The Williams Library offers assigned carrels by semester to upperclass or graduate students (and others at the discretion of the Access Services Librarian) with special research needs.  Patrons with carrels can have Law Library books checked out to the carrel for the entire semester. Any Law Library materials left in the carrel must be checked out to the carrel. These books may be used by other patrons, but should be returned to the carrel.  Visit the Williams Circulation Desk if you would like a carrel assignment. Assigned carrels can be used by other library patrons whenever the assigned student is not there.  Please review the complete policy below.

Due to space and limited seating, the Wolff Library is unable to offer carrel assignments. However, research shelves are available for users to store Law Library materials. Come by the Wolff Circulation Desk for a research shelf assignment. The same policies and procedures apply to both carrels and research shelves except where noted.

Study Carrel Policy

• Eligibility
• Etiquette
• Procedure
• Eligible Materials

The Law Library provides carrels or research shelves where Law Library materials may be held for an extended period of time. This privilege eliminates the frustration of constantly retrieving the same items while also providing an extended loan period. Come to the circulation desk for an application. Carrels available for assignment are located on the fourth and fifth floors of Williams. Research shelves are available on the upper level of the Wolff Library.

Eligibility

Carrels and research shelves are available to students writing papers for upper-level writing seminars, graduate papers, journal notes, and to authorized faculty research assistants. They are assigned for an entire semester and may be extended.  Any student who already has a carrel or research shelf, will be eligible for an extended carrel assignment only if space is available. The library reserves the right to end these additional assignments with a 5 day notice if other patrons need carrels or research shelves.

Space may be in high demand so we ask that students end their reservation as soon as they no longer have a need. Please ensure that your email address is correct, as almost all communication regarding carrels or research shelves is via email.

Etiquette

Students may store Georgetown Law Library materials, papers, printouts and other research materials on the top shelf of the assigned carrel or on their research shelf. These areas are not for personal items such as cups, jackets, hats, pens, etc. We strongly discourage leaving interlibrary loan items, materials from other libraries such as Lauinger Library, or any personal books on the shelf since the library cannot be responsible if anything is stolen. We are only responsible for Georgetown Law Library materials checked out to your shelf.  You are responsible for everything else including law library books checked out to you personally. Georgetown Law Library books that are not checked out will be removed and any personal items will be turned over to Public Safety in McDonough Hall. The library is not responsible for non-library items that may be lost or stolen.  Carrels should be kept in a condition that allows other patrons to use the space for study when the assigned student is not present.

Books checked out to a carrel or research shelf have an extended loan period and are not due until the end of the semester. Other patrons may consult these books if needed, but they will be instructed to return the book to the assigned carrel or research shelf. Please notify circulation staff if Law Library materials are removed from your carrel without authorization. Books may also be recalled for use by another patron. Recall notices will be placed in the carrel and if the item is not returned to the circulation desk within one week, it will be removed by library staff.

Remember - Failure to observe these policies and procedures may result in the revocation of carrel or research shelf privileges.

Procedure

1. Bring eligible materials to the Circulation Desk (note some materials are not eligible - see list below).
2. The books will be charged to the Carrel or Research Shelf, not to the person. These books are not to leave the library and will trigger the security alarm at the library exit. If the item leaves the library, it must be checked out to an individual responsible for any fines or lost book fees. If you would like to keep books from the other Law Library on your carrel or research shelf, and are eligible to borrow from the library, you would first have the items checked out to yourself and then bring them to the other Law Library Circulation Desk to be checked out to your research shelf. Until the item is checked out to the research shelf, you are responsible for any fees. If you are not eligible to borrow directly, please go to the Circulation Desk for further assistance.
3. Complete a color flag for each book and keep flag in book while it is stored in the carrel or research shelf.
4. The patron is responsible for transporting all books to the shelf and returning all books with color flags to the Circulation Desk by the due date or when finished with materials.

Eligible Materials

Treatises and bound journals may be checked out carrels or research shelves. The following may not be charged out:

• Primary materials (codes, statutes, reporters, treaties, etc.)
• Reading Room materials
• Reserve materials
• Materials labeled "Library Use Only" (with the exception of bound journals)
• Audio and video materials
• Microform

Books charged to individuals may not be kept in carrels or simultaneously charged to a carrel. Faculty research assistants may not store books charged to a professor in an assigned carrel.