Hugh & Hazel Darling Law Library

Hugh & Hazel Darling Law Library is the primary legal research facility for the UCLA School of Law and the broader University of California, Los Angeles community. Opened in 1997, it is one of the largest academic law libraries in the Western United States, supporting the research and instructional missions of its parent institution. The library is named for major benefactors Hugh Darling and Hazel Darling, whose philanthropy was instrumental in its construction and endowment.

History

The library's origins are intertwined with the founding of the UCLA School of Law in 1949, with initial collections housed in the university's Powell Library. As the law school grew in stature under deans like William Warren, the need for a dedicated, modern facility became paramount. A significant gift from Hugh Darling, a prominent Los Angeles attorney and philanthropist, and his wife Hazel Darling enabled the construction of a new building. The facility opened in 1997, consolidating the law library's holdings and establishing a state-of-the-art center for legal education. Subsequent donations, including a major bequest from the Darlings, have continued to enhance its collections and technological capabilities.

Collections and services

The library maintains a comprehensive collection of approximately 600,000 volumes and volume equivalents, with particular strength in California and United States federal law. Its holdings include extensive materials on international law, comparative law, and specialized areas such as entertainment law, environmental law, and critical race theory. As a selective depository for United States government documents, it provides access to key legislative and regulatory materials. Services include in-depth reference assistance, specialized legal research instruction, and access to major databases like Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Bloomberg Law. The library also supports the UCLA School of Law's clinical programs, including the Elwyn Institute and the Immigration Law Clinic.

Architecture and location

The library is centrally located within the UCLA School of Law's complex in the northwestern part of the UCLA campus, adjacent to other key facilities like the UCLA Medical Center. The building, designed by the architecture firm Morphosis, is noted for its modernist design featuring expansive glass walls, open reading rooms, and a prominent four-story atrium. Its architecture facilitates both collaborative study and quiet research, with numerous group study rooms and individual carrels. The location provides students and faculty with proximity to other major campus resources, including the Charles E. Young Research Library and the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Governance and administration

The library operates under the auspices of the UCLA School of Law and is integrated into the broader University of California library system. It is led by a Director of Law Library, who reports to the Dean of the law school, a position held by notable legal scholars such as Jennifer Mnookin. The library's staff includes expert reference librarians, technical services specialists, and archivists. Policy and strategic direction are influenced by faculty committees and the law school's administration, ensuring alignment with the academic priorities set by institutions like the Association of American Law Schools. Funding derives from university allocations, endowment income managed by the UCLA Foundation, and annual gifts.

Notable features and programs

A distinctive feature is the Hugh and Hazel Darling Foundation Reading Room, a grand, light-filled space dedicated to silent study. The library houses several special collections, including the archives of the California Law Review and papers from notable California Supreme Court justices. It is a leader in digital initiatives, hosting the UCLA Law Review and other student journals online. The library actively participates in the Southern California Association of Law Libraries and hosts events like the S. Gale Dick Lecture series. Its instruction program is integral to the law school's curriculum, teaching advanced legal research methodologies to students pursuing careers in firms like O'Melveny & Myers or public interest organizations.