Pritzker Legal Research Center: About: Using the Library

Access Policy

The Pritzker Legal Research Center primarily serves the faculty, students, alumni and staff of the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. The Pritzker Legal Research Center and Northwestern Pritzker School of Law are private facilities. Northwestern retains the right to restrict access to the facility at any time at its sole discretion.

Northwestern Law alumni may visit the library any time the circulation desk is open (see library hours). Except for restrictions during examination periods, the library is open during regular business hours (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m) to the Northwestern University community and to select members of the legal community who present a photo ID and register at the circulation desk. Additional information regarding visiting the library is available under Visitors.

After Hours Policy

NU Law faculty, students and visiting scholars may use library facilities after the circulation desk closes. To ensure the safety and security of everyone in the library, do not let anyone in except yourself. Do not prop doors open and be sure that the doors close behind you.

Because custodial staff perform most of their labors after hours, students should be cooperative with requests from custodial staff as they perform their cleaning operations.

Call 911 if you have any security concerns. Campus police are available 24/7. For non-emergencies, call the campus police at 312-503-3456. In addition to the police and fire departments, the campus police can contact facilities or whoever is needed for stuck elevators, malfunctioning plumbing, ceiling leaks, etc.

To return an item that is checked out to you when the circulation desk is closed, please use the library returns drop box located near the library entrance. Any items from Course Reserves or equipment such as chargers that are checked out within 4 hours of the circulation desk closing are due at opening the next morning. Items left in the drop box overnight will be checked in upon opening.

Do not remove library materials when the circulation desk is closed. It is a violation of the honor code when a student knowingly “steals, destroys or defaces any library materials or, in contravention of library rules, removes from general circulation and accessibility any library materials with the purpose of depriving others the use of that material.” Honor Code Sec. 2(a)

Patron Code of Conduct

The Pritzker Legal Research Center strives to provide collections, facilities, and services that support the scholarly mission of the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. To foster an environment conducive to study and research, all users are expected to abide by the library's policies and guidelines, including the following:

Under the library's access policy, the library grants temporary and revocable access privileges to certain groups of users whose needs meet the secondary missions of the library. It is the responsibility of visitors to provide credentials to prove that they meet the access criteria.
Upon each entry, approved visitors must provide valid photo identification and credentials proving they meet the access criteria and sign in at the circulation desk.
Disruptive behavior is detrimental to the library's mission and to staff and patron safety and can result in immediate forfeiture of library privileges. Disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Failing or refusing to sign in and show proper credentials each time the library is entered;
- Abusing, threatening, or intimidating library staff or patrons through language or actions;
- Disturbing students or staff by unwanted advances, questioning, or solicitation of legal advice;
- Using library telephones or other equipment, entering staff areas of the library, or talking on cell phones in the library;
- Exhibiting signs of drunkenness or other substance abuse.
Users who have been granted access on the grounds of their need to use the library's government depository collection shall only use government depository materials while in the library.
Being in unauthorized areas of the library or remaining in the library during emergency evacuations or drills is prohibited.
Users must respect the library materials, furniture, and equipment. Removal or attempted removal of library materials or property without checking them out or without authorization is also prohibited.
Smoking or using smokeless tobacco is prohibited in all areas of the library.
Library staff holds the right to search possessions when the security gate alarm has been activated upon exit.

Persons who violate any one of these policies may lose their privileges to use the Pritzker Legal Research Center, may be removed by University Police, may be subject to Northwestern University disciplinary actions, and/or be subject to criminal prosecution or other legal action, as appropriate.