Access & Membership

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Since 1983, the Law Library has been closed to the general public. It now serves only the Golden Gate University law school and some members of the Golden Gate University community and select groups of outside patrons including members.

Generally, all patrons entering the Law Library must use a current Golden Gate University Law Library access card to enter through our security gate. However, other patrons who may use the library without a current access card include:

• Patrons requesting use of Federal and California depository documents.
• ABA approved Bay Area law students, faculty and administrators with school identification. Student ID from other law schools must be for the current term. (Reciprocal access to other local law school libraries is provided to GGU students and faculty)
• Judges and court administrators with appropriate identification.
• Other individuals may purchase a day pass for $10, or a weekly pass for $45. These passes do not include borrowing privileges.

POLICY REGARDING MS TAX STUDENTS
MS Tax students may access the law library to use tax materials or to study. However, due to limited law library resources, the following areas in the law library are not available for the use of MS tax students:

• Group Study Rooms
• Hard-wired carrels
• All computers and printers in the law library including those in the labs. (MS tax students may use the university library computers and lab facilities on the 4th floor to print or complete online research)

Any questions or concerns related to this policy should be directed only to Michael Daw, Associate Dean of the Law Library or Mary Canning, Dean of the MS Tax Program.

POLICY REGARDING USA PATRIOT ACT REQUESTS
Increased surveillance due to the passage of the USA Patriot Act and the investigation of computer crimes has resulted in library visits by law enforcement officials. However, it is the library's duty to protect the privacy of its patrons. These guidelines have been developed in the event that Golden Gate University's Law Library encounters a visit by law enforcement officials.

Anytime law enforcement officials visit the Law Library, immediately ask for identification. If it takes place during normal office hours, please notify the Library Director or the Circulation Librarian. If the visit takes place outside of normal office hours, please adhere to the following guidelines:

If law enforcement officials visit without a subpoena or warrant, please inform them when the Director is available and to return during those times. Do not answer any questions or release any patron/library records under these circumstances.

If law enforcement officials visit with a subpoena, but without a warrant, accept the subpoena and explain that it will be delivered to the Library Director so that the Director can review it with the Dean and Legal Counsel. Do not answer any questions or release any patron/library records under these circumstances.

If law enforcement officials visit with a warrant, step aside and comply with the warrant requests. Notify any library management staff that might be on duty at the time and they will notify the Library Director. If no management staff person is available, contact the Library Director or Circulation Librarian directly at home.

ELECTRONIC ACCESS
The law library web site provides links to a variety of web sites of interest to legal researchers. The online public access catalog provides hotlinks to documents that are available online. Access to fee-based databases is restricted to law students and faculty.

The law library provides on site wireless Internet access for law school students and faculty. All others may use the public access computers which provide Internet access but do not provide printing capabilities.

GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS
Golden Gate University Law Library has been a selective Federal depository since 1979, as well as a depository for selected government publications of the State of California. Our in-house collection includes documents published by the judiciary, the Department of Justice, the Environmental Protection Agency, Executive agencies, the Department of Labor, as well as many others. Golden Gate University Law Library complies with Title 44, §1911 of the United States Code by allowing the general public entrance to the law library without charge to use the depository materials. Our online catalog also lists many government documents available over the Internet. Our web site links suggest the best sites to find government information available online for federal, state, international, and foreign levels of government. We also provide direct links to the Federal Depository Library Program Electronic Collection.

Members of the public seeking entrance to the Golden Gate University Law Library for the purpose of accessing government documents must sign a log-in binder at the Circulation Desk. A Reference Librarian is available during Reference Desk hours to assist the public in the use of government documents.

Government Documents on the Internet
Access to government documents published on the Internet is available through the law library web site. Selected titles are also available as hotlinks in our online public access catalog. The referenced links are available to any person with Internet access. The law library also provides a dedicated government documents work station from which the general public may access these sites free of charge. Printing is available for a nominal fee per page. There is a time limit of 20 minutes when others are waiting to use the government documents work station. The law library does not use filtering software.

