Circulation & Reserve Services
Circulation Loan Periods
Loan Periods: The standard period for students is 30 days (for circulating materials).
Reserve Materials: The Reserve Collection, located behind the Circulation Desk, includes study aids such as Hornbooks, Nutshells, Examples and Explanations, the CrunchTime series, frequently used treatises and outlines, a number of current Virginia treatises and CLE materials, DVDs and audio CDs. Class readings placed on temporary reserve by law faculty are also available. Reserve materials, both permanent and class reserves, normally circulate for four hours at a time, with overnight check out starting four hours before closing. Popular DVDs check out for one week. Reserve materials may leave the library provided they are returned on time.
Materials which may be used only within the library:
- Reporters and statutes
- Reference materials and finding aids (citators, encyclopedias, indexes, digests)
- Individual volumes from multi-volume sets
- Periodicals, both bound and unbound
- All other material labeled "Do Not Circulate."
Fines/Lost Books
Reserve materials: $1.00 per hour, with a maximum fine of $25.00 per item.
Circulating materials: Students and patrons who do not return library materials after overdue notices are sent will be charged the cost of replacing the book, if still in print, and a $10.00 handling fee. For out of print books a fee of $90.00 plus a $10.00 handling fee is charged.
Borrowing Privileges
The Law School Community
Faculty: The faculty of the Law School may check out circulating books for one year. Reserve, Reference, and journal volumes have shorter check out periods (one week to 30 days), unless a special request is made for an extension. Document delivery provides a courier service for picking up and returning materials from other William and Mary campus libraries.
Students: Law students may check out circulating books for 30 days. Reserve items are charged for four hours or three days, depending upon material type. Carrel collections, with slightly extended borrowing privileges, are available to 2L and 3L members of law journals, student organizations, law faculty research assistants, and individuals conducting extended legal research projects.
Staff: Staff of the law school and library may borrow circulating books for 30 days. Reserve items are charged for four hours, unless a request is made for an extension.
The William & Mary Community
Faculty: College faculty may charge circulating books for four months. Reserve items are charged for four hours, unless a request is made for an extension.
Students: Undergraduate and graduate students of the College may charge circulating books for 30 days. Reserve items are charged for four hours.
Staff: College staff may charge circulating books for 30 days. Reserve items are charged for four hours, unless a request is made for an extension.
The Virginia Bench and Bar
Attorneys and Judges in Virginia: Active members of the Virginia Bar are invited to purchase a library card for $5.00. With this card, patrons may charge circulating books for 30 days. Reserve items are charged for four hours. Photocopying and scanning are available in the library.
Residents of Williamsburg, James City County, and York County
Residents: Williamsburg, James City County and York County residents are invited to purchase a library card for $5.00. With this card, patrons may charge circulating books for thirty days. Reserve items are charged for four hours. Photocopying and scanning are available in the library.
The General Public: Members of the general public are welcome to use library materials within the library. Should a patron wish to borrow a circulating book, they should contact the Interlibrary Loan or Reference department of their local public library. Any questions about borrowing privileges may be directed to the Circulation staff.
When a Book Is Not on The Shelf
When the catalog indicates that a book status is available (i.e., in the "Stacks"), but it is not on the shelf, or when an unclassified book (one without a call number label), such as case reporters, federal codes, etc., is not on the shelf, report the title to the Circulation staff. There are a number of possible places to check:
- New Books: New books are on display in the library lobby, or held in the Technical Services department following processing for approximately one month. New books may be checked out early when a patron requests the title.
- Carrel Collections & Law Faculty Check Out: Many library materials may be checked out by law students to a carrel collection, or by law faculty to their office. Materials in carrel collections or faculty offices display in the catalog as checked out. Check with the Circulation staff to find out in which carrel a book is located. Students may briefly look at a carrel collection book then return it promptly to the collection. For books checked out to faculty, we may be able to retrieve the title for a brief cite check or to allow a student to photocopy an article.
- Bindery Books: Books or periodical issues may be at the bindery. There is a list of titles currently at the bindery located at the Circulation Desk. If the book or periodical issue is still in processing students may request that circulation staff retrieve the title for them to copy an article or check a cite.
- Books in Technical Services for Processing: At times a title is removed from the shelf and taken to Technical Services for brief periods. Yellow shelf slips are left on the shelf to let patrons know that the book has been removed and should be returned within a few days. It may be possible to retrieve the book for a quick check, or request the book when it is returned.
Search Forms: If necessary, a search form should be completed and left at the Circulation Desk. Staff will search to determine if the book is misshelved or actually missing from the collection. You will be notified within one week as to whether the book was located or is actually missing.