Library Use Policy

To borrow materials or access databases from the State Law Library, you must have a library account in good standing. You can sign up for an account in person or online. If you have an online account, you must show valid photo ID before you can borrow print materials.

Library Accounts

We offer library accounts for Texas residents or Texas state employees only. An organization or a business may not create an account.

You may not have multiple library accounts. An account may not be used by multiple people. However, you may designate an “authorized user” to borrow print materials for you by notifying the library in writing.

There is a limit of one account per e-mail address. E-mail accounts from services that provide password-less “public inboxes” are not allowed.

Staff may deny or disable accounts that violate library policies.

Online Accounts

Online accounts provide access to databases and e-books. To create an online account, you must:

live in Texas or be employed by a Texas state agency;
be in Texas at the time of registration;
use a web browser capable of geolocation and agree to submit geolocation data to confirm you are in Texas; and
provide a valid e-mail address.

The library uses the Geolocation API for online account registration and renewal. Any attempt to bypass this required step, to falsify or otherwise intentionally misrepresent geolocation data, or to intentionally misrepresent one's Texas residency may result in a suspension of your library privileges.

Borrower Accounts

To borrow print materials, you must:

sign up for a library account in person; or
verify your online account in person.

To create or verify your account in person, you must:

visit the library in Austin;
live in Texas or be employed by a Texas state agency; and
show a government-issued photo ID with your current address.

If you don't have a government-issued photo ID, you may show another photo ID and:

a current utility bill;
voter's registration card with current address; or
a current lease agreement.

Account Renewal

A library account is valid for one year.

You can request to renew a library account online. Staff must approve all online renewal requests, so you can expect a slight delay. Approval may take up to 1 business day.

You can also renew your account in person.

Checking Out Items

To borrow materials, you must present a valid photo ID in person. Most library materials have a checkout period of 3 weeks. Some are overnight checkouts and must be returned before the library closes the following business day. Items in our reference collection are only available for use at the library.

We do not offer borrowing services by mail or through interlibrary loan programs.

Library e-books in the LexisNexis Digital Library have a circulation period of up to 7 days. E-books are automatically returned once the circulation period expires.

Checkout Limits

You can check out 5 print items and 3 e-books at a time.

If you need to check out more than 5 print items at once, you can upgrade your membership for an annual fee of $25. Upgraded accounts have an increased checkout limit of 12 print items. The upgrade is good for a one-year period. Librarians may also issue one-time waivers of print checkout limits at their discretion.

Holds

Holds may be placed on items that can be checked out, including e-books. You cannot renew a print item if someone else has placed a hold on it.

Renewals

If there are no other holds on a 3-week checkout, it can be renewed once for another 3-week period. Renewals for print items may be done in person, online, or over the phone (from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.). Renewing an overdue print item does not waive late fees that may already have accrued.

Overnight checkouts cannot be renewed.

E-book checkouts cannot be renewed, but you can borrow an e-book again if it is available.

Overdue Notices

As a courtesy, you will receive automated e-mail notices when your checkouts are due. The library is not responsible for misdirected notices. Be sure to verify and update your contact information with the library.

Fines

You are responsible for:

returning all borrowed materials on time;
returning materials in good condition; and
paying all fines incurred for late, damaged, or lost materials.

Overdue materials will accrue fines. You will not incur fines for e-books because they are automatically returned after the circulation period ends.

Fines are 50 cents per day for each item borrowed. A fine begins accruing on the business day after the due date and accrues until the item is returned or the maximum fine of $12.50 per item is reached. Fines do not accrue on days when the library is closed.

Once an item has reached the maximum fine of $12.50, the item is considered lost. You will be charged the replacement cost for lost items in addition to any accrued fines. See the Lost Books section below for more info.

If you owe more than $12.50, you will not be allowed to check out materials until your charges are paid. Access to the library's computers, e-books, and databases will also be blocked until your account is brought back to good standing.

Government employees with a verified account do not accrue overdue fines. They are still responsible for any other fees, including administrative fees and lost book replacement fees. Lost items will result in a suspended account until all charges are paid.

Lost Books

You will be charged the following fees for print materials that are considered lost:

up to $12.50 in late fines per item;
$100 or the actual replacement cost of the lost item (whichever is greater); and
$15 administrative fee (non-refundable).

Your library privileges will be suspended if you fail to return borrowed materials. You will not be able to use the library's online resources or check out print items until your account is brought back to good standing.

Failure to return library materials may also result in criminal prosecution.

Databases & E-Books

To use the library's databases and e-books, you must agree to and comply with any required terms and restrictions from the publishers. Violating or abusing the terms of use may result in a suspension of your library privileges.

Policy Violations

Your library privileges may be suspended if the library determines you have violated library policy. In exceptional circumstances, the library may permanently suspend your library privileges.

The State Law Library reserves the right to change this policy at any time.