UDC Law Library: Library Services: Student Services

Reference Services

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Librarians are available to assist with legal research questions during library’s reference hours. During the Fall and Spring semesters, reference hours are:

Monday – Thursday: 9:00am - 6:00pm
Friday: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Saturday – Sunday: Virtual Reference Services only

You are welcome to visit or call the Reference desk during posted hours for research assistance. If you need reference help outside the above reference hours, feel free to email lawlibraryhelp@udc.edu for virtual reference assistance.

In addition to general reference services, librarians are available for one-on-one reference appointments for more in-depth research needs. To schedule a one-on-one research appointment, complete the Meet with a Librarian Form.

Study Rooms

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The library has 14 study rooms on the Lower Level (independent and group), 3 study rooms on the 4th floor (group), and 4 study rooms on the 5th floor (group).

During Non-Bar Exam Prep Periods – Study rooms are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, if you would like to guarantee a specific study room is available at a particular time, reservations can be made here.
During Bar Exam Prep Periods – A portion of study rooms are set aside for recent graduates studying for the bar exam. To reserve a bar exam prep study room, students need to complete the application emailed to them during the semester they graduate. The library will then assign study rooms based on student preferences and reserve rooms for the entirety of the bar exam prep study period (December to February for the February administration and May to July for the July administration).

Study Aids

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The library has an extensive collection of digital study aids to help students improve their knowledge throughout the semester and prepare for exams. Study aids can include outlines, practice multiple-choice questions, practice essay questions, video lessons, audio lectures, hornbooks, nutshells, treatises, and more. A current list of the library's study aids can be found here.

Legal Research Databases

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Mason Law Library Databases

The Mason Law Library research databases provide access to a wide range of legal and interdisciplinary resources. Combined with UDC's Learning Resources Division, our databases support comprehensive legal research and study across various fields. These include legal and interdisciplinary research tools, law reviews, journals, and reports. A current list of the library's databases can be found here.

UDC Learning Resources Division's (LRD) Databases

How to access LRD databases on campus – Go to the Learning Resource Division’s website. From there you can search for a database, or access an alphabetical or a subject list of databases.
How to access LRD databases off-campus – Due to strict licensing agreements, most of the library's electronic databases and journals are available off-campus only to current UDC students, faculty, and staff. When you go through the library website to access an online resource from off-campus, you will be asked to identify yourself as a UDC student, faculty or staff member by logging in to the UDC authentication system (same as accessing your MyUDC account). If library patrons have difficulty logging in through the UDC authentication system to access library resources, they will need to contact the UDC Office of Information Systems and Management. The library is unable to address issues with the UDC authentication system.

Research Guides

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The library regularly creates and maintains research guides to assist students with their research endeavors. Guides can be specific to an area of law, a jurisdiction, or even a course. Guides include legislation, cases, legislative histories, treatises, practice guides, articles, restatements, government documents, court rules, forms, and more. With such a wide array of coverage on various topics, research guides are a great starting point when researching an unfamiliar topic. A current list of the library's research guides can be found here.

Programs & Workshops

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The library hosts numerous programs and workshops each semester aimed at familiarizing the UDC Law community with the library resources and helping creating a well-rounded and supportive learning environment. The days and times for all events can be found in the program calendar published every semester on the library website.

Library Programs – Beyond in-class instruction and general reference assistance, the library hosts a variety of programs each semester. Programs can include research skills, career readiness, destress activities, community outreach, and more. If there is a program you think the library should incorporate into its regular programming, please let us know by completing the Questions and Feedback Form.
Lexis/Westlaw Workshops – The library partners with Lexis and Westlaw to host multiple research workshops each semester. Topics range from general research to using new technology, like generative AI. Separate sessions are offered for faculty and students to cater the sessions to the most relevant resources.

Technology Manual for Students

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A Technology Manual for UDC Law Students is provided by the the Law Library IT Department. For any questions or concerns regarding this manual, please feel free to email lawIThelp@UDC.edu.
Topics in the Technology Manual for UDC Law Students include accessing course recordings, navigating blackboard, downloading the Microsoft Office Suite and more.

Laptops

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The library has circulating laptops as a courtesy for UDC Law students to use for short-term or long-term loans.

Short-Term Loans – Short-term loans allow individuals to borrow a library laptop for 48 hours in instances when a laptop is needed temporarily (e.g. forgot to bring laptop to campus, forgot charger and laptop died, etc.)
Long-Term Loans – A Long-term loans allow individuals to borrow a library laptop for 2 months while their laptop is being repaired and require pre-approval by the IT department. Borrowers must email lawithelp@udc.edu to get pre-approval for long-term loans prior to requesting a laptop at the circulation desk.

Mason Law Library Code of Conduct

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All patrons are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful manner. Behavior that violates this policy will result in intervention by staff. Such behavior includes but is not limited to:

Interfering with another person’s ability to use the facilities or services or with any library employees’ performance of their duties. Interference includes behavior that is deliberately intrusive, intimidating, hostile, or offensive.
Damaging, mutilating, or removing from the premises without authorization any part of the library collection, building, furnishings, equipment, or supplies, or using any of the same in a manner that is inconsistent with customary use.
Altering any computer system hardware or software configurations.
Making excessive noise, using a phone or playing audio equipment that creates a disturbance for all other library users.
Using abusive or threatening language.
Using matches, lighters, or other means of ignition, illegal substances or alcoholic beverages on Library premises. Smoking is not permitted in the building or within 25 feet of the building entrances, including the use of electronic cigarettes or other smoking-simulation devices.
Entering the Library without a shirt or other appropriate covering on the body or without shoes or other footwear.
Disrupting others with any strong odors or overly fragrant scents that may be unpleasant to other library users or staff.
Leaving personal belongings unattended.
Loitering in the building’s restrooms.
Bringing any animal into the Library, other than a registered service animal, or as approved for participation in library-sanctioned activities.
Soliciting or panhandling on library premises.
Engaging in any illegal act or conduct in violation of Federal, State, or local law, ordinance or regulation.
Disregarding the reasonable direction of a library staff member. Patrons may not remain in the library past regular operating hours or when circumstances dictate evacuation, e.g. power failure, fire, threatening weather, or similar situation.
Being present in library offices, lounges, storage areas, or other non-public areas while unaccompanied by a Library staff member or without prior agreement with library management.
Any and all other behavior that is contrary to the intended purposes of the library.

Library staff may address any of these behaviors in the following ways:

Verbal warning to cease the behavior or actions.
Written warning to cease and/or not to repeat behavior or actions.
Directing the patron to leave the premises.
Contacting public safety or the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Library staff are not required to go through the entire intervention process. Intervention may begin at any step, including immediate involvement of the police, depending upon the severity of the incident or behavior.

Extreme or repeated violation of this policy may result in a suspension of library privileges.

Please click here to view our general library policies.