Washoe County Law Library
Frequently Asked Questions About Law Library Policies
This FAQ provides basic information about the Washoe County Law Library. Please do not hesitate to request further information from the Law Library staff or call the library at 775-328-3250.
1. Is the Washoe County Law Library open to the public?
Yes, the Law Library serves the courts, the bar, and the general public. A use the resources while at the law library you are not required to purchase a law library circulation card.
2. May I use my Washoe County Library Card to check out books from the Law Library?
No. The Washoe County Law Library is a separate institution from the Washoe County Library. To check out books from the Law Library you must purchase a law library circulation card.
3. Who may purchase a Law Library Circulation card to check out books?
All Washoe County residents may pay a $30 fee that allows checkout privileges for the cardholder for one year. Residents of other Nevada counties and bordering California counties are also permitted to check out materials upon payment of a $50 annual fee. A photo identification with a current address is required by all applicants. See the law library`s circulation form and policy for more information.
4. How many days may I keep books checked out?
The loan period for all checked out materials is seven days. The due date is stamped in the book. Books not returned after seven days are considered overdue. The law library does allow renewal of books once for seven days if any overdue fees are paid. The library charges a fine of $1 a day/per book beginning the eighth day after a book has been checked out.
5. Does the library have a room for quiet research and study?
The boardroom at the law library may be used for quiet research and study Monday-Friday from 8:00 - 5:00 pm when not reserved for other meetings. This room may not be used for private meetings unless reserved and the rental fee is prepaid. To find out about renting the boardroom, please call the library at 775-328-3250.
6. Is the use of cell phones permitted in the Law Library?
No. Please turn your cell phone off or to vibration when entering the Law Library, and step outside into the hallway should you need to use your cell phone.
7. May I use my laptop computer in the law library?
Yes. Some of the study carrels in the law library have power outlets to plug in a laptop computer. These outlets do not include Internet access. Wireless access is not available in the library at this time, but we hope to be able to provide that service in the future.
8. May I bring food or beverages into the Law Library?
No. To protect our collection and equipment from damage, food and beverages are not permitted in the Law Library.
9. Will the Law Library take phone messages for patrons?
The library's staff does not take or deliver messages to patrons except in an emergency. There is a phone available at the reference desk for brief (one minute) business related calls.
10. Does the Law Library staff answer reference questions by phone?
Yes. The library staff will respond to telephone inquires regarding the library's legal resources and services, and will respond to specific short answer requests for legal information. However, the staff will not read statutes, regulations, court rules, or extended passages from other sources over the phones.
11. Does the Law Library provide interlibrary loan services?
Yes. The library staff will assist library users with a current law library circulation card in locating sources for information not held by the library. The library can borrow from a group of libraries in Nevada as well as law libraries in Northern California. Libraries wanting to borrow items from the Law Library may review the Interlibrary Loan FAQ and Form and call the library to place a request.
12. What is the cost for photocopies, microfiche printing, and printing from public computers?
Photocopies cost 25 cents per page at the Law Library`s two self-serve copiers. Copy cards are available. Printing from public access computers and/or the microfiche printer is also 25 cents per page for every page printed.
13. What is the law library's policy for public computer use?
The Law Library provides computers for public use for the purpose of legal research and study. All users of the library's computers, internet access and electronic resources are bound by the library's Computer and Internet Access Usage Policy.
More questions? Please e-mail Ask a Law Librarian or call the Library at 775-328-3250.
Last updated: September 14, 2010