WELCOME TO THE
SAN FRANCISCO
LAW LIBRARY'S WEBSITE
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Library News:
The Law Library will be closed
Saturday, May 18.
We will be open on Monday, May 20
at our usual time.
Building Update & Customer Survey
Update on Library’s Status: As you may know, this has been a very challenging year for the Law Library. The City is legally responsible for providing Library space, and will only provide 50% or less of the minimum space the Law Library requires to provide the full scope of services its patrons need after its current location closes in June 2013. The Library will endeavor to provide high quality services despite this disappointing decision and drastic reduction in Library space. It is very important that City officials be informed about the value of the Library to its customers.
Please complete our two question survey online. Copies of the survey are also available in the Law Library.
Board of Supervisors’ Vote Fails to Provide
Sufficient Law Library Space
April 2, 2013
At the Board of Supervisors’ meeting today, the board approved a resolution 10-1, authorizing the City to enter into a lease to house the Law Library in only 15,633 net square feet. Supervisor David Campos voted against the resolution, and noted that there was no need to rush this resolution through today, three days before a hearing and ruling in San Francisco Superior Court and on the Library’s Motion for Writ of Mandate and Preliminary Injunction.
Unfortunately, at the meeting, the Supervisors relied solely on representations made by the City, and did not ask, consider or discuss any of the Library’s extensive documentation and evidence which factually and legally contradicted the City’s representations. The Law Library’s three experts determined that the Library requires at least 30,000 square feet at minimum to serve its users. The Law Library has been housed in 14,000 square feet for 18 years, which is grossly inadequate and there has been insufficient room for the Library’s collection and services. Two thirds of its collection was placed in inaccessible storage by the City 18 years ago. The City previously acknowledged that the current location is deficient, although at today’s hearing the Director of the Department of Real Estate represented to the supervisors that the current location has been sufficient and adequate to meet the Law Library’s needs for the past 18 years.
A deeply disappointing day at the Board of Supervisors.
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Library Relocation Update
May 9, 2013
To our Library patrons and supporters:
We want to provide you with an update regarding plans to relocate the Law Library.
Last month, a San Francisco judge rejected our legal argument that the Board of Supervisors had abused its discretion in deciding that a 20,000 square foot space would be suitable for the Library. We continue to assert that State statutes and the City Charter mandate proper funding and adequate space for our facility and we will continue to advance this position in the courts and elsewhere.
In the meantime, city officials are preparing to move the Library to an even smaller space on Market Street. We remain concerned that there is not enough time to properly move the Library. A judge is scheduled to rule later this month on our motion to remain at the Veterans Building until questions about space and funding are permanently resolved.
Since it takes weeks to prepare and execute a library move, we do not foresee that the Library will move from the War Memorial in May.
Unfortunately, it appears that the city’s Department of Real Estate failed to successfully negotiate a lease for us at 1200 Van Ness Avenue, a space the Library first identified as potentially suitable. It appears that the Department’s unwillingness to lease all of the space available at this location may have prompted the landlord to secure another tenant.
We will keep you updated with any other significant news and appreciate your support. Let elected leaders at City Hall know that you value and use the Library!
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