The Law Library and Self Help Center
The Law Library collection consists of 23,000 + volumes and includes:
Federal and California statutes, Federal and California administrative regulations, court and administrative agency decisions. California State and Local Rules of Court. Bakersfield Municipal Code, Kern County Code, Ridgecrest Code, and Delano Municipal Code. California and Federal research tools including digests, form books, Shepard's, CEB, Rutter Group, jury verdicts, jury instructions, CD-ROM, Online Service. Texts on various subjects including self-help books. Law Reviews and newspapers.
The Self-Help Center provides legal resources to assist those representing themselves in court. As a collaborative project with the Kern County Law Library, the Self-Help Center will share resources with the Law Library in an effort to maximize the benefit to self-represented litigants. Customers of the center have access to a wealth of information including instructional binders designed to assist with understanding common court procedures and forms. Multiple computers are available, so customers can complete or create the forms necessary. Those needing to do additional research will be able to access legal reference materials both in print and through computer databases. Staff will be available to help with the Center’s resources.
Small Claims advisor available Mon. - Thur. 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on a walk in basis
Guardianship Clinic Monday and Tuesday 8:00 a.m.
Child Custody and Visitation Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 1:00 p.m.
Divorce Default Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 a.m.
Divorce (getting started) 1st Wednesday of the month at 8:00 a.m.
The advisor and workshops are located at 1415 Truxtun Ave. Third Floor Bakersfield, CA 93301
Please contact the law library at 868-5320 for more information.
We have been serving Kern County since 1891 as a nonprofit special district funded, not by tax dollars, but a portion of civil filing fees for the Superior Court of California, County of Kern. We are open to the public and access to the library is free.
Our hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. We are closed on all court holidays. While you are in the library, please take the time to fill out one of our surveys. We would like your feedback on how well we are doing and how we can improve.
Our purpose is to provide the legal community and residents of Kern County with access to legal information services. Our goal is to provide current legal materials in a timely manner, so everyone may have equal access to justice. Assistance in using the collection shall be provided by the staff.
