Library Policies & Services

Most of the Schmid Law Library print resources may not be checked out; plan to use materials on site or scan/photocopy relevant passages (following applicable U.S. Copyright Law 17 U.S.C.). Circulation policies vary for those items that can be checked out and by patron category; please contact the Circulation Supervisor or a law librarian if you have any questions regarding materials you wish to check out.

Borrowers are responsible for items checked out in their name, for returning items on time, and paying the replacement costs associated with lost items. A UNL library card or UNL ID is required to borrow materials. Community Users should see UNL Borrowing and Renewing Library Materials for more details. Materials may be renewed in person or by telephone (402-472-3547). Please remain at the circulation desk or stay on the telephone line until the circulation desk attendant verifies all items have been renewed. Note: some items may not be renewed (Reserve items, special check outs, etc.). Please return all library materials prompty.

Schmid Law Library staff can assist in obtaining and renewing materials from other UNL libraries or libraries outside of the UNL system; please see Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery for more information.

Attorneys should call prior to sending runners to the library to pick up materials to ensure the materials they need are available.

CONFIDENTIALITY: The Marvin and Virginia Schmid Law Library upholds the principles set forth in the American Library Association statement of Professional Ethics stating circulation records will remain confidential. Contact the Schmid Law Library Director for questions regarding this policy.

We strive to maintain a comfortable atmosphere for all library patrons to conduct research and study. We ask you to help us by observing the following guidelines:

Noise 

• Be courteous and respectful of other library patrons. Keep conversations quiet and headphones turned down to avoid disturbing other patrons.
• Quiet is expected at all times and in all areas of the library especially in the M. Brian Schmid Reading Room and the Great Plains Tax Library.
• Cell phone conversations are only permitted in the telephone booths near the circulation desk or in the study rooms. Please turn off cell phone ringers before entering the library.

Food and Drink

• Snacks are allowed in the library; please use the student lounge on the lower level of the College of Law for meal breaks.
• Please be respectful of library materials: do not turn pages with greasy fingers or leave crumbs on surfaces. Throw away trash in an appropriate receptacle.
• Use covered cups or spill proof mugs for drinks.
• UNL is a tobacco-free and smoke-free campus. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln prohibits smoking and the use of tobacco products in and on all University Property.

Library Materials and Equipment Usage

• There is one photocopier on the 1st floor, and the library does not make change.
• Study rooms are available for law student use only. See Study Room Usage for more information.
• Books and other materials must be checked out before removal from the library.
• Borrowers are responsible for all replacement costs of missing or lost books.
• Please reshelve library materials.
• It is a violation of the University of Nebraska College of Law Honor Code to "Intentionally... remove or withhold law library materials from the library without authorization, [or] to secret such materials in the library or elsewhere, or destroy or mutilate such materials." Section 1.020(3)(B).
• Repeated flagrant abuse of Schmid Law Library policies may result in the suspension of library privileges.

Guidelines for the Governors Room and the Presidents Room are available in the Dean's Office.

• Law student use only.
• Use is limited to a total of 4 hours per student per day.
• Reserve study rooms at https://unlscheduling.nebraska.edu
• Reservations are limited to a 24-hour period and may not be reserved weeks in advance.
• All rooms are permanently locked. Keys for the 2nd Floor study rooms must be checked out at the Circulation Desk. You will need your UNL Law Student NCard to access the study rooms on the 1st floor and lower level.
• All study room keys must be returned and checked in at the Circulation Desk at the end of the reservation.
• Rooms not claimed/occupied for more than 10 minutes will be made available to others.
• Windows must remain uncovered for security reasons.
• Do not remove or bring furniture in; do not move tables.
• Personal items should not be left unattended. Items left unattended for 10 minutes or longer will be removed and placed in the Dean's Office Lost and Found.
• The Schmid Law Library is not responsible for any personal property.
• The Schmid Law Library reserves the right to enter any room at any time.
• Rooms are not soundproof. Loud conversations can be heard in the library; monitor conversations accordingly.

VIOLATIONS OF THESE POLICIES MAY RESULT IN THE LOSS OF STUDY ROOM PRIVILEGES.

All questions regarding Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery should be directed to Jennine Kottwitz (jkottwitz2@unl.edu).

Interlibrary Loan borrows materials not held by the Schmid Law Library and is primarily intended for use by Law faculty, students, and staff.

• Submit requests using the Interlibrary Loan Request form. Questions concerning the form should be directed to Jennine Kottwitz (jkottwitz2@unl.edu).
• Allow plenty of time for materials to arrive. While photocopies are often obtained within four working days, other materials can take two weeks or longer.
• Not all materials are obtainable through Interlibrary Loan and the Schmid Law Library cannot guarantee that all requests will be filled. 
• Audiovisual materials, computer files, loose-leaf volumes, very recent publications, genealogical materials, bound and unbound periodicals and rare or valuable materials are rarely available for loan.
• Patrons are responsible for all materials obtained through Interlibrary Loan from check out at the Schmid Law Library to their return to the library, as well as abiding by any circulation policies or restrictions placed by the loaning library. Check with the Interlibrary Loan Supervisor regarding renewals before items are due. Renewals are often possible, but only if the request is made before the item is due.
• Many libraries charge for providing materials; indicate the amount you are willing to pay to obtain the item on the Interlibrary Loan Request form - even if you do not wish to pay anything.
• You will be notified via email when the materials arrive, and you may pick up Interlibrary Loan materials at the Circulation Desk.

Document Delivery provides photocopies of library materials upon request, adhering to applicable United States copyright law (see U.S. Copyright Law 17 U.S.C.)

Use of this service is governed by the following guidelines:

• Correct citations much be provided; research help is unavailable, and vague or very general requests cannot be filled.
• Orders are limited to 40 citations.
• Entire issues of journals will not be photocopied
• Lexis, Westlaw, Bloomberg Law and Pacer searches are not available.
• The Schmid Law Library reserves the right to refuse to photocopy any materials.

Photocopies may be picked up at the library, delivered by email, faxed, or sent by U.S. mail. The cost for the service is a flat rate of $10.00 per citation up to 50 pages; additional $5.00 for 51 pages and over. Invoices will accompany requested material.

To use this service, contact the Schmid Law Library Circulation Desk at 402-472-3547. Requests are taken Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (excluding holidays and special hours).