Circulation Policy

The Law Library has a wide variety of materials available. Many items in the collection (case reporters, statutes, periodicals, looseleaf services, etc.) may not be checked out. The general policies for each type of material are enumerated below.

Treatises

Treatises are texts that provide substantial treatment and analysis of a broad area of law. The treatises in the Law Library are typically shelved on the 3rd and 4th floors. To determine if a treatise can be checked out, look at the listing for that book in the library catalog.

  • Circulation period: 42 days
  • One renewal allowed if no one is waiting for the book

Reserve

Reserve materials, located on the 2nd floor of the Law Library, include study aids, videotapes, faculty course reserves, practice aids (Washington Practice Series, Washington Lawyers Practice Manual, deskbooks and court rules), current RCWs and Washington State Session Laws, multi-volume works, looseleaf services, Restatements and formbooks and the Culp collection.

The catalog indicates when a resource is located in Reserve.

  • Circulation Period
    • 2 hours for most items
    • 24 hours for study aids
    • 7 days for special items as marked
  • One renewal allowed if no one is waiting for the book

Ready Reference

The Ready Reference area (wooden shelving directly behind the Reference Desk) contains general reference material, including indexes, directories and dictionaries. Use of those materials is limited to the reference area.

Research stations

Research stations are located in the Reserve area. They may be used to access the Law Library's research databases and for online legal research.

Micromedia Room

The Micromedia Room (Room 201M in Reserve) houses the Law Library’s collection of microforms (microfiche and microfilm). Microform holdings include international, federal, and state materials; bar journals; briefs from the U.S. Supreme Court, Washington State Supreme Court, and the Washington Court of Appeals; and much more.

Microform materials are listed in the catalog as located in "micromedia." The Micromedia Index in Room 201M organizes this collection by title and author and further indicates the cabinet drawer and tray in which a specific title may be found.

  • Circulation: Microforms may only be used in the Law Library
  • Microform reader/printer is available in Room 204

Fines and replacement charges

In accordance with HB 2513, Seattle University Law Library will no longer be collecting overdue fines. If you have an item that has been lost or stolen, you will still be responsible for replacement charges. For lost or stolen items, please reach out to lawcirc@seattleu.edu. For Summit/Interlibrary Loan materials, replacement fees are subject to the policies of the owning library. If a library item checked out to you is stolen, the Law Library will determine the appropriate course of action.