- Current students, faculty (full-time and adjunct), and staff of the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (UIC Law).
- Emiriti faculty of UIC Law.
- Current students, faculty, and staff of UIC, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), and the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS), as well as University of Illinois System (UI System) employees.
- UIC Law alumni (see below for ID requirements).
- UIC alumni (see below for ID requirements).
- Licensed Illinois attorneys (see below for ID requirements).
- Current students and faculty of law schools that are members of the Chicago Legal Academic System (CLAS), which consists of IIT Chicago-Kent, the University of Chicago, DePaul, Loyola, Northwestern, Marquette, Northern Illinois, Notre Dame, Southern Illinois, UIUC, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Wisconsin (see below for ID requirements).
- Individuals who present a properly completed interlibrary loan (ILL) form signed by a librarian (access limited to retrieving the library materials listed on the form; please arrange your visit with the Law Library’s Interlibrary Loan Coordinator, Catrina Williams).
- Members of the public who wish to use the Law Library’s federal depository documents collection (access limited to use of the federal depository documents in the library; advance appointment recommended; call (312) 427-2737, ext. 710, to schedule).
- Individuals who have received advance permission to use the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) collection; advance appointment required; call (312) 427-2737, ext. 710, to schedule).
- Individuals who have received special authorization from the Law Library Director to use the Law Library (e.g., to access materials available only at the Law Library; advance appointment required; call (312) 427-2737, ext. 710, to schedule).
- Borrowers from I-Share member libraries who are picking up items delivered to the Law Library.
- Individual students, faculty, and staff who are currently enrolled in or employed by CARLI Governing Member institutions (advance appointment recommended; call (312) 427-2737, ext. 710, to schedule).
What Kind of Access is Allowed?
- Access under this policy is limited to floors 6, 9, and 10 of the 300 S. State St. building. The Collaboration Commons on the 8th floor is accessible only to UIC Law students, faculty, and staff under a separate access policy. Access to other parts of campus are governed by UIC Law Campus Safety & Security policies.
- So that UIC Law’s Campus Safety & Security staff are aware of the visit, it is strongly recommended, and in some cases required, that advance appointments be made to visit the library. This will facilitate entry upon arrival. Email law-library@uic.edu or call for an appointment at (312) 427-2737, ext. 710.
- During fall and spring reading periods and final examinations, access to the Law Library is restricted so that UIC Law students can study and take exams. Only UIC Law and UIC students, faculty, staff, and alumni, licensed Illinois attorneys, and CLAS members (listed above) are permitted to enter the Law Library during these times. The Law Library reserves the right to further restrict access and the hours of access to individuals other than UIC Law students during reading and exam periods. During these periods, all library users are asked to respect students who are studying and maintain a quiet environment.
- Only UIC Law alumni and UIC alumni are permitted to use the Law Library for bar exam study.
- Questions about this access policy may be directed to law-library@uic.edu or the circulation desk at (312) 427-2737, ext. 710.
Do I need to present identification for access?
To enter the UIC Law campus, patrons must swipe in at the 300 S. State St. security gate with a valid University of Illinois (UIC, UIUC, UIS, UI System) i-card or UIC Law photo ID or present other valid identification as described below. UIC Law alumni must present a government-issued photo ID at the security desk, and security staff will verify their alumni status. (Note that UIC Law no longer issues ID cards to alumni.) UIC alumni (non-Law) must present an alumni borrowing card issued by the UIC University Library, together with a government-issued photo ID.
Alumni of UIC Law and the John Marshall Law School (JMLS) may apply for an alumni borrowing card online. Students, faculty, and staff who are permitted access under this policy (CLAS-member law schools [see list above], I-Share member institutions, and CARLI Governing Member institutions) must present a current school-issued photo ID. Licensed attorneys must present a current Illinois ARDC card and government-issued photo ID at the security desk at 300 S. State St.
Members of the public who wish to access federal depository documents must present valid identification at the 300 S. State St. security desk to gain entry to the Law Library. These patrons will be directed to a reference librarian on the 6th floor for assistance with the federal depository collection.
Visitors may be asked to sign in and out with UIC Law Campus Safety & Security at the 300 S. State St. security desk. The names of all guests and visitors will be entered into UIC Law’s visitor database.
May I borrow Law Library materials?
Please visit the Law Library’s Circulation Services page for information on borrowing privileges and loan periods. UIC Law alumni must obtain an alumni borrowing card to check out materials.
What are the Law Library’s Use Policies?
Use of the Louis L. Biro Law Library is a privilege extended to those who comply with the Law Library’s rules and procedures. Law Library privileges may be withdrawn from anyone breaking these rules or exhibiting disrespect for the Law Library, its staff, or patrons. Serious violations of Law Library rules will be reported to the appropriate disciplinary body or authorities.
- The Law Library serves as a quiet place of study. Please respect other users by keeping noise to a minimum, including adhering to the following policies:
- Please adhere to Law Library rules regarding talking. The 6th floor is designated as a group study area where quiet talking is allowed. The 9th floor is an absolute no-talking zone reserved for silent, individual study. The 10th floor is a designated research floor where quiet talking is allowed but not encouraged.
- Study rooms are available in the Law Library for UIC Law students who would like to quietly study as a group, work collaboratively, or study independently. Please reserve larger study rooms for group use only. Some study rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis (Rooms 601 and 903). Only current UIC Law students may use the Law Library’s group study rooms.
- Technological devices (computers, cell phones, tablet devices, headphones, etc.) should be kept quiet and not be audible to other patrons.
- Talking on mobile phones is not permitted in the Law Library. Please leave the Law Library or go to a stairwell to talk on your phone.
- The Law Library permits drinks in covered containers, including plastic bottles and cups with lids. Food may be brought into the Law Library, but please be respectful of fellow patrons and do not bring in food that is noisy, has a strong odor, or is messy. Please be sure to properly dispose of all waste material.
- Failure to return overdue materials may result in lost-item fees.
- Law Library staff will not attempt to locate patrons in the Law Library.
- Patrons may be asked by a Law Library staff member or UIC Law Campus Safety & Security staff to show their ID. Refusal to do so is a violation of Law Library use policies.
- Individuals who violate these policies may be asked to leave the Law Library; for serious or repeated violations, individuals may be barred from using the Law Library and may be subject to disciplinary action.
- UIC Law may amend these access policies at any time or further restrict access as situations warrant.