Public Patrons Guide to the Law Library (pdf)

Access and Library Hours
The primary mission of the Robert S. Marx Law Library is to support research, scholarship, and learning for faculty and students in the College of Law. The Law Library also makes its resources available to members of the University of Cincinnati community, and the local bench and bar. Members of the general public, businesses, and organizations may have access to the Law Library's resources on site for the purpose of conducting legal research. Individuals who wish to use the Law Library's collection of U. S. Federal Depository documents are also welcome.

Public patrons may gain access to the Law Library during normal hours of operation for the purpose of perfoming legal research or accessing U.S. Federal Depository resources held by the Library. During the regular academic year, the Law Library is accessible to area patrons from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM on weekdays, from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturdays, and 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Sundays.

The Law Library's hours of operation vary during holidays and semester break periods. For that reason, we advise public patrons to telephone the Law Library at 513-556-0163 in advance of their visit to confirm that the library is open. Law Library hours are also posted on the College of Law website at www.law.uc.edu/library/hours.html .

Circulation
The Law Library does not lend library materials to public patrons unless the patron is a member of the University of Cincinnati Law Alumni Assocation. Library materials may be used within the library during regular hours, but may not be removed from the library. Under certain circumstances, an I.D. will be required to use materials on the premises. Photocopiers are available in the library for the use of all patrons.

Computer Resources
The Law Library provides five computers for public patrons to use for searching UCLID, the University's online catalog, or gaining Internet access to U.S. Federal Depository resources on the web. These computers are located in reading room areas on the library's 2nd, 3rd and 4th floorsl.

Each public access computer has printing capability. Public patrons may also use these computers to access Lexis-Nexis or Westlaw databases, provided they have established personal accounts with these vendors.

Government Documents
The Law Library is a selective depository for U. S. Federal Depository documents in print, microform and digital formats. Because the library receives only a small percentage of the government information distributed by the Federal Depository Library Program, public patrons may wish to call the Law Library's Reference Desk at 513-556-8078 in advance of their visit to ascertain whether the library has the needed information. If the Law Library cannot provide the needed resource, a law librarian may be able to refer patrons to another library that does have it.

All U. S. Federal Depository publications received by the Law Library are represented on UCLID, the online public access catalog, and are integrated with other non-government publications in the library's collections. A member of the library staff can help public patrons locate these publications onsite.

Reference Services
A Reference Librarian is normally on duty to assist all library patrons during most hours the library is open. Due to occasional schedule changes, public patrons who need to consult with an individual Reference Librarian onsite may wish to call in advance.

Reference Librarians can facilitate a patron's use of the library, but cannot give legal advice. They can help patrons identify relevant materials and show them how to use library resources effectively. However, a Reference Librarian may not answer questions concerning the interpretation of the law or its application in any particular case.

Photocopiers and Microform Equipment
The Law Library provides two photocopiers for public use. Both machines accept copy cards that are available for purchase at the library's Circulation Desk. Both machines also accept coins and bills in $1.00 and $5.00 denominations.

Microform readers and reader printers are available for patrons to use at no charge.

Smoking, Food, Beverages and Cell Phones
Food is not allowed in the public areas of the Law Library. Beverages are permitted only if they are in spill-proof containers with tightly secured lids. Smoking is not allowed in the building. Cell phones may not be used in public areas of the Law Library.

Contact Information
Circulation Desk	513-556-3016
Law Library Hours	513-556-0163
Reference Desk	513-556-8078
Law Library Operations	513-556-4407
Law Library Director	513-556-0159