Change
The Dee J. Kelly Law Library cannot make change. If you need change for the copy machines or for any other reason, you may go to the Business Office on the first floor or the Bookstore on the second floor. There is also a change machine available in the Student Lounge on the second floor.
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Computer Classroom
The Law Library’s computer classroom is dedicated to computer-assisted legal instruction. Access to the computer classroom is limited to current Texas Wesleyan University School of Law students, faculty and staff. These patrons must have their School of Law ID cards to access the computer classroom. To enter the classroom, patrons must swipe their ID cards through the reader next to the computer classroom door.
Student reservations for the computer classroom are not accepted. The computer classroom may be reserved for an authorized academic purpose at the request of the law school administration and with permission of the library administration.
The Law Library computer classroom closes 30 minutes before the Law Library closes.
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Computer Lab
Texas Wesleyan University School of Law faculty, staff, and currently enrolled students may use the Law Library’s computer lab for electronic legal research. A current Texas Wesleyan School of Law ID card is required to enter the computer lab. To enter the lab, eligible patrons must swipe their card through the reader next to the lab door.
All of the terminals in the computer lab are password-restricted. Eligible patrons who want to use the lab facilities must enter their username and password to access the computer terminals.
All of the computers provide access to the Westlaw, LexisNexis, the Internet and the Law Library's electronic databases. They also have word processing capabilities.
Patrons must use a library copy card to print to the computer lab laser printer. Printouts cost ¢10 per page. Copy cards may be purchased from the copy card dispenser located in the Photocopy Room.
LexisNexis and Westlaw are available to School of Law students and faculty for educational use only. Authorized patrons needing assistance with LexisNexis and Westlaw should ask a student representative for the service or call the following numbers for customer service.
LexisNexis Customer Service: (800) 543-6862
West Customer Technical Support: (800) 937-8529
West Reference Attorneys: (800) 733-2889
The Law Library computer lab closes 30 minutes before the Law Library closes.
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Copy Machines
The Dee J. Kelly Law Library has three copy machines available for patrons. Copies cost ¢10 per page. All machines accept coins and $1, $5, $10, and $20 bills, as well as copy cards. Change is not available in the Law Library. Change may be obtained from the Business Office or Bookstore when open, and from the change machine in the Student Lounge. Additionally, patrons may email copies to their personal email accounts from the copy machines. Emailing copies is free. Please note that the copy machines and the Law Library cannot accept checks or credit cards.
Copy cards may be purchased from the copy card dispenser located in the Photocopy Room. The copy card itself costs $1 and must be purchased with a $1 bill. After purchase, value may be added to the card with $1, $5, $10, and $20 bills.
The copyright laws of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) govern the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Persons using the photocopiers are liable for any copyright infringement.
Please report copy machine malfunctions to the Circulation Clerk.
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Electronic Compact Shelving
In order to maximize the space available for our collection, the Law Library uses an electronic compact shelving system. This system can be confusing to those unfamiliar with it. For safety information and instructions on how to operate the electronic shelving, please see this guide or ask a Reference Librarian for assistance.
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Faxes
At this time, the Dee J. Kelly Law Library cannot provide fax machines or faxing services for patrons.
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Food, Drink and Tobacco Use Policy
To ensure the safety and comfort of our patrons, food may not be consumed in the Dee J. Kelly Law Library. Alcohol, tobacco and drug use are strictly prohibited. Non-alcoholic drinks are allowed, but only in covered, non-spillable containers. Acceptable drink containers include, but are not limited to: coffee or travel mugs with lids; water or soft drink bottles with tops; and sports bottles with lids or closable spouts. Unacceptable drink containers include, but are not limited to: plastic, styrofoam, or other disposable cups; aluminum soft drink cans; and uncovered mugs, cups or glasses.
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Library Audio Tour
An audio tour of the library in mp3 format is available for checkout at the Circulation Desk. This tour includes a tutorial of the online catalog and an optional accompanying worksheet. Faculty, students, and staff of the Texas Wesleyan University School of Law may check out the mp3 player by presenting a current Texas Wesleyan University ID card to the Circulation Clerk. Other patrons may check out the mp3 player by leaving a valid Texas driver's license at the Circulation Desk.
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Library Public and Catalog Computers
There are four computers located in the Dee J. Kelly Law Library Reading Room, near the Circulation and Reference Desks. These computers are dedicated to the use of the Law Library's online catalog and the LegalTrac database. These computers may not be used to run other applications. Word processing is not available on these computers. Printing on these computers is restricted to printouts of catalog or LegalTrac records only.
