Acquisitions
The Contra Costa County Law Library primarily serves the bar, bench and public. Bar and bench needs focus on California law unless there is no California precedent, in which case general treatises containing decisions from other jurisdictions are used. Federal law may also be used depending on the cause of action. Public users generally need easy to understand treatises that explain laws using basic terminology.  Formbooks are also regularly used by the public, as well as members of the Bar. Considering the nature of our clientele, the goal of our acquisitions policy is to make available a comprehensive California collection, primary and secondary Federal sources, general treatises representing most areas of law, and materials geared toward helping pro pers. International and foreign materials are presently excluded from collection development purchases.

California Law
Every effort will be made to purchase all published California legal materials not to exceed (3) titles representing an area of law. Exceptions may be made depending upon the demand for a particular title or area of practice; and budget constraints.

Other States
Unless the laws of other states are included in a general treatise, no practice materials from other states will be purchased. Selected statutes from other states will be retrieved using the Internet.

Federal Law
Primary sources that include statutes, cases and regulations will be purchased, in addition to a basic collection of Federal treatises.

General Treatises
Efforts will be made to build a treatise collection containing materials representative of diverse legal practice areas. Newly published titles will be reviewed and added as needed. Occasionally a new title may replace an existing title if the treatment of the subject matter is better. Most areas of practice will be represented by at least one title. Duplication of coverage will be avoided when possible.

Business Materials
No business materials will be purchased. If business information cannot be retrieved using the Internet, patrons will be referred to the public library.

Newspapers
Major California and national legal newspapers will be purchased, in addition to selected nonlegal local newspapers.

Law Reviews
Emphasis will be placed on maintaining a collection of law reviews published by California law schools. No efforts will be made to build a comprehensive law review collection. Some practice related legal periodicals may be purchased depending upon demand.

Services

Reference Assistance
Help is provided in locating statutes, regulations, cases, and treatises pertaining to any legal matter. However, the staff can not give legal advice or interpret information retrieved.

Computer Assisted Legal Research
Computer assisted legal research is available on the Internet, with access to Westlaw, Lexis/Nexis, and Judicial Council Forms.
Policy for use of Computer Terminals

Photocopies and Computer Printouts
Two copy machines are available for use in the photocopier room. The cost is 20¢ per copy. See staff for special copying needs such as duplexed copies, or copies of originals that are on colored paper. Computer printouts are 20¢ per page.

FAX
Charges for fax use are $1.00 per page to transmit and 50¢ per page to receive. No charge for cover sheets. An account for telephone requests may be established with the library by coming in and completing an application.

Word Processing
Microsoft Office is available on five public Workstations. There is a 20¢ per page charge for printing.

Library Tours
Library staff will provide tours of the library upon request. Advance notice is required.