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Law Student's Guide to the Law Library

This guide will help you navigate the resources and services available through the Law Library.

Borrowing Privileges

Borrowing Privileges

On-Campus Libraries:

To check out materials from the Law Library or other libraries on campus, you will need to present your current U Card.

Other Law Libraries in the Twin Cities Metro Area:

Information on borrowing privileges at law school libraries in the Twin Cities (Mitchell Hamline and St. Thomas) and at the Minnesota State Law Library and metro area county law libraries is available in the document below.

 

Overdue Materials and Fines Policy

Overdue Materials and Fines Policy 

While Law Library borrowers are expected to return materials on or before the due date, we understand that circumstances can sometimes make that difficult.

The following overdue charges accrue on patrons' accounts when materials are not returned by the due date/time:

Reserve Item (3 Hour Loan Period)

$1.50 per hour 

Study Room Key $5.00 per hour
A Recall Item $5.00 per day
Miscellaneous Items $1.50 per hour

All long overdue library materials eventually accrue replacement and processing fees.  This may lead to blocked library or student accounts. A book is considered “lost” when the book becomes overdue by 30 days. In such an instance, a bill will be issued for the replacement cost ($100.00). If you should receive a bill and have the book in question, you may return the item within three months to avoid paying the replacement charge. 

If you lose a Law Library item, please contact the circulation desk. Our goal is to find the material and we will be happy to search our shelves or extend time for you to search your home or office. If the item is not found, we will generate a bill and will expect you to bear the cost of replacement. 

User with unpaid charges meeting or exceeding $10.00 are blocked from borrowing further library materials, until the balance is resolved.  If this balance reaches $100.00 students will receive an academic hold, which prevents registering for courses, requesting transcripts, and receiving a diploma. Users are responsible for the materials on their library account, even if they were borrowed on behalf of another person. 

Please direct all questions about Law Library charges to the circulation desk at 612-625-4300 or lawcirc@umn.edu.

Note: We can only discuss fines for Law Library items.  For all other fines, please contact Wilson Library at fines@umn.edu or 612-624-3321 

Loan Periods

Loan Periods

Loan periods vary based on the type of item charged. Not all Law Library materials circulate. Please check at the circulation desk for details or consult our Loan Periods table.

Any book is subject to recall after two weeks if needed by another patron. If needed by a faculty member or for course reserve, it may be recalled immediately.

Renewing Materials

Renewing Materials

Materials may be renewed online through "Your Account" in the catalog

Reserves collection materials may not be renewed. You must return them to the circulation desk after the three-hour loan period and ask to check the item out again.

Please renew your material on or before the due date. Renewals may be requested via:

  • Web: via the catalog (Select "Your Account" from the top of the of the page.)
  • Email: lawcirc@umn.edu
  • Telephone: 612-625-4300
  • In-person

We regret that books cannot be renewed if a recall or hold has been placed on the item.

 

Other Campus Library Resources

Other Campus Library Resources

University of Minnesota Law Students are eligible to borrow materials from other on-campus libraries, as well as from coordinate campuses in Duluth, Morris, Crookston, and Rochester. 

Please visit the University Libraries website for additional information on other campus library resources. 

Questions?

Questions?

Have questions regarding our circulation services and policies? Please contact our Access Services Librarian, Katie Baratto, at barat013@umn.edu or 612-625-1547


University of Minnesota Law Library
Reference Desk: 612-625-4309 • Circulation Desk: 612-625-4300 • Contact Us