Policies

Borrowing/Circulation Policy

All patrons have access to the Law Library's full print collection. Archival materials, microforms, loose-leaf materials, session laws, codes, digests, etc. may not be removed from the Law School building. To check out an item, please visit the Circulation Desk or any of the self-checkout machines located on Levels 1, 1A, 2, and 3. Please return or renew items prior to their due date and promptly return items when recalled. Adjustments to circulation periods may occur during exam periods, holidays and academic breaks.

Loan Periods 

General Collection (Levels 1A & 1), Federal Documents (Level 1A), History Room (Level 2), and Career Strategy, Biographies, Escape Hatch, New Faculty Publications, and New Titles (Level 3):

• Faculty and Staff: 365 days with two automatic renewals
• Students: 90 days with two renewals
• Local Patrons: 28 days with two renewals

Reserve Room and Bar Collection (Level 3): 48 hours with two renewals

Main Reading Room Materials (Level 3A): 48 hours with two renewals

Note: If a student has overdue items checked out, no additional library materials may be circulated until previous items have been returned or renewed.

Overdue Materials

Failure to return library materials will generate a Final Notice, at which point the replacement cost of the item is due. If the item is returned, the replacement cost will be waived. If circumstances prevent the timely return of materials, please contact Milea Webb at MWebb@wlu.edu or 540-458-8552.

Electronic Databases

Access to electronic databases is governed by license agreements with the associated providers. Access to many databases is available to all users who are physically located on the W&L campus at the time of access. Access to Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Bloomberg Law is only available via individual passwords issued to law faculty and staff and law students upon arrival. These passwords are valid for a term of three years for law students, or for the term of employment for law faculty and staff, subject to limitations.

Maintaining a Clean and Quiet Law Library

The Law Library is an open study space. Please be respectful of others and keep volumes at a reasonable level; noise in the building will carry. Pay attention to areas that are designated as quiet spaces.

"Stacking" is the practice of leaving library and/or study materials in a common library space. Stacking is discouraged in all open library areas and is prohibited in the Reserve Room and study rooms. Do not leave materials overnight. The Law Library is not responsible for your personal items, and leaving food items is prohibited at all times in all locations.