The Alameda County Law Library is free and open to the public. If you are preparing a case or have a legal question, the law library is an excellent place to start research. The librarians can direct you to legal materials and explain how to use these materials, but the librarians cannot give legal advice or interpret what is written in the law books. Library staff cannot help you fill out forms, or tell you if the form is appropriate for your case.
State law prohibits the library staff from giving more than legal reference instruction.
There are no attorneys on call in the library who can assist you in legal research. The Oakland Public Library sponsors the Lawyers in the Library Program. If you have not prepared a case before, stop at the reference desk. The librarians can recommend books for small claims and municipal court case preparation. If you have question involving legal issues, you will need to become familiar with how to use a law library for research.