Access/Circulation

Access Policy

The University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) is a private institution, and the Law Library is open to all faculty, staff, students and alumni of the university. In addition, the Law Library is a selective Federal Depository Library, and as such, the Government Documents section in the basement is open to members of the public. The Law Library also extends the privilege of accessing other areas in the library (except for study rooms) to members of the public, provided that library rules are followed.

  • Access to the Law Library may be restricted at critical times of the year, such as during midterms and final exams. Restricted hours will be posted onsite.
  • Because of the limited number of study rooms, the Law Library must restrict their use to only UDM law students. Members of the public may not use the study rooms.
  • Under no circumstances will members of the public be allowed to conduct business transactions or client meetings in the library.
  • Members of the public may not disrupt or interfere with the activities of our students. Patrons are not allowed to dispense legal advice. The librarian in charge has the sole discretion in determining what activities are unacceptable.
Circulation Policy

General:

  • Any item may be recalled after the initial borrower has had it for two weeks. The UDM Law Library also reserves the right to recall an item before two weeks if warranted by special circumstances. Recall requests are handled at the Circulation Desk.
  • All borrowings may be renewed once in person by telephone or via email. If a member of the library staff does not respond to an email renewal, the item has not been renewed. Students must present an item to Circulation in order to renew it a second time and for any subsequent renewals. If student is unwilling to present an item to Circulation for renewal as required, it will be deemed a "Missing Book." The Missing Book designation also applies to any book reported as lost and any book that library staff cannot locate within a reasonable period of time.
  • Students and patrons will be charged for missing books. Failure to pay for a lost item in a timely fashion may result in suspended or terminated borrowing privileges. Charges for lost items cover the actual replacement cost of the item, plus a $25.00 processing fee. If an item's value cannot be ascertained, students and alumni will be required to pay to the Library Development Fund a replacement fee of $75.00, plus the $25.00 processing fee.

UDM Law Students:

  • Your name must be listed in our patron records; if it is not listed, you will need to obtain confirmation that you are a registered student from the Registrar. A picture identification is required in order to check out materials.
  • All books that circulate are due on the last date of the semester.
  • Student borrowing privileges are suspended when: (a) a student has an item that is more than seven days overdue or (b) a student has more than one overdue item. Any student who fails to return all library materials checked out to them upon graduation will not be eligible for alumni borrowing privileges.

UDM Law Faculty:

  • Faculty members of the University of Detroit Mercy Law School community have check-out privileges. Faculty may check out materials for up to one year. All borrowings must be recorded by library staff at Circulation.
  • If a book is recalled, a faculty member may request that the library limit the subsequent patron loan and place the book on hold for the faculty member.
  • Faculty need not renew items in person; however, they must present to Circulation any item requiring repair or supplement updates in a timely manner.

UDM Law Alumni:

  • Your name must be listed in our circulation records; if it is not listed, you will need to obtain confirmation that you are a graduate of UDM Law School from alumni services. A picture identification is required in order to check out materials.
  • Up to two circulating items may be checked out by alumni for a period of four weeks. Materials may be renewed once for a period of two weeks.
  • Unless alternative arrangements are made with library staff prior to an item's due date, your borrowing privileges will be permanently terminated if you fail to return a book or pay for its replacement within 72 hours of a late notice or 48 hours of an item recall.

Members of the Public:

  • Members of the public have no checkout privileges.