Kern Law Library

Library Services

Library Services

It is important to us that you visit the library with expectations that match what services we can provide.

To be clear: Law Library staff are PROHIBITED BY LAW from providing legal advice (see: Business and Professions Code § 6125.). 

 

What Staff May Do:

  • Guide customers to appropriate research materials for obtaining information they are researching
  • Provide blank forms or general pleading templates that are responsive to customer requests
  • Assist customers in locating forms on a computer terminal (if available), or refer customers to the appropriate form book(s) for samples
  • Provide general procedural information
  • Provide cursory document review (e.g., pointing out obviously incomplete sections on forms, pointing out omitted case numbers on forms, etc.).

What Staff May Not Do:

  • Tell you specifically what you should write on a form
  • Tell you what type of case you should pursue
  • Assess the likelihood of success in a case
  • Predict an outcome in your case
  • Prepare your paperwork for you

 

If you need assistance beyond what is described above, you may wish to visit www.kernbar.org and see if a consultation with an attorney may be right for you.

The Law Library charges fifteen cents per page for printing and photocopying (bills over $20 are not accepted).  Otherwise, library staff will not ask you for payment for any services provided.

Even if you appreciate the assistance you have been provided, law library staff may not accept personal gifts.

 

Photocopies

Copies at $.15 per copy.  This service is currently cash-only, though the law library will work to reinstate debit/credit capability.

The law library will provide change for bills up to $20.00. Large bills over $20.00 are not accepted.

Online services

The library also offers various online services for research. Currently we have access to Westlaw, LexisNexis Digital Library, OnLAW by CEB, and NOLO Online.

Interlibrary loans

When available the staff may be able to acquire material from other libraries. The library charges only the fees charged by the lending library. The fees below are subject to change without notice. Some of the services available from other libraries are as follows:

  • California State Law Library:Fax – The library will fax up a limited amount of pages free of charge.
  • Fresno County Law Library:Fax – $2.00 for the first page, $1.00 per additional page.
    Photocopies – $ .25 per page.
    Book Loans – Postage.
  • Los Angeles County Law Library:Fax – $10.00 transaction charge plus $1.15 per page plus tax and telecommunications charges.
    Photocopies – $5.00 transaction charge plus tax and postage.
    Book Loans – $16.00 for one book, $6.00 for each additional book ordered at the same time. This includes UPS charges.
  • Tulare County Law Library:Fax- $1.00 per page.
    Photocopies – $ .25 per page plus postage.
    Book Loans – Postage.
Computers

The library offers computers for completing and preparing forms and for performing legal research.
There is no charge to use the computer.  Printing is $.15 per page. 

Fax service

Fax service has been temporarily suspended.

MCLE Discs

MCLE Disc checkouts have been temporarily suspended.

Get In touch

More Information

Hours

Monday - Thursday:
8am-4pm
Friday:
8am-12pm
1-3:30 available by appointment only

Location and Phone

1415 Truxtun Ave, Rm. 301 Bakersfield, CA 93301 (661) 868-5320

Available Services

Including library services & resources availble for use

Information and Guidance

For example, which forms to complete and how to file them.