Dee J. Kelly Law Library > Using the Law Library > General Information

General Information

Change	Library Audio Tour	Reshelving Books
Computer Classroom	Lost & Found	Restrooms
Computer Lab	Microform Room	Special Collections Room
Copy Machines	Newspapers & Magazines	Study Carrels & Tables
Electronic Shelving	Noise in the Library	Study Rooms
Faxing	Paging	Suggestions & Comments
Food, Drink & Tobacco	Public & Catalog Terminals	Supplies
Gifts to the Library

Change

The law library does not have change. If you need change for the copy machines or for any other reason, use the change machine in the student lounge (2nd floor) or go to the business office (1st floor) or the bookstore (2nd floor).

Computer Classroom

The law library’s computer classroom is dedicated to training sessions that require each participant to have access to a computer. Access to the computer classroom is limited to current law students, faculty and staff. Users must swipe their law school ID to enter.

Computer Lab

The computer lab contains computers, a law school networked printer, a Lexis printer, and a Westlaw printer for use of current law school students. Users must swipe their law school ID to enter. The computers provide internet access, word processing software, and the research databases purchased by the law library. Printing to the law school networked printer is 10¢ per page and requires a copy card that can be purchased for $1 from the copy card dispenser in the photocopy room. Printing to the Lexis and Westlaw printers is free. The lab opens when the library opens and closes 30 minutes before the library closes.

Copy Machines

Copy machines are located in the photocopy room. In addition to providing copies, they are capable of scanning documents which are delivered to email in PDF format. Copies cost 10¢ per page, but scanning is free.

Copy cards may be purchased from the copy card dispenser located in the photocopy room. The copy card itself costs $1 and must be purchased with a $1 bill. After purchase, value may be added to the card with $1, $5, $10, and $20 bills.

The law library does not have change. Use the change machine in the student lounge (2nd floor) or go to the business office (1st floor) or bookstore (2nd floor). Neither the copy machines nor the library can accept checks or credit cards.

The copyright laws of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) govern the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Persons using the photocopiers are liable for any copyright infringement.

Please report copy machine malfunctions to the circulation clerk.

Electronic Compact Shelving

In order to maximize the space available for our collection, the law library uses an electronic compact shelving system. This system can be confusing to those unfamiliar with it. For safety information and instructions on how to operate the electronic shelving, please see this guide or ask a reference librarian for assistance.

Faxes

At this time, the law library cannot provide fax machines or faxing services for patrons.

Food, Drink and Tobacco Use Policy

Food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed in the library. Drinks must be in covered, non-spillable containers. Users must clean up after themselves and promptly report spills. All tobacco use is prohibited.

Gifts to the Law Library

The law library welcomes gifts. All gift material is reviewed and added to the collection if it supports the library’s research and teaching mission, and if the library does not already own it. If there is not an immediate need for the material, it may be stored for replacement of worn volumes. Material may also be given to other libraries. Some material may be recycled if it is otherwise unusable. The library may decline to accept large collections, unless accompanied by funds to cover processing costs. In order to receive an acknowledgment for tax purposes, a donor must provide a list of the titles and volumes. The law library does not provide appraisals of the value of gift material.

If you wish to discuss a potential donation to the law library, please contact the Director, Michelle Rigual at 817-212-3807, or Acquisitions and Collection Development Librarian, Wendy Law at 817-212-3808.

Library Audio Tour

An audio tour of the library in mp3 format is available for checkout at the circulation desk. This tour includes a tutorial of the online catalog and an optional accompanying worksheet. Faculty, students, and staff of the law school may check out the mp3 player by presenting a current law school ID card to the circulation clerk. Other patrons may check out the mp3 player by leaving a valid driver's license at the circulation desk.

Library Public and Catalog Computers

There are two computers located in the law library reading room, near the reference desk and two in the rear of the library. These computers are for legal research only. Printing is 10¢ per page and requires a copy card that can be purchased for $1 from the copy card dispenser in the photocopy room.

Lost and Found

A lost and found is maintained at the circulation desk. However, items of substantial value are taken to the business office. The law library is not responsible for articles turned into the lost and found or for articles left at the circulation desk for other patrons.

