Law Library Services

Assistance with legal research is available at the Reference Office. However, reference librarians cannot provide legal advice or conduct research for individuals. Reference service is available to Creighton students, faculty, staff and members of the public in person, over the phone, or via email. Reference librarians can help locate specific materials in the Law Library, assist in developing research strategies and recommend sources to use for research projects. Document Delivery services can also be requested by calling the Reference Office.

What materials can be checked out?
The Law Library collection is mainly a non-circulating collection. Some resources may be checked out for specific circulation periods.  

• Single-Volume Books: Single-volume books from the general shelves can be checked out for 28 days. Books that are part of a multi-volume set do not circulate outside of the library except to Law faculty. Examples of non-circulating sets include: reporters, statutes, multi-volume treatises and journals.
• Reserve Material: In addition to materials faculty place on reserve for student use in their classes, the Reserve collection also contains one current copy of each title from the Study Aids collection. Items from this location circulate for 4 hours and cannot leave the library.
• Study Aids: Study aids such as hornbooks and nutshells are available in the Lower Reading Room and circulate outside the library for 3 days.
• DVDs: The Library’s DVD collection contains a variety of law-related instructional and popular titles. DVDs circulate outside of the library for 3 days. 
   

Who may check out materials from the law library?

• All Creighton University students, faculty and staff may borrow materials from the Law Library by presenting their Creighton ID cards.
• Alumni of Creighton University, area attorneys and their staff may apply for a guest card to check out Law Library materials. Guest borrowing privileges expire one year from the date the guest card is issued and can be renewed.
   

What happens if an item is overdue?
You will receive an overdue notice by email or mail. Your borrowing privileges at all Creighton University Libraries will be suspended. If the item has not been returned after a two-week grace period, the library may block registration and hold university records. When all overdue library material has been returned, your borrowing privileges will be reinstated. Removing the records hold may take 1-2 business days. The Law Library does not assess or collect fines for overdue items.

How can I renew an item​?
Items can be renewed online, via phone, or at the circulation desk. To renew online, sign into JaySearch and click MyLoans. To renew over the phone, please call the Circulation desk at (402) 280-2242. Items may only be renewed twice and cannot be renewed if they are overdue or on hold.

Creighton University School of Law faculty, students and staff may request an interlibrary loan via an online request form. Please check the Library Catalog first to ensure Creighton does not own the item you need before submitting a request.

What is Interlibrary Loan?
Interlibrary loan (ILL) is the process by which a library requests material from, or supplies material to, another library upon the request of a library user.

What is the purpose of Interlibrary Loan?
Interlibrary loan is intended to complement local library collections and is not a substitute for good collections intended to meet the routine needs of users. Before requesting an interlibrary loan, a library user should first explore the library collection of his/her primary library by searching the online catalog and the appropriate electronic databases. ILL is based on a tradition of sharing resources between various types and sizes of libraries and rests on the belief that no library, no matter how large or well supported, is self-sufficient in today’s world.

Who can use the Interlibrary Loan Service?
Creighton University School of Law faculty, students and staff may submit interlibrary loan requests. Faculty, students and staff from other Creighton departments can submit interlibrary loan requests at either the Reinert Alumni Library or the Health Sciences Library.

Is there a charge for this service?
The service is free for Creighton School of Law faculty, students, and staff.

How long does it take to receive the requested material?
Many materials may be obtained in a week or two, but some may take longer or may not be available at all. Because it is difficult to predict the turnaround time for an interlibrary loan, please allow as much lead-time as possible.

How long can I keep ILL books?
The loan period is set by the lending library and is generally just short of one month. Due dates are provided on a printed law library slip tucked into the pages of the requested book.

U.S. Copyright Law Agreement
U.S. copyright Law (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Libraries are authorized to furnish a photocopy if it is used solely for “private study, scholarship or research.” Any other use may constitute copyright infringement. We reserve the right to refuse a copy request if, in our judgment, fulfillment would violate copyright law.
 

Document Delivery is a fee-based service by which the Law Library provides photocopies of material owned for users outside the Creighton School of Law community. Photocopies are delivered through pick-up, mail, fax or electronic delivery.

This service is for users outside the Creighton School of Law community. Law firms, businesses, other Creighton departments and members of the general public may utilize this service.

There is a service charge of $10 and a per page charge of 20 cents.

Mission
The primary mission of the Klutznick Law Library / McGrath North Mullin & Kratz Legal Research Center is to provide Creighton law students and faculty members with meaningful access to relevant legal and law-related information. Law Library resources and services support the curricular, research, and service activities of Creighton University School of Law. Secondarily, the Law Library collection supports the legal information needs of the university community, the general public of the Omaha metropolitan area, the local judiciary, and the practicing bar. Finally, the library strives to achieve its mission in a safe and secure working environment for all of its patrons.

Photocopiers/Scanners/Printers
The Law Library has two self-service photocopiers/scanners/printers available. The machines, located throughout the library, are for Creighton University student use only and operate only with the use of a Creighton ID or credentials.  

Use by the General Public
Please see the Public Patron Policy

Library Hours
A calendar with current hours of operation is posted here.

Conduct Policy
The Law Library reserves the right to deny access to any person whose behavior disrupts or hinders Library use by Creighton University students, faculty, and staff.  

Food and Drink Policy
For the comfort of our patrons, the Law Library allows snacks/individual portions of food in the library.  

Some examples of appropriate foods include small bags of pretzels, energy bars, string cheese, apples, almonds, raisins, candy with minimal crumbs (Skittles, M&Ms), or small containers of yogurt. We ask that you not consume hot, aromatic, or potentially messy items (pizza, burgers) in the library.  

To avoid spills and maintain cleanliness, only beverages in covered containers are permitted. This includes aluminum cans, plastic bottles with screw caps, spill-proof travel mugs, and reusable water bottles with secure lids.  

We ask our patrons to clean up after themselves and to notify staff if there is a spill that needs attention.  

Those with severe food allergies should be aware that allergens may be present in the library.  

Tobacco-Free Policy
The use of all tobacco products are not allowed in or on any Creighton facility or property. 

Pet Policy
Primarily for health and safety reasons, Creighton’s Law Library prohibits all pets/animals, other than service animals and animals featured in sponsored programs, from entering the library. Any exception to this policy must be approved in advance by the Law Library Director.

Only Creighton School of Law students, faculty, and staff may reserve library study rooms. Other parties must have permission from the Library Director.

Learn more about reserving study rooms.