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Borrowing and locating materials

Computers and copying

Other useful information

  • CLE resources

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.

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 and fines do accrue. 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.

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 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/reference desks.

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.

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.

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.

Routing

Contact Kate Emery, Technical Services and Archivist, for routing. In the case of popularly requested titles, a copy of table of contents may be substituted.

Computers and copying

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.