Research and library instruction

Course related instruction and lectures

Faculty can schedule library research lectures for their courses. Lectures can be general or topical, with or without accompanying research assignments. The librarians have created several research guides tailored to researching the law on particular topics. Feel free to request similar research guides to supplement classroom instruction. Faculty interested in scheduling a research lecture or research guide should contact their library liaison directly with as much lead time as possible (at least three weeks). For more information or to schedule instruction please contact Stephanie Wilson, Associate Director of Reference Services and Outreach.

Library liaisons

All career faculty, visiting faculty, and deans have a library liaison, a professional librarian who serves as the faculty member's primary contact person in the library. Library liaisons are responsible for working with faculty on their instructional and other scholarly needs. There is a list of library liaison contacts in the sidebar of this page.

Reference and research assistance

Reference librarians assist the faculty in their scholarly work. Reference librarians are available during scheduled reference department hours, by appointment, or via email. Reference librarians provide help and guidance in locating and using library resources effectively, in suggesting sources for further study and research, and in connecting users with information outside the library. In addition, the librarians will gladly train and work with faculty research assistants to help them formulate strategies for assignments and projects.

Tours

Reference librarians are available to give individual or group library tours to faculty members, their classes, or visitors. Library tours can range from informational to instructional and can be general or tailored to a specific area of interest. To schedule a library tour, contact Stephanie Wilson, Associate Director of Reference Services and Outreach. Please schedule instructional tours at least two weeks in advance to allow adequate preparation time for review of materials and completion of handouts.

Borrowing and locating materials

Borrowing - Faculty and adjunct faculty

Please checkout all material before removing it from the library and contact circulation staff for more specific information on loan periods, overdue notices, and fines/replacement charges.

Library materials can be returned to the Circulation Desk during regular business hours or left on the book truck near the faculty administrative assistants on the 4th floor.

Course reserves

A variety of materials including books, photocopies of articles, and chapters of books can be placed on course reserve for required classroom use, subject to Seattle University Copyright Policy. Please view the Instructions for Placing Items on Course Reserve page for additional information or contact the Circulation/Resource Sharing Manager.

Database usage

The law library subscribes to many specialized legal databases. In addition, Lemieux Library subscribes to many non-legal databases. Contact the reference desk or your library liaison for help using our databases.

Use of law library databases may be subject to restrictions. Information on access restrictions is available through the Databases page. For further information, contact lawreference@seattleu.edu.

Exams

The Law Library does not have a collection of recent course exams. Some professors place copies of prior exams on their TWEN or Canvas site. For more resources on exam taking, contact a reference librarian or consult the following:

Interlibrary loans - Faculty and adjunct faculty

Interlibrary loans will be placed in faculty mailboxes upon receipt. The lending library establishes the loan period. For renewals, please notify the ILL staff at least three days before the due date listed on the item. Renewals are granted at the discretion of the lending library. Not all renewals are honored.

Return ILL material to the Circulation Desk or place on the reshelving truck near the faculty secretaries on the 4th floor.

ILL material is occasionally recalled by the lending library before its due date. The library will notify the borrower when a recall is in effect. Please return the material promptly.

While the library makes every effort to secure ILL materials at no or low cost, requests for materials incurring significant charges are subject to review.

Purchase suggestions

The library welcomes recommendations for additions to the library collection in support of curricular needs, research and scholarship. Purchase requests should be directed to Kara Phillips, Law Library Director. Detailed information about the title, author, publisher, price and edition is greatly appreciated. Acquisitions and collection development require balancing of financial resources, curriculum needs and long-term collection viability. Because financial resources are limited, acquisition decisions must be made with this balancing in mind.

Computers and copying

Computers and laptops

Those without laptops may use library computers to access the library's online resources.

Laptops may be used throughout the library. All carrels and tables in the library are wired with power as well as data connections for access to the law school network and the Internet. Questions about laptops, network information, printing, and email accounts should be directed to the technology staff.

Internet access

Internet access is available to faculty, staff and current students. Questions about laptops, network information, printing, and email accounts should be directed to the technology staff.

Bloomberg Law, Lexis, and Westlaw

Bloomberg Law, Lexis and Westlaw are available to law students, faculty and staff through the library's educational contracts with the companies. Review the user agreements with each system for additional information.

Bloomberg Law, Lexis and Westlaw require registration and passwords. Students receive registration information during orientation or from the reference desk during the year. Faculty and staff can obtain passwords from lawreference@seattleu.edu.

Bloomberg Law, Lexis and Westlaw instruction for students is initially provided during their first year; advanced and refresher courses for all students are scheduled throughout the year. For training, ask at the reference desk or contact the vendor representatives:

Photocopying - Faculty

Faculty administrative assistants or research assistants are responsible for photocopying any material faculty require for classroom or personal use. Administrative assistants must check out material at the Circulation Desk for copying in the faculty offices.

Other useful information

Gifts

The library welcomes gifts appropriate for the collection from the faculty. Gift materials are accepted if they conform to collection development and selection guidelines. Please contact Kara Phillips, Law Library Director.

Library Liaisons