Library Information

Rains Law Library Policies and Procedures

The William M. Rains Library, one of the largest private California law libraries in the Western United States, houses nearly 580,000 volume equivalents, including microforms, video and audio cassettes, diskettes and CD titles. It maintains more than 7,500 serial subscriptions.

I. Regular Schedule: Library Hours

Note: Regular Library hours (as posted above) are subject to change. Consult the Library Home Page for the current library hours. Library hours are extended during examinations and curtailed during the Summer Session, intersession and holidays. The current schedule is always posted at the Library entrance. Copies of the Library schedule of operation are available at the circulation desk and the Library on-line catalog home page (http://lucy.lls.edu). Closing procedures begin fifteen minutes before the posted closing time.

II. Facilities and Services

The William M. Rains Law Library is a research and reference collection of law and law-related materials. Its mission is to support the learning, teaching and research efforts of the Law School community, bench, bar, and public by providing access to all forms of information. To accomplish this, the Library is open 108 hours per week. It is run by thirty specially-trained staff members, many of whom hold a Master's Degree in Library Science or Information Science. Some librarians also have law degrees. The Library provides many services, including bibliographic training, interlibrary loan, and on-line access to many specialized databases. Students may access many of these databases from off-campus via the internet. It is also a selective depository for United States and California documents. Students should refer to the Library Guide for details.

The Library provides extensive IBM/PC compatible computer support for the Loyola Law School community. The Computer Resource Center (Library Computer Lab) provides 76 workstations and five networked laser printers for student use. The Library endeavors to provide students access to programs and computers to support and enhance their law school education. Students can use the Library Computer Lab computers to access a local area network for word processing, electronic mail, Internet resources, the WESTLAW and LEXISNEXIS online legal databases and the CALI (Computer Assisted Legal Instruction) programs. The Law School provides all students with a network account to access the Law School network on campus and an e-mail account accessible through the internet.

The Law School maintains a wireless network covering the entire campus including the Library. Students should check with the staff at the Library Computer Lab Help desk on how to connect to the wireless network. NOTE: At various times during the year, the wireless network may be disabled.

The Library supports computers using the Windows operating system and provides limited support for computers using the Macintosh operating system. Microsoft Word for Windows is the supported word processing program at the Law School.

The Library provides 400 ethernet network outlets located throughout the Library from which students may connect to the Law School network using their lap top computers. Students need an ethernet network adaptor in their computers in order to use these outlets and need to supply a network cable (CAT 5). The Library Computer Lab staff suggests that students consider purchasing their own computer. Though a computer constitutes a significant investment, it can prove an important asset for a law student. The Library Computer Lab staff is also happy to discuss computer selection and purchase with students. Students are responsible for the maintenance and repair of their own computers. Students should also purchase and keep up-to-date an antivirus program for their computer. The Library Computer Lab staff recommends that if students decide to purchase a computer, they do so well in advance of the start of classes; this will provide them the opportunity to familiarize themselves with their equipment/software before they are heavily involved in their coursework.

III. Library Rules

(1) The Library has a gated electronic security system which protects all Library materials against unauthorized removal. If a student activates the system, he/she should return to the Circulation Desk. The Library reserves the right to examine all book bags, briefcases, parcels, and the like.

(2) Students are expected to be courteous and to show respect to other library users and the Library staff. The Library has a reputation as a quiet, comfortable place to study. It is unlikely that any disputes will arise if everyone will avoid noisy, smelly snacks, cleanup their own food/drink messes, and conduct conversations (cell phone and otherwise) outside the library. This is the same type of considerate, cooperative, and professional behavior that will someday be expected of all students after they graduate and pass the bar.

The library has a reputation for having a very organized collection. Students will be helping themselves and their colleagues if they reshelve the materials they use.

(3) In order to protect the security of circulation records and the integrity of the collection, Library materials will be circulated only by means of a student's barcoded Student Identification Card.

(4) Any Library user with borrowing privileges may request the recall of material which has been checked out; however, all Library circulation records are confidential. See Cal. Gov't Code § 6254(j) (West Supp. 2002).

(5) Group study room use is restricted to Loyola Law School students and faculty. Rooms may be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis for groups of two or more (three or more for larger rooms) and for a maximum of four hours per day. To reserve a room, a student should use the group study room sign-up book at the Circulation Desk. Media Center Rooms 1 and 2 are exclusively for using school-related AV materials. Other Media Center Rooms may be reserved as group study rooms.

(6) Use of the Computer Resource Center (Library Computer Lab) is restricted to currently enrolled Loyola Law School students and faculty. The Library Computer Lab is also used for group computer-assisted legal research training. Such training will preempt individual use. Students should plan their word processing and on-line research needs accordingly. Notices will be posted indicating dates and times for this training.

(7) Students are provided an annual allotment of free printing in the Library Computer Lab. All printing above the free allotment costs $0.08/page. Students should carefully note the status of their printing account since students cannot print if they have insufficient balance in their account. Information regarding printing in the Library Computer Lab can be found on the Computer Lab Web site. Students may use only paper provided by the Library Computer Lab in the Library Computer Lab printers. Students who wish to use their own paper should use the specially designated Resume Printer.

(8) Sudents may borrow Library materials as follows:

All other materials may be used in the Library only. Any circulating item may be renewed by phone or in person without limit, unless another library patron has asked for it to be recalled. Renewal periods are for the same amount of time as the item's original circulation period. Materials are not considered returned unless they are brought to the Circulation Desk. The Library bills for lost or seriously damaged materials at the actual replacement cost plus a $25.00 processing fee. Charges for lost books will be charged to a student's account if the student fails to pay the charge at the Circulation Desk. A student's Library account must be cleared prior to registration, examinations or graduation (whichever comes first after the charge is added to the student's Library account). FAILURE TO RETURN LIBRARY MATERIALS OR DAMAGE TO OR DESTRUCTION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS WILL RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

(9) Photocopiers are located on each floor of the Library. A photocopy card vending machine is located in the photocopy room on the second floor. Copies cost $0.10/page unless a student uses a photocopy card. Copies made using the card cost $0.08/page. The cards themselves cost $5.00 and may be revalued indefinitely. For card purchase and recharge information, students should refer to the instructions posted near the card vending machine. The Library does not provide change for the photocopy card vending machine or fax machine. Defective photocopy cards are reported to and handled by the Graphics/Purchasing Department. PHOTOCOPIER USERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DUPLICATING COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH 17 U.S.C. § 107 et seq. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE STATUTE MAY RESULT IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES AS WELL AS DISCIPLINARY ACTION BY THE LAW SCHOOL.

(10) Instructions for use fo the microfiche/microfilm reader/printers are posted on or near the machines in the Media Center. Students are encouraged to ask for Media Center staff assistance in using the equipment if he/she does not understand these instructions. Photocopies of microfiche and microfilm may be made. Students should inquire at eh Circulation Desk for payment procedures.

(11) Access to the Library is restricted to Loyola Law School students, faculty, staff and alumni only and those individuals meeting the library's access policy Students should be prepared to present their Student Identification Card to access the facility. For exceptions to the access policy, students should contact the Library's Associate Director at 213-736-1181.

Revised 1/31/07