Library Policies

Use of the Library

In order to provide the best possible service to our students and faculty, the University of Connecticut School of Law Library must maintain an atmosphere conducive to research and study. It is expected that those who use the library will do so responsibly and appropriately, in accordance with library policies, without harassing other users or library staff and without damaging library facilities or collections.

Patrons who violate any of these policies may lose their privilege to use the Law Library, be subject to University-imposed discipline, and/or be subject to criminal prosecution or other legal action, as appropriate.

Laptop/Notebook Computer Use

Due to the proliferation of laptop/notebook computer usage in the library, the following limitations are placed on such usage:

Laptop and notebook computers may be used in all locations and in study/conference rooms with the door closed. However, you may be asked to move to another location if noise from use of the computer annoys other patrons in the area. Auditory signals and music must be made inaudible except through earphones.

Laptop and notebook computers may NOT be plugged into or attached to any library computing or printing hardware.

Students may configure laptops to access the Law School network from designated library carrels. Students should be cautioned that if problems arise with configuring their laptops, assistance from the UConn Law School staff is on an "as available" basis.

Policy on Not Giving Legal Advice

Reference Librarians may not give legal advice to patrons.

Definition of "legal advice":

In the course of legal reference services, librarians are asked a multitude of questions about the law. Most questions may be answered properly by directing the patron to sources of law, both primary and secondary. However, such answers are sometimes not adequate for the patron, and do not fill the obligation of the reference librarian to provide reference service.

In such cases, the reference librarian may be called upon to explain in detail how to use a source, and how the source relates to other sources. It is acceptable in such circumstances to explain the types of annotations found in annotated primary sources, how various indexing schemes work, where headnotes come from and what they do; it is acceptable to read over the phone from a non-primary source, and to suggest that a patron might look under alternative topical headings, along with specific suggestions.

However, various sources have defined giving legal advice as reading a statute or part of a case, helping the patron to understand a case or statute, telling what forms need to be filed in court, helping to fill out a form, helping with wording on a court document, and the like.

The reference librarian will refrain from helping with interpretation in any way of a case or statute. It is not advisable to read statutes and case materials over the phone, or to help a patron understand a legal concept or piece of procedure. It is just as improper to help a patron with filling out a form or determining court procedure.

Reference

Students, Faculty and Staff:

The primary role of the Reference Librarians at the University of Connecticut Law Library is to educate students and to assist faculty in research. They are specially trained to help locate information about the law.

Legal information cannot always be found in just one place, and a great deal of research may be required to locate all sources. The librarians will help with the use of the indexes and law books in the collection as well as the computer aids available in the Reference Area, and will make an effort to provide comprehensive service to help facilitate research and study. Reference Librarians will help in locating materials, but they cannot do homework, do the actual research or give legal advice.

Guests and Other Users:

Assisting the students, faculty and staff of the University of Connecticut School of Law is the first priority of the Reference Section. Services to other patrons will be provided to the extent that staff, time and other resources permit. Public patrons are welcome to consult the Law Library's online catalog. Reference librarians can direct the public to resources, but are not authorized to give legal advice or provide interpretive assistance to any patron. If help is needed to resolve a legal problem, or interpret the law, the public patron should consult a practicing attorney.

The Connecticut State Library on Capitol Avenue in Hartford is open to the general public and has a comprehensive law collection with a reference staff prepared to assist the public. Courthouse libraries are also open to the public.

Lexis and Westlaw Educational Use Only

The University of Connecticut School of Law contracts with LEXIS and Westlaw to provide unlimited usage of Westlaw and LEXIS databases. The contract provides that the login ID's assigned may ONLY be used for educational purposes connected with the Law School and its educational program, and with faculty research. No non-educational use is permitted under this contract.

The Law Library is not able to issue an ID to a patron who is not a member of the faculty, staff or student body of the University of Connecticut Law School.

