Library News: 

Law librarians play a crucial role in civics education. In the latest issue of the ABA’s “Human Rights Magazine,” SFLL Assistant Director and American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) President Diane M. Rodriguez highlights the resources, outreach programs, and partnerships librarians have created to engage the public to bridge the access to justice gap. Putting a Spotlight on Civics Education: How Law Librarians are Helping to Bridge the Access to Justice Gap

Kurt W. Melchior
Retired President, Board of Trustees
The San Francisco Law Library

The San Francisco Law Library announces the retirement of its long-time Board President, Kurt W. Melchior. Mr Melchior has been a member of the San Francisco Law Library Board of Trustees since 1980, and its President since 1984. Under Mr. Melchior’s leadership, the Law Library converted from a 19th century institution to a 21st century library when its bookkeeping, catalog and library systems were converted from manual ledgers to automated systems and electronic resources were added to supplement the extensive print collection. Mr. Melchior has led the board in efforts to develop a permanent and appropriate facility for the Law Library and its superb Rare Books Collection. Mr. Melchior, a partner and general counsel at Nossaman LLP, has established himself as one of the state’s pre-eminent trial lawyers.  He has more than 50 years of experience in litigation and has been counsel of record in more than 70 published cases.  Read more about Mr. Melchior's career here. 

Watch the Dec. 2nd Special Event:
Let’s Talk About The Supreme Court
on our New YouTube Page

Panelists: 
Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean and Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law, Berkeley Law 
Sarah M. Harris, Partner, Williams & Connolly LLP, and former clerk to Justice Clarence Thomas 
David Lat, Author and Legal Commentator 
Fred Smith Jr., Associate Professor of Law, Emory University, and former clerk to Justice Sonia Sotomayor 
Moderator: Ben Feuer, Chairman, California Appellate Law Group LLP

**View the Video Here**

LexisNexis Digital Library

The SFLL LexisNexis Digital Library provides free, remote access to our collection of LexisNexis eBooks, including a wide range of California and general legal topics. Access essential eBooks—online or offline—wherever you are: in the courtroom, in the office, working from home, or anywhere with limited internet connectivity.

Our SFLL LexisNexis Digital Library page includes links to the digital library, registration, a listing of included titles, helpful guides to get started, and information on the free and convenient mobile app for easier offline reading.
 
We invite you to register for an account. Once your account is active you will enjoy full access to the SFLL LexisNexis Digital Library remotely, 24/7.
 
Patrons can check out up to 10 eBooks at a time for up to 7 days, and can also place a hold on titles in use and be alerted when they become available.

Lexis Digital Library Training
Watch the 25-minute Training Video Here

Due to the danger created by the Omicron variant, the library will be closed until it’s safe for staff and patrons. 

Please see below the many ways the law library continues to serve its customers while we are closed.

The public can access limited library reference services and resources via email to sfll.reference@sfgov.org.

General questions and inquiries can be directed to sflawlibrary@sfgov.org.

Please note: all checked out materials will now be due when the library reopens. Please check back here for updates on reopening.

Full text remote access to Fastcase on our database page provides access to state and federal law documents including federal bankruptcy, tax courts, U.S. Supreme Court, federal district and courts of appeal cases as well as federal and state statutes and regulations.

To access click the above link or go to gateway.fastcase.com and enter user name = SFLawLibrary & password = fastcase

SFLL Resources Available to You From Home - Download PDF Here

Vendor-sponsored database access
(requires user self-registration for limited access):

Westlaw Remote Patron Access

We are pleased to announce that Westlaw is now available to library patrons from home. Patrons can self-register for 20 hours of free Westlaw access over 14 days. There are two ways to register:

Option 1: On-demand at https://legal.thomsonreuters.com/en/c/remote-patron-access
Option 2: By phone—call 1-800-328-4880, enter extension 855597, and a Customer Service agent will create a user name and password. This line is open from 5am-5pm PT.
Need a Westlaw refresher? Here is a guide to using Westlaw for legal research.

Lexis Patron Relief Access Program:

LexisNexis continues to partner with us and the wider legal community during the Covid-19 pandemic and is continuing to provide access to library patrons remotely during this crisis. If you cannot otherwise conduct legal research, you are welcome to register for a temporary Lexis Advance® ID by sending an email to our Reference Desk including your:

• First name
• Last name
• Email address

Library staff will submit your request to LexisNexis and you will receive a temporary ID providing 3 days of Lexis Advance research access directly from LexisNexis. Patrons should receive their temporary passwords within 24 hours of submitting the request. Requests will be processed by library staff Monday – Friday. Requests for renewal of research IDs are allowed by resubmitting the above requested information by email to our Reference Desk. Lexis Advance allows you to conduct research on the cases, codes, and agency materials needed for your legal work and personal legal research.  

SFLL Equity & Diversity Statement

Our Equity & Diversity Guide provides resources and information about San Francisco's equity and diversity measures.

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E-Update Newsletter

To receive E-Updates from the San Francisco Law Library, please send an email to sflawlibrary@sfgov.org with "subscribe" in the subject line.

Visit Our Blog:

Visit our "sflawlibraryblog." Our blog highlights library news, resources, and events.

California Wildfires Helping Handbook

The Summer 2021 California Wildfires Helping Handbook is a resource for people and small businesses in the counties in which FEMA declared federal emergencies in August:  Lassen, Nevada, Placer, and Plumas. It covers topics such as housing, FEMA benefits, insurance, employment, document replacement, and a variety of other issues.