Change
If you need change for the copy machines or for any other reason, please visit the bookstore on the 2nd floor. The law library cannot make change.
Circulation Information
Law library guests may access the collection while on campus, but do not have borrowing privileges.
Computer Lab
The student computer lab is located in the rear of the law library next to the classroom. This lab is operated by the Open Access Labs (OAL) in College Station and is restricted to Texas A&M School of Law students, faculty, and staff. You must login using your NetID and password. For any questions or problems, contact the Law School Information Technology Department at 817.212.3845 or call the help desk at 979.845.8300.
Printing from the lab computers costs 7¢ per page or 13¢ for both sides. Each student will automatically get $30 credit in your account each semester ($15 in the summer).
Students may also print from their device by uploading their document to the OAL Kiosk at aggieprint.tamu.edu and picking it up from any Kiosk on campus. No longer limited to PDFs! For more, see instructions in the lab or check with the reference librarian.
There is also a Lexis printer available for student use. This is free printing courtesy of Lexis and only available when logged into and printing from Lexis.
Copy Machines
Copy machines are located in the photocopy room. Copies are 10¢ per page. You may use cash or buy a copy card. Copy cards may be purchased from the 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.
Electronic Compact Shelving
In order to maximize the space available for our collection, the law library uses an electronic compact shelving system. Once you familiarize yourself with the operating instructions, you will find this system easy to use. In addition to these instructions, you should watch our Electronic Compact Shelving video.
Electronic Compact Shelving: Operating Instructions
- Locate the range you need to access.
- To operate the shelving, the light on the black control panel must be green. If it is not, go to the panel with the red light and press the Stop/Reset button.
- All of the ranges in the shelving group you are accessing will light up together after pressing the Stop/Reset button.
- Each shelving group has a stationary range on both sides of the movable shelving. Stationary ranges are solid wood and do not have black control panels on them.
PLEASE REMEMBER: Before moving any shelving, check the aisles to make sure they are empty.
- When you are ready to move the shelving, press the appropriate green arrow on the aisle you want to access. You do not have to move each range separately; the system will move multiple ranges for you.
Electronic Compact Shelving: Safety and Stopping
- There are 3 ways to stop the shelves from moving:
- Press the Stop/Reset button
- Break the beam of light by walking in or out of the aisle
- Break the beam of light on the range with the red and white stripe on the bottom
- If you are in an aisle and it begins to move, simply turn sideways to face the opening of the aisle and place the side of your foot against the red and white stripe to break the beam. NOTE: Using the side of your foot ensures the beam will be broken and stop the shelving; please do not use the toe of the foot because there may be a gap.
Food, Drink and Tobacco Use Policy
Food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed in the library. Drinks must be in covered, non-spillable containers. Users must clean up after themselves and promptly report spills. All tobacco products and simulated smoking devices are prohibited. These include, but are not limited to, electronic cigarettes, personal vaporizers and electronic nicotine delivery systems.
Gifts to the Law Library
The law library is not able to accept donations at this time. If you have any questions, please email Wendy Law, Head of Collection Development.
Guest Computers
There are two guest computers located near the reference desk in the law library reading room. If you wish to look up a book in our catalog, you will need to simply click on the "Account Help" link in the bottom left hand of the desktop. From there, our catalog will open and you can search for a book. If you would like to do more than just look up a book, you will have to request a Guest Account from the Reference Desk. Only library personnel are authorized to create Guest Accounts. Our student circulation clerks are not authorized to create these accounts. Therefore, you must make the request during our reference hours. Regular reference hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Weekends from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Printing for guests is available using our PaperCut system. Before you print, you must create a PaperCut guest account and fund it using your credit or debit card. Instructions for printing and creating a user account are posted in the Reading Room above the guest computers. The cost for printing is 10¢ per page. Westlaw is no longer available for our guests.
Lost and Found
A lost and found is maintained at the circulation desk. However, items of substantial value are 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.
Online Catalog
Paging
The 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.
Reference
The primary mission of the Dee J. Kelly Law Library is to support research, scholarship and curricular needs of the students and faculty at the Texas A&M University School of Law. During the academic year the reference desk is open 30 hours per week. When school is not in session, reference hours are limited.
As time permits, our law librarians, experts in legal research, are available to assist law library guests in locating legal information. Librarians can demonstrate the use of law books and legal information sources but cannot conduct legal research for you. Nor can librarians provide legal advice, interpret the law for you or apply the law to your particular set of circumstances. If you need legal advice, you should consult an attorney.
Reserves Information
The Reserve collection is located behind the circulation desk. The collection includes only required course materials for current Fort Worth on-campus courses, heavily used materials such as The Bluebook and the Texas Rules of Form, AV materials and items placed on reserve by Fort Worth resident professors. Law library guests may use Reserve items by leaving their ID with the circulation clerk; it will be returned when the item is returned. The law library will manage course reserves in compliance with copyright law.
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.
Restrooms
Restrooms are located in the rear of the law library. Follow the central aisle to the back of the law library; the restrooms are to the left.
Study Carrels and Tables
Study carrels and tables are located throughout the law library and are available on a first-come. first-served basis. There are also 7 stand-up desks available on the west side of the library.
Study Rooms
Study room use is restricted to current law students only. Students are allowed to reserve 2-hour blocks per reservation. You may reserve two blocks per day, but not consecutively to allow availability to other students. Masks are strongly encouraged while in the room. Please click here to make your reservation! This is a new system, so please feel free to contact the reference desk if you have any questions or problems making your reservation.
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 law library, please fill out a form and place it in this box. You may also make any suggestions or comments using our online form.
Wireless Access
The law school’s wireless network is available throughout the law library. Guests who wish to access the wireless network should go to the circulation desk for an access card.