LEGAL DOCUMENTATION AND LIBRARY SERVICES DIVISION
Vision
The Library envisions adequate provision of updated reading resources, both in print and non-print, primarily for the use of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) constituents. With the availability of such and the effective organization of these materials, optimal delivery of service is expected to be attained.
Mission
The Library acquires materials and develops its collections on the basis of the DOJ’s institutional objectives. These materials are processed and organized and made available to the clientele. As a legal information provider, the Library renders impartial service to all users, given the right material at the right time.
I. BORROWING RIGHTS OF OFFICIALS AND PERMANENT EMPLOYEES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DEPARTMENT)
1. Borrowed books made by officials and employees shall bear no deadline for return. These materials may stay with them unbtil recalled, if necessary.
2. There is no limit to the number of books to be borrowed by officials and employees.
3. The staff who is tasked to obtain the books to be borrowed on behalf of any Prosecutor/State Counsel or other lawyers shall indicate the name of the subject borrower plus the name of the staff who facilitated the task.
4. Materials may be subject to recall if needed by the next user. Recall may be made after considering that sufficient time has lapsed using the material(s).
5. Material(s) borrowed shall be recorded in the Library’s Google book spreadsheets and shall then again be struck out when returning the same.
6. Material(s) to be returned shall also be recorded in the Return log book and may be countersigned by the borrower themselves.
II. BORROWING PRIVILEGES OF STUDENT-EMPLOYEES (UNDER PLANTILLA) IN THE DEPARTMENT
1. Student-employees may borrow a maximum of two (2) titles at a time, depending if the book is in-demand or not, or if there more copies or not, subject to renewal after 3 weeks and subject to immediate recall when needed more by the legal community.
2. Materials borrowed are due in 3 weeks and may be renewed by the borrower (also for a period of 3 weeks, depending on the demand and number of existing copies of such materials.
3. All borrowed materials are subject to recall and the student-employee shall promptly return the same, if and when other users need the material(s).
4. Material(s) borrowed shall be recorded in the Library’s Google book spreadsheet records and shall again be struck out when returning the same.
5. Material(s) to be returned shall also be recorded in the Return log book and may be countersigned by the borrower themselves.
III. BORROWING PRIVILEGES OF JOB ORDER (JO) PERSONNEL IN THE DEPARTMENT
1. “Job Order personnel” refers to all contractual employees whether students or not.
2. In general, Job Order student-employees are not allowed to borrow materials from the Library. However, they may borrow using the name of their head of office to be listed as the borrower, after securing permission, to be confirmed by the Librarian. The head of office shall be the one to sign the book card, if ever.
3. Using the name of the head of office, Job Order student-employees may borrow two (2) titles at a time and may use the material(s) until a period of 2 weeks and renewed thereafter, unless said materials are needed by other borrowers, or depending if the book is in-demand or not or if there more copies or not.
4. All borrowed materials are subject to recall and the user shall promptly return the same if there are other users who need the material(s).
5. If disallowed to borrow, Job Order student-employees may however do the book reading in the Library and may also photocopy the material up to 20% of the book.
6. Material (s) borrowed shall be recorded in the Library’s Google book spreadsheet records and shall again be struck out when returning the same.
7. Material(s) to be returned shall also be recorded in the Return log book and may be countersigned by the borrower themselves.
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*In general, external researchers refer to non-Department of Justice (DOJ) personnel. This includes those coming from DOJ-attached agencies, other government agencies and private offices and individuals.
Request of External Researchers* to Use the Library and Its Resources
1. Due to the Library’s very limited space and facilities, the Library is constrained to refuse external researchers’ request to physically use the Library and its resources. (However, this excludes guests and others having official business in the Department).
2. DOJ-attached agency researchers may just do inquiries but are not allowed to use the physical resources of the Library or even use the Library for any reading opportunity.
3. Request of outsider-students thru email shall be referred to the FOI or the RMS as the case maybe, depending on the nature of the query. Telephone inquiries are also being entertained from outsiders.
4. Legal opinion requests made by government agencies thru email may be answered and provided directly if the query is not confidential in nature.
5. Other queries from private individuals pertaining to Department issuances, legal opinions, etc. shall be coursed thru the FOI or the RMS as the case maybe, depending on the nature of the query.
Adopted by the Library on June 26, 2023.
