Law Library Information: Policies

Access | Circulation | Collection Development | Conduct | Interlibrary Loan | Special Collections

All users are required to abide by the library's policies and may be requested to formally sign in upon arrival.

Access Policy

The Law Library exists primarily to serve the needs of students, faculty and staff of the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. However, the library collection is also available to other University of Arizona faculty, staff and students, local bar and bench, and members of the general public with a legitimate legal research need.

Some library resources, such as the computer lab, digital materials, audio/visual materials and study rooms are available only to current law students.

Materials on Reserve may be checked out for two hours (library use only) by all library users. Law students will need to show their current University of Arizona ID (CatCard). Patrons without College of Law affiliation may be asked to leave either a University ID, bar card, driver's license or other valid form of identification at the Reserve Desk.

All users are required to abide by the library's Conduct Policy and may be requested to formally sign in upon arrival.

Admission to the library is during regularly scheduled hours only.

Circulation Policies

Everyone is welcome to visit the Law Library and use the materials and services available here. Most of the materials in the College of Law Library, however, do not circulate. Volumes of multi-volume sets and looseleaf materials do not circulate, for instance. Generally, only single volume, permanently bound treatises circulate to authorized borrowers (U of A faculty, graduate students, and staff). Members of the general public do not have checkout privileges but are welcome to use the Law Library and reference services for their legal research needs. Members of the local bar and local Law College alumni are eligible for a Law Library Community User Card allowing them to check out circulating materials. Obtaining a Law Library Community User Card requires completion of an application form.

The loan period of circulating materials is 30 days. Two 30-day renewals are allowed. All checked-out items are subject to recall at any time. Renewals can be made through the "My Account" portion of the library's online catalog.

Although the Law Library does not impose fines, items are expected to be returned by the date due. A block on your borrowing privileges will be placed on your account and a replacement fee of $105 may be imposed for unreturned items. Adjustments will be made when items are returned.

Materials in the Reserve Collection may be checked out for two hours for use in the library by all library patrons. Members of the University community must present their CatCard. Patrons without University affiliation will be asked to leave a valid form of official identification at the Reserve Desk as surety until the item is returned.

Official visitors to the University must abide by the current procedures for library privileges appropriate to their status.

The Law Library reserves the right to revoke circulation privileges for anyone abusing these privileges or refusing to follow library policies.

Collection Development Policy

The Law Library has a collection development policy to guide the acquisition of materials and the maintenance of the collection.

Conduct Policy

The College of Law premises are not a place of unrestricted public access. The use of the College of Law is restricted to faculty and students of the College of Law and to others who have a specific legal research need. (Arizona Board of Regents Policy Manual, Section 7-201; Resolution Adopted by the College of Law Faculty 8/29/94)

Users of the College of Law Library expect to have:

• Access to a wide array of library materials in their entirety and in unmarked condition
• An atmosphere conducive to study and research

To ensure a pleasant and productive environment for study and research for all users, the Library Conduct Policy expects all users to refrain from the following activities:

• Removing or attempting to remove library materials or property without formal check-out or other authorization
• Consuming food within the library
• Smoking or using smokeless tobacco within the library
• Mutilating library materials by marking, underlining, removing pages, or damaging or defacing them in any other way
• Preempting or limiting the availability of materials to other users in any way
• Leaving books, materials, or personal property on tables or carrels when leaving the library for any extended period. All personal belongings should be taken with you when exiting the library. All library materials in unreserved carrels will be shelved daily.
• Engaging in disruptive behavior or activities (audible use of pagers, cellular phones, and dictation equipment; rowdiness; noise; inappropriate sexual behavior)
• Personal use of public access computers
• Being in unauthorized areas of the library or remaining in the library after closing or when requested to leave (emergency situations and drills included)
• Bringing in firearms or other weapons
• Bringing in personal belongings not essential to the research undertaking (bedrolls, blankets, frame backpacks or large duffel bags, etc.)
• Bathing in or other misuse of restrooms
• Bringing in animals or pets (except for service animals as defined in 28 C.F.R. §36.104)

Misuse of the library is a violation of Section 5-303, Prohibited Conduct of the Arizona Board of Regent’s Code of Conduct. The library will actively pursue disciplinary action, prosecution or other legal action for above offenses.

Persons who commit, or attempt to commit, offenses stated in the Code of Conduct and the Library Conduct Policy, whether a member of the University community or not, may be asked to leave the campus and may be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Interlibrary Loan Service (ILL)

Interlibrary loan service at the Law Library is limited to College of Law faculty, students and staff. The Main Library provides excellent interlibrary loan services to University of Arizona faculty, staff and students. Other patrons must use the interlibrary loan service provided by their public library or other library with which they are affiliated.

Faculty ILL Request Form (UA Law faculty only)

Student/Staff ILL Request Form (UA Law students & staff only)

Special Collections

Special Collections materials are available by appointment only, Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Appointments may be made by calling 520.621.5455. Special Collections materials do not circulate.

Before using Special Collections materials, the patron must provide a picture ID, such as a driver’s license or a University of Arizona CatCard, and complete a Patron Request form. Only one Special Collections item may be used at a time. The patron will use materials at a location designated by the issuing librarian, and must use pencil only (or desktop computer) for transfer of information when using Special Collections materials. Photocopying is available when library staff determines that the process will not damage the materials. All photocopying will be done by library staff. The patron requiring photocopies will supply correct coins or a copy card.

Certain Special Collections materials, because of their rarity and/or physical condition, may not be available for use. Staff will make every effort to direct researchers to other copies of the materials in the University Library system, or to other sources for the materials.

Special Collections - Patron Use Guidelines:

• The patron will fill out a two-part Patron Request form for each title requested.
• The patron will provide a picture I.D., such as a driver's license or University of Arizona CatCard. This will be photocopied for a permanent record.
• Although more than one item may be requested from Special Collections, the patron may use only one item at a time.
• The patron will use pencil or computer only for note taking when using Special Collections materials.
• The patron will use materials at a location designated by the issuing librarian.
• Improper handling of materials, such as placing other objects on top of materials, may result in denial of future access to all materials.
• Special Collections materials do not circulate.
• Photocopying is available when library staff determine that the process will not damage the materials. All photocopying will be done by library staff. The patron requiring photocopies will supply correct coins or a copy card.
• Certain Special Collections materials, because of their rarity and/or physical condition, may not be available for use. Staff will make every effort to direct researchers to other copies of the materials in the University Library system, or to other sources for the materials.