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News and information from the Dickinson Law Library

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Returning Borrowed Materials to the Library

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The end of the semester is the perfect time to return any research materials borrowed from the library. Here are answers to some common questions. 

How do you return materials from interlibrary loan or items from other Penn State campus libraries?    

You can return these items to us. Place your borrowed materials on the book return cart in front of the Service Desk or on the counter.    

How do you return reference books?    

The procedure is different if you have a reference book because the loan period is only 2 hours. You should return these items directly to library staff to ensure prompt check-in. Of course, you can always renew reference books using your library account.

You will be charged overdue fines if you fail to return reference items on time.    

Can you return items without entering the library?  

Yes. There is an outdoor book return receptacle at the South Street entrance to the law school.     

Can you return books to another Penn State campus library?    

Yes. Borrowed materials may be returned to any Penn State location. Please check the library hours at the other campus for in-person returns. You can also return books to most Penn State campus libraries through an outdoor receptacle or book return slot.    

What should you do if none of these options work?     

Contact us at DickinsonLawLib@psu.edu.   

What are the library hours during the break?   

The law school will be closed from Tuesday, December 24 through Wednesday, January 1 and the library will not be accessible to anyone during this period. The library will be unstaffed on Monday, December 23; Thursday, January 2 and Friday, January 3 – members of the Penn State Dickinson Law community can continue to access the library with 24/7 keycard access on these days. Intersession hours will be posted outside the library on January 3. 

This post, originally drafted by Jeri Fitzsimons in 2023, underwent minor edits in 2024 by Megan Braught.

Using Group Study Rooms in the Library

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The library has 5 group study rooms that are ideal for collaborative group study. Students may reserve study rooms online from mobile devices using Penn State’s classroom and event scheduling site known as 25live.

Creating a Reservation

  1. Log in to 25live.
  2. Under the Express Scheduling module, enter the date for your reservation. Select a beginning and ending time. Study rooms can be reserved for two hours with a renewal for an additional two hours, assuming there is no conflicting reservation. 
  3. Choose your location. The library study rooms are 202, 203, 207, 208 and 209. You may also look for rooms with Trickett Hall, which is the designation for Dickinson Law in the description.
  4. Create an event name. Use a generic name like study time, group study, etc. for your reservation. It is best not to use a personal name for an event.

After you make your reservation, you will receive a confirmation email from 25live.

Tips

  • Be prompt! Groups that are more than 10 minutes late will forfeit their reservation.
  • Larger study groups may prefer to use rooms 202 and 203, which seat 8-10 students. Room 209 holds 6 students. Rooms 207 and 208 are suitable for groups with fewer than 6 people.
  • You might need to move to another study room if your room has been reserved while you are using it.
  • All meeting spaces utilize Zoom Rooms for wireless content sharing and video conferencing.

Understanding the Screens Outside the Study Rooms

Reservations are displayed on the screen outside the room.

Picture of screen outside study room

      • If the screen is glowing green, the room is available.
      • If the screen is glowing red, the room is occupied.

Touch the screen pad to see the room’s scheduled usage for the day. Scroll down to see all the time slots.

This post, originally drafted by Jeri Fitzsimons in 2023, underwent minor edits in 2024 by Megan Braught.

Requesting Interlibrary Loans

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As a part of Penn State University, Dickinson Law students and faculty have access to vast physical and digital collections throughout the University Libraries system. However, there may be times when the resource you are looking for is not available through this system. In these instances, you can utilize Penn State’s Interlibrary Loan services to fulfill your research needs.

What is Interlibrary Loan?

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a service that allows you to request materials that the University Libraries do not have. Library staff are able to fill Interlibrary Loan requests by borrowing items from other libraries outside of Penn State. These items are then shipped to the borrower’s home library where they can be checked out. Interlibrary Loan can also be used to request specific articles which are unavailable through Penn State’s databases.

How Does It Work?

If this is your first time using Interlibrary Loan, you will need to create an ILLiad account.

ILLiad logo.
ILLiad home page.
Once your account is created, there are two main ways to request material – either using WorldCat or the Submit New Requests feature on the ILLiad home page.

To use WorldCat, search their database for the item you want to request. Once you have found a copy of it, select the “View access options” button and then choose “Request Item through Interlibrary Loan.

Access from your libraries
This link will take you to a request form pre-populated with the material’s information from the WorldCat entry. Make sure all the information is correct, then submit the request.
Pre-populated book request form,
If you already know all the information needed to make your request, you can skip WorldCat and manually enter the request yourself under the “Submit New Requests” tab on the ILLiad home page.
Once your request is submitted, the ILL team will work to acquire the materials, thought not all requests are able to be fulfilled.
For more information about the Interlibrary Loan process, including frequently asked questions, visit the LibGuide!