Cellular Phones and Pagers

Due to the proliferation of cellular telephones and pagers in the library, the following limitations are placed on such usage:

All pagers must be turned off when entering the library unless they can be operated in a vibrating mode. Beepers may not be used in the library at any time except by University of Connecticut Law School Public Safety Personnel.

If you must place or receive a cellular call, please move to the foyer outside the main entrance of the Library.

Cellular telephones may NOT be plugged into or attached to any library computing or printing hardware, or into the campus network, or into any telephone jack in the building.

Computer Labs

Two computer labs are located in the Law Library and are available for use by enrolled students of the University of Connecticut School of Law.

Photocopying and Scanning

Members of the public can make photocopies at the photocopiers located on the first and third floors of the library. The copier will accept $1, $5, $10, and dollar coins. The library is unable to provide change, so kindly plan accordingly. 

There is a scanner on the third floor of the library. Files must be saved to a USB flash drive.

Group Study Rooms

Group study rooms are available for use only by law school faculty, students and staff. Reservations for study rooms can be made at the Circulation Desk and online.

Messages and Paging

A message board in the outer lobby of the Library is available for the posting of messages. The Library will not accept telephone messages, and the Law Library does not have a paging system.

Suggestions

Suggestions and comments are welcomed in the online suggestion box. Patrons also may speak with staff at either the Circulation or Reference Desks.

Reshelving

Patrons are asked to reshelve materials after use. Books left on carrels and tables are routinely shelved by library staff. If you need to leave library materials on tables or carrels, you may place a dated note on the materials requesting that they not be shelved. Such notes, however, will be honored only for the remainder of the day.

Library Security

The main doors near the Circulation Desk are the only entrance to the library. Patrons must pass through security gates upon entering and exiting. An alarm will sound if library materials are removed without being properly checked out. Occasionally, a laptop computer or store security device will set off the alarm. If an alarm sounds while you are leaving the Library, please return to the Circulation Desk.

Loss Responsibility/Personal Property

The Law Library has no facilities for secure storage of personal property and assumes no responsibility for personal property lost or stolen on library premises. Never leave personal property unattended in the Library.

Lost and Found

A lost and found area is maintained at the Circulation Desk. Personal possessions lost and turned over to the Law Library are kept at the Circulation Desk. Unclaimed items are turned over to Public Safety at the end of each semester.

Noise

All patrons should respect the rights of others by keeping noise levels as low as possible. This policy applies to all open areas of the Library. If you must have a lengthy conversation, please reserve a group study room, or go to the Library Lounge to the left of the main Library entrance.

Confidentiality

Under Connecticut law, C.G.S.A. § 11-25, library circulation records may not be divulged except by court order. This means we cannot tell anyone who has a particular item checked out. We will be glad to recall material from another patron if requested by a member of the University of Connecticut School of Law community, and these individuals also may request an InterLibrary Loan copy if our copy has been checked out.

Defacing Library Property

Unauthorized removal, mutilation, defacement, or marking of library materials or equipment is prohibited. The intentional damaging of library materials is a misdemeanor punishable by law pursuant to C.G.S.A. § 53a-119 (12).

Food and Drink

Food is not allowed anywhere in the Law Library. Covered beverages are allowed in the library, though we encourage the use of beverage containers with spill-proof lids. Library users who consume beverages in the library should do so in a manner that maintains a clean library environment and minimizes the risk of damage to the library's books, equipment, and other property. Please properly dispose of all trash in available containers and promptly report any spills to the Circulation Desk.

The Library Lounge located across the slate foyer from the main library entrance is a comfortable and convenient space for beverages and food to be consumed. Students may also eat in the fourth floor student lounge.

Tobacco Products

The use of tobacco products is prohibited in the Law Library.

Animals

Assistance animals are the only animals permitted in the Law Library.

Emergencies

In case of emergency, dial 8-911 on the nearest telephone and contact the Circulation Desk.

Problems and Repairs

Problems and repair requests should be promptly reported to the Circulation Desk.