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Student Survival Kit

This guide covers the library facilities and services available to incoming and current law students through the Law Library and its faculty/staff.

Collection Services & Digital Initiatives (CSDI)

Collection Services & Digital Initiatives (CSDI) maintains and provides access to the Law Library’s print and digital collections and staffs the Information Desk. CSDI is responsible for the circulation of books and course reserves, interlibrary loan, managing electronic resources, and maintaining the Law Library’s website. We also check out fun items like a cornhole set, frisbees, and lawn chairs! For general help, please stop by the Information Desk, located at the entrance of the Library. You can reach the Information Desk by telephone at 617-552-4434 or by emailing lawcirc@bc.edu. 

To see the names and contact information for the members of the CSDI staff, please visit this page.

Services Provided at the Information Desk

Below are examples of the type of assistance CSDI provides:

Course Reserves 

The Law Library has copies of the current courses' textbooks available for students to borrow. These items are available to be checked out for 2 hours and can be renewed for additional 2-hour periods if the item has not been requested by other patrons. Returning reserve items late will result in a $20 fine per day.

4-hour loans of Chargers, Headphones, Book Stands, Portable Standing Desks, and Seat Cushions

Laptop chargers for Macs and PCs are available, as well as iPhone and Android chargers. Addition items such as Digital Projectors, Lawn Chairs, Cornhole Boards, Frisbees, and Snow Shovels are available as well. 

Check Out Books

Law Students are allowed to check out books for a period of 120 days, unless the item is a Course Reserve, a part of the Permanent Reserve Collection, or otherwise noted. 

Assistance Finding Resources 

For Research Assistance, a member of the T&R Law Librarians is available to meet with students in person Monday-Friday during regular business hours. Research Assistance is also available by chat, phone, and virtual meetings. For more information, please visit the Research Services webpage. For assistance finding materials within the library or general questions, a member of the Library Staff is always available during library hours. 

Printing Assistance 

Boston College uses Papercut as our printing platform. For instructions on how to print from your laptop and how to access your printing account, please visit the Student Printing Information page. Color printing is available on the third floor of The Law Library. Book Scanning stations are available on the 2nd (main) floor lobby. 

Management of the Study Room Reservation System

Study Rooms are available to reserve in 30 minute increments for up to two hours. If there are no available Study Rooms, we recommend visiting one of the computer labs or the Microfiche Room on the first floor if you are in need of a quieter space, or using the Lutch Learning Center if you are in need of a group space. 

Interlibrary Loan 

The Law Library will attempt to borrow materials needed for academic or research purposes that are not available at the Law Library. There is no charge for this service. We have created a Research Guide titled Interlibrary Loan (ILL) containing detailed information about the interlibrary loan process and policies. When a request has been filled, and the item has arrived at the Law Library's interlibrary loan office, we will notify you via your BC e-mail account. Items can be picked up at the Information Desk in the Law Library. Please email lawill@bc.edu for further information.