Accessing Law Libraries: Alumni Privileges At Berkeley

Alumni of the University of California, Berkeley, are welcome to use the Berkeley Law Library. The library is open to the public for in-house legal research, except during weekends and peak pre-exam times. Beginning in January 2025, weekend access will be restricted to Berkeley Law students, faculty, and staff. Alumni who wish to borrow books from the library can set up or renew their library accounts by contacting the Privileges Desk or visiting the desk during open hours. They can also obtain a UC Berkeley library card by becoming a member of any of the 10 campus alumni associations. This library card will allow them to check out up to 20 books at a time, with loan periods varying based on the type of material and the borrower's status.

Alumni can obtain a library card

The Berkeley Law Library is open to the public for in-house legal research, except during weekends and peak pre-exam times. From January 2025, weekend access will be restricted to Berkeley Law students, faculty, and staff. The library's collection is rich in legal history and common law material and has one of the finest collections of comparative law, international and human rights law, and civil law in the world.

Alumni of any University of California campus who have a paid membership in any of the 10 campus alumni associations may obtain a UC Berkeley library card. To do so, alumni must provide proof of California residence and a current government-issued ID such as a driver's license or passport. They must also bring their alumni association membership card to the Privileges Desk during open hours. The library borrowing card is valid for the length of the annual membership, while lifetime alumni association members will receive cards with three-year terms.

With a library card, alumni can borrow up to 20 books at a time. Loan periods vary depending on the type of material borrowed, the status of the borrower, and the loan policy of the individual unit. Interlibrary loans are not permitted. Alumni without a library card are accorded the same privileges as visitors. They may be eligible to use library materials on-site by obtaining a day pass, although this does not allow them to borrow books.

Borrowing privileges for alumni

The Berkeley Law Library is open to the public for in-house legal research, except during weekends and peak pre-exam times. From January 2025, weekend access will be restricted to Berkeley Law students, faculty, and staff.

Alumni of any University of California campus with a paid membership in any of the 10 campus alumni associations may obtain a UC Berkeley library card. They can set up or renew an account by emailing the Privileges Desk or visiting during open hours. The borrowing card is valid for the length of the annual membership, and lifetime members will receive cards valid for three years.

With a library card, alumni can borrow up to 20 books at a time. Loan periods vary depending on the type of material, the borrower's status, and the loan policy of the individual unit. Interlibrary loans are not permitted. Alumni do not have remote access to online databases, but they can access the library's catalog (UC Library Search) from anywhere and on any device.

Those without a library card are given the same privileges as visitors. They may be eligible to use library materials on-site by obtaining a day pass, but this does not permit borrowing books.

Access to online databases

The Berkeley Law Library is open to alumni and the general public, although weekend access from January 2025 will be restricted to Berkeley Law students, faculty, and staff. Alumni who are not current students do not have the same access to the library's online databases as current students. However, they can still access the databases by visiting the library in person or by obtaining a UC Berkeley library card.

Alumni members can email or visit the Privileges Desk to set up or renew an account. They will need to provide proof of California residence and a current government-issued ID, such as a driver's license or passport. Alternatively, alumni of any University of California campus who have paid membership in any of the 10 campus alumni associations may obtain a UC Berkeley library card. This card is valid for the length of the annual membership, and lifetime members receive a card valid for three years.

The Berkeley Law Library has an extensive collection of legal history and common law material, including comparative law, international and human rights law, and civil law. It seeks to serve the legal research needs of its primary clientele (UC Berkeley law students and faculty) while also accommodating the needs of a wider audience, including alumni, judges, and attorneys.

By obtaining a library card, alumni can access the library's online databases, which include a range of research guides, scholarship repositories, course books, study aids, and research resources. The library also provides off-campus access to databases and other libraries' catalogs. Alumni can also utilize the library's research consultation services and chat reference features to get assistance with their legal research.

Weekend access restrictions

The Berkeley Law Library is open to the public for in-house legal research, except during weekends and peak pre-exam times. From January 2025, weekend access to the library is restricted to Berkeley Law students, faculty, and staff. During these times, entry requires a Cal1 Card.

Unaffiliated visitors may access and use library materials on-site, but they are not permitted to check items out. Alumni of UC Berkeley can obtain a library card at all UC campuses, provided they meet the qualifications to do so at that campus. For example, to obtain a library card at Berkeley, one must be a California resident.

The library's collection is rich in legal history and common law material and has one of the finest collections of comparative law, international and human rights law, and civil law in the world. The library serves the legal research needs of its primary clientele (UC Berkeley law students and law faculty) and also seeks to meet the needs of UC Berkeley students, faculty and staff, judges and attorneys, and the general public.

Public computing terminals are located throughout the library, which can be used to browse the Law Library Catalog and access other library databases and online legal research materials.

In-person vs. online resources

The Berkeley Law Library is a rich resource of legal history and common law material, with one of the finest collections of comparative law, international and human rights law, and civil law. The library primarily serves UC Berkeley law students and faculty, but it also caters to the needs of UC Berkeley students, faculty and staff, judges and attorneys, and the general public.

Alumni of UC Berkeley can access the library in person and online. In-person access is available to alumni members who have set up or renewed their accounts and obtained a library card. They can email or visit the Privileges Desk during open hours to do so. The library card is valid for the length of the annual membership, and lifetime members receive a card valid for three years. With this card, alumni can borrow up to 20 books at a time, although loan periods vary depending on the type of material and the borrower's status. Alumni do not have remote access to online databases, but they can access these databases using the library's public computers.

The library also offers online resources, such as the California Courts Online Self-Help Center, which provides assistance and information on various legal topics, including small claims, divorce, and landlord/tenant law. Additionally, the Berkeley Public Library provides access to online law resources, including print and ebook titles, with a library card.

In-person access to the library allows alumni to utilise the physical collection, which may include rare or specialised materials not available online. They can also receive assistance from library staff, who can provide guidance and support in navigating the collection and locating relevant resources. The library's facilities, such as study spaces and computer labs, may also be beneficial for alumni who prefer a dedicated space for their research or require access to specific software or databases.

Online resources offer the convenience of remote access, enabling alumni to conduct research and access legal information from anywhere, at any time. This can be particularly useful for those who live far from the library or have busy schedules. Online databases typically provide efficient search and filtering tools, making it easier to locate relevant information quickly. Additionally, online resources may include exclusive or specialised databases, journals, or archives that are not available to the general public, thus providing alumni with access to a broader range of legal information.

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