To reduce the risk of community spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the San Mateo County Law Library will assist the public with curbside services only by appointment at this time. We have recently started circulating material. Please call (650) 363-4913 or email us to make a reservation.
Hours: Monday - Friday 10am until 2pm.
LIBRARY CLOSURES
On Thursday, November 26, 2020 and Friday, November 27, 2020 the Law Library will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving Holyday.
For Westlaw, starting on October 16, 2020, patrons can call 1-800-328-4880, enter extension 855597 and a Customer Service agent will create a user name and password that will provide 20 hours of access to Westlaw and Practical Law over 14 days. This line is open from 7am-7pm CT.
NEW LINK for a temporary registration at Lexis Advance® ID . You will receive an ID within 1 business day. This ID will be good for 30 days or until the library reopens whichever is shorter. This ID allows you to conduct research on the cases and codes needed for legal work and personal legal research. If you need access to the wider set of materials our library subscribes to please reach out to your local librarian and provide your full name and e-mail address along with a request for a custom ID and we will work with LexisNexis to create login credentials for you that will be delivered to you directly from our LexisNexis partners to your e-mail. These ID’s are good for three days and can be requested multiple times in necessary.
Follow this link for Free access to CEB Onlaw. The free access to CEB Online is good until the end of December.
The San Mateo County Law Library is committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
LAW LIBRARY COVID-19 PROGRAMS
The Law Library in collaboration with the San Mateo County Bar Association is proud to present a Community Law Night where members of the general public can benefit from free one-on-one legal consultation. Check out our free Community Law Night Program page. Upcoming date and topic:
Tuesday, December 1, 2020 from 6pm to 8pm: FAMILY LAW & PROBATE
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 from 6pm to 8pm: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
• Use the ASK NOW LIVE CHAT to get your questions answered in real time by a California Law Librarian.
• Access Self-Help Nolo Law Books through Santa Clara County Law Library's Digital Nolo Collection by using State abbreviation "CA" password "SANTACLARA."
• Perform case research with FastCase from your home through Alameda County Law Library's remote database.
• Get up-to-date reliable information on the impact of COVID-19 on the law from San Diego Law Library's research team.
• Use our "Need Help" guides to answer common legal questions, and our "Need A Form" page to access common legal forms.
Please don't hesitate to contact us! We are happy to assist you. We're in this together!
WHY DO WE NEED A LAW LIBRARY?
BOARD OF TRUSTEES ANNOUNCEMENTS
The San Mateo County Law Library Board of Trustee meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 12:15pm will happen via Zoom due to efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. Here is the link to the meeting:
The current and previous board meeting agendas can be found here
WE ARE YOUR LAW LIBRARY IN SAN MATEO COUNTY!
It is our mission to assist all people, whether members of the general public or local attorneys, in their efforts to use the legal system effectively.
UPDATED SAN MATEO COUNTY COURT HOURS DURING COVID-19
In accord with COVID-19 public health advisories, Bay Area Legal Aid is canceling all “in-person” Consumer Rights clinics until further notice. Until we can resume in-person clinics, we will be offering individual phone and/or online appointments each Thursday. To schedule a phone and/or online appointment for legal information on your consumer issue, please RSVP to (800) 551.5554.
The San Mateo County Superior Court offers a Small Claims Advisor to assist with Small Claims every Wednesday, 3:30pm to 5:30pm, in the 2nd floor Conference Room of 400 County Center, Redwood City. Call (650) 363.4303 for more information.
The Family Law Facilitator's Office offers assistance with family law questions through a LiveChat: Monday-Friday 8:30am-12pm and Monday-Thursday 1pm-4pm. It can also answer brief family law questions online or point you to reliable online resources.
The Department of Child Support Services Outreach offers help on Child Supportissues every Tuesday, 8:30am to 11:30am, in the family Law Facilitator's Office, 2nd floor, 400 County Center, Redwood City. Call (866) 901.3212 for more information.
In accord with COVID-19 public health advisories, Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County is cancelling the Landlord/Tenant Clinic at the Family Law Facilitator's Office, and offering assistance leaving a message on the housing line (650) 517.8911. Someone will return the call.
Bay Area Legal Aid offers a new remote Domestic Violence Restraining Order brief services system to assist survivors with completing DVRO requests. Call (650) 358.0745 for more information.
API Legal Outreach offers a Naturalization Clinic in Daly City, Oakland and San Francisco. Call (415) 567.6255 for more information.
Legal Aid at Work offers help on employment issues. Call (415) 864.8848 for general information or the Workers' Rights Clinic helplines at (415) 864.8208 or (866) 864.8208 (toll-free). Check out the Job Seekers' Rights video on applying for a job when having a criminal record on the Law Library's YouTube Channel.
VIDEO TUTORIALS
Watch our brand new video tutorial on how to expunge your criminal record in the San Mateo County:
Learn about the KeyCite Basics and other topics on the Video Tutorials page.
