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Finding Articles: Law Library Logistics

This guide informs on finding articles and covers legal and interdisciplinary databases, newspapers and working papers.

Library Circulation & Visiting Other Libraries

  • Any materials that you check out must be checked out in your own name. Special limited checkout privileges for materials that normally do not circulate can be arranged, but only by a senior editor. See Coleman Ridge.
  • You are responsible for all fines incurred in your name. See Circulation of Library Materials. Bobst Library policies and procedures are separate from those of the Law Library. The Law Library cannot pay your fines at Bobst.
  • What to do if the book or journal you need is not on the shelf? What if the Library does not own what you need? Click on the page for Books Not Owned by NYU / Missing Books to learn about potential options.
  • Want to use an item in another local library? See the staff at Reference Desk BEFORE visiting local libraries as they may be closed to the public. In some cases (mostly for academic libraries), the Library may be able to provide you a pass to access a local library. Your NYU Law ID will (at some times) permit you access to Columbia Law Library and Fordham Law Library. Restrictions apply, especially during "restricted access periods." So either call ahead or come to the reference desk first.

 

Library Space & ILL

  • Because of limited space, library carrels and tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and you may not hold library materials there after you leave. See Carrels.
  • Certain copiers in the Library have access codes for law journals. See your senior editor for these codes. Scanning is free.
  • There are a range of types of items that the Library's ILL Department will likely not be able to obtain, including some newspaper articles, multi-volume sets, and so on. See the FAQs on the ILL page for more examples. Also, the ILL Department will not provide paper copies of material that the Library owns in microfiche/film or in an electronic format that is acceptable for cite-checking.