LA Law Library

With nearly 1,000,000 volume equivalents (print, media, microfilm, and microfiche), the LA Law Library is the second largest public law library in the United States, second only to the Law Library of Congress. Its collection of California and federal primary and secondary materials (treatises, periodicals, formbooks) is among the most comprehensive in the nation, and is rich in both current and historical information.

The main library building is located in the Los Angeles Civic Center. Although nearly 175,000 sq ft, the Library is predominantly closed stacks with only the main floor reading room accessible to the public. Upon request, materials located on other floors will be retrieved within five to ten minutes.

The LA Law Library maintains branch collections in courthouses in Long Beach, Norwalk, Pomona, Santa Monica, and Torrance. In addition, the LA Law Library has four public library partnerships: Compton Library, Lancaster Regional Library, Pasadena Public Library, and Los Angeles Public Library, Van Nuys Branch.

We are committed to providing the best possible resources for legal research. Established in 1891, the LA Law Library has provided information to the legal community, government officials, and the public for over 100 years.

Research:
The LA Law Library maintains the largest public law library collection in the country. Meeting the needs of the practitioner and researcher, the collection contains 770,000 print volumes, 237,600 microform equivalent volumes, and local, national, and international electronic database access.

American Law
This comprehensive collection is both current and historical in nature. It consists of primary law and secondary sources for United States federal, state, and territorial jurisdictions. With a strong emphasis on the practitioner, secondary materials include practice guides, form books, and bar materials. Of particular note in the exhaustive California collection is the most complete public print collection of California appellate briefs in the state.

Foreign and International
Known as one of the best in the country, this collection contains primary law for more than 300 countries, secondary source and practice material for over 100 countries, and access to foreign law databases. The collection is both in English and native language formats.

Federal / California Depository
The LA Law Library is a selective depository for both Federal and California government documents. The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) collection includes print and electronic access to Executive Agency and Congressional hearings and reports. The California materials include Assembly and Senate Journals, bills and analysis, and a Voter Ballot Pamphlet Collection.

Rare Books / Archives
Approximately 7,500 items comprise the collection incorporating book volumes, papers, correspondence, and other historical data. The collection includes several incunabula. Also found are documents on the history of the legal community in Southern California and the history of the LA Law Library. Because of the fragile nature of these materials, they are accessible only with letters of reference and advance permission.