Despite its name, the San Diego County Public Law Library isn’t part of the County’s library system at all. The County does own the building, maintains it, pays for the utilities and selects some Law Library Board members. However, the Law Library has a different director and a different budget; in fact it’s an independent public agency. So if the Law Library isn’t part of the County, how did the two become so closely intertwined?
In the late 1800s, the California State Legislature told every county to create a law library so the public could learn the law. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved Ordinance 57 on June 10, 1891 and the law library was born.
Who pays for it? The courts set aside a portion of civil court filing fees and they select judges for the Law Library Board. Both the state and the County have ties to the library, but they don’t actually run it.
So what’s the big deal? It’s the only public law library in San Diego County and it’s the second-largest in the state on par with Orange County. “This is the central hub for all free legal resources. We have all the printed materials, they’re all updated… we have the legal databases” said John Adkins, Director of Libraries. “It is free for folks. It is a legal research haven for people who want to do a little research. This is the place to be.”
What started out as a law book collection in judges’ chambers has now grown to four locations, downtown at 1105 Front Street and branches in Vista, Chula Vista and El Cajon. The collection now contains 350,000 volumes.
As you would expect, about half the visitors are lawyers. The other half? People like you and me.
You want to beat a traffic ticket? How do you find out if you have a case? That very question draws a lot of people. Others want to represent themselves in court or just have an interest in the law.
Recently, the County managed the refurbishing of the downtown branch from the inside out. The renovation forced the branch to close its doors for a year. Donations covered the $4.25 million remodel which made dramatic changes in the electrical, IT and plumbing systems plus some desperately-needed cosmetic changes.
“It was scary. It was dark and it was creepy and it didn’t smell good, and yeah it’s right next to the jail. It’s still right next to the jail… but now we want to show people how beautiful it is,” said Adkins. “People do walk in and say wow.”
The interior went from dark and unwelcoming to light, bright, and airy with glass walls and red splashes of color. No institutional green or blue here. On the exterior, 12 new windows were cut into the granite for a timeless look that blends in with the rest of the block.
It’s now open and Adkins says it’s there for everybody. He points out that the law touches us in many ways. From that traffic ticket to that neighbor’s tree that seems to be encroaching on your property to much more serious matters.
“People come in here in desperate conditions. They’re getting kicked out of their apartment or trying to save their kids or adopt somebody,” said John Adkins, Director of Libraries. “All of that stuff happens right here.”
Amidst the quiet drama, staff members do what they can to help visitors find what they need. Sometimes they hear back on how it all worked out. “It’s so wonderful when people come back and tell us their stories and how if it wasn’t for us, they wouldn’t have had that outcome,” said Adkins. “It’s very heartwarming.”
All the branches are open to the public but anyone who wants to borrow materials must pay a fee. Legal forms are available and reference librarians can help you find them. No, they will not fill them out or give you legal advice. Typewriters are available in the Main and North County branches but on a first come, first serve basis. Typewriters? Yes, for what else but the forms? The branches all have computers for public use and free wireless access as well. For more information, visit sandiegolawlibrary.org
