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Using the Library

Information about our services, facilities, policies, and procedures that will help you make the most of your UVA Law Library experience.

Planning Your Visit

Hours

Visitors are welcome to the Law Library for research and study during regular weekday (Monday-Friday) operating hours. Because the Law building locks at 6pm, please arrive before 6pm for evening access. All patrons are expected to abide by our library use policy.

During exam periods, we try to maintain a very quiet study environment. [NB: This paragraph was updated Dec 7, 2023 to remove a reference to previous access restrictions, which have not been in place since 2021.] If you have a time-sensitive research need during exams, call or email the Access Services department (434-924-3384; circ@law.virginia.edu) to make special arrangements.

Parking

Visitor parking is very limited at the Law School.

  • There are a few free spaces in the parking lot on Nash Drive that are reserved for guests of the Law School and for people requiring accommodation. Guests must register at the Admissions Office in Slaughter Hall (room 126A) to receive a parking permit (limit of 2 per month).
  • There are metered spaces (2 hour maximum, $2.95 per hour, enforced M-F 7:30 am - 5 pm) along Nash Drive. Payment can be made using the ParkMobile app.
  • Free street parking is available on Arlington Blvd and on Millmont Street.

Mass Transit

Accessibility

The Law School offers several accessible entrances. The first-floor Library entrance is handicap accessible. If a patron needs help with retrieving or photocopying materials, the Circulation and Reference staff are happy to assist. Please call or email the Access Services department (434-924-3384; circ@law.virginia.edu) with questions.

Computers and Printers

Computers

  • The research databases the Library subscribes to are available from three public computer terminals near the Reference desk.
    • Please be aware that the number of computers is limited and priority is given to patrons doing research.
    • If a computer is available, you may sit down and use it. Login instructions are posted on the computer monitor.
  • You are encouraged to bring your own laptop or computing device.
  • All patrons are expected to abide by our library use policy and database access policy.

Wireless Access

  • Connect to the UVA Guest wireless network. A pop-up window should open automatically (if the page doesn't appear, open a browser and visit in.virginia.edu/guest)
  • Click Connect Now to agree to the Terms and get online. (Note: Guests will not be able to access NetBadge-protected resources or use Peer-to-Peer (P2P) sharing when on this network. Those and malware will be blocked.)

Printing, Copying, Scanning

  • Please use a USB flash drive or cloud storage to save the results of your research.
  • Sorry, guest printers are not available. If you need to print something, ask at the Circulation desk.
  • Ask at the Circulation desk about copying and scanning options.

Becoming a Borrower

Virginia residents (16 years of age and older), alumni, and registered researchers (non-VA researchers working locally and needing temporary borrowing privilege) can check out books using their Virginia driver's license or other photo ID.  (A Law Library borrower account will also work at any other UVA Library.)

  • Borrowing board games and DVDs is limited to UVA students, faculty, and staff.
  • Statutes, looseleaf volumes, reports, indexes, and reference materials do not circulate outside the library.
  • If there are materials you want but we do not have, visit your local public library—they may have them or be able to request them through their interlibrary loan system.

Borrowing and Fines

Borrowing Rules

Check out times vary by type of item and type of user. Consult the chart below for general rules.

Item Type Faculty Graduate Students & Staff Undergrads All Others
Books Unlimited Due at the end of the Spring semester, limit of 500 30 days, limit of 500 30 days, limit of 25
Bound Journals Unlimited Due at the end of the Spring semester 30 days 30 days
Audio Books 30 days 30 days 30 days 30 days
Microfilm & Microfiche Unlimited Due at the end of the Spring semester 30 days 30 days, limit of 25
Videos/DVDs 7 days, limit of 5 7 days, limit of 2 7 days, limit of 2 7 days, limit of 2

Renewals

Most items can be renewed if not recalled (requested) by another patron. You can request a renewal:

Fines

Student fines will be referred to the University Student Financial Services for collection as part of the university's centralized billing system. All fines incurred by non-students can be paid at Clemons Library. Ask about fine forgiveness at the Circulation desk.

Item Type Late Fine Item Max
Recalled Items $1 per day $20
Reserves $1 per hour $20

Reference Services

The Law Library can provide research guidance, but we cannot interpret the law or provide legal advice. For example, we can help you access our databases or find a particular case, but we cannot determine which laws or cases are relevant to your situation. If you need legal advice, one of the following might be helpful:

Our email reference service is intended primarily for students, faculty, and staff of the University of Virginia. If you are not affiliated with UVA, we will reply to your inquiry only if it relates to the School of Law or to a resource unique to the Law Library.

© by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia