Law Library Mission Statement. The Butler County Law Library serves the legal and law-related information needs of statutory users, including judges, county and municipal officials, in the conduct of official business in Butler County. Members of the local bar and other county residents are welcome to use the law library for the purpose of conducting legal research.
Library Services to Members of the Public. Public patrons ought not expect county law library staff members to answer their legal questions; they are prohibited by law from doing so because that would be an unauthorized practice of law. County law library staff members are available to provide directional assistance by showing members of the public which library materials may help patrons answer their legal questions and how those materials may be used, but staff members can go no further. Members of the general public may also be restricted to using certain legal materials in specific formats because of library policies and licensing agreements.
Lending Library Materials. Except for statutory users and local attorneys who have library privileges, the Law Library's collection is for reference purposes only; materials do not circulate but public patrons can make photocopies for a reasonable fee.
Schedule of Fees
Photocopies: 10 cents per page
Computer print-outs: 10 cents per page
Interlibrary Loans: Expenses associated with obtaining interlibrary loan materials charged by the lending library shall be charged to the patron making the request at cost.
Library Fees Exemptions & Discounts. Any member of the general assembly or any officer or employee of a county, municipal, or township government or court located within Butler County when the officer or employee is acting within the scope of the officer’s or employee’s employment is exempt from paying the above fees for library services. Certain fee discounts apply to participants of the Law Library Practitioners Program based on the terms and conditions of the Program.
Computer Services & Internet Use in the Law Library. Computer services, including but not limited to the use of library computers, software applications, access to the Internet, and use of electronic resources and services, are limited to statutory users and participants of the Law Library Practitioners Program.
Because of the risk of computer viruses, law library patrons may not use their own software programs on any law library computer. The Butler County Law Library Resources Board is not responsible for any loss of data, damage to a patron's computer, or liability that may occur from patron use of the law library's computers.
Law Library Patrons with Disabilities. The Butler County Law Library Resources Board is strongly committed to maintaining an environment that guarantees law library patrons with disabilities full access to library services and resources. Patrons with disabilities who need accommodations or other specialized services will receive reasonable accommodations to meet their individual needs. In some instances, such as the provision of adaptive equipment, advance notice may be required. Please contact the Law Library Administrator, Kristy Wells (513-887-3455 or e-mail).
Unauthorized Practice of Law. Because of the ethical and legal implications surrounding the unauthorized practice of the law, Law Library staff shall not engage in the following activities: perform legal research; answer a legal question; advise any patron on the status of the law on a particular issue; recommend that any patron contact a particular attorney; explain legal procedure, court rules or jurisdiction; interpret the text of a statute, legal opinion or administrative regulation; recommend the use of any legal or court form; or read statutes, regulations, court rules, or extended passages from other sources over the phone.
Information Use Disclaimer. Information made available in the Law Library or through the Internet from the Law Library's website is not warranted by the Butler County Law Library or by the Butler County Law Library Resources Board to be accurate, authoritative, factual, or complete. The availability of such information does not constitute any endorsement or ratification of that information. The Butler County Law Library and the Butler County Law Library Resources Board are not responsible for the content of resources provided to patrons.
All users of library resources and services agree to hold the Butler County Law Library and the Butler County Law Library Resources Board harmless from any and all claims, losses, damages, obligations, or liabilities directly or indirectly relating to the use of provided information caused thereby or arising therefrom. In no event shall the Butler County Law Library or the Butler County Law Library Resources Board have any liability for lost profits or for indirect, special, punitive, or consequential damages or any liability to any third party, even if the Butler County Law Library or the Butler County Law Library Resources Board is advised of the possibility of such damages.