What’s in a Name?

Despite its name, the San Diego County Public Law Library isn’t part of the County’s library system at all. It’s an independent public agency, but the County owns the building, pays for the utilities and selects several Law Library Board members. Why? You need to go back to the 19^thcentury to find the answer.

More than 100 years ago, the California State Legislature told every county to create a law library so the public could learn the law. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved Ordinance 57 on June 10, 1891 and the law library was born.

The County must provide the building, maintenance and utilities. The courts must give a percentage of civil court filing fees, and that money along with funds raised by the library, pays for books, computers and staff.  

The courts also select several judges for the Law Library Board, so both the state and the County have ties to the library, but they don’t actually run it.

That puts the agency in an interesting position. As Director John Adkins puts it, if the Law Library takes money from the state and the County, what does it give back? Adkins says he works hard at creating great partnerships so that people know what they do and have a true understanding of where those dollars are going. For example, the library worked with the Department of Child Support Services which used its Vista branch for a case resolution meeting, making good use of the branch on a Saturday when it’s closed to the public.

“We’re quasi,” says Adkins, “so I want to be at the table.” As far as the County is concerned, the library falls under the Public Safety Group. Adkins says he’s been invited to share what the agency has to offer in meetings with the group’s department heads. The Public Defender’s Office already uses the Law Library as a resource. As you would expect, about half of the visitors are lawyers from all over the County. The other half?  Regular folks like you and me.

It’s the only public law library in San Diego County, and it’s the second-largest in the state on par with Orange County. “This is the central hub for all free legal resources. We have all the printed materials, they’re all updated… we have the legal databases” said  Adkins. “It is free for folks. It is a legal research haven for people who want to do a little research. This is the place to be.”

Visitors can choose any one of four locations, downtown at 1105 Front Street and branches in Vista, Chula Vista and El Cajon. A good number of them have the same intention – how to beat a traffic ticket. Others want to represent themselves in court or simply have an interest in the law. The library’s collection contains 350,000 volumes. Recently, General Services managed the refurbishing of the downtown branch from the inside out. The renovation forced the branch to close its doors for a year. Donations covered the $4.25 million remodel which made dramatic changes in the electrical, I-T and plumbing systems plus some desperately needed cosmetic changes. “It was scary. It was dark and it was creepy and it didn’t smell good, and yeah it’s right next to the jail. It’s still right next to the jail… but now we want to show people how beautiful it is,” said Adkins. “People do walk in and say wow.”   

The interior went from dark and unwelcoming to light, bright, and airy with glass walls and red splashes of color. No institutional green or blue here. On the exterior, 12 new windows were cut into the granite for a timeless look that blends in with the rest of the block.

It’s now open, and Adkins says it’s there for everybody. He points out the law touches us in many ways. From that traffic ticket to the neighbor’s tree that seems to be encroaching on your property to much more serious matters.  

“People come in here in desperate conditions. They’re getting kicked out of their apartment or trying to save their kids or adopt somebody,” said Adkins. “All of that stuff happens right here.”

Amidst the quiet drama, staff members do what they can to help visitors find what they need. Sometimes they hear back on how it all worked out.  “It’s so wonderful when people come back and tell us their stories and how if it wasn’t for us, they wouldn’t have had that outcome,” said Adkins. “It’s very heartwarming.”

While access to the materials at the branches is free, anyone who wants to borrow materials must pay a fee. Legal forms are available and reference librarians can help you find them. No, they will not fill them out or give you legal advice. Typewriters are available in the Main and North County branches but on a first come, first serve basis. Yes, you read that correctly. Typewriters are still needed to fill out all of those legal forms. The branches all have computers for public use and free wireless access as well. For more information, visit www.sdcpll.org.

And now you know, while the official name is the San Diego County Public Law Library, it’s exactly what the State Legislature intended all those years ago. The library’s motto says it all Law Made Public for All San Diego County.