Policies
Computer Use
The Law School and Law Library provide complete wireless capability. Use of the Student Research Network requires a current LawID and password. However, twelve computer terminals in the Law Library are available for the use of all visitors. For further information, see Academic Technologies' Computing Equipment page.
Access to the LexisNexis and Westlaw databases is available only by individual password for Duke law students, faculty and staff under the terms of the Library's contract with the vendors. Other sources for legal information, including a campus-wide version of LexisNexis, can be found on the Legal Databases & Links page.
Food & Drink
No food of any kind is permitted in the Library. All foods, whether or not they leave crumbs, attract insects and rodents. These pests can damage books and other materials, many of which are out of print and irreplaceable.
Drinks are permitted in spill-proof travel mugs. Bottled water is also permitted. Spills from uncovered cups can cause stains, damage computers and books, and attract pests. Spills also create mildew and molds, which threaten the health of persons handling those books.
Enjoy one of the nation's leading law libraries by keeping it clean and pest-free, and help us to preserve our collections for the future.
Patrons with Disabilities
The Law Library is committed to providing high-quality service to all users, including those with disabilities. Library staff will make every effort to accommodate reasonable requests, including book/article retrieval and assistance with photocopies. Please contact the Circulation Desk at (919) 613-7128 prior to your visit with any questions or concerns about accessibility.
Reference Services and Legal Advice
Reference librarians help you use the library and its collections, but they cannot do legal research for you. Librarians locate information, identify relevant resources, develop search strategies for catalogs, databases, the web and indexes and provide assistance in legal research methodology. The reference staff cannot provide substantive advice on a legal problem, interpret legal materials for you, or explain how the law applies to your particular case.
Study Carrels
Study carrels are provided in the Law Library for use on a first-come, first-served basis.
Study Rooms
Eight private study rooms are available on Level 2 of the Law Library, for use by individual law students or groups of law students. Study room keys can be "checked out" for a four-hour time period at the Circulation service desk on Level 3; rooms may also be reserved up to 24 hours in advance.