In addition to the catalog computers, there are two public computer terminals located at the rear of the Law Library. These computers offer internet access, but do not provide public access to subscription or password-based databases such as Westlaw and LexisNexis. Patrons wishing to use these services must provide their own passwords. Printing and word processing are not available on these computers.
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Lost and Found
A Lost and Found is maintained at the Circulation Desk. However, items of substantial value should be taken to the Business Office. The Law Library is not responsible for articles turned into the Lost and Found or for articles left at the Circulation Desk for other patrons.
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Microfiche/Microform Room
The Law Library has an extensive collection of materials in microfiche and microform format. These materials are located in the Microform Room near the back of the Law Library.
The major part of our microform collection is Congressional Information Service material. It is accessed via the LexisNexis Congressional database, found on the LexisNexis website at www.lexisnexis.com/cis. One of the computers in the Microform Room is dedicated to the use of this database. The room also contains reader/printers to view and print the microform. Printing from these printers is free.
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Newspapers and Magazines
The Dee J. Kelly Law Library maintains subscriptions to a variety of local and national newspapers and magazines. Current and recent issues of these periodicals are kept behind the Circulation Desk. If you would like to check out one of these items, please ask the Circulation Clerk for assistance.
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Noise in the Library
The Dee J. Kelly Law Library is a working library, dedicated to assisting patrons in locating and using legal information resources. As a result, the Law Library cannot guarantee a quiet study environment in open areas such as the Reading Room. Students seeking a quiet study space are encouraged to try the Quiet Room, one of the Study Rooms, or the open study areas around the perimeter of the library.
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Paging
The Dee J. Kelly Law Library does not have an internal pager system and cannot page library patrons. Clerks and Librarians will not leave the Circulation or Reference Desks to search for individual Law Library patrons unless there is an emergency.
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Quiet Room
In order to accommodate those law students needing a quiet place to study, the Dee J. Kelly Law Library offers a Quiet Room, which may be used by Texas Wesleyan University School of Law students only. It is reserved for quiet study. As a courtesy to others, talking is not permitted in the Quiet Room. No electronic devices, including but not limited to laptop computers, cell phones, CD, DVD, mp3 players, or pagers may be used in the Quiet Room. Food and drink are prohibited in the Quiet Room. The Quiet Room has a closed-door policy. The door may not be propped open or otherwise prevented from closing.
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Reshelving Books
Patrons are welcome to reshelve their own books if they wish. For those who are not comfortable reshelving their items, reshelving carts are placed around the Law Library. Simply leave your books on a cart and the Library staff will reshelve them.
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Restrooms
Restrooms are located in the rear of the Dee J. Kelly Law Library. Follow the central aisle to the back of the Law Library; the restrooms are to the left.
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Study Carrels and Tables
There are a large number of study carrels and tables placed around the Law Library. These carrels and tables are available on a first-come first-served basis and may not be reserved or saved for long-term use. All books left on carrels or tables will be reshelved unless a signed, dated note is placed on the books asking that they be left in place. Even if a note is present, books left on tables or carrels will be reshelved after 24 hours.
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Study Rooms
Dee J. Kelly Law Library study rooms are reserved for the sole use of Texas Wesleyan University School of Law students. These study rooms are for use by two or more law students who need a place for quiet discussion and study. If a study room has only one occupant, a group needing the study room may ask the individual to yield the room. Reservations for the study rooms are not accepted unless the room is being used for an authorized academic purpose. Rooms are available on a first-come-first-served basis and law students are asked to limit their use of the rooms to two hours. As a courtesy to others, law students are strongly encouraged to conduct their group discussions in the study rooms.
The Law Library does not permit “homesteading” in group study rooms. Homesteading occurs when the occupants of a study room leave their possessions in the room without physically being present in the room for 20 minutes or more. If this practice is brought to the attention of a Law Librarian, she may place a note on the door of the study room noting the current time. If after 20 minutes the occupants have not returned, then the Law Librarian will remove the personal items from the room. The room will then be turned over to the waiting students. The owners should see a Law Librarian for retrieval of their belongings.
The study rooms also include audiovisual equipment. This equipment may not be reserved, although students needing to use the AV equipment will be given priority over students who are not using it.
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Suggestions and Comments
There is a suggestion box located on the pillar outside the Photocopy Room. If you have a comment or suggestion regarding the Dee J. Kelly Law Library, please fill out a suggestion form and place it in this box. You may also fill out an online suggestion form and email it to library director, Michelle Rigual.
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Supplies
The Law Library cannot provide office supplies for patrons. This includes, but is not limited to writing utensils, paper clips, notepads, post-it notes, staples, push pins, scissors, tape, white-out, and rubber bands. Staplers and a 3-hole punch are available in the Photocopy Room. Other supplies may be purchased in the Bookstore on the second floor during normal operating hours.
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