Policy on Library use
This policy describes who can use and visit the Supreme Court of Canada Library.
I. Hours
Service is available from 9 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday, except on public holidays.
The collection is available for use by judges and Supreme Court of Canada staff, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
II. Users
A. The Library serves the following users:
- Judges and staff of the Supreme Court of Canada
- Counsel appearing before the Supreme Court of Canada and the Federal Court sitting in the Supreme Court of Canada building
- Guests sponsored by the judges
- On the days of their hearing, litigants before the Supreme Court of Canada and the Federal Court sitting in the Supreme Court of Canada building
- Litigants must provide Court Security with their notice of hearing or other documentation proving that their case is before either Court
B. The following persons can use the Library if they present proof of identity and obtain a visitor’s pass from Court Security which must be worn at all times while in the Library:
- Judges of any other court
- Members of the bar and their representatives
- Faculty members and students in good standing of faculties of law
C. Other individuals who want to use the Library must apply for permission before their visit. As long as their research requirements can be accommodated, permission can be granted for a specified period of time. These individuals will be required to present their letter of permission to Court Security to be issued a visitor’s pass. The Library will grant permission to those who have demonstrated a legitimate need to use the Library. If the resources to be consulted are readily accessible elsewhere, permission may not be granted. If permission is refused, the reasons for refusal can be provided upon request.
D. The Supreme Court of Canada reserves the right to refuse entry to the Library or remove from the Library individuals whose behaviour is not in keeping with the dignity of the Court.
III. Visitors’ register
Users of the Library, other than the Supreme Court of Canada judges and staff, must sign the visitors’ register at the reference desk indicating their affiliation and time of arrival. When leaving the Library, visitors must indicate their departure time in the register.
IV. Circulation policy and procedures
A. Policy
Supreme Court of Canada staff can borrow material from the Library, with the following limitations:
- Material designated “Reference” must be returned on the day it is borrowed
- Material held at the reference desk like current periodicals and law reports, new acquisitions and a selection of books in constant demand are circulated for a limited time only and must be returned when due
The following individuals can borrow material for a 24-hour period:
- Counsel from out of town appearing before the Supreme Court or Federal Court
- Members of the local bar and their representatives
- Others, at the discretion of library staff
The following materials cannot be borrowed by external visitors and must be consulted in the Library:
- Reference books
- Rare books and books published before 1900
- Current periodicals and books reserved for Library use
- Loose leaf services
- Audio visual materials
- Any other item in the collection, if Library staff has determined that loaning it would negatively impact service to the Court
B. Procedures
Material removed from the Library must be charged out according to current procedures.
Borrowers other than Supreme Court of Canada judges and staff must provide their contact information and the name of their employer.
C. Interlibrary loan
Material will be lent to other libraries according to the following schedule of loan periods:
| Item | Loan period | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Statutes and regulations | 1 week | None |
| Law reports | 1 week | None |
| General collection | 3 weeks | 1 week |
| Periodicals | 1 week | None |
| Microforms | 1 week | None |
The following material is not available through interlibrary loan:
- Reference books
- Rare books and books published before 1900
- Current periodicals and books appearing on the current acquisition list
- Books reserved for Library use
- Loose leaf services
- Audio visual materials
- Any other item in the collection, if lending it would negatively impact service to the Court.
The Library will photocopy or mail a limited number of pages to a requesting library, subject to current copyright laws and regulations.
Charges for the delivery of documents other than by mail will be paid by the borrowing library.
V. Services
The Library provides a full range of library and information services to the judges and staff of the Supreme Court of Canada.
Service to external users is limited to assistance in locating and using Library materials including using the Library catalogue and some electronic research services.
Users should leave books on the tables when finished and Library staff will re-shelve the material. If an unattended book is still in use, users should leave a signed and dated note with it. These materials will be re-shelved within 3 days.
A public photocopier is available in the Library, at a cost of $0.50 per page. Receipts are available at the reference desk on request.
Other than charges mentioned above, services are provided free of charge.
Eating and drinking are not permitted in the Library reading rooms and stacks.
Library users must maintain silence in the Library as a courtesy to other users.
Smoking is not permitted.
VI. Adoption and review
This policy is adopted by the Registrar on the recommendation of the Director of the Library and the approval of the Library Advisory Committee. The policy will be reviewed periodically and the Director will send any recommended changes to the Committee for approval.
Adopted by the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada and approved by the Library Advisory Committee,
November 14, 2000. Reviewed, May 1, 2024.