Cameron Miranda
Whether or not undergraduates can access law libraries depends on the institution. For example, the Chicago-Kent College of Law only permits current Illinois Tech students, faculty, and staff to use its law library. In contrast, the UCLA School of Law allows non-law UCLA and other UC students to access its law library by presenting a current student photo ID and making a reservation. The University of Virginia's law library is open to anyone between 9 and 6, but a law school ID is required after 6. Some law students have expressed annoyance at the presence of undergraduates in their libraries, while others have been more welcoming, appreciating the quiet atmosphere they tend to maintain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Library Name | Chicago-Kent College of Law Library |
| Access | Limited to current Illinois Tech students, faculty, and staff |
| Federal Depository Documents | Non-Illinois Tech individuals must make an appointment with a reference librarian in advance |
| Identification | All users may be asked to show appropriate identification |
| Environment | Quiet study space with designated group study rooms |
| Food and Drink | Drinks allowed, food prohibited |
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What You'll Learn
Chicago-Kent College of Law library access
The Chicago-Kent College of Law Library is a member of the Federal Depository Library Program and the United Nations Depository Libraries. The library is open to current Illinois Tech students, faculty, and staff. Non-Illinois Tech individuals who wish to use the library's federal depository documents collection must make an appointment with a reference librarian in advance. They must present a government-issued photo ID and register with the security desk upon entry to the building.
The library is a quiet study space within the Conviser Law Center, where talking is discouraged in open seating areas. For group study and discussion, the library offers ten study rooms that students can reserve at the Service Desk on the 9th floor. The library also provides future-focused training and professional research assistance to its diverse community. Librarians offer research guidance, collect sample exams from faculty, and teach legal research sessions across the curriculum, including upper-level legal writing classes and “prepare to practice” sessions. They also develop expert online research guides in many areas of law and non-legal research.
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Federal depository documents collection access
The Chicago-Kent College of Law Library at IIT is a federal depository library. Federal depository libraries are located in nearly every US Congressional district, with almost 1,350 sites across the United States and its territories. The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) was established by Congress in the mid-19th century and has been managed by the Government Publishing Office since 1895. The program collects, organises, and preserves print and electronic information produced by all parts of the federal government. It then distributes this information to designated libraries and assists people in locating and using it. The mission of federal depository libraries is to provide local, free, and impartial access to information from the federal government.
The IIT Law Library's federal depository documents are accessible to non-Illinois Tech individuals, but an appointment must be made with a reference librarian in advance. During exam periods in May and December, only members of the Illinois Tech community may use the library. To enter the building, individuals with appointments must present a government-issued photo ID and register with the security desk. They will then be directed to the library, where a reference librarian will assist with the federal depository collection.
The issue of undergrads accessing law libraries is a contentious one. Some law libraries are limited to law students only, while others allow anyone to use the library. Some law students have expressed frustration with undergrads using law libraries, as it can result in a lack of study spaces. However, others have noted that undergrads who use law libraries tend to be quiet and studious. In some cases, undergrads may be allowed to use the law library during specific hours or with a pass or day pass. Ultimately, the decision to allow undergrads to access the law library may vary depending on the specific library and its policies.
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Library identification requirements
The Chicago-Kent College of Law Library is a member of the Federal Depository Library Program and the United Nations Depository Libraries. The library is only open to current Illinois Tech students, faculty, and staff. However, non-Illinois Tech individuals who wish to use the library's federal depository documents collection must make an appointment with a reference librarian in advance. They must present a government-issued photo ID and register with the security desk upon entry to the building.
The UCLA Law Library's access policy states that members of the public can access the Federal Depository Collection as an exception to the Law Library's Access Policy. This is to provide access to government information. However, this does not entitle the visitor to use the Law Library's general collections, services, or physical space. Once the user has finished using the federal depository documents, they must leave the library promptly. Visitors must present a government-issued photo ID.
Some law libraries allow undergrads to use the library, but they must fill out a form to get a day pass. Some law libraries are limited to law students only, but they have access to the undergrad library. During busy times, such as exams, some law libraries may restrict access to the public and undergrads.
Overall, it is important to check the specific policies of each law library, as they may vary in their identification requirements and access policies for different user groups.
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Library rules
Law libraries are used by law students, lawyers, judges, legislators, historians, and other scholars of legal history for research purposes. They may also be used by people who draft or advocate for new laws. These libraries are usually classified as a type of special library because of their focus on providing specialized resources and their limited user base.
Law libraries may have law librarians who can help legal researchers navigate the library collections and teach legal research. Some law libraries serve scholars from around the world, such as the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in London and the New York City Bar Association Law Library.
In the United States, there are three categories of law libraries: academic, public, and private. Every law school accredited by the American Bar Association houses a law library. Public law libraries are available in many states, often in local courthouses. Private law libraries are maintained by certain larger law firms for their attorneys' use.
The largest academic law library in the world is the library of Harvard Law School, which holds over 2 million volumes. The largest law library in the United Kingdom is the Bodleian Law Library, with over 550,000 volumes. The world's largest law library overall is the Law Library of Congress, which holds approximately 2.9 million volumes.
Law libraries may have different rules regarding access for undergraduate students. Some law libraries are limited to law students only, especially during busy times. However, others may allow anyone to use the library, with certain limited resources restricted to law students. Some law libraries may require non-law students to obtain a pass or fill out a form to gain access.
- Respect the quiet study environment by keeping noise to a minimum.
- Adhere to any restrictions on resources, such as reservable study rooms, printers, or other law student-only areas.
- Consider the needs of law students, especially during high-demand periods like finals.
- Follow any check-in procedures, such as scanning your ID or obtaining a day pass.
- Utilize the expertise of law librarians for guidance in navigating the library's collections and resources.
- Be mindful of the library's mission to provide authoritative legal research and reference services to its users.
It is important to note that law libraries may have specific rules and regulations in addition to these general guidelines, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the policies of the particular law library you plan to use.
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Library opening hours
The Chicago-Kent College of Law Library is open to the public during specific hours, but access is limited to the use of the federal depository documents. Non-Illinois Tech individuals who wish to use the Law Library's federal depository documents collection must make an appointment with a reference librarian in advance. The library is open Monday to Thursday from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm, Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. It is closed on Sundays.
During exam periods in May and December, only members of the Illinois Tech community may use the library. The library is a quiet study space within the Conviser Law Center, and talking is discouraged in open seating areas. The library offers ten study rooms that students can reserve for group study and discussion.
Some law libraries, such as Columbia Law, allow undergrads to use the library with a day pass or by filling out a form. Other libraries, like UCLA Law, generally do not authorize access to non-law students from other non-UC colleges and universities.
It is important to note that library access policies can vary, and it is always a good idea to check the specific policies of the library you are interested in visiting.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the IIT law library is only open to current Illinois Tech students, faculty, and staff.
Non-Illinois Tech individuals who wish to use the IIT law library's federal depository documents must make an appointment with a reference librarian in advance. Access to the library is limited to use of the federal depository documents.
The IIT law library is open Monday to Thursday from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm, Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. It is closed on Sundays.
The IIT law library is a quiet study space where talking is discouraged. Drinks are permitted, but food and smoking are not. Library staff and/or security personnel may ask you to show appropriate identification, and refusal to comply may result in removal from the facility.
