See also: Law Library Guide, Subject and Title Location Guide, Law Library Maps
The George Mason University School of Law Library is an academic research center that supports the information needs of the faculty and students of the School of Law. All users agree to abide by the following policies and regulations:
The Law Library is maintained primarily for the use of George Mason University School of Law students, faculty, and staff. The library is also open to George Mason University students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as members of the bench and bar and the general public. ALL visitors who are not currently enrolled at or employed by George Mason University must sign-in at the Circulation Desk and are required to present a current government-issued photo identification card. Non-GMU users who are using the library for activities other than legal research or use of the federal government depository collection will be asked to leave. For more information on our access policy for non-GMU users, see Access to the Law Library for Public Patrons.
The Law Library is first and foremost an academic research library with the goal of having legal research materials available for use within the library. In order to provide full access to the collection and to prevent the loss of books, most library materials do not circulate outside of the library. See Patron Check-Out Privileges for a complete list of patron categories, check-out policies, and loan periods. GMU Students interested in working at the circulation desk should review the page for Student Employment Opportunities in the GMU Law Library.
There are a number of public computers on all floors that provide access to the library's online catalog and a small number of research databases and services. These computers are available to all library patrons and are located across from the Circulation Desk, outside of the Reference Office, and on the second and third floors near the photocopy alcoves. The Law Library does not provide general Internet access to members of the public.
Loans are arranged for GMUSL students and faculty only. Other library patrons should contact their home institution or local public library for ILL services. For more information, see our page on Borrowing Materials from Other Libraries.
Lexis and Westlaw are provided to GMUSL through a special educational contract. Use is limited to George Mason University law students and law faculty doing research for educational purposes.
Reference Librarians are available to assist students, faculty and other patrons with finding and using materials in the law library. The Reference Desk is located on the first floor of the library in Room 141. Please note that although the reference librarians are happy to assist users who need information, a reference librarian will not research or interpret the law for any patron. For current reference hours, see Law Library Hours.
The Law Library strictly enforces the following rules and regulations concerning the use of the library:
