Library Services & Information
for
Unaffiliated Library Users

Reference Services

You may direct your requests to the reference librarian on duty in the reference office by:

Phone: 612-625-4309
Email: law-ref@umn.edu
New! Live Chat Reference Service Hours of operation: M – F 1pm - 4pm

The Reference Office is open seven days a week during the academic year and Monday through Friday during intersessions and over the summer. Reference Office hours are available on our web page and by calling the Reference Office.

The Law Library's reference staff includes five librarians who are available to assist you with your research needs. Feel free to contact any of these librarians directly by telephone or email if you would like the assistance of a specific person.

Vicente Garces	624-2597	garce003@umn.edu
Michael Hannon	625-0173	mhannon@umn.edu
George Jackson	625-5596	g-jack@umn.edu
Mary Rumsey	625-2905	rumse006@umn.edu
Suzanne Thorpe	625-0187	s-thor@umn.edu

Borrowing Privileges

Minnesota Attorneys, Hamline, St. Thomas and William Mitchell Law Students

Licensed Minnesota attorneys and currently enrolled students at Hamline, St. Thomas or William Mitchell law schools enjoy special borrowing privileges from the Law Library. Regular collection items circulate to special borrowers for six weeks, unless otherwise marked. These privileges extend only to the collections at the Law Library. For borrowing privileges at other University of Minnesota Libraries, see this information about becoming a Friend of the Library.

To apply for special borrowing privileges, fill out the form at: http://local.law.umn.edu/uploads/images/6424/Borrowing-Priv-Form0208.pdf at the time of check out or fax in the complete form with a copy of your attorney license or law student identification card.

For more information regarding special borrowing privileges, please contact Paula Seeger at 612-625-1547 or seege030@umn.edu.

Loan Periods

Loan periods vary based on the type of item charged. Not all Law Library materials circulate. Please check at the Circulation Desk for details or consult our Loan Periods table.

Any book is subject to recall after two weeks if needed by another patron. If needed for course Reserve, it may be recalled immediately.

Returning & Recalling Library Materials

Law library books can be returned at any campus library at the University of Minnesota. However, we ask that reserve materials, law library ILL materials, and any other special materials borrowed from the law library be returned directly to the law library circ desk. Any law library materials returned in the after hours book drop will be checked in the next day the library is open.

Books that are currently checked out can be recalled for use by another user. Patrons can complete a recall request through MNCAT. This option is only available to library users affiliated with the University of Minnesota, not special borrowers. When a book is recalled, a notice is sent to the person who currently has the book checked out. The notice indicates that the loan period for the book has been shortened and mentions the new due date. When a recalled book is checked in at a campus library, a notice will automatically be sent to the person who recalled book that the item is now available for pick up. Failure to return a recalled book by its shortened due date may result in an overdue fine of $1.00 per day overdue.

Any questions about returns or recalls can be addressed to the Circulation Librarian: lawcirc@umn.edu or call 612-625-4300

Overdue Materials & Fines Policy

While law library borrowers are expected to return materials on or before the due date, we understand that circumstances can sometimes make that difficult. The following overdue charges automatically accrue on patrons accounts when materials are not returned by the due date. If you know that you will not be able to return something by the due date, please renew it before it becomes overdue. If you are not able to return or renew by the due date, or if materials are already overdue and you wish to discuss options, please contact the Paula Seeger at 612-625-1547 or seege030@umn.edu.

Monographs	$.50 per day
Periodicals or Reserve	$1.50 per hour
Rush Recall & Recall fines:	Patron recall $1.00 per day Reserve/Rush recall $5.00 per day

If you lose a law library item, please contact Paula Seeger at 612-625-1547 or seege030@umn.edu. Our goal is to find the material and will be happy to search our shelves or extend time for you to search your home or office. If the item is not found, we will generate a bill and will expect you to bear to cost of replacement. The replacement charge includes a processing fee which helps to offset that cost of ordering and cataloging the material.

A book is considered “lost” when there is no response to notices and the book becomes severely overdue. In such an instance, a bill will be issued for the replacement cost. If you should receive a bill and have the book in question, you may return it to avoid paying the replacement. All questions about law library charges should be directed to Paula Seeger at 612-625-1547 or seege030@umn.edu