Student Advice

How to Get the Most Out of Your Law Library

Temple-Law-Library

Welcome to the law library!  Not just a physical space with desks, printers, and laptop chargers, we offer numerous services – in-person and remotely – to students and faculty.  We are happy to help you in any way that we can.

Research Help

For research help, please stop by the library’s Research Help Desk and ask one of our reference librarians.  There is no appointment necessary, and we have evening hours.  If you can’t make it in person, you can call (215-204-7891) or email (tulawlib@temple.edu) your inquiry.  Even if your question is not specifically about legal research or the law library, please feel free to ask.

We also offer 1-on-1 research meetings for more detailed questions.  Are you trying to find specialized legal or interdisciplinary sources for a research paper?  Do you need to do a preemption check for your journal note, but don’t know where to start?  Do you want a refresher or introduction to a database as you prepare for your summer position?  One of our reference librarians will meet with you to go over your specific needs.  To request a 1-on-1 research meeting, please send an email to tulawlib@temple.edu.

Research Training and Research Guides

The law library offers periodic training sessions to help you improve your legal research skills.  Please keep an eye out for announcements about these training opportunities, such as research paper resources and international legal research.  If you have ideas on particular training you’d like us to offer you or your organization, please let us know at tulawlib@temple.edu.

We have published several research guides based on common questions or professor requests.  With topics ranging from interview prep to intellectual property to Pennsylvania-specific resources, they cover a variety of needs.  Take a few minutes to check them out here.

Casebooks and Study Aids – and Supplies

The law library keeps one copy of every required casebook on reserve behind the circulation desk.  We also have on reserve study aids, such as the Examples & Explanations (aka E&E) series and the Understanding series, as well as Bluebooks and a variety of dictionaries, legal directories, and other reference materials.  Because of their popularity, reserve materials only can be checked out for three hours at a time (no renewals), and there is a $5.00 per hour late fee for failing to return them on time.

In addition, CALI has web-based lessons on a series of topics for first-year and upper-level students that is free to Temple Law students.  For a full list, please visit their website.  Access information is available at the library’s Research Help Desk.

The library scanner is a popular destination, particularly at the beginning of the semester.  Scanning is free, and students can email themselves the files or save them to a thumb drive.  A copier is available nearby (sorry – no fax machine).  The law library also has “cool tools” such as laptop and phone chargers, headphones, a calculator, and a DVD drive on reserve and offers earplugs, paper clips, and access to staplers, tape, scissors, and a three-hole punch at the circulation desk.

Research & Study Space

The law library always is available as a research and study space.  We have over 600 seats, ranging from traditional chairs and tables to carrels to sofas.  Just remember that noise carries in the library, so please show respect for your classmates – and keep the entire library from knowing your personal business – by conducting conversations at low volumes.  If you need help controlling the noise in your study space, please let a library staff member know.

We have one group study room that may be reserved online for a three-hour period.  The link is on the left side of the law library’s homepage.  In addition, the SBA has study rooms in Barrack Hall.

Fun Stuff

Because everyone needs a break, the law library holds various low-commitment activities throughout the year.  Take a couple of minutes for a research guide scavenger hunt or to vote for your favorite player in the Electronic Eight, learn about a new resource, and get some candy.

During exam periods, the law library provides a “Take a Break” table, with jigsaw puzzles, coloring, and other non-legal activities available.  Or you can check out a game – we have Settlers of Catan and Codenames.

Let us know if you have any suggestions for additional cool tools, games, or programming.  We’re here to help!

Questions about this post? Drop us a line at lawcomm@temple.edu.