New Law Grad Guide to Law Library Services

Welcome to the Robert S. Marx Law Library!

This guide is intended to introduce you to the many ways that the Law Library can assist new graduates. While the primary mission of the Robert S. Marx Law Library is to support research, scholarship, and learning for faculty and students in the College of Law, the Law Library also makes many of its resources available to members of the University of Cincinnati community, and the local bench and bar.

Building and Library Access

Visitors to the College of Law during regular business hours (8:00am -- 5:00pm) should enter through the Clifton Avenue doors. Law students, law faculty, and law staff have 24/7 access to the Law Library. New graduates retain their 24/7 access through the summer. Other patrons may only remain in the Library during the hours that the Law Library is open. Please visit uc.edu/publichealth for COVID-19 and Return to Campus updates. For updates on other UC Libraries, please visit the UC Library Services Update page. You can check Library hours at 556-0163 or at https://law.uc.edu/education/library.html.

Student and visitor access to the current building will end on Friday July 22^nd. General access to the new building will commence on Monday August 8^th .

Library Hours

Summer:

• Monday -- Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
• Closed Saturday & Sunday
• Closed Monday, May 30
• Closed Monday, June 20
• Closed Monday, July 4

The Law Library's hours of operation vary during holidays. For that reason, we advise you to telephone the Law Library at 513-556-0163 in advance of your visit to confirm that the Law Library is open. Law Library hours are also posted on our website.

Reference 

Reference Librarians can facilitate a patron's use of the library, but cannot give legal advice. They can help patrons identify relevant materials and show them how to use library resources effectively. A Reference Librarian may not answer questions concerning the interpretation of the law, which law applies, or the application of law to any particular case. 

To consult with a reference librarian, please contact the circulation desk prior to your trip to the law library to set-up a consultation appointment.  Patrons who come to the law library may use the resources available to the public, but without first making a consultation appointment, there is no guarantee a reference librarian will be available to assist you with your research needs. Also, don't forget the Library's Web page and many research guides. 

What Electronic Resources Can Alumni Access?

Alumni may access UCLID, the University's online catalog, selected Law Library and University databases, or U.S. Federal Depository resources on the web through the three public computers in the Library. Alumni also have access to a limited selection of Westlaw databases through a dedicated computer located on the third floor of the Law Library. While this service does not provide access to all Westlaw databases, it does provide access to federal and state primary legal materials, as well as KeyCite.

Due to license restrictions, we cannot offer access to Lexis, Westlaw (other than through the Westlaw Public Access terminal), or B-Law. Due to license restrictions, we also cannot offer off-campus access to databases to graduates.

Checking Out Books

• Library accounts will expire in May 2022. Once your library account expires you will no longer have the ability to check out books unless you become a community borrower or you are a member of an OhioLINK or Search Ohio library. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is a Search Ohio library.
• Information on becoming a community borrower and borrowing privileges can be found on the University Libraries Borrow Materials page.
• Library materials not checked out may be used within the Library during regular hours. Under certain circumstances, an I.D. will be required to use materials on the premises. Photocopiers are available in the Library for the use of all patrons.

Where Else Can You Go for Resources?

Local alumni needing remote access to databases such as ALI-ABA Practical Lawyer, FastCase treatises, Ebsco, HeinOnline, Fastcase, and CCH may want to become subscribers the the Hamilton County Law Library. The Hamilton County Law Library also provides on-site access to print resources, BNA, Ohio Capital Connection, Lexis, and Westlaw for its subscribers. You can see a complete list of their services and information on how to join on their website. 

• Your student email account will remain active as long as you are enrolled as a student at UC.  After you graduate or leave the University, you may continue to use your student email account for as long as you wish, as long as you log into the account at least once every semester. Please note that this applies even if you forward your mail to another address. 
• Students will be able to access their OneDrive accounts as long as their student email remains active.
• Access to Law Library computer lab accounts will end a year after graduation. Any UC/College print subsidy will be wiped the week before Intro to Law week.
• For a refund on any money that has been put onto a Bearcat card, alumni will need to submit a written request to the Bearcat Card Services Office. A $5.00 processing fee will be deducted from the refund.
• Guests can access the Internet anywhere on campus where wireless internet service is currently available. When guests search for internet access, they should select the “ucguest” option. Users must review and accept UCIT’s terms of use before a connection will be allowed. Guests may need to supply identification information before access will be allowed.

The Law Library provides a photocopier and a scanner for public use. The photocopy machine accepts copy cards that are available for $1.00 through vending machines near the copiers. These cards reduce the per-copy cost to $.07. The cards are issued with a $.50 balance, and value may be added at any copier. Otherwise, copies are $.10 each, and the machine accepts coins and one dollar and five dollar bills. The Library Circulation Desk does not have change. Our cards do not work in any other UC library, and cards from other UC libraries will not work in our copiers. The scanner does not print but allows you to scan materials that you can then email, upload to the cloud, or save to a USB.

Microform readers and reader printers are available for patrons to use at no charge.

Notice: The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material; the person using library equipment is liable for any infringement.

• Graduating law students may use Law Library Study Rooms to study for the bar.
• Access to study rooms for students taking the summer bar exam ends after the bar exam.

Directions

From I-75 Southbound

• Travel south on I-75 until you reach the Hopple Street exit. Take the exit to the top of the overpass.
• Turn left at the light onto Hopple. You will now be travelling east. Cross over I-75. Follow the road up the hill. Note that the street changes its name to Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.
• When you reach Clifton Avenue, make a right turn and continue up Clifton Avenue. The College of Law is at the southwestern corner of the campus. The College will be on your left at the corner of Clifton Avenue and Calhoun Street.

Parking At UC

The parking most convenient to the College of Law can be found at the CCM Parking Garage, off Jefferson via Corry Boulevard or the USquare (West) Garage on Calhoun. (map PDF)