Copying Materials
If you need to make photocopies of materials for a faculty member contact Stephanie McCauley, mccau061@umn.edu, ext. 5-9073.
Proxy Cards
These cards let you check out books and other library materials in connection with your RA work. Materials borrowed with the proxy card will be in the faculty member's name and he or she will be responsible for the late return or loss of these materials. If there’s any chance you’ll leave library materials with a faculty member, use the proxy card instead of your own University ID.
To get a proxy card, ask your supervising faculty member to fill out the form here. Once he or she has filled out the form, take it to the Circulation Desk. For questions about proxy borrowing, please contact David Zopfi-Jordan at 625-1513 or x-asap@umn.edu.
Study Carrels
If you'd like a study carrel for the summer, contact the Access Services Librarian.
Summer Westlaw, Bloomberg Law and LexisNexis Access
You should extend your Westlaw and Lexis passwords for the summer. Do this even if you prefer one service over the other; you will need both services to complete your research tasks effectively. You should also get a Bloomberg Law password.
» LexisNexis: go to www.lexisnexis.com/lawschool/ and click on the banner for summer access registration.
» Bloomberg Law: Students can request access by sending an email message to Erica Horton at ehorton4@bloomberg.net
and include the following information: your full name, your U of M
email address (umn.edu address), your status/role (i.e., student) and expected date of graduation.
» Westlaw: go to lawschool.westlaw.com and click on the link on the "Need your Westlaw password this Summer?" banner.
If you have any questions about, or problems with, your Westlaw or LexisNexis access, you can contact Vicente Garces, garce003@umn.edu, 624-2597. Or contact our account representatives directly:
LexisNexis: Sarah Bigler sarah.bigler@lexisnexis.com 612-961-3503
Westlaw: Amy Feddema amy.feddema@thomsonreuters.com 651-503-8554
Bloomberg Law: Erica Horton ehorton4@bloomberg.net
Access to Other Databases
To access subscription-based databases provided by Law Library or University Libraries from off-campus you will need to login with your University of Minnesota Internet ID & password when prompted to do so. Note: many, but not all, databases allow remote access. Please contact the Reference Office 612-625-4309, law-ref@umn.edu for assistance.
Research Help
Our reference staff is available anytime to help you identify useful sources, develop search strategies, and answer any questions about research. We can also schedule one-to-one consultations or training sessions if you would like more intensive help.
You can contact an individual reference librarian directly by phone or email:
Alternatively, you can stop by during our Reference Office Hours or contact us by phone (625-4309), chat or email (law-ref@umn.edu).
Call on us to help you impress your supervising faculty member with your efficient and comprehensive research!
Getting Materials
Most RAs need to use materials beyond those in the Law Library and in electronic databases. This section describes how to obtain those materials.
From University of Minnesota Libraries
You are responsible for obtaining materials from the Wilson Library, and any other library on the West Bank.
For materials at St. Paul or East Bank libraries, you can request delivery via the ASAP service. (Specify that you are acting as a research assistant, because this service is available only to faculty.)
From other libraries
Request materials through interlibrary loan by contacting the ASAP service at x-asap@tc.umn.edu.
Buying materials
If your supervising faculty member would like to purchase a book, subscription database, report, or other item, contact Suzanne Thorpe.
Software
If your supervising faculty member would like you have have access to a particular software program (e.g., SPSS), the faculty member should contact Law Information Technology Services (LITS) (625-0740).
If you have questions about other resources needed for your work, please contact the Reference Office (625-4309), or Suzanne Thorpe (625-0187).
