Library
Otago District Law Society Library and Research Services
The Otago District Law Society library is a private law library funded by members of the Society. It can be used by members, the Judiciary and Court staff.
The purpose of the library is to provide access to legal information for members and to ensure that members have the opportunity to be well informed about current developments in the law and the profession. There is no document delivery charge for ODLS members located out of Dunedin
The library provides ready access to a wide range of New Zealand primary sources (statutes, regulations, law reports, unreported judgments, treaties) and a representative selection of New Zealand secondary sources (looseleaf, official publications, textbooks, law journals, dictionaries and encyclopedias).
The collection also includes a selection of primary sources and secondary sources from Australia and Great Britain. A smaller selection of sources from other commonwealth countries and other New Zealand items of a more ephemeral nature are also collected.
The library’s working collection is located on the 2nd floor of the Mooney’s Building at 28 Lower Stuart Street. The historic collection is located in the Dunedin Courthouse.
The library employs a professional librarian and offers the following research and document delivery services to members of the profession.
Research
The library offers a comprehensive and prompt research service.
Staff time is charged at $60 per hour including GST ($20 minimum) for research.
Document Delivery
This includes delivery of judgements, sections of commentary or legislation where the requestor provides exact details of the material required (case name, textbook page etc).
Document delivery is charged at $10 per item including GST. The document delivery charge reverts to the research rate if extra work is required for any reason, for example, an incorrect citation is provided.
Other Charges
Copying or printing is $0.30 per page and there is a $2 minimum fax charge (Dunedin only, no fax charge for out of town members). There may also be costs involved in obtaining items such as unreported judgements from other libraries.
Training
We offer free training to assist members in using the library. Training covers an introduction to the library and the computer databases. Training is free.
Borrowing
Members may borrow any text, except Reserve texts and looseleafs, from the library for use outside the library for one week with the agreement of the Librarian or Secretary, as long the date, name of the borrower, contact details and the place where the books are to be used are specified clearly and legibly in the borrowing register kept on the computer table.
Requests can be made via fax, phone or e-mail to the Librarian, Sam Wells. Phone: 03 4770596
Fax: 03 474 1886
E-mail: library@odls.org.nz
The library rules are approved by the Society’s Council.
Opening hours are 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Members can purchase after hours access tags.
The Librarian’s hours are 9.00 am to 12.00 pm, Monday to Friday.
Contact the library
Sam Wells
Librarian
Private Bag 1901
Dunedin
Phone: 03 477 0596
Fax: 03 474 1886
E-mail: library@odls.org.nz
OTAGO DISTRICT LAW SOCIETY LIBRARY RULES
1. RIGHTS OF ADMISSION
1.1 The following persons shall have the right to use the Otago District Law Society’s current library in the Mooney’s building ("the library"):
- Judges
- The Registrar & Deputy Registrars of the High Court and of the District Court.
- Members of the Otago District Law Society ("The Law Society").
- Members of other District Law Societies who are the holders of current practising certificates.
- Clerks to members of the Law Society for the purposes of their employers.
- The Dean, Professors and Lecturers of the Law School of the University of Otago.
- Students enrolled at the University of Otago who have obtained prior permission from the Secretary or the Librarian who must be satisfied that there is a bone fide reason for use of the library.
- Any other person authorised by the Secretary of the Law Society either indefinitely or for a specified period provided that such person has made a written request setting out the reasons for the use and providing a written request that the person be allowed to used the library is received by the Secretary from a member of the Otago District Law Society.
1.2 Any person's right to use the library may be withdrawn by the Council of the Law Society either indefinitely or for a specified period.
2. HOURS
2.1 The library shall be open from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday (the library hours).
2.2 Every person who has the right to use the library may obtain from the Secretary or Librarian and upon payment of such charges as may be fixed from time to time a tag that provides access to the library door and street door.
2.4 Any person using the library outside the library hours, shall on leaving it:
- Be responsible for seeing that all lights and all heaters are turned off.
- Be responsible for seeing the premises are securely locked.
3. HISTORIC LIBRARY
3.1 Persons with the right to use the library may also use the Historic Library in the Courthouse for research and study purposes.
3.2 Every person with the right to use the library may obtain from the Secretary or Librarian and upon payment of such charges as may be fixed from time to time a swipe card providing access to the Historic Library door.
3.3 Any person using the Historic Library shall on leaving it be responsible for seeing that all lights are turned off and that the premises are securely locked.
3.4 Members of the public may visit the Historic Library on approved tours accompanied by a guide authorised by the Historic Library Management Committee. Tour guides shall ensure that visitors minimise disruption to persons using the Historic Library.
4. USE OF BOOKS
4.1 Except as hereafter provided, books including all volumes and periodicals shall not be removed from the library.
4.2 Members of the Law Society and other district Law Societies may take any books from the library for use in a Court in Dunedin.
4.3 Members of the Law Society and other Librarians may take any text, except Reserve texts and looseleafs, from the library for use outside the library for one week with the agreement of the Librarian or Secretary.
4.4 Members of the Law Society and other Librarians may take any book from the Lending Collection from the Historic Library for use outside the library with the agreement of the Librarian or Secretary and any other book from the Historic Library with the agreement of the Historic Library Management Committee.
4.5 All books removed from the library and Historic Library shall be recorded in the Register provided with the date, name of the borrower, contact details and the place where the books are to be used specified clearly and legibly.
4.6 A member or librarian removing a book from the library or Historic Library:
- Accepts responsibility for its prompt return in good condition.
- Undertakes to return the book immediately if requested to do so by the Librarian or Secretary.
4.7 Persons wanting to use books in the Historic Library shall seek guidance from the Secretary or Librarian about appropriate care and handling of these books.
4.8 All provisions of the Copyright Act must be observed.
5. GENERAL
5.1 Persons using the library and Historic Library shall be responsible for books and computers being kept in good condition.
5.2 Subject to clause 6.3 below, silence shall be observed in the library and Historic Library at all times.
5.3 Management of the library is the responsibility of the Library Management Committee, provided that any spending be authorised by the Law Society Council.
5.4 Management of the Historic Library is the responsibility of the Historic Library Management Committee, provided that any spending be authorised by the Law Society Council
5.5 The Law Society Council, Library Management Committee or Historic Library Management Committee may at any time withdraw any permission granted under these rules.
5.6 No smoking is permitted in the library or Historic Library.
6. MEETINGS
6.1 No meetings shall be held in the library.
6.2 Meetings may be held in the Mooneys meeting room by prior arrangement with the Secretary.
6.3 Meetings may be held in the Historic Library by prior arrangement with the Secretary and upon payment of any charges as fixed by the Council.
7. ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES
7.1 It shall be the duty of Members of the Law Society, the Librarian and the Secretary of the Law Society to report any breach of these rules to the Library Management Committee or Historic Library Management Committee who shall decide whether the matter shall be referred to the Council of the Law Society.
7.2 Breach of the library rules shall constitute misconduct for the purposes of Rule 33 of the Rules of the Otago District Law Society.
Approved by the Otago District Law Society Council 2004
