Welcome Class of 2028!
This guide is meant to serve as a one-stop shop to the Furman Smith Law Library
On behalf of the Furman Smith Law Library’s professional and support staff, welcome to Mercer Law School and the law library. The law library’s mission is to provide excellent services to assist its users in locating legal information and resources. The services include research and reference, instruction, and guest presentations for classes, seminars, or student organizations. Students, faculty, staff, alums, and the practicing Bar have access to our rich and varied collections of print and electronic resources, both legal and non-legal. The library’s resources are accessible in the library’s online catalog, LawCat. Users also have access to the University Library’s resources. In addition, the library provides a great environment with multiple seating options including carrels, tables, and group study rooms for collaborative work and assignments. You may visit our website or contact us to learn more about our services and resources.
Circulation & Reference Desk
Reference Services are available via email. You can meet with a librarian by appointment for research support or training in-person Zoom.
Law Library Director
Law Librarians
Law Library Staff
Amberly Cole
Jaelynn Gillis
Julie Register
Library Services
Circulation and Hours: The Law Library is open to law students with a Bear Card (building access card). Circulation services, including the reserve collection, are available during staffed library hours listed below. Abbreviated hours will be posted via the Law School, Law Library website, and social media. Self-checkout services are available at any time. Due dates and times will be distributed at check-out. You may also refer to your Law Library account. Lost or damaged books are charged at replacement costs + $15.00 processing fee. Lost and replacement charges will be waived if the item is returned.
Monday-Thursday: 8:00 am–7:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am–5:00 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 1:00 pm–7:00 pm
Interlibrary Loan: Unavailable resources may be requested through interlibrary loan/document delivery services by e-mailing lawlibrary@mercer.edu the details of the book, article, or chapter information.
Reference Services & Research Support: Mercer Law Librarians assist users in location information, developing effective research strategies and identifying appropriate online and print resources. If you need reference services, you can e-mail lawlibrary@mercer.edu or by telephone (478) 301-2612 to speak to a librarian or set an appointment.
Study Room Checkout: Study rooms are available for group study and require an occupancy of two (2) or more students. All are equipped with whiteboards. During the library's staffed hours, law students may check out study rooms with whiteboard supplies at the circulation desk for two-hour periods. Rooms will be open and unlocked during non-circulating hours.
Walnut Wing: room 225, 226, 227
Mulberry Wing: room 215 and 216
Third Floor: room 345, 346, 347, 348, 351 are equipped with projectors, monitors, and DVD players
The Law Library has two additional rooms available for student use, and they may be reserved via the law school reservation system.
The library website, http://law.mercer.edu/library/, is a gateway to specialized legal research databases and sources, including full text sources and journal indexes. In addition, students will find a variety of subject guides to legal research, including an extensive list of Georgia resources. Links to LawCat and other library catalogs are also available.
LawCat: LawCat is the Law Library's online catalog of library holdings. You can use it to search for print or electronic resources within the library collection. LawCat is available on the web at http://law.mercer.edu/library/. For assistance using LawCat, inquire at the circulation desk or e-mail lawlibrary@mercer.edu
Lexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg Law: Lexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg passwords and access to other databases and services are distributed at orientation. The Introduction to Legal Research course will cover access and instruction. Student passwords are valid through graduation. Each vender will supply its own cancellation date. Password sharing violates the terms of the agreement consented to by each user. Questions about access and use of Lexis, Westlaw and Bloomberg Law should be directed to a law librarian. For off-campus assistance e-mail lawlibrary@mercer.edu
Microfiche: Microfiche and film is located on the second floor of the law library. Inquire at the circulation desk.
Reserve Materials: Reserve materials, consisting of items placed on reserve for current classes and other high use items, such as current print copies of study aids, are behind the circulation desk. Reserve items may be checked out for two-hour use in the library. Some reserve items also may be checked out for overnight use two hours before closing and must be returned within one hour of opening on the following day. Lists of course reserve materials are available on LawCat, the online catalog, may be retrieved by either the course name or the professor's name.
Carrels & Tables: Carrels and tables are available for study on a first-come, first-serve basis. No personal items should be left unattended. The library is not responsible for unattended items. Items left unattended for more than 30 minutes are subject to removal and will be relocated to the library's Lost & Found. Do not tack, tape, or permanently affix anything to carrels, tables, walls, end panels, or other furniture and equipment in the library.
Cell Phones: Please do not use your cell phone in the library. All calls should be taken in the lobby area near the Registrar's Office. In addition, cell phones should be on silent/vibrate only.
Food and Drink Policy: Food and drink are permitted in the library. Keep in mind housekeeping services end at 3:00 pm on weekdays when the Law School is open. Students should dispose of all trash promptly and properly.
Lost and Found: The circulation desk is the temporary repository for personal items found in the library. If you find or lose an item, ask for assistance at the Circulation Desk. Items not collected by the end of the week will be taken to the Counselors Cupboard located in the Dean's Suite which is the official lost and found location.
Scanning, Photocopying, & Printing: There is no library printing outside the services covered in Section I. of this document (Technology & Media Services). The photocopy machine next to the circulation desk can be used as a scanner. Students may scan and e-mail documents to their law school e-mail address, at no charge. For large documents, ask for assistance at the circulation desk. Scanners are also available in the first and third floor tech lounges. Students may also scan to a USB drive. USB drives may be checked out from circulation.