Law Library Services
The Law Library offers a full range of traditional library services as well as auxiliary services designed to support the educational mission of the College of Law. While circulation is restricted to holders of University of Tennessee, Library Subscriber's or Tennessee Bar ID cards, the Law Library is open to the general public.
Ask a Law Librarian
The reference desk, immediately to the left of the entrance, is generally staffed from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday - Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Staffing hours may vary during semester breaks and summer session. To reach the reference desk by phone, dial 865-974-3771.
One of our librarians will be happy to help you locate materials in our library and understand legal citations. Librarians cannot interpret laws for you, conduct legal research on your behalf, nor will they be able to tell you whether you have all the legal information you need because that is the work of licensed attorneys. Official Policy.
Cellular Phones & Electronic Devices
To be respectful of others, turn off or silence your cellular phone when you enter the library. Pagers should be set to vibrate in the library.
Listening to iPods or other portable music players is acceptable, as long as the volume is low enough that the sound cannot be heard by other library patrons or library workers. Official Policy.
Circulation
The Law Library is basically a non-circulating reference collection. Some materials, however, may circulate outside of the Law Library for limited or defined periods of time. Circulation privileges are restricted to University of Tennessee students, faculty, and staff with valid ID cards; attorneys licensed to practice in the state of Tennessee; and persons with UT Library Subscriber's Cards. Those requesting circulation privileges must present adequate proof and identification. Most materials that are checked out can be renewed by phone. To contact the circulation department by phone, dial 865-974-7419.
Copiers (photocopiers)
Copiers are located on the first and third floors. To use the copiers, purchase a copy card from the vending machine located behind the gold record display. The vending machine takes paper money only. Volcard and other campus copy cards do not work with our copiers. Copies cost ten cents per page.
Disability Services/Accommodations
Parking and ramp access to the College of Law for the physically challenged are available at the entrance on White Avenue. Ramp access only is available at the Cumberland Avenue entrance. The elevator located in the Law Library services all floors of the library. Contact the Circulation Desk Staff inside the front entrance for help with special needs, including use of our computers and document viewers designed to accommodate the blind and people with low vision.
The law library strives to make all of its services and materials available to as many patrons as possible. We have an internet-access station with push-button adjustment height, as well as a larger keyboard and track ball. This computer also features ZoomText magnifying software. Another computer has JAWS software, which reads print materials from an attached scanner and reads print materials on the computer screen and translates them into speech. Check with the circulation desk to get started using this computer system and to obtain an audio headset. This computer also has a Braille keyboard.
We have a CCTV viewer for magnifying and changing colors and contrasts of print materials. The CCTV viewer is located in the microforms room, behind the Reserve Reading Room. If you have a question about disability accommodations or would like to request an additional accommodation, please contact the Head of Public Services, Sibyl Marshall, at 865-974-5906 or smarshall@utk.edu. We will review your request and make any accommodation that we reasonably can, given our budget and staff.
Food, Drink, and Tobacco Products
In order to protect library materials, food is prohibited. It can damage library resources and attract vermin. Drinks are permitted if they are in spill-resistant containers and if they are kept away from computer workstations, photocopiers, microfiche readers, and other library electronic equipment.
Spill-resistant containers are sturdy enough to avoid tipping over easily and to avoid being crushed or cracked. They have tightly sealed tops that allow for minimal spillage if they are tipped over. Types of approved spill-resistant containers include commuter mugs with snap-on lids, thermos bottles with spill-resistant, closeable spouts; and sports bottles with pop-up tops or attached sealable straw tops. Containers that are not allowed include soda cans, juice boxes, open cups or mugs, disposable paper or styrofoam fast-food or coffee cups (including those with lids), thermos bottles with plain screw-on lids, and plastic, disposable soda or water bottles with screw-on tops.
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in any type of container.
Patrons who bring non-approved containers into the library will be required to leave the containers on the cart by the front door or to dispose of them in the garbage. Official policy.
Interlibrary Loan (Getting Materials from Other Libraries)
Interlibrary loan services are available for College of Law students, staff and faculty. The Law Library can often obtain materials not in our collection from other libraries. Ask at the circulation desk for the necessary form.
Lost and Found
Any items found in the library are kept at the circulation desk. If we can readily determine who the owner of an item is, we will do our best to contact you to let you know that we have your item. The lost and found is cleared out periodically, but we do try to hold on to all found items for at least a few weeks.
There is also a lost and found in the College of Law Records Office, primarily for items found in the College of Law outside of the library.
Public Access Computers
The public computers on the first floor are primarily for research and reference assistance. Use of these computers for playing games, shopping, conducting financial transactions, or participating in chat rooms is not permitted.
While patron use of public computers is not routinely monitored, any use that is disruptive to other patrons and/or violates laws or University Policy will result in the patron being asked to leave. Software and hardware may not be modified. Printing is available at $0.10/page but word processing software is not available. Volprint is not available. Any violation of these policies may result in suspension or revocation of computer and/or library access privileges, and/or disciplinary action. Official policy.
Recommend a Book, DVD, or Other Title to Purchase
If you would like to recommend a title for the library to purchase, please contact our Acquisitions Librarian, Loretta Price, at 865-974-9746 or mprice@utk.edu.
Reporting Library Problems/Concerns
We want to know about any problems or concerns you have in the Law Library. The sooner and more completely problems are reported, the more quickly and efficiently we can deal with them. Please report any problems to a member of Public Services staff. If you encounter a person in the library that you believe is dangerous, if you have had possessions stolen, or if you witness any criminal activity in the library, please contact campus police (865-974-3111), or call 911 (for emergencies) and then contact a member of the Public Services (reference or circulation) staff.
Area Library Services
Campus
The John C. Hodges Library is the Main Library for general library services. It is located at 1015 Volunteer Boulevard. Information may be obtained by phoning 865-974-4171. The Hodges Library is a 350,000 square-foot facility housing collections in all subject areas. It is the central library facility for the campus and the place to begin most non-legal research. The library has comfortable study space for more than 2,000 people, 308 graduate student carrels, group study rooms, and a large Microcomputer Laboratory. Hodges Library is open to the public.
Public
The Knox County Public Library System, has many branch libraries. The Lawson McGhee Central Library is located at 500 West Church Avenue. Information may be obtained by phoning 865-215-8700. There is a free trolley that runs between campus and downtown during business hours.