Government Documents in Electronic Formats
Some government documents are distributed in electronic formats, i.e., CD-Roms and DVDs. The law library has a small collection of these materials. Patrons have free access to these materials and may ask the library staff to unlock the cabinet in which they are stored. The materials may be used at the government documents work station. Printing is available for a nominal fee per page. There is a time limit of 20 minutes when others are waiting to use the government documents work station. Patrons may email large files to their own email box using a web-based email service (e.g., Hotmail, Yahoo mail, etc.) and may temporarily save such files to the hard drive of the government documents workstation for this purpose. Saved files are removed regularly from the hard drive.

Many government documents are distributed in microfiche. The law library provides a microfiche reader and printer to use these documents. Printing is available for a nominal fee.

Government Documents Work Station
The government documents work station is updated regularly to conform to the requirements of the Federal Depository Library Program. A Reference Librarian or the Computer Services Coordinator is available most days to assist in the use of the government documents work station. The Law Library invites prospective members to consider the economic advantages of vastly expanding their law library resources through participation in Golden Gate membership program. Golden Gate University School of Law alumni may join at a reduced rate.

Our Membership Brochure and Application are available in .pdf format:

• The Membership Brochure is available here.
• The Membership Application is available here.
• Alumni Membership form is available here

Get Acrobat Reader (required to view PDF formats).

Golden Gate University Law Library Memberships may be purchased in the following categories:

Individual Members ($450.00 annual fee)

Attorney, corporate officers and others may apply for individual membership. Corporate or firm librarians are not eligible for individual membership. One membership card for a designated individual is included. This card is not transferable. Borrowing privileges are permitted in accordance with the Law Library loan policies.

Institutional Members ($1,000.00 annual fee)

Law firms, corporations, and businesses may apply for institutional membership. Four membership cards are included with this membership and the card may be used by anyone within the institution. Borrowing privileges are granted only to those persons carrying membership cards and in accordance with the Law Library loan policies. Additional cards are available at $150.00 each.

Non-Profit Organization Members ($250.00 annual fee)

Nonprofit public interest and other legal services organizations or government agencies may apply for nonprofit organization membership. One membership card is included with this membership and the card(s) can be used by anyone within the institution. Borrowing privileges are permitted in accordance with the Law Library loan policies. Additional cards are available at $150.00 each.

The following services are provided for members:

Database Searches A variety of CD-ROM databases can be accessed through Law Library computers. Reference librarians provide consultation on the applicability of electronic information sources to a member's research needs.

Telephone Information Library holdings will be checked upon telephone request. Telephone reference services, cite checking services, and paging services are not available.

A member can also access the Library's automated catalog via computer. Membership Services representatives have more information about this service.

Photocopy Service Members may request and be billed for photocopies. Requests may be made in person during Library hours or by telephone from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Request made before 3:30 p.m. are ready by noon the next day for pickup or mailing. (Requests submitted on Friday are available the next Tuesday.) If requested material is unavailable, notification will be given by telephone on the morning the materials are due.

Monthly billings include:

Standard fee: Up to three items per day will be photocopied for members at a stack search and per-page charge. Complete citations are required.

Research fee: A research fee is charged if the photocopy request citations are incomplete or incorrect.

Same-day service fee: When schedule and staffing permit on weekdays, rush orders for same-day copying are accepted. The same-day service fee is charged in addition to the standard fee.

Terms of Membership

Fees are payable annually, and membership may be purchased at any time during the year. The expiration date appears on the membership card. A membership card must be displayed for an individual to gain access and privileges. Membership requires application and advance payment of the fee. The Law Library retains the right to refuse membership and to determine the appropriate category of membership for applicants. Membership in the Law Library of Golden Gate University is separate and distinct from General Library membership, with no reciprocal privileges. Membership may be terminated at the discretion of the Law Library. Nonpayment of charges for 60 days and non-return of borrowed materials for 10 days are grounds for termination. In the event of membership termination, the Law Library will provide a pro-rata refund of the fee, minus any outstanding charges.

Membership cards remain the property of Golden Gate University Law Library. A substantial replacement fee is charged for lost cards.

Alumni Library Privileges

Graduates of Golden Gate University receive a discount on membership fees. For more information, contact the Law Library.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information about Law Library services, contact the Law Library or e-mail Mohamed Nasralla: mnasralla@ggu.edu.