San Francisco Law Library

We offer free legal information resources and services to help you understand the law and protect your legal rights.

The Law Library will be closed Monday, January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

A large bound book lays open on a wooden table with an open laptop in the background, surrounded by a shelf of legal books

Visit the Library

Our team of legal reference librarians and collection of legal information resources are here to help you with your legal questions.

We are open Monday–Friday from 9am–5pm.

Using the Library

Catalog

Search our collection.

Legal databases

Find legal resources you can access in the law library or from any location.

Programs

Attend a free program virtually or at the San Francisco Law Library.

Bronze statue of lady justice holding scales in front of the California state flag

Clean Slate Program

The San Francisco Public Defender's Office's Clean Slate Program can help people "clean up" their criminal records. In California this means your criminal arrest or conviction can be reduced, dismissed, sealed, vacated, or destroyed, depending on the case. Services are free for those who qualify.

Learn about the Clean State Program

Events

Labor & Employment Research on Bloomberg Law

Thursday, January 9

Front of a white tiered office building in downtown San Francisco.

Consumer Rights Legal Clinic

Thursday, January 23

Navigating the San Francisco Rent Ordinance Part 2 of 2

Wednesday, February 12

See more events

Recursos

New Special Resource

CARE Court

A civil court process that helps connect people who are experiencing serious, untreated mental illness to essential care.

California Disaster Legal Assistance

California has a free legal resource to help Californians affected by recent disasters. Learn about the California Disaster Legal Assistance Collaborative (DLAC).

Patron Resources

Legal databases

Get free public access to databases, both inside the library and remotely.

LexisNexis Digital Library

Browse ebooks on a range of legal topics through the San Francisco Law Library. Access from anywhere.

Self-help

Find free or low-cost self-help resources in the Bay Area.

Legal forms

Find electronic and print forms for court and sample legal agreements at the San Francisco Law Library.

Research guides on legal topics

Curated guides to resources from librarians at the San Francisco Law Library.

Free or low-cost legal services

There are many ways to get free or low cost legal help. This guide lists local legal service providers.

Legal links

Find a variety of legal links all in one guide. Some content is available in Spanish.

Programs and clinics

Attend a free legal education class, aid clinic, or resource training session at the San Francisco Law Library. Online and in-person.

Computers, printer, and copier

Use the San Francisco Law Library's public computers, printer, and copier for legal research and preparation.

Law Library collection

We maintain an extensive text and database collection for legal research, in print and online.

Conference rooms

Rent a room for a legal purpose, like meeting with a lawyer or client, and trial work at the San Francisco Law Library.

Policies and rules

Learn about the San Francisco Law Library's patron rules of conduct, technology policy, and borrowing rules.

Help the Law Library

The San Francisco Law Library needs your support. Find out how you can help.

Remembering Kurt Melchior

Learn more about the life and legacy of our retired board president.

Attorney Resources

MCLE

Attorneys can earn MCLE credit with the San Francisco Law Library by attending a library MCLE program or listening to a self-study audio CD.

Law Practice Management Collection

This collection at the San Francisco Law Library covers every aspect of running a law practice.

Borrowing

Qualifying San Francisco attorneys, judges, law firms, and agencies can get a San Francisco Law Library card.

Membership programs

Get high-level support for your practice with a San Francisco Law Library Premium Services Membership. Membership fees help us provide access to justice in the community.