Ask a librarian

Appointments

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

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 the Faculty Services page.

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 Law Library - Research assistants

Generally, if you are using the materials for research preparation, you should borrow the materials in your own name. You will be responsible for materials checked out in your own name, including returning materials on time (overdue notices will go directly to you) and in good condition.

Borrowing from Lemieux Library - Research assistants

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.

To borrow books for a faculty member at Lemieux, you will need a letter printed on School of Law letterhead, signed by the faculty member, which states as follows: "Please allow my research assistant, [name], to check out books and materials on my behalf at the Lemieux Library." Take the letter to the Lemieux Library Circulation Desk where it will be placed on file. When checking out materials, indicate that you are an RA and you are borrowing the material on behalf of a faculty member who has a permission letter on file.

Please see Lemieux Library's borrowing policies for more information.

Borrowing from UW - Research assistants

To borrow a book from UW, request it through Summit. Because UW charges $15 or more per article for document delivery, RAs should plan on copying articles on site at the UW libraries. Purchase a copy card from a UW Copy Center (Odegaard Undergraduate Library, Health Sciences Library, or Foster Business Library) that sells cards and provides a receipt. (Do not purchase the card from a dispensing machine as receipts are not provided!) Submit the receipt to the Law School Business Office for reimbursement.

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.

Database usage

The law library subscribes to many specialized legal databases. In addition, Lemieux Library subscribes to many non-legal databases. Contact the reference department 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 a reference librarian.

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 - Research assistants

Research assistants should use the photocopy machines in the faculty offices to copy material. Contact your faculty member's administrative assistant about photocopying procedures. Please remember to check out the material before removing it from the Law Library for photocopying. In the event that faculty offices are closed, contact the Law Library Circulation Desk for other options. To make copies on the Law Library microform printers, notify the Law Library Circulation desk of the number of copies made and for which faculty member.

Printing - Research assistants

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 and 3rd floor of the library.

To avoid print charges to your student print account, coordinate with your faculty member's secretary on printing materials.