FAQs

Who may borrow materials?

Materials may be borrowed by members of the Guam Bar Association, and their employees and agents who are authorized borrowers. View our Circulation Policy. While members of the general public do not have borrowing privileges, they are always welcome to use materials while at the library.

How long is the loan period?

Generally, materials may be borrowed for one week. Some materials have shorter loan periods: three (3) days for audio visual materials such as CLE items; one (1) day for American Law Reports, Restatements of the Law, and Corpus Juris Secundum encyclopedia, and a few others. Certain materials, including Guam materials and AmJur encyclopedia, may not be removed from the library. View our Circulation Policy.

What materials are available in the library?

The library collection consists of more than 51,000 volumes of legal information in paper format, including federal statutory and materials and judicial decisions, legal dictionaries and encyclopedias, treatises on specific topics, and the national reporter system. The library is the depository for decisions of the Superior Court of Guam and opinions of the Supreme Court of Guam, public laws passed by the Guam Legislature, and executive orders issued by the Governor of Guam. Search the library’s collection.

The library’s collection also includes legal resources from our Pacific Island neighbors. To learn more about these materials, see the Collections page.

Is there a limit on the number of items that can be borrowed?

No. Borrowers are not limited as to the number of items borrowed at a single time, except for CLE materials, which are subject to a different circulation policy.

Can I renew the loan period?

Yes. For most library materials, up to two (2) consecutive renewals may be requested in person or by calling the law library. After the second renewal period, the item(s) must be returned to the library for at least one week, before it maybe be borrowed again. There is a different policy for CLE materials.

What happens if I forget to return an item I borrowed?

Generally, you may renew of the loan period simply by calling the library. However, CLE materials are subject to a late fee.

What happens if I lose or misplace an item I borrowed?

The borrower must pay for the cost of replacing the item. Library privileges will be suspended until payment is made.

How can I find a particular book or legal resource?

Search the library’s collection. In addition, you may request the personal assistance of friendly library employee or ask for help using the library’s search and request service.

The library does not have a book that I would like to use. What can I do?

Patrons may ask for assistance with an inter-library loan from another library on Guam, such as the Guam Public Library System, University of Guam Robert F. Kennedy Library and Micronesian Area Research Center at the University of Guam. Patrons may also suggest books for the library to purchase by completing a Purchase Order Request form. The form can be picked up at the service desk.

Are there any resources or services for self-represented (pro se) litigants?

A limited selection of pro se forms are available on the Judiciary of Guam’s official website. Available forms include petitions for uncontested divorce, guardianship forms, and preliminary orders of protection. In addition, the library has a number of resources to assist self-represented litigants, such as form books and books explaining the legal process.

The library’s services also include free access to legal databases, such Westlaw and LexisNexis, and the use of a computer and printer for a small fee.

Please note that library employees may not give legal advice, offer legal opinions, or interpret or explain the meaning of any text. They cannot fill out paperwork or forms for patrons, and any communication from a library employee, in person, by phone or via email, does not constitute the creation of an attorney-client relationship.

I have my own laptop. Does the library have wifi?

Yes, the Law Library now has free wireless Internet access available for wireless-enabled laptop computer users. Patrons will need a WiFi-compliant 802.11b wireless Ethernet device installed in their laptop or a laptop with built-in WiFi capability.

Patrons using the library’s free wifi should note that:

• The library’s wireless network is not secure. Information sent from or to your laptop may be subject to interception by other wireless device users employing the appropriate software.
• The library staff is not able to provide technical assistance and the library cannot guarantee that you will be able to make a wireless connection.
• The library assumes no responsibility for the safety of equipment or for laptop configuration, security, or data files resulting from connection to the library’s network.

Does the library have photocopiers I can use?

Yes. Self-service copiers are available for 10 cents per B&W copy and 50 cents per color copy, with higher costs for larger paper sizes. Scanning is also available free of charge.

Does the library have computers and printers for patrons to use?

Yes, the library has computer terminals available legal research and free wifi.

Is there a computer usage policy?

Yes. There are only a few computers available, so patron use will be limited to 30 minutes if other patrons are waiting, and 60 minutes if no one is waiting. Internet users are asked to limit computer use for at least one (1) hour at a single time.

Computer users must agree

• not to damage the computer equipment or software
• not to access the computer’s C: drive
• not to alter software configurations or change any settings
• not to install software
• not to download information onto any computer drive or create bookmarks
• not to violate copyright laws or software licensing agreements, or any other federal or local laws or regulations

Patrons should be aware that patrons who are found altering, reprogramming or attempting to do these actions, are subject to revocation of computer use and other privileges at the library, and civil and/or criminal charges.

The Guam Law Library assumes no liability for any loss or damage to the patron’s data or for any damage or injury arising from invasion of privacy in the programs or files. The patron should be aware of computer viruses and other destructive computer programs and take steps to avoid being a victim of unwitting distributor of these processes.

Does the library have a conference room?

Yes. The library’s conference room is available for non-profit organizations free of charge; otherwise, rental rates are $15 per hour (with a minimum of 1 hour), $35 for half the day, and $70 for the entire day.

To ensure availability, please give at least one week’s notice prior to the event.

Can library employees help me find a statute, a case or another type of legal resource?

Employees can provide general assistance in using certain legal resources but please note that library employees may not give legal advice, perform specific legal research, offer legal opinions, or interpret or explain the meaning of any text. They cannot fill out paperwork or forms for patrons, and any communication from a library employee, in person, by phone or via email, does not constitute the creation of an attorney-client relationship. Requests made by Guam Bar members may qualify for the Search & Copy service. Please call the library at (671) 477-7623 for more information.

I need to complete my required CLE classes. Does the library have CLE materials?

Yes. The Guam Law Library has a large variety of CLE materials, from audio CD’s to DVD’s, that can be checked out free of charge by Guam Bar Association members. Up to seven CLE items may be checked out for three days; except in December, when bar members may check out a maximum of two items at a time for up to two days. View the library’s CLE materials Loan Policy.

Can you help with how to purchase the most recent Guam Code Annotated?

The Guam Code Annotated is published by Office of the Compiler of Laws which is located in the Guam Law Library. The Office can be reached via the Compiler of Laws website.

The most recent hardcover edition of the Guam Code was published in 2005, and the entire eight-volume set can be purchased for $650.00, excluding shipping costs using U.S. Postal Service (if applicable). For additional information, please contact the Office of the Compiler of Guam.