Using the Catalog

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Need to know how to find that specific book you’re looking for? Need to know what book to look for? While library staff are always happy to assist you with understanding and accessing our collection, their hours are limited. Learning to properly use the Penn State University Libraries catalog can be a great assistance in preparing for your classes and doing personal research.

Here are some helpful tips for navigating the catalog and its features!

A search bar with a dropdown menu for the search index field.

If you know the title and/or author of the book you are looking for, you can change the search index on the left to the “Title” or “Author” field and search for it.

Catalog search result for "The legal analyst: a toolkit for thinking about the law" by Ward Farnsworth. There is a blue button that says "View Availability". Underneath the button is a box with information about what Penn State libraries the book is available at. In the top right corner of the box is another blue button that says "I Want It".

Once you see the book on the results page, you can select “View Availability” and the catalog will show which Penn State locations it is available at. If there is a copy at Dickinson Law, you can come and find it on our shelves to check out! If copies are unavailable or available at another location, select “I Want It” and a hold will be created for your account. The item will be delivered to our library, and you will be sent a notification that the item is being held for you at the circulation desk.

Remember to bring your Penn State ID for any check outs!

Refine search results options of 10 drop-down menus - Access, Format, Campus, University Park Libraries, Language, Subject, Genre, Media Type, Call Number, Publication Year. The Access menu is open and showing the categories - Online, In the Library, Free to Read and On Order along with the number of results in each category. All the other menus are closed.

 

If you are not looking for a specific item, but rather books on a specific topic, you can utilize the “Keyword” search index and then refine your search results by using the “Advanced search” option and the dropdown menus on the left side of the screen. For tips on most effectively utilizing the catalog search features, check out this page.

 

 

 

 

 

If you find a book that strikes your interest and want more books in that specific area, click on the catalog record and then select “Browse Nearby on Shelf.”Catalog record for "Law & international law: a bibliography of bibliographies" by Theodore Besterman. Under the Availability section, there is a white button, outlined in blue with blue text, that says "Browse Nearby on Shelf".

This will pull up a list of items that are categorized similarly to the original book and what locations they are available at. For more information on an item, the blue call number links to each book’s record.

List of books with call numbers immediately preceding and following the call number of "Law & international law: a bibliography of bibliographies." The call numbers are blue links.

Get comfortable using the catalog and take your research to a new level!

For assistance or information on the using the catalog, please email  DickinsonLawLib@psu.edu or ask for help at the circulation desk.

Welcome New and Returning Students!

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Puppy on welcome mat

Source: iStock

Welcome new students and welcome back returning students. This post covers some of the basics of using the library’s spaces and resources.

Access and General Policies

When do I have access to the library?⮟

You may access the library 24/7 using your Penn State ID card. You must have your ID card on weekends and evenings to enter the library. Make sure you take your card with you when you leave the library during those times.

The library’s doors are usually open during the week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. On the weekends, the doors are closed, regardless of whether someone is working at the front desk.

When is the library staffed?
  • Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Sunday: noon to 6 p.m.

Check the library’s website for information about holidays and weekends.

How do I ask a question when the library is not staffed? ⮟

You can send a question to DickinsonLawLib@psu.edu. However, that email address is only monitored during regular weekday business hours.

Can I eat or drink in the library? ⮟

Drinks in closed containers are okay. Small snacks are also okay, but we ask that any food trash be removed from the library and that any spills are reported. Please be mindful of others; the library is not cleaned regularly. Food can get gross in the trash cans. This is especially true in the study rooms and on weekends. 

Can I talk in the library? ⮟

Speak softly and keep conversations short. We don’t have certain sections reserved for quiet and others for talking, as some academic libraries do. You can book a group study room to talk to your classmates.

Library Materials

What online study aids are available?⮟

You can find these resources on the library’s website.

