FAMU Law Library: Policies

MATERIALS CHECKOUT AND LOAN PERIODS   

You may check out materials at the circulation desk.  Many materials in the Law Library are not available for checkout.  Circulating materials (items from the second and fourth floor of the Library) may be checked out for 21 days at a time, and renewed if there is not a request from another patron.

In order to provide all students access to Library materials, the FAMU Law Library charges fees on overdue items. 

Lost or damaged materials are subject to replacement charges which are billed by the University.  Patrons will be charged the total replacement cost of the item plus a non-refundable library processing fee of $15.00 per item. Fines are generated and billed by the Library central circulation system. They will need to be paid to Accounts Receivable on the main campus; please see the Law Library Circulation department for details. The Library will not waive these fines unless there is a compelling reason to do so.

Students who keep items on reserve (including textbooks) for more than one week are committing an honor code violation. These items are on reserve so everyone can have a chance to access them.  Depriving your colleagues of their ability to review reserve materials will result in disciplinary action.

If you want some material added to our collection you can give your comments to our Head of Public Services, Ms. Lorelle Anderson (ext. 3288, room 125).

COURSEBOOKS AND COURSE RESERVES

The Law Library orders copies of textbooks which are being taught in the current semester. The Library copy is for emergency use, if a student does not have financial aid finalized at the start of the semester, or in circumstances when the textbook is not yet available in the bookstore. 

The number of textbooks in the library collection is limited.  To ensure the greatest amount of access, the policy of using reserve books within the library will be strictly enforced.  Textbooks and other reserve materials may be checked out for two (2) hours, but may NOT leave the library.  Because these materials may not leave the library, students will not be able to bring the textbooks to class.  Students may use the library photocopiers on the first and second floors to copy needed pages.  Copies are 10 cents per page.  The library takes no responsibility for copyright violations.

Professors may also place materials on Course Reserve as assigned or optional class readings.  Check out course books or Course Reserve items at the circulation desk.  Coursebook and course reserve items may be checked out for a period of 2 hours (4 hours in the case of A/V materials). These may be renewed if there is not a request from another patron.
 

STUDY AIDS

Popular law study aids such as Hornbooks, Nutshells, the Questions and Answers Series, and the Examples and Explanations series, are available in print at the circulation desk.  Study aids are also available in electronic format upon setting up an account at https://subscription.westacademic.com.
 

INTERLIBRARY LOANS

If you can’t find what you are looking for in our Library we can see if it is available from other libraries.  This will take time, usually 5 to 7 days. The ILL form can be obtained from the circulation desk. For a faster turnaround time, search the online catalog and use the UBorrow service. See http://library.famu.edu/lawlibrary/lawill for detailed instructions.

Coursebook and course reserve items may be checked out for a period of 2 hours (4 hours in the case of A/V materials). These may be renewed if there is not a request from another patron.

STUDY ROOM RESERVATIONS

General Usage
Group study rooms are to be used by FAMU College of Law students, on a first-come, first-served basis. Study rooms may only be used during the hours that the library is open. In order for current students to use a group study room, the following conditions must be met:

• A group consisting of at least two (2) students must be present at the time of reservation and each must present a FAMU identification card.
• The names of all students using the room must be listed in the reservation book. Misuse of identification or of personal information, including, but not limited to, naming students who are not physically present in the study room, is considered a College of Law honor code violation. Violations of the honor code are reported to the Associate Dean for Student Services and Administration.
• Group study room are available for checkout for a period of two hours.  The reservation is non-renewable.  If any group wishes to reserve the room that they currently occupy for an additional period, they must return to the circulation desk after their time is up and sign up again. In order to give all our students an opportunity to use the study rooms, students already waiting will be given priority.
• Rooms may not be reserved in advance of their availability.  If a room is occupied, it may only be reserved when that period of occupation is up.
• All activities must be such that they permit and respect the quiet research needs of others. Quiet discussion is permitted within study rooms, but the volume should not rise to where it can easily be heard outside the room.  Groups that are too loud will receive one warning.  Continued noise may result in that group being asked to leave the study room.
• Security concerns are to be reported to the Library Circulation Department.
• The FAMU Law Library will not be responsible for personal or charged-out library items.
• Main windows and door windows are to remain uncovered at all times.
• Walls must be kept free of holes and tape or other uses that could cause damage. The occupants will be responsible for any damages made to the study room.
• Maintenance concerns are to be reported to the Library Circulation Department.
• Regulations regarding food in the library apply to the study rooms as well.
• Smoking is strictly forbidden.

Bar Exam Usage
In conjunction with the Academic Success and Bar Prep department, certain library group study rooms are available for recent FAMU graduates to study individually during the time leading up to the exam. In order for alumni to use a study room, the following conditions apply:

• The user must have graduated within the last 2 years.
• Rooms are reserved on a first-come-first served basis.
• Rooms may be reserved for the full length of time the library is open.
• While it is not required to occupy the room on a continuous basis, any room which is vacant for more than 1 hour may be reassigned. The Library reserves the right to periodically monitor the use or non-use of each study room. 
• Assigned occupants may not sublet study rooms.

For services to non-FAMU students, please see our visitor’s policy, located at the circulation desk.

Any patron disrupting the Library may be subject to Security action.

The FAMU Law Library is not responsible for any personal items left unattended within the study rooms or elsewhere within the library.