Library Resources for Members of the Public

You might also find these other local libraries helpful:

The King County Law Library, the fifth largest law library in Washington, has two locations:

• Sixth floor of the King County Courthouse, in downtown Seattle (516 Third Avenue, 206/296-0940). ​Very large collection (over 85,000 volumes) including Washington State and federal cases, statutes, regulations, court rules, and practice materials. Several online resources are also available. 
• The Regional Justice Center, in Kent (401 Fourth Ave. N., 206/205-2900). Smaller, but has a good basic collection.

The U.S. Courts Library is located in the U.S. Courthouse in downtown Seattle (700 Stewart Street, 206/553-4475). The U.S. Courts Library is open to the public as a courtesy of the judges.

The downtown Seattle Public Library (1000 Fourth Avenue, 206/386-4636) has some Washington State legal materials (such as the Revised Code of Washington and the Washington Administrative Code) and a good collection of U.S. government documents, including the Congressional Record and Congressional hearings and committee reports.

Many other public library branches have some basic legal materials for Washington and the U.S.

The Washington State Law Library (in Olympia) has a large collection, open to the public. Staff answer reference questions via telephone and email.

County law libraries are generally open to the public. Their collections, staffing, and services vary. Bigger counties tend to have bigger county law libraries.

The Washington State Bar Association has a Lending Library for WSBA members, offering the short-term loan of books on topics related to practice management, wellness, and career development.