• What the librarians CAN do for patrons:
  • Suggest specific titles and/or areas of the collection that might be useful to consult on a particular question.
  • Show you how a particular title or set of books is organized and indexed.
  • Help verify a citation or that we own a particular title or assist you in finding it at another library.
  • Show you how to access and use the law library’s catalog and public databases.
  • Photocopy or email material if you have a specific citation.
  • Refer you to legal assistance organizations in the area.
• What the reference librarian CANNOT do for patrons:
  • Interpret or explain the meaning of any document, legal or otherwise.
  • Give legal advice.
  • Recommend a particular lawyer.
  • Read any part of a statute, case, definition, etc. over the phone or to patrons in the library.
  • “Update” cases, statutes, etc. or let you know if they are still good law or have been overruled.
  • Help you fill in a form.
  • Do legal research.
• Why does the law library have these rules?
  • As law librarians, we are here to assist you in using and accessing the materials in the law library. Only your lawyer can interpret documents or give you legal advice. For the law librarians to do so would be unauthorized practice of law, which is illegal.

Food and drinks are allowed! Except when they are not…

• No smelly food, please. The student lounge is a great place for this type of food and is just steps away from the library on the sub-plaza level.
• No food at computer terminals*, and in the library stacks. We don’t want bugs.
• Dispose of remnants responsibly. Again, we don’t want bugs.
• Please report spills immediately to the circulation desk.
• Smoking or other use of tobacco products is prohibited in any public facility in Columbia city limits.
• Carrel/study room privileges may be forfeited after a student has received one warning for violation of the food, beverages, and tobacco policy.

*Except your own. Hey, it’s your dime, friend.

We know that you live in the library. We see your bunny slippers at your carrel. But be aware…

Personal property and study materials should not be left unattended on study tables or workstations when the owner leaves the library to attend class or for other extended periods. Library staff may remove these materials to maximize limited study space and computer access for all patrons.

The Law Library is not responsible for personal books, papers, laptops or other items left in the library. Tables are cleared daily. Assigned carrels and study rooms are cleared at the end of each semester.

Unfortunately, thefts do occur in the library. Please safeguard your belongings. Report thefts immediately to the circulation desk.

Please do…

• Reshelve your books.
• Most Law Library books do not circulate. Please call missing or damaged books to the attention of a staff member so that they can be repaired or replaced.

Please don’t…

Collections

• Remove or attempt to remove library materials, equipment or property without proper checkout or library authorization.
• Fail to either renew or return library materials when due.
• Conceal library materials in the Law Library for the exclusive use of an individual or group.
• Mutilate library materials by marking, underlining, removing pages or portions of pages, removing pocket parts and not replacing them in their correct volume, removing binding or labeling, or in any other way damaging or defacing library materials.
• Violate library food, beverage and tobacco rules.

Databases

• Use library databases for commercial purposes.
• Attempt to excessively download data from licensed databases. For specifics, see the University of Missouri Libraries Conditions of Use.

Building and Library Equipment

• Go to unauthorized areas of the Law Library, remain in the Law Library when requested to leave during emergency situations/drills, or fail to abide by Card Key access procedures relating to after-hours access.
• Open emergency exits except in emergency situations.
• Vandalize or deface the Law Library’s building, furniture or equipment.
• Maliciously access, alter or delete, damage, or destroy any computer system, network, computer program or data.
• Fail to observe University and Law School computer use policies.

Please don’t make us shush. We don’t like doing it.

• All areas where study rooms and carrels are located are “Quiet Zones.” Students with assigned spaces who fail to abide by the “Quiet Zone” rules will forfeit their spaces.
• Please keep all conversations quiet.
• Please silence cell phones and make phone calls outside of the library.
• Noise issues may be reported to the circulation desk. Patrons may be asked to leave if noise issues persist.

For students, the library is open 24 hours a day. For your safety and that of your colleagues (and your belongings), please do not allow anyone to follow you into the library after hours without swiping in with their ID.

Causing a disturbance or engaging in any behavior that interferes with the quiet and safe enjoyment of the Law Library’s facilities and services is prohibited. Proscribed behavior includes (but is not limited to) excessive noise, verbal abuse, threats of violence, or harassment directed at another person on library premises.

Any patron who violates any of the Rules of Conduct is subject to sanctions, including being asked to leave Law Library premises, being reported to campus police, and legal prosecution. Offenders are subject to loss of library privileges and may be in violation of the law school’s Honor Code. Not paying library fees may result in loss of library privileges.