Services

Reference Assistance

Reference assistance is available during the academic year Monday-Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Users should seek reference assistance from the librarian on duty at the reference desk during those times.

If the reference desk is not open, ask about reference services at the circulation desk or e-mail reference requests to lawrefdesk@richmond.edu.

Online Catalog

All University of Richmond libraries share an integrated catalog that unifies collection and circulation information. Catalog workstations are located throughout the library-near the main entrance, near the stairs on the main floor, and on each floor of the library.

The library maintains a public access terminal for patrons' use. Access to Virginia materials, federal materials, and Key Cite is available via a limited Westlaw subscription.

Circulation of Library Resources

Loan periods depend on the status of the borrower. Most circulating material may be checked out for four weeks; video movies only circulate for three days.

Materials may be renewed once. Renewal may be accomplished in person at the library, over the telephone during regular business hours, or online by the user.

Users qualifying for free library cards include all University of Richmond students, faculty, staff, alumni, members of the judiciary, and practicing attorneys. Area students may obtain limited borrowing privileges through their home libraries. Businesses and members of the public may purchase a library card.

The following types of library materials do not circulate:

• Reporters and codes (primary materials)
• Reference materials and finding aids
• Microforms
• Looseleaf services
• Periodicals
• Special Collections materials

Reserve Materials

A collection of frequently used resources is kept on permanent reserve at the circulation desk. Included in this collection are all current hornbooks, casebooks for courses being taught during the current semester, selected Virginia materials, and titles in the West Nutshell series. The online catalog will indicate when an item is located on reserve.

Materials also are placed on reserve for current courses and student organizations. Course reserve items include electronic items as well as photocopied materials on the reserve shelves. The "Course Reserves" tab of the online catalog allows the user to locate materials on reserve for particular courses.

Materials on reserve circulate for use only within the library. The loan period for reserve items is either two or four hours, depending on the expected demand for the particular item. Electronic reserve items are accessed via the online catalog and the user must log in as an authorized user.

Study Rooms

There are five newly renovated study rooms in the library basement available for group study.  They are identified as L2, L3, L4, L5, and L6.  All are equipped with a large screen to connect a laptop for group display.  Four rooms seat up to 5 people.  L4 is a large room that will accommodate 14 people.  Students may reserve them for up to four hours and one week in advance.  The lights in the study rooms are motion activated; there are no light switches.  Click on the link to access the reserve system.  Pick up keys to the study rooms at the Circulation Desk.

Exam File

Created and maintained by the law library staff, the exam file gives you access to numerous exams administered at Richmond Law in the past.  Access is limited to computers accessing the site within the University of Richmond network or via VPN.

LexisNexis, Westlaw, and Fastcase

Contractual limitations imposed on law schools by LexisNexis and Westlaw limit access to these systems to current law students, law faculty, and library personnel. Public patrons have access to a limited version of Westlaw via the public access terminal located on the first floor in the reference area.

Librarians provide training in computer-assisted research to all first year students as part of their Lawyering Skills course. Upper-class students in need of advanced training should contact the deputy director concerning the possibility of special sessions or attend a scheduled Westlaw and LexisNexis training session.

Fastcase offers access to a computer-assisted research system that has been selected by the Virginia State Bar and bar associations in other states as a research service for attorneys licensed in those states.

Virginia Collection

The library maintains an extensive collection of materials specific to Virginia law, including monographs on specific topics, reports for Virginia state courts, Virginia statutes and administrative materials, as well as various indices to Virginia law. The Virginia materials are shelved in the KFV classification on the first floor of the library.

Library Publications

The library's Reference and Research Services Department periodically prepares annotated bibliographies and legal research guides for library users. Individual copies are available in the displays near the reference desk. The Reference and Research Services Department also publishes the Museletter-a newsletter designed to inform students and faculty of library news and services.

Interlibrary Loans

Law faculty and students who need books or articles from periodicals not held in the law library collection may make a request using our online interlibrary loan system. As a participant in a national online interlibrary loan network, the library has access to resources of hundreds of law and non-law libraries nationwide and often can obtain requested materials rapidly.  For more information on interlibrary loans see our interlibrary loan page.

Photoduplication

The law library's photocopiers are available daily from the time the library opens until 15 minutes before closing. Photocopiers, located on the main floor, operate only with copy cards. Users may purchase copy cards at a card machine near the copiers. The initial purchase of a copy card requires a $1 bill for a card that is loaded with a $0.50 credit. The card machine accepts $1, $5, $10, and $20 bills. Using a $10 or $20 bill will result in bonus value being added to the card. Change may be obtained at the circulation desk.

Hard copy prints and electronic scans of materials on microform are available through the use of the library's film/fiche reader/printers, located in the microform room. A copy card is required to obtain microform prints.

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