Microfiche/Microform Room

The law library has an extensive collection of materials in microfiche and microfilm format. These materials are located in the microform room near the back of the law library. The room contains reader/printers to view and print the microform. Printing from these printers is free.

Newspapers and Magazines

The law library maintains subscriptions to a variety of local and national newspapers and magazines. Current and recent issues of these periodicals are kept behind the circulation desk. If you would like to check out one of these items, please ask the circulation clerk for assistance.

Noise in the Library

The law library is a busy place. While users should be respectful of each other, silence is not a reasonable expectation. Those seeking a quiet study environment should use the quiet room. The library tends to be much quieter after 6:00 p.m. when reference service ends. Complimentary earplugs are always available at the circulation desk.

Paging

The law library does not have an internal pager system and cannot page library patrons. Clerks and librarians will not leave the circulation or reference desks to search for individual law library patrons unless there is an emergency.

Reshelving Books

Patrons are welcome to reshelve their own books if they wish. For those who are not comfortable reshelving their items, reshelving carts are placed around the law library. Simply leave your books on a cart and the library staff will reshelve them.

Restrooms

Restrooms are located in the rear of the law library. Follow the central aisle to the back of the law library; the restrooms are to the left.

Special Collections Room

Information & Policies:

The primary purpose of the Dee J. Kelly Law Library Special Collections Room is to provide access to the law library’s archival materials. Although archives generally have very restrictive policies, the Dee J. Kelly Law Library prefers to make the room available to the entire law school community for small meetings.

The Special Collections Room offers meeting space for 8 and is equipped with both wired and wireless internet connections, audio visual projection equipment, and conference call capability. Requestors must provide their own laptop or request that the Information Technology department set one up (IT Media Request Form).
The room is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Groups wishing to use the room must be sponsored by a School of Law faculty or staff member. It is not designed to be used as a study room or seminar room.

If the meeting will include attendees from outside the law school, please inform Security of their visit and familiarize guests with the law school’s parking and security procedures.
Refreshments are permitted but must be limited to light hors d’oeuvres and clear liquids and remain in the conference table area. Requestor is responsible for ensuring that all food and drink is picked up and that the room is clean at the end of the meeting.

To Reserve:

Contact Janis Betts by email or call 817-212-3826. Requestors will be asked to identify the event, its date and time, their affiliation with the law school, and their technology needs. If the room can be made available, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to the requestor.

Study Carrels and Tables

Study carrels and tables are located throughout the law library and are available on a first-come first-served basis. All books left on carrels or tables will be reshelved unless a signed, dated note is placed on the books asking that they be left in place. Even if a note is present, books left on tables or carrels will be reshelved after 24 hours. All of the seating provides electrical outlets for laptops and electronic devised and the library has a secured wireless network.

Study Rooms

There are nine group study rooms in the library. These rooms are for use by two or more law students who need a place for discussion or group study for a maximum of two hours. If a study room has only one occupant, the individual must yield the room if a group requests that they do so. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis unless the library reserves the room for an authorized academic purpose.

The law library does not permit “homesteading” in group study rooms. Homesteading occurs when the occupants of a study room leave their possessions in the room without physically being present in the room for 20 minutes or more. If this practice is brought to the attention of a law librarian, she may place a note on the door of the study room noting the current time. If after 20 minutes the occupants have not returned, then the law librarian will remove the personal items from the room. The room will then be turned over to the waiting students. The owners should see a law librarian for retrieval of their belongings.

The study rooms also include audiovisual equipment. This equipment may not be reserved, although students who need to use the AV equipment will be given priority over students who are not using it.

Suggestions and Comments

There is a suggestion box located on the pillar outside the photocopy room. If you have a comment or suggestion regarding the law library, please fill out a suggestion form and place it in this box. You may also fill out an online suggestion form and email it to library director, Michelle Rigual.

Supplies

The law library provides staplers and a 3-hole punch in the photocopy room. Other office supplies will not be provided, but may be purchased in the bookstore on the second floor during normal operating hours.