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Researching and Writing a Law Review Note or Seminar Paper: Law Library Logistics

This guide points to library resources that can be used to assist with writing a law review note or a A-paper--including selecting a topic, conducting a preemption check, researching the topic, drafting the text and perfecting the footnotes.

Library Space, Circulation & Carrels

  • Confused about the Library organization? Check out our maps.
  • Law Library circulation policies are available here.
  • Need to photocopy or scan material while in the Library? Click here for details.
  • 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 Library policies.

ILL & Using Items in Local Libraries

  • 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, which include placing an interlibrary loan request and using the item at a local library (if available).
  • Want to use an item in another local library? See the staff at the 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.
    Based on existing arrangements, 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", and hence it is advisable to reach out to the Reference Desk first to check. 
  • 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.