Open Study Carrels

The Law Library offers open carrel seating on the 3rd Floor (West), 4th Floor, 5th Floor, and in the Reading Room Mezzanine. These carrels may be used by all patrons on a first-come, first-served basis. For a list of other available study spaces, check Where to Study in our guide for New Students.

Short-Term Carrel Reservations

Several carrels on the 4th Floor (C4-1 to C4-20, and C4-108 to C4-123) are available for short-term reservations by using the Study Space Booking System (current law students only).

Assigned Research Shelves

Space permitting, the Law Library offers law students assignable research shelves by the semester. Eligible patrons may check out Law Library books to the shelf for the entire semester. All Law Library materials left on the shelf must be checked out to them. These books may be used by other patrons, but they should be returned to the assigned shelf.

Locations

• 3rd Floor West
• 4th Floor West
• 5th Floor West

Visit the Circulation Desk if you would like more information about possible research shelf assignments.

S.J.D. Program & Visiting Researchers Program

Patrons in the S.J.D. program and Visiting Researchers Program with space questions should reach out to the Head of Access Services, Jeremy McCabe (jjm323@georgetown.edu).

Research Shelf Eligibility

Research shelves are available to all law students, as space permits. Students may apply for a research shelf during the Fall semester by going to the Circulation Desk starting on the Monday after Labor Day.
Applications will be processed in the order received and may take up to one week for processing. As the research shelves are on different floors and are at different heights, applications may include up to five preferred research shelf locations. Research shelves are assigned for an entire semester. Assignments may be extended for an additional semester upon request, but only if space is available. The Law Library reserves the right to end these additional assignments with a 5 day notice if other patrons need 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 research shelves is via email.

Loan Period & Recalls

Bring eligible materials to the Circulation Desk during operating hours. Note that the self-checkout kiosk in the atrium cannot be used for research shelf checkouts. Books checked out to a 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 books to the assigned research shelf. Please notify Circulation Staff if Law Library materials are removed from your research shelf and you cannot locate the material. Books may also be recalled by the Law Library to meet operational needs.

Eligible Materials

Treatises and bound journals may be checked out to research shelves. The following may not be checked 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 checked out to individuals may not be kept on a research shelf or simultaneously checked out to a shelf. Faculty research assistants may not store books checked out to a professor on an assigned research shelf. Materials from other libraries, including main campus libraries and local academic libraries that are part of the Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC), may not be checked out to a research shelf.

Etiquette

• Research Shelves are not for food, beverages, or personal items such as cups, jackets, hats, pens, etc. These items may be periodically removed and discarded or turned over to the Department of Public Safety in McDonough Hall. The Law Library library is not responsible for non-library items that may be lost or stolen.
• We are only responsible for Georgetown Law Library materials checked out to research shelves. Patrons are responsible for everything else, including Law Library books checked out to personal accounts, interlibrary loan items, materials from other libraries such as Lauinger Library (Georgetown main campus), or any personal books on the shelf.

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