Librarians are available to assist with legal research questions during library’s reference hours. During the Fall and Spring semesters, reference hours are:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
SSRN, eXpresso, and Scholastica access
Training & Lectures
Research/Material Requests/Alert Assistance
Exam Distribution
Course Management Support
Plagiarism Check Tools
Course Reserves
Scholastica (publication submissions)
SSRN/Digital Commons/Pure
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:
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.
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:
Library staff may address any of these behaviors in the following ways:
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.