  • West Academic Study Aids Collection: (Note: This is something different than Westlaw.) Gilbert’s Law Summaries is one of the most well-known resources in this collection. You can sign up for a personal account that allows you to highlight and add notes.
  • Wolters Kluwer Study Aid Library: You will find the very popular Examples and Explanations series in this collection. The study aids collection is similar to the West Academic Study Aids in that you can use it without an individual account, but setting up an individual account provides access to advanced features.
  • CALI: CALI stands for the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction. Almost all law schools in the country belong to CALI, a non-profit organization that offers interactive online lessons and other learning resources. Your access to CALI includes over 1,000 tutorials written and peer-reviewed by faculty at CALI member schools. Using CALI requires an individual account. You need a registration code to set up that account.
  • Lexis Digital Library: This study aids collection includes the popular Mastering series. The library’s website provides access to the Lexis Digital Library. You can also download an app to use it offline.
Do we have course reserves?⮟

No, we do not offer print or electronic course reserves.

How do I check out and renew books?⮟

Books can only be checked out when the front desk is staffed. You must have your Penn State ID card. No exceptions! You can renew a book online or bring it to the front desk, and we will do it for you.

Check-Out Periods

  • Browsing and Anti-Racist Collections: 4 weeks, with a renewal option
  • Reference Works: 2 hours
  • Other Circulating Books: 1 semester
Do I have access to books from other Penn State campuses? ⮟

Yes. You can use the library catalog to locate resources at our library and other Penn State libraries. The title entry under location in the catalog indicates if materials are checked out. Place a hold on a checked-out item by clicking “I Want It” on the entry. This will reserve the book for you. It will be delivered to our library for you to pick up. (Tip: Don’t use I Want It for items in our collection.)

Can I get a copy of a book that is not held by any Penn State library? ⮟

Yes, or at least we will try our best to obtain a copy of the book for you using interlibrary loan (ILL). You must create an ILL account to borrow something from outside the Penn State library system. We will notify you electronically when all the requested items are available to be checked out.

Group Study Rooms and Printing

How many study rooms are available? ⮟

We have five study rooms on the second floor of the library. Larger groups may prefer to use rooms 202 and 203, which seat 8-10 students, respectively. Room 209 holds six students. The smaller study rooms, 207 and 208 are more suitable for groups with five or fewer people.

Can I schedule/reserve a group study room? ⮟

You can reserve a study room using your 25Live account online. You can also use 25Live to see whether or not a room is available. There are QR codes outside the study rooms that you can use to book them.

Can individuals use a group study room? ⮟

The study rooms are for group study. If you need private individual space, for example, a Zoom interview, there are reservable rooms near the Career Office. That said, the doors are not locked, so an individual may use an unoccupied study room so long as they promptly and politely vacate the room if a group wants to use it.

Where are the printers and scanners? ⮟

There is a printer near the circulation desk on the first floor. There is also a free Lexis printer on the second floor. The scanner is on the first floor.

Returning Borrowed Research Resources to the Library

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The end of the semester is the perfect time to return any research materials borrowed from the library. Here are answers to some common questions. 

How do you return materials from interlibrary loan or items from other Penn State campus libraries?    

You can return these items to us. Place your borrowed materials on the book return cart in front of the Service Desk or on the counter.    

How do you return reference or reserve books?    

The procedure is different if you have a reference book or course reserves because the loan period is only 2 hours. You should return these items directly to library staff to ensure prompt check-in. Of course, you can renew reference and reserve books using your library account.

You will be charged overdue fines if you fail to return reference or reserve items on time.    

Can you return items without entering the library?  

Yes. There is an outdoor book return receptacle at the South Street entrance to the law school.     

Can you return books to another Penn State campus library?    

Yes. Borrowed materials may be returned to any Penn State location. Please check the library hours at the other campus for in-person returns. You can also return books to most Penn State campus libraries through an outdoor receptacle or book return slot.    

What should you do if none of these options work?     

Contact us at DickinsonLawLib@psu.edu.   

What are the library hours during the break?   

The library will not be staffed from Friday, December 22nd through Monday, January 1st, 2024.  But you can still access the building and library using your law school ID. 

Group Study Rooms in the Library

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The library has 5 group study rooms that are ideal for collaborative group study. Students may reserve study rooms online from mobile devices using Penn State’s classroom and event scheduling site known as 25live.

Creating a Reservation

  1. Log in to 25live. Click on the blue box in the center of the page, then select Express Scheduling.
  2. Enter the date for your reservation. Select a beginning and ending time. Study rooms can be reserved for two hours with a renewal for an additional two hours, assuming there is no conflicting reservation. 
  3. Choose your location. The library study rooms are 202, 203, 207, 208 and 209. You may also look for rooms with Trickett Hall, which is the designation for Dickinson Law in the description.
  4. Create an event name. Use a generic name like study time, group study, etc. for your reservation. It is best not to use a personal name for an event.

After you make your reservation, you will receive a confirmatory email from 25live.

