Resources
As a part of the Library's ongoing mission to make resources of any format available to researchers no matter their location, the Library is working toward providing all research materials digitally. Currently, there are two main repositories available for search, the online catalog and eCollection.
The online catalog has approximately 40,000 items in both print and digital format including both internally and externally published materials.
eCollection contains over 6,800 items in mostly .PDF format. eCollection is divided into 20 subject collections covering court administration, but all collections can be searched at once.
Both the online catalog and eCollection support research for NCSC associates, Institute for Court Management (ICM) students, judges, court administrators and clerks, legal researchers and those interested in judicial administration. The Library is the official repository for all National Center for State Courts publications.
State Justice Institute
In 2011, the State Justice Institute (SJI) selected the NCSC Library as the official repository for all SJI grant-funded reports and products. State Justice Institute materials can be accessed both via the catalog and eCollection.
Services
In addition to serving the information needs of the Center's staff, the Library also loans resources and provides document delivery directly to members of the court community, such as judges, court administrators, court clerks, and other court personnel. Please contact the Library for any request at library@ncsc.org.
Others are encouraged to request library resources using the interlibrary loan service available through their employer’s library or another library with which they are affiliated.
Library staff can provide basic reference service to court personnel. Please bear in mind that Library staff must limit time spent on reference requests.
Copyright
To request use of any NCSC materials please contact the Library at library@ncsc.org. Resources loaned by the National Center for State Courts Library may be protected by the Copyright Law of the United States of America (Title 17 U.S. Code) which governs reproduction and use of copyrighted material.
Policy
For faster service when submitting a request, please supply the author and title of any resource requested to borrow, and the author, article title, journal title, volume, and page numbers of any article requested to have sent.
Loans are granted for a period of 30 days and may be renewed for an additional 30 days on or before the due date. Materials are generally shipped via UPS Ground or emailed as a .PDF whenever possible.
Borrowers assume all responsibility for resources loaned to them. The Library asks that borrowed items not to be loaned to others. The borrower of record may be held financially responsible for any lost or damaged items.
Renewals may be requested via telephone or e-mail. Borrowers are responsible for all return shipping costs. Materials should be returned via UPS, FedEx, or USPS, Insured Mail with Delivery Confirmation. When using insured mail, please insure each package for at least $100.00. The Library reserves the right to recall any item prior to its due date.
Collection development policy
The Collection Development Policy outlines the scope and focus of the NCSC Library collection. The Digital Collection Development Policy supports the Library's continuing efforts to enhance the accessibility of digital resources through eCollection. The Digital Collection Development supplements the Collection Development Policy.
Contact the Library at library@ncsc.org or 757-259-1823 with any questions.