Law Library Policies

Policies and Procedures

The Linn County Law Library is dedicated to providing legal research material to members of the bar and the community at large. The law library delivers value to our citizens through books, online resources, and other legal materials efficiently and respectfully.

USE OF THE LAW LIBRARY FACILITY, MATERIALS OR EQUIPMENT:

• No food or beverage consumption is permitted in the law library.
• Marking, damaging, or misusing library materials, equipment, or facilities is NOT permitted.
• You will NOT engage in the theft of library materials, supplies, or equipment.
• You agree to NOT conceal library materials within the library for the exclusive use of an individual or group.

The above behaviors may result in one or more of the following responses on the part of Law Library staff, including, but not limited to:

• Refusal of law library staff to provide services
• Expulsion from the law library for a period of up to 3 
• Contacting the County Police Department and/or Public Safety
• Temporary or permanent banning from the Law Library

LIBRARY STAFF ARE PROHIBITED FROM ENGAGING IN THE UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF LAW! (See ORS 9.160)

Bar membership required to practice law; exceptions. Except as provided in this section, a person may not practice law in this state, or represent that the person is qualified to practice law in this state, unless the person is an active member of the Oregon State Bar. (ORS 9.166) If the board has reason to believe that a person is practicing law without a license, the board may maintain a suit for injunctive relief in the name of the Oregon State Bar against any person violating ORS 9.160 (Bar membership required to practice law). The court shall enjoin any person violating ORS 9.160 (Bar membership required to practice law) from practicing law without a license. Any person who has been so enjoined may be punished for contempt by the court issuing the injunction. An injunction may be issued without proof of actual damage sustained by any person. The court shall order restitution to any victim of any person violating ORS 9.160 (Bar membership required to practice law). The prevailing party may recover its costs and attorney fees in any suit for injunctive relief brought under this section in which the board is the plaintiff. [1987 c.860 §4; 2001 c.300 §57; 2003 c.260 §3; 2003 c.670 §6].

THIS MEANS THAT LIBRARIANS AND LIBRARY STAFF WILL NOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE AND THEREFORE:

• CAN NOT INTERPRET THE CONSTITUTION, FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS, LOCAL ORDINANCES, ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND REGULATIONS.
• CAN NOT DISCUSS THE RELEVANCY OR APPLICATION OF CASE LAW (COURT DECISIONS) TO YOUR LEGAL SITUATION.
• CAN NOT ADVISE OR ASSIST IN THE SELECTION, PREPARATION, OR COMPLETION OF LEGAL FORMS, DOCUMENTS AND OTHER LEGAL DEVICES.
• CAN NOT ANSWER INQUIRIES REGARDING CAUSES OF ACTION, MAKE DETERMINATION OF APPROPRIATE JURISDICTION, OR ADDRESS STATUTE OF TIME LIMITATIONS ISSUES. 

Computer Use Policy 

The Linn County Law Library has one computer terminal available for public use. The computer may be used to access legal/governmental information, e-mail, Microsoft Office Applications, etc. SOCIAL MEDIA IS NOT PERMITTED. 

Social Media Policy

The following contents are not permitted and subject to removal:

• Obscene, sexual, or pornographic content or language
• Content that promotes discrimination based on race, age, religion, gender, or any other protected status 
• Content that violates any legal ownership interest such as copyright or trademark law.
• Threats. 
• Conduct that violates, or encourages the violation of, any federal, state, or local law. 
• Commercial activity or promotion that is not related to the business of the Law Library. 
• Spam or links to malicious programs or viruses

eFiling Policy

Adhering to the mission of the Linn County Law Library & Self Help Legal Center, staff will, to the best of their ability, assist eFilers with technical questions. Though the eFile system may be accessed from any open internet connection, for the convenience of those needing to eFile, the Linn County Law Library provides an open internet computer within the Law Library.  Library staff may have limited ability to assist in circumstances of vendor software issues. It will be the responsibility of the patron to contact the appropriate vendor in such instances. Due to the sensitive nature of passwords, billing information, and filing content, Linn County Law Library staff will NOT eFile on behalf of, nor create accounts for, eFilers.

Free Legal Question Help Programs​

• Legal Aid Services of Oregon
• Oregon Public Records Law

Rules of Conduct​

The Linn County Law Library & Self Help Legal Center strives to provide excellent service to all of its diverse customers. To this end, the Library has established rules of conduct to promote a safe environment conducive to legal research and the appropriate use of the library's services and facilities.

For the safety and comfort of our customers: Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. The library is not responsible for the safety or behavior of children. Be aware of your personal property. The library is not responsible for items lost, stolen, or damaged in the library. The library prohibits any activity which interferes with a person's comfort or safety, including but not limited to:

• Hostile, harassing, disrespectful, or threatening behavior to other customers or Library staff
• Damage to or abuse of library materials and/or equipment 
• Weapons of any type
• Use of the library's internet connection for illegal purposes, or for sites that are disruptive to the use of the library by other patrons or library staff due to noise or offensive content

The library reserves the right to inspect briefcases, packages, and outer garments for library materials The law librarian requires users to leave the library if they violate any of the above rules.

The library does not bear any responsibility for:

• Personal equipment, damage or loss of data from a patron using library-owned power cords, electrical chargers, computers, scanners, or outlets
• Reliability of any information found on the Internet
• Illegal activity by any patron within the law library

Discretion of the Law Librarian:

The law librarian reserves the right to address issues on a case-by-case basis including but not limited to disruptive, disrespectful, or harassing behavior, requests for privileges, and use of facilities, equipment, and materials.