Tips

  • Be prompt! Groups that are more than 10 minutes late will forfeit their reservation.
  • Larger study groups may prefer to use rooms 202 and 203, which seat 8-10 students. Room 209 holds 6 students. Rooms 207 and 208 are suitable for groups with fewer than 6 people.
  • You might need to move to another study room if your room has been reserved while you are using it.
  • All rooms have the Solstice system, which delivers collaborative wireless content sharing and video conferencing tools.

Understanding the Screens Outside the Study Rooms 

Reservations are displayed on the screen outside the room.

Picture of screen outside study room

      • If the screen is glowing green, the room is available.
      • If the screen is glowing red, the room is occupied.

Touch the screen pad to see the room’s scheduled usage for the day. Scroll down to see all the time slots.

 

Library Study Aid Resources

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You should use study aids to supplement, not replace, the work you already do in your classes. Through this research guide, you can learn about the print and online study aids available from the library.  Online study aids offer several benefits, including multiple students using the same resource simultaneously, 24/7 access, interactive testing, and cutting and pasting information into your course outline. However, if you prefer print resources, our guide categorizes print study aids according to topics of interest to 1Ls and upper-level students. 

Beyond course-specific study aids, other books provide helpful tips on taking exams and handling pressure at law school. You can find these in the collection on the main floor. Some titles include:

In addition to the library’s books, CALI offers tutorials on law school success written by academic support faculty from around the country. These tutorials are grouped into the following categories:  

  • Foundation – What Everyone Assumes I Know (law school lingo, time management);   
  • Class Prep – Before, During, After (active reading, briefing, study groups);  
  • Exams – Preparing and Attacking (IRAC, issue spotting, outlining); and   
  • Reflection – Maintain or Improve on Prior Performance (grit, mindfulness). 

If you have questions about study aids or any other resources, please contact a law librarian or ask questions in the DickinsonLawLib@psu.edu email.

Locating Course Reserve Materials for Classes

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Instructors may use course reserves to supplement lectures and textbook reading assignments. There are two types of course reserves: print/physical and electronic. The Canvas page for your class will have a link that takes you to the course reserves.

To check for course reserves in the library catalog:

  • Go to the Libraries webpage.
  • Click on the Course Reserves tab at the top of the box.
  • Follow the directions for finding print or electronic reserves.

 

 

 

 

You can search for print reserves by course name or course number. (Use the back arrow to start a new search.) You’ll see a list of titles associated with the class. If you want to borrow print reserves, check the library hours to ensure the circulation desk is staffed. You will also need your I.D. card.

Print reserves have a two-hour loan period, but they can be renewed. The short loan period enables us to provide all students with equal access to reserve material. 

To find electronic or online reserves on the University Libraries webpage, click on the yellow highlighted text on the course reserves tab. Electronic course reserves are available 24/7. They include links to articles, book chapters, electronic books, and databases.

 

 

 

We recommend Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing or printing articles and book selections in pdf format. Here are some tips from University Libraries on how to read and print electronic reserves.

For assistance or information on course reserves, please email  DickinsonLawLib@psu.edu or ask for help at the circulation desk.

 

 

 

Welcome to the Law Library

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Our doors are open! This post explains some of the library’s resources and services. 

Library Hours and Staffing

Your Penn State I.D. card allows swipe-card access to the library 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Be sure to take your I.D. card with you whenever you leave the library in the evenings or on weekends.

During the following hours, the library is staffed. Staffed hours are when you can check out library materials or receive assistance.

  • Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Sunday: noon to 7 p.m.

Spaces for Studying and Collaboration

We have five group study rooms. These are for collaborative group use, not individual study. In addition, the library’s lower level has study carrels and soft seating for reading and studying.

Checking out Books, Holds, and Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

Please bring your I.D. card to check out materials.

We are part of Penn State’s campus library network, which means that you have access to materials held by other Penn State libraries. Our circulation system already has an account set up for you. You can manage your account on the University’s borrow and renew site.

You can use the library catalog to locate resources at our library and other Penn State libraries. The title entry under location in the catalog indicates if materials are checked out.  Place a hold on a checked-out item by clicking “I Want It” on the entry. This will reserve the book for you. It will be delivered to our library for you to pick up.

You must create an ILL account to borrow something from outside the Penn State library system. We will notify you electronically when all the requested items are available to be checked out.

Please ask the circulation staff for assistance finding materials, creating an ILL account, or if you have any other questions. For questions outside of the staffed hours listed above, please use DickinsonLawLib@psu.edu.

 

 

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