INTRODUCTION
The primary goal of the Law Library is to provide the best possible legal information and reference services to the students and faculty of the Truman Bodden Law School and external users. We encourage you to ask for assistance or information from the Library Staff to help us achieve that goal. We also ask that you make suggestions that will assist us in improving our service or the
collection. The Law Library is the laboratory of the legal researcher. About 10,000 volumes form the core collection of the library. In addition, the library provides online access to a variety of legal and law related databases and indexes to enhance research capabilities. Particular emphasis has been placed on collecting materials that support the major programmes of the Law School. We hope that your time spent in the library is productive, informative and rewarding. Please let us know if there are ways in which we can help you. LIBRARY STAFF
Mrs. Beverley Speirs
Librarian
Tel: 345-945-0077 ext. 231
Fax: 345-946-1845
[email protected]
Mr. Victor Villarin
Assistant Librarian
Tel: 345-945-0077 ext. 221
Fax: 345-946-1845
[email protected]
LIBRARY HOURS
Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00 pm. The Law Library is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. Library hours are extended prior to and during exams. A schedule will be placed on the notice board. ACCESS POLICY
Access to the Law School Library collection is defined for the following groups:
1.) Law School patrons, including faculty, students, alumni and other staff of the Law School
2.) Staff of the Legal Department and the Judicial Department (limited loans)
3.) Staff of other government departments (reference only)
4.) Members of the general public (reference only)
LAW LIBRARY RULES
1. The goal of the Library is to make the collection freely available to all patrons as is consistent with proper and equitable use. Compliance with the following rules will be appreciated by all library users and will be strictly enforced by all members of staff.
2. The unavailability of staff materials is frustrating to all library users. Please make sure you are correctly re-shelving books you have used and re-shelve all materials promptly. Intentionally mis-shelving or hiding library books is strictly prohibited.
3. Library users are expected to work quietly. Please step outside or use the upstairs student common room for conversations. Disturbing other users or disrupting the library in any manner, including noisy behaviour, loud conversation will not be tolerated.
4. Cellphones must not be used in the library or in the computer room. All patrons should turn off the ring feature on their cellphones so that the noise does not disturb other users. Conversations on these phones should be carried on outside the library.
5. Please do not write in, underline, highlight or otherwise deface or mutilate library books.
6. Food or drink (except bottled water) of any kind can damage library materials and must not be brought into the library.
7. Smoking and use of to***co products is not permitted in the library.
8. Library materials must not be removed from the library unless they have been properly checked out by an authorized library officer.
9. All library books must be returned to the Assistant Librarian's desk or dropped in the Book Return Bin in the absence of the Assistant Librarian. The transfer of books between students is not permitted. All library books remain the responsibility of the borrower until returned in one of the above two ways.
10. All debts to the library must be paid prior to graduation. Results and certificates will be withheld until all outstanding debts have been paid.
11. Students are obliged to pay the replacement cost (and associated costs of administration) of books lost, damaged or defaced.
12. Emergency exits must not be used except in the event of an emergency. Alarms on these doors will go off when opened.
13. Library users may not post signs in the library.
14. Library staff phones are not available for public use.
15. The library reserves the right to recall materials borrowed before the due date.
16. A fine of $2.00 per book per day will be levied for overdue books.
17. Students who transgress any of the above rules will have their library privileges revoked. THE COLLECTION
The collection comprises works which cover all aspects of the law. These materials include: textbooks, law reports, laws, statutes and digests, law journals, government publication, legal online databases and legal websites. Reference materials are identified by a red dot on the spine of the book. These books may not be removed from the library. Books intended for the professional practice course (PPC) are identified by a green dot. The textbook collection is arranged according to Moy's Classification System for Legal Libraries. The other materials are divided into the following sections—Law Reports, Statutes and Laws, and Journals. These are arranged alphabetically by title. All materials in the collection are protected by the 3M theft-detection system. Users should ensure that books are properly checked out and desensitized before attempting to remove them from the library, or an alarm will go off. CIRCULATION
The Law School Library is primarily a research and reference collection of law materials to be used within the library, and thus certain categories of materials do not circulate. Legal reference materials that do not circulate include law reports, indexes, digests, encyclopedias, court reports, and statutes. Other materials that do not circulate include periodicals, parts of multi-volume treatises and loose-leaf services and journals. Library materials circulate via an online system. All library patrons must be registered with the library in order to check items from the collection. Registration forms and circulation guidelines are available at front desk. Students with overdue materials may be blocked from registering for the next semester, or from obtaining results pending the return of overdue materials, or payment for lost or damaged items. The library's online catalogue, OPAC, is vailable on all the workstations in the computer room. OPAC may be used to search the collection, locate an item, or determine the status of an item. If an item is not on the shelf, and OPAC does not indicate that the item is checked out, please inquire at the circulation desk. The collections of the Judicial and Legal Departments can also be accessed in OPAC. LOAN POLICY
Overdue and Fines Notices
Fines are imposed immediately on all borrowers for the late return of any items. These penalties will continue to accrue until the item or items are returned and discharged. A fine or fee of $50.00 or more will block borrowing or renewal of materials. Once an item is charged/checked out to a user, the user should assume full responsibility for the item, including returning the item on time. Overdue reminders and fine notices are sent as a courtesy act only, and failure to receive a notice does not constitute the basis for canceling a fine. Students who take library books overseas are not exempt from fines. You can renew a book by e-mail or telephone. Simply e-mail the librarian, library assistant or any of the administrative staff. All that is necessary to renew an item is your name. Never ignore an overdue, recall or fine notice. Failure to return overdue items or pay outstanding debts may result in the with-holding of Academic Transcripts and may prevent re-enrolment. Outstanding charges will result in sanctions being imposed over the release of exam results. It is advisable that all students, particularly overseas students, clear their library accounts before they leave the country for holidays or for good. LIBRARY SERVICES
Computers
A computer lab dedicated to students’ use is located in the library. These computers are for general research/writing. Laser printing is available but students MUST PROVIDE THEIR OWN PAPER (which can be purchased at the reception desk in reams). There is also an open wireless network facility. Computers are sanctioned for use by students in a responsible and appropriate manner. Use will be monitored. Students must not save their own material on the hard drives of the computers in the computer lab. Any such materials will be deleted from the hard drive. Photocopying
A self-service photocopy machine is located at the back of the library. The photocopying service is free but students MUST PROVIDE THEIR OWN PAPER (which can be purchased at the reception desk in reams). Online Legal Databases
The library provides access for registered students to legal databases including Lexis Nexis Butterworths, Lexis Nexis Professional, Westlaw UK and i-law.com, Business Law Reports and Crime Online. Students will need their University of Liverpool password to access most of these databases.
