Law Library

Please carefully review the following special notices for the Fall 2020 semester.

• Widener Law Commonwealth Library is providing virtual assistance during regular library hours for students, faculty and staff.
• Study aids will be available through the library’s digital platforms.
• Physical course reserves will not be available in the library this semester. Faculty will use Canvas or TWEN for all course materials.
• Limited Inter Library Loan (ILL) services are available. Currently, no print books are available. Some electronic resources are available.
• Unfortunately, the librarians are not able to conduct any meetings, reference assistance, or questions in person or in our offices. All assistance will be provided virtually through our many robust online tools. Please use the following services for assistance:
  • Librarian emails (see below)
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Chat on the left side of the library webpage
  • Online consultation is available via Zoom or Teams if you need more in-depth assistance. Please email the librarians to schedule.
    • Susan Giusti [email protected]
    • Brent Johnson [email protected]
    • Steph Engerer [email protected]

Library Catalog

Search the full Library Catalog.

Accessing Databases from Off Campus

To access some of the library databases from off campus, you will be prompted to log in using your logon for your widener.edu email or the barcode number on the back of your Widener ID. Type in barcode on my.Widener to find yours.

Library Hours (for Widener affiliated patrons)

• Monday to Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Members of the public are not permitted entrance until further notice.

Policies

Widener Law Commonwealth Library is providing a limited number of seats, that require seat reservations, to our students to utilize during the Fall 2020 semester.

Priority will be given to students who are lacking a quiet work environment or a stable internet connection. Currently we have 77 seats available and cannot guarantee space for everyone.

In order to comply with the university’s policies as well as Pennsylvania public health guidelines regarding COVID-19, face masks are always required to be worn while on campus, including in the library lounge, main library, and study rooms. Additionally, no food will be permitted to be eaten while on campus, including in the library lounge, main library, and study rooms. Only water is permitted, but you cannot remove your mask for any extended period of time.

Study groups and/or congregating will not be permitted while on campus, including in the library lounge, main library, and study rooms. You must always maintain social distancing. You can utilize Zoom or Teams to set up study groups with classmates.

A seat reservation system will be used to ensure that the library maintains a safe population density. Seats are at individual carrels or tables. Some tables have plexiglass partitions. Conference/Collaboration/Study Rooms are not bookable.

Some areas of the library will be restricted from use:

• Conference/Collaboration/Study Rooms will be utilized only by students either studying for the bar exam or attending an online class.
  • If you are studying for the bar and require this accommodation, please contact Dean Teplitz.
  • Students are encouraged to participate in Zoom classes from home whenever possible. Students needing to participate in Zoom classes may do so after an accommodation is provided by Dean Teplitz.
  • Rooms will be unlocked by security upon your arrival.
• The Wireless Lab/Library Classroom will be closed to students.
• Tech Services office area and the all gender restroom will be closed to students.

Students may not move library furniture or seats in the library lounge or main library or sit in areas that are taped off or otherwise restricted.

It is important that we minimize unnecessary contacts and keep building occupancy low, so if you do not need to use the law library, we encourage you to work from home.

Enforcement

Students who do not abide by the required safety measures will not be permitted to be on campus and use the library facilities.

Campus security will make patrols to monitor activities and provide enforcement for library conduct. Anonymous reports of violations can be made through the online suggestion box and will be followed up on by the Dean of Students. If corrective measures are not followed, as a last resort, students may be subjected to disciplinary action and/or the placement of a letter in their academic file that may be reviewed by the Bar Examiners.

Reservation System

Before coming to the library, you must go online to reserve a seat. Students must have a reservation to enter the library. Students must stop at the Information Desk prior to entering the library to show and "check-in" for their reservation. Students are not permitted to enter through the glass doors without "checking in” their reservation at the desk. If there is nobody at the desk, students need to go to the Campus Security desk. You will also need to show the results from your Campus Clear app to security or at the Information Desk when you arrive for your reservation time.

Process

• Click here to pick a seat and submit a seat reservation. Be sure you are using “Commonwealth Library.”
• Seat reservations are in 1-hour increments for up to a maximum of 4 consecutive hours. If you reserve under the consecutive 4 hours in your initial reservation, you will not be able to reserve the remaining hours until after a 2 hour space. Example: You reserved a seat at 1pm for an hour. You will be able to reserve a seat again after 4pm.
• You’ll get an initial email saying you have made a reservation and it is pending approval.
• Once approved, you will get a confirmation email with information on how to check-in and check-out from your seat. It will provide you with a URL link and a code to be used as check-in and check-out verifications for your seat.

Additional information

You are welcome to come to the library to access our printers. You may either contact Brian Fearnbaugh to schedule a time for printing and pick-up availability or use the reservation system to reserve a time to print. This process may change if the demand for library space increases or we need to reduce the number of people in the library.  

Cleaning supplies are located throughout the main library and library lounge. Students can utilize the supplies at any time. You are encouraged to use the supplies to wipe down your areas as needed. Specialized cleaning will be conducted between 10 am and 2 pm weekdays for high touch areas. Regular cleaning will continue in the evenings. For weekends, students are advised they should wipe down their reserved seat area with the provided cleaning supplies when they arrive and before they leave.

Last Revised: 8/25/2020
The Law Library reserves the right to change or modify these policies at any time.