A Hastings identification card also serves as a borrowing card in the library. All cards need to be presented to the circulation desk prior to their first use, so the I.D. card's barcode can be scanned into the library's system. Your I.D. card must be presented to check out books and course reserve items. Materials may be checked out for specified periods of time as follows:

Circulation Desk Items
Materials kept at the circulation desk are loaned for 2 hours and are designated for use in the library only. Circulation desk materials include all items placed on course reserve by professors, study aids, selected loose-leaf services, and practice guides. A limited number of study aids and some course reserve items are available for 24-hour use.

DVDs and Videotapes
Hastings students, faculty and staff may borrow DVDs and VHS videotapes. DVDs and tapes on course reserve circulate for 2 hours and may be viewed on the playback units on the 4th Floor. Students may view course reserve DVDs in the computer lab with their own headphones. DVDs and tapes from the general collection are kept at the circulation desk and may be borrowed for 3 days. Trial Advocacy videos are available in VHS format and online as Video On Demand.

Government Documents
Federal agency publications and congressional hearings and reports shelved in the Hastings Law Library may be borrowed for 30 days. California legislative hearings and reports may be borrowed for 30 days.

General Book Collection
Monographs and single-volume treatises from the general book collection, shelved on the fifth and sixth floors of the library, may be borrowed for 30 days.

The following materials may not be borrowed:
State and federal case reports and codes (including superseded code volumes), law reviews, multi-volume sets, loose-leaf publications, current casebooks, indexes, and microforms. Materials in the following locations: 4th Floor Stacks, 4th Floor Reading Room, Research Alcove and Reference.

Renewals
A book may be renewed by a patron if no holds have been placed on it. Patrons may view their current check-outs and renew materials online. Patrons may also renew items in person at the circulation desk. Renewal requests cannot be processed over the phone. No 24-hour use items can be renewed.

Recalls
All books are subject to recall one week after being checked out. Hastings students and faculty may request that a book be recalled. Recall request forms are available at the circulation desk. Recalled books must be returned by the date specified in the recall notice. For reasons of privacy, the names of those who have borrowed library materials will not be revealed.

Unaffiliated Borrowers
Individual attorneys who are active members of the California Bar or Hastings alumni may apply for borrowing privileges. Law firm librarians may also apply on behalf of their firms. Application forms for individual and corporate borrowing privileges and Unaffiliated Borrowing Rules are available in .pdf format and may be downloaded here. Application forms and Unaffiliated Borrowing Rules are also available at the Circulation Desk. Applications for borrowing privileges require a refundable deposit of $100 for Hastings alumni, $200 for State Bar members, or $400 for qualified law firms. Applications take 10 working days to process.

Overdue Fines
Overdue fines are charged according to the following schedule:
2-Hour and 24-Hour circulation desk materials: $1.00 per hour during hours the library is open.
3-Day videotapes: $1.00 per day.
30-Day books: $.25 per day, per item for students, and $.50 per day, per item for unaffiliated borrowers.

Lost Books
The replacement cost and a $20.00 processing and billing fee will be charged for each lost book.

Library Policy on Conduct

Last updated September 26, 2007