State Law Library Borrowing Policy

We lend materials directly to state and local government employees, members of the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) within the state, and the general public.

We lend eBooks, books, other print materials, and audio/visual materials. Reference works, including, but not limited to, digests, certain loose-leaf materials, indexes, and citators, do not circulate.

Register to Borrow

If you would like to read eBooks or check out books and other materials, please fill out our online form to register for borrowing privileges.

Lending Limits

Patrons are limited to borrowing no more than ten books or other physical media items at a time. Patrons are limited to borrowing no more than three eBooks at a time.

Loan Period

The loan period for books and other physical media is for three weeks. Books may be renewed for a single two week period if there is no reserve pending and if the renewal is requested on or before the original due date. Public patrons may borrow eBooks for up to 21 days and these loans can be renewed.

Overdue Books

Books and materials that are more than four weeks overdue are considered lost. We will notify the borrower or borrowing library when we consider that an item is lost and needs replacement.

Replacing Lost or Damaged Items

If an item is lost or damaged, we may require the borrower, or the borrowing library for interlibrary loan, to replace the item or to pay for the cost of replacement. If the item is irreplaceable, we may assess the borrower or the borrowing library a fee for each item lost or damaged.

Suspension of Privileges

Failure to promptly return items in good condition, to replace lost or damaged items or to pay for the cost of their replacement, or to pay assessed charges for non-replaceable items may result in the loss of the privilege to borrow materials. If a borrower has more than five items that are considered lost, reference assistance services may be suspended until the items are returned or replaced.

Interlibrary Loan

Through interlibrary loan (ILL), we also lend to public, college/university, governmental, institutional or private libraries or librarians. There is no cost to the requesting library to borrow from us with the exception of for-profit organizations such as law firm libraries or corporate libraries. We accept ILL requests via email, phone or OCLC (OCLC symbol Z@5). Books sent through interlibrary loan are the sole responsibility of the requesting library and are subject to our policies governing overdue, lost or damaged materials.

Loans to Incarcerated Individuals

BOOK LOANS - Incarcerated individuals may ask their facility's library staff to request State Law Library books through interlibrary loan, however, a facility may have policies prohibiting such requests. For more information, please see our guides for requesting services for individuals in DOC custody or in jail custody.