Napa County Law Library: A quiet corner for legal learning
More than books, this specialized library helps residents navigate the law, one case at a time
For regular readers of our library features, it’s no secret that the Napa County Library offers far more than just books and storytime –– although those remain at the heart of what we do. From technology classes to community events, we continue to strive toward our mission of “enriching lives with books and information.” But did you know that tucked within Napa’s Historic Courthouse is the Napa County Law Library?
This unique resource is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It houses hundreds of legal texts, offers access to online databases for researching local case information and provides a wealth of other materials for both laypersons and lawyers.
During open hours, knowledgeable staff are available to help visitors get started. While they can’t offer legal advice, they can show patrons how to use the tools and resources that make this specialized library such a valuable community asset.
It might surprise some readers to learn that nearly 70% of family law cases in California include at least one person representing themselves. The figure for general civil cases is even higher –– an estimated 75% –– and for housing-related cases, that number jumps to around 90%.
For anyone who’s ever tried to read a court ruling, it’s easy to see how this can be overwhelming. The language can be difficult to understand and, as a court professional once explained, it’s not unusual for both parties to leave the courtroom unsure of exactly what the outcome was.
The Napa County Law Library helps bridge that gap. It gives everyday residents the chance to learn more about their cases and to complete paperwork and other court proceedings “pro se” (Latin for “on one’s own behalf”).
It’s also a valuable resource for attorneys. Legal texts take up space, and not every lawyer has access to every state and federal case law collection –– or the means to subscribe to multiple specialized databases like Westlaw, Matthew Bender or Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB). The Law Library provides a shared space where those resources are available to all.
The Law Library is also a great place simply to sit down and work. Once staff helps you get started, you have a quiet space to read, research, make copies and prepare for the next step in your case or area of study. It’s a calm, professional environment designed for focus and understanding.
How is the Law Library funded? A portion of civil filing fees go toward supporting it. In addition, one-time state funds have been provided in the past, and the County of Napa contributes to staffing and materials costs. Proceeds from photocopies and donations help make up the remaining funds used to maintain this important service.
The Law Library is managed by a Board of Trustees. Judges or their designees, along with two members appointed by the County of Napa make up the group. Day-to-day operations are overseen through a service contract by an experienced law librarian who has helped modernize the collection, update policies and enhance many aspects of the service.
The Law Library is just one part of the legal support available within the courthouse. Just one floor below, the Napa Self-Help Center, in partnership with the Family Law Facilitator’s Office, provides assistance with forms related to dissolutions, paternity, child custody and visitation, child and spousal support, CARE Act cases and other matters as time permits.
Along with Legal Aid of Napa Valley and Bay Area Legal Aid and other nonprofit resources, these agencies and services form a strong network of support, helping ensure that access to justice in Napa County isn’t limited to those who can afford an attorney.
While the Napa County Library leaves the heavy lifting to the Law Library and the Self-Help Center, we do offer a monthly program called “Lawyers in the Library” where area lawyers volunteer their time to help answer questions from the public. Provided each month from 4 to 6 p.m., sessions are limited to 20 minutes and are meant to provide information only. The lawyer isn’t providing legal advice, nor are they able to take on clients from these meetings. However, it is a jumping off point for some and may help them take the next steps at the Napa County Law Library.
For more information about the Napa County Law Library, visit their website: www.napa.courts.ca.gov/lawlibrary/. Please email questions or requests to: [email protected].
The Law Library is at 825 Brown St., Room 138, Napa.
The Yountville Library is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at (707) 944-1888.
To contact the author, Napa County Library Director of Library Services and Community Outreach Anthony Halstead: [email protected]
Questions or suggestions for your Library Commissioner Myrna David: [email protected]
Learn more about Friends of the Yountville Library, send an email to: [email protected]
