Library Policies

Access Policy

The Law Library is a privately-funded research facility with the primary mission of supporting the study and research needs of Southwestern students and faculty. The library is open to the following groups:

• Southwestern students, faculty, and staff
• Southwestern alumni** 
• Students and faculty from other ABA-approved law schools with current law school ID, as long as Southwestern students and faculty receive reciprocal access at the visitor's law school. Reservations are required, and the library does not allow visitors without reservations. Access is allowed for short periods, usually to review materials in our physical collection. We do not allow ongoing, regular, unrestricted access to our library for study purposes. To create a reservation or for more information, please email circulation@swlaw.edu.
• Members of the legal community who purchased a Southwestern Law Library Membership. To apply for a membership or more information, please email circulation@swlaw.edu. Please note that applications are only accepted via email and not accepted on-site; be sure to email prior to your visit. 
• Graduates of other ABA-approved law schools who are studying for the July bar exam and have purchased a bar study card. To apply for a bar study card or for more information, please email circulation@swlaw.edu. We do not offer bar study card access for the February bar exam. Please note that applications are only accepted via email and not accepted on-site; be sure to email prior to your visit. 
• Authorized visitors who bring children under 14 into the library must supervise the child during their entire visit. 

**A Southwestern ID is required to enter the library. Southwestern alumni may use their old student ID. If they no longer have their ID, they can visit the Administrative Services Office (ASO) during regular business hours so their alumni status can be verified.  

Patrons with Disabilities

Patrons with disabilities should park on the upper deck of the parking lot behind the building. The law library is fully wheelchair accessible. Please ask any member of the library staff for assistance in reaching materials on the upper shelves and to provide other accessibility services, if needed. House phones are located on the first floor in the Computer Lab, on the second floor near the online catalog and in the photocopy room, and on the lower level near the photocopy room. Please call Reference at 6725 or Circulation at 5771 for assistance. Students with disabilities are encouraged to communicate their access needs and concerns to library staff.

Food and Drink

Beverages in secure lidded containers and small snack items that are not messy, noisy, or strong-smelling are permitted in the library. Please dispose of all trash in trash receptacles located throughout the library and leave all spaces clean for the next person.

Smoking

Smoking, e-cigarettes, and vaping are not permitted in any area of the library, including restrooms, stairwells, and group study rooms.

Noise and Cell Phones

Noise from conversations is the most frequent source of complaints from library users. Conversations and other unnecessary noise should be kept to a minimum. Cell phone usage is not permitted in the library. As a courtesy to others, please mute your phone when entering the library; return calls outside of the library.

Emergencies and General Security

Evacuation plans are posted at the main library stairwell, the elevator, and at all emergency exits. Please take a few minutes to walk around the library to become familiar with emergency exit locations. Intercoms for communicating with the security station at the building entrance are located in each restroom and throughout the library. If you notice anything suspicious, please report it to Security or library staff. It is better to err on the side of reporting the problem. Please do not leave your valuables, study materials, and especially, laptop computers unattended. Remember that your valuables can be taken in a matter of minutes.

Group Study Rooms

The library's 21 group study rooms are reserved for the exclusive use of currently-enrolled Southwestern students. The Study Room policies are listed on the booking landing page and on the Portal (log-in required).  To book a group study room, click here

Non-Compliance with Library Policies

Users who refuse to comply with library policies will be required to leave the library.

Complete Library Policies are posted on the Institutional Policies page.