Law Library Services
Reference Assistance
Reference assistance is available during the academic year Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 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, users requiring reference assistance should inquire about availability of reference services at the Circulation Desk. Users also may email reference requests to lawrefdesk@richmond.edu.
Online Catalog
All of the libraries on the University of Richmond campus share an integrated catalog which unifies collection and circulation information. In addition to ownership information, the online catalog shows the availability of an item. If the item is checked out, the system shows the item's due date.
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 patron's use. Access to Virginia materials, federal materials and Key Cite is available via a limited Westlaw subscription.
Circulation
Some library materials may be checked out by library cardholders. 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
- Individual volumes from multi-volume sets
- 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 material on reserve for particular courses.
Material on reserve circulates 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 authorized user.
Photoduplication
The Law Library's photocopiers are available from opening to fifteen minutes before closing each day. The 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 costs 50 cents plus 50 cents value on the card. 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.
Interlibrary Loans
Law faculty and students who need books or articles from periodicals not held in the Law Library collection may request the materials from another library by contacting the Head of Access Services. As a participant in a national online interlibrary loan network, the library has access to the resources of hundreds of law and non-law libraries nationwide and often can obtain requested materials rapidly.
Computer Lab
A ten-station computer lab, designed to serve student needs and as a computer training center, is located on the library's first floor. The lab is available to current law students, authorized law school personnel and library staff only and is equipped with computers with Pentium processors, four laser jet printers, a scanner and dedicated Lexis and Westlaw printers. Unless the lab is being used for instructional purposes, students can use the computers for word processing, to review curriculum-supporting software programs,to access the Internet, email accounts and Lexis or Westlaw. Computer usage is generally on a first-come, first-serve basis. At times of peak demand, the library reserves the right to establish special reservation policies.
Law School Computer Network
The Law School's network allows students access to email, Blackboard for course-related materials, Lexis, Westlaw, the online catalog and other services. Students connect to the Law School network via hardwired connections in their carrels and in the classrooms or via wireless access throughout the building. Students may connect to the network from their homes as well.
LEXIS/WESTLAW
Contractual limitations imposed on law schools by Lexis 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 a 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 watch for notices about scheduled Westlaw and Lexis sessions.
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.
Robert R. Merhige, Jr. Special Collections Rare Books Room
The library's special collections include a number of rare volumes pertaining to the development of Anglo-American legal principles and most Virginia primary materials printed before 1866.
The library also houses the papers of the late Judge Robert R. Merhige, Jr. Judge Merhige, retired from the United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, and an alumnus and former adjunct professor at the Law School, presided over numerous prominent cases, including Richmond's school desegregation cases and the Dalkon shield products liability cases. The papers reflect his many professional and judicial activities from the 1940's through the 1990's.
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.
Group Study Rooms
There are seven group study rooms located in the basement and available for use by groups of two or more law students. The rooms are designed primarily for group study and research, but an individual student may use a study room if it is not being used by a group. Two of the study rooms are equipped with video and audio equipment for patron use. The library may restrict use of study rooms to groups at appropriate times such as examination periods. In order to use a study room, students must check out a key at the Circulation Desk.
Carrels
The library houses over 460 study carrels for student use. These carrels are generally equipped with a lockable cabinet, light, storage shelf, coat hook, two electrical outlets and a network connection. While all of the carrels have been assigned to law students, other patrons of the library may use unoccupied carrels for brief periods. For extended research sessions, patrons should use one of the work tables located throughout the library. For complete carrel policy information, students should refer to documents received at orientation.