENT

1. Only Authorized Users shall have access to the UCLA Law Library.
   
   
2. Access to the Law Library for Limited Access Users will be limited to a small number of users at all hours that the Library is open. Access to the Library does not include access to areas designated for the exclusive use of UCLA Law Students, Faculty, and Staff, such as the Tower Reading Room, Conference Rooms and the After Hours Reading Room.
   
   
3. During Law School final exam periods, all Limited Access Users must demonstrate to the Circulation Desk staff member on duty an immediate need to use Law Library print materials not available in other UCLA libraries in order to gain access to the Law Library. Upon demonstration of such immediate need, at the discretion of the Circulation Desk staff member on duty, a special use pass may be issued. (Users should ask at the Circulation Desk for specific dates and requirements for access.)
   
   
4. All users must present photo identification each time they enter the Library and will be required to sign in and identify their institutional affiliation. Limited Access Users will be issued Daily Access Tickets that must be kept visible at all times. Ticket holders must abide by all Library policies. Any ticket holder who is found in an area reserved for UCLA Law students, faculty or staff, who is found violating any other Library policy, or who is disruptive in any way, will have his/her ticket revoked and must leave the Library immediately.
   
   
5. Tickets are issued on a daily basis to an individual and are not transferrable. Individual tickets may be canceled by a supervisor in charge of the library whenever necessary to ensure useful access to the facility for Unlimited Access Users. Ticket holders exiting the library should be prepared to present the Daily Access Ticket upon re-entering the Library. When leaving for the day, all Daily Access Tickets must be returned to the checkpoint so that they may be reissued.
   
   
6. The Library is not open to the general public except that members of the general public may have access to United States government documents acquired by the Law Library through its membership in the Federal Depository Library Program.  Please note that the Law Library receives only a very small portion of federal depository materials. Access to the federal depository documents is available to the public; however, due to our limited selection of depository materials and/or staffing availability, we cannot guarantee access to the needed materials unless prior arrangements have been made. Visit the "Access to Government Documents" page for more information about our government documents policy and instructions for making prior arrangements for access to our federal depository materials.

1. Unlimited Access Users
   
   Unlimited Access Users shall have access to the Law Library upon presentation of the designated identification:

2. Limited Access Users
   
   Limited Access Users must have an Access Pass to enter the library. If all daily passes have been distributed, users may request a special access pass that may be issued by a Circulation Desk staff member on duty based on a demonstrated immediate need to use Law Library print materials not available in other UCLA libraries. Limited Access Users must present the following designated identification:

Access may be granted to law students from schools within Los Angeles County and from online law schools only if prior arrangements are made through the UCLA Law Library Administration by the administration of their home institution's library.