Library

The Ninth Circuit Library mainly supports over 400 judges and 5,000 court staff across the western United States. The main library is in San Francisco, with branch libraries in several states.

We also offer limited help to other federal agencies, state and local courts, attorneys, and members of the public.

Library Services to the Public

While the library mainly serves the federal courts, we offer limited help to other government workers, local attorneys, and members of the public. Here's what we can and cannot do:

We can:

• Help you find court information and legal materials

• Answer basic questions, like legal definitions or where to get legal help

• Show you how to use legal books and resources

• Look up or confirm legal citations

• Suggest other libraries that may help you

We cannot:

• Give legal advice or interpret laws and legal documents

• Help you fill out legal forms or prepare your case

• Do in-depth research or provide access to paid databases like Westlaw or Lexis

• Lend out books or borrow from other libraries for you

• Make photocopies or phone calls for you

• Let you use our computers, phones, or office supplies