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Library Services

Students

Reference Services

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. 

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. 

Study Aids

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. 

Research Guides

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

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.

Study Room Reservations

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).  

Faculty

Instructional Support

  • Research lectures & tutorials
  • Request articles, books, cases
  • Exam distribution
  • Learning Management System (Blackboard) Training
  • Plagiarism check tools
  • Course reserves

Research Services

  • Request articles, books, cases
  • Training for research assistants
  • Alert services

  • SSRN, eXpresso, and Scholastica access

Policies and Guidelines

Training & Lectures

  • Submit requests to lawlibraryhelp@udc.edu
  • Conditional on librarian availability
  • Scheduled minimum of 2 weeks in advance
  • Must provide course materials relevant to the lecture topic

Research/Material Requests/Alert Assistance

  • Submit to lawlibraryhelp@udc.edu
  • Provide clear and complete request, preferred contact method for any follow-up questions
  • If requested materials are readily available on Westlaw or Lexis, hyperlinks will be provided
  • Librarians do not provide cite checking or proofreading services
  • Due to copyright restrictions, library staff will not scan large portions of print material
  • Allow 24 hours for a response if submitted during the work week, requests on weekends and holidays will take longer to fulfill

Exam Distribution

  • Graded exams must be compiled and organized sequentially by B number before being dropped off at the Circulation Desk.
  • Exams will be available for student retrieval for 7 days from the drop-off day. Any remaining exams will be returned to the professor via campus mail. 
  • Contact the Access Services Librarian with any questions or concerns at 202-274-7310. 

Course Management Support

  • Submit requests for assistance with technical issues/training to lawlibraryhelp@udc.edu
  • Library provides training and informational resources to help instructors:
    • Create new course sites
    • Reuse old course sites
    • Enroll/unenroll students
    • Contact students through course site via email/announcements
    • Manage course site content
    • Link to lecture videos
  • Due to copyright restrictions, library staff will not scan materials for inclusion on course sites 

Plagiarism Check Tools

  • Contact lawlibraryhelp@udc.edu for available options and requirements
  • Allow 24 hours for a response if submitted during the work week, inquiries on weekends and holidays may take longer

Course Reserves

  • Request via lawlibraryhelp@udc.edu in advance of the first day of classes
  • Conditional on item availability
  • If the item is a personal copy, copyright restrictions should be noted in writing and attached to the item when placed on reserve

Scholastica (publication submissions) 

SSRN/Digital Commons/Pure

D.C. Community Library Users

The Mason Law Library serves the education and research needs of its students, faculty, staff, and members of the public. Community library users with research needs may use the library's physical space, wireless internet, and print collection. Members of the public do not generally have access to UDC Law Library databases. Community members are welcome to visit the library from 9am-7pm, Monday through Thursday. In order to visit the library, members of the public must reserve a day and time 24 hours in advance by calling 202-274-7310 or emailing lawlibraryhelp@udc.edu. Please note, public hours may change during holidays and exam periods.

Reference assistance is also available to the public when visiting the UDC Law Library. Reference librarians are available to assist community library users with: 

  • Locating legal information through freely available online sources, like federal and state government websites, Google Scholar, and others.
  • Locating and retrieving materials in the library’s print collection.
  • Identifying and accessing available online resources to meet specific research needs.

Reference staff are unable to provide any type of legal advice to library users. This policy is not only for the protection of our users, but also providing such advice violates the rules and laws governing the practice of law.

Mason Law Library Code of Conduct

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Altering any computer system hardware or software configurations.
  4. Making excessive noise, using a phone or playing audio equipment that creates a disturbance for all other library users.
  5. Using abusive or threatening language.
  6. 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.
  7. Entering the Library without a shirt or other appropriate covering on the body or without shoes or other footwear.
  8. Disrupting others with any strong odors or overly fragrant scents that may be unpleasant to other library users or staff.
  9. Leaving personal belongings unattended.
  10. Loitering in the building’s restrooms.
  11. Bringing any animal into the Library, other than a registered service animal, or as approved for participation in library-sanctioned activities.
  12. Soliciting or panhandling on library premises.
  13. Engaging in any illegal act or conduct in violation of Federal, State, or local law, ordinance or regulation.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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:

  1. Verbal warning to cease the behavior or actions.
  2. Written warning to cease and/or not to repeat behavior or actions.
  3. Directing the patron to leave the premises.
  4. 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.