Quicklinks

Ask a librarian

Borrowing and locating materials

Computers, copying, and printing

Other useful information

Ask a librarian

Appointments - Independent studies

Librarian assignments are determined by the Associate Director of Reference Services and Outreach based on the librarian's subject specialty, the faculty member supervising the independent study and librarian workload. Students who are pursuing independent studies should contact Stephanie Wilson, Associate Director of Reference Services and Outreach.

After you are assigned a research librarian, make an appointment. Your designated research librarian should sign your independent study form. At that point, you should set up a mutually convenient date and time to meet with your research librarian for a more formal research consultation.

Reference librarians are available either in the reference department or by appointment. Use the Law Library Staff directory to contact a librarian to schedule a convenient meeting time.

Reference department

The reference department offices are located in Reserve. See the library home page for specific hours. The reference department is staffed by experienced reference librarians who are available to answer questions about research, database searching, and library services. You can also contact a reference librarian by emailing lawreference@seattleu.edu.

Borrowing and locating materials

Borrowing from the Law Library

Search the law library catalog and check out materials with your ID card at the circulation desk on the second floor of the library or at the self-checkout machine at the circulation desk. Be sure to turn in materials on time as loan periods vary. See our borrowing policies.

Borrowing from Lemieux Library

Search the Lemieux Library catalog and check out materials with your ID card at the Lemieux Library circulation desk. Be sure to turn in materials on time as loan periods vary and as fines do accrue. See Lemieux Library's borrowing policies.

Casebooks

The library maintains one copy of each required first year casebook for two-hour check out (no overnight check outs) in the Reserve collection. The first year casebook collection is to be used for quick reference and is not intended to be a substitute for purchasing casebooks. The library does not purchase upper division course materials.

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:

Locations

Confused by all our different collections and locations? Consult our Locations Guide for help or ask for assistance at the circulation desk.

Micromedia materials

The Micromedia collection is located in Room 204 in Reserve. Microform materials are listed in the catalog as located in "Micromedia." The Microform Collection Guide indicates the specific cabinet drawer and tray. Microforms may only be used in the library. They may be viewed and/or printed on the microform reader printers in Room 204. Prints cost $0.10 per copy. Payment is made at the circulation desk.

Research a topic

Our law librarians maintain research guides on a variety of topics. Our guides provide student researchers with resources and strategies for effective research.

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 department 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, contact a reference librarian by emailing lawreference@seattleu.edu or contact the vendor representatives:

Photocopying and scanning

The library does not have an in-house copy center; patrons are responsible for their own scanning and photocopying. The library has one self-service scanner/copy machine located in Document Delivery Center on the 2nd floor. Ask for the code at the Circulation Desk. Cost for photocopies is $0.10 per side. Pay by cash or check (made out to Seattle University) at the Circulation Desk.

There is no charge for patrons scanning to email, but there is a limit of 20 pages per attachment. Longer documents must be scanned and sent in multiple attachments.

Contact the circulation staff if you encounter any problems with the copy machine. Circulation staff can add paper and fix minor paper jams but cannot repair the machine. Staff will place a service call if required.

Printing

The Document Delivery Center (DDC) is located next to the circulation desk. You can pick up your printouts at the DDC or at the printers located on the south (the flagpole) side of the 3rd floor of the library.

Other useful information

Topic selection

Current awareness sources like topical newsletters (e.g. BNA reports) and legal newspapers (e.g. National Law Journal) are very useful. See our Journal Staff Legal Research Guide, specifically Finding an Article Topic and Preemption Checks. You may also want to check out these useful books:

  • Scholarly Writing for Law Students, Reserve KF250.F34
  • Academic Legal Writing, Reserve KF250.V65