Visitor Services

Access Policy

The Wolf Law Library is open to researchers, members of the Virginia bench and bar, and to the general public during regular library hours.

Visitors are welcome to use our unique law collection; however, please understand that the law library is primarily for the use of William & Mary Law School students, faculty, and staff.  Be considerate of other library users. Visitors must remain quiet outside of the library lobby, use only one workspace, and keep reading and working spaces neat and tidy.

Borrowing items

W&M Law School alumni, and members of the Virginia bench and bar may apply for a Wolf Law Library Borrower's card at the Circulation Desk. If you live in the city of Williamsburg, James City County or York County, or if you work for the National Center for State Courts, you may also get a library card. Library cards cost a one-time $5.00 fee. Patrons who do not qualify for a card or who live outside the lending area may use the collection in the library, but must contact their home library for interlibrary loan service should they wish to borrow a circulating book.

Because the law library collection is primarily a reference collection, many of our materials cannot be taken from the library. The standard loan period for circulating books is 30 days. Reserve materials generally check out for four hours.

Contact Information

Staff Contact List

Directions and Parking

See Visiting the Library for directions, maps, and parking information. Visitors must pay for parking at the designated Passport parking spaces, on the traffic circle directly in front of the law school entrance.

Document Delivery Services

For a fee, the Wolf Law Library will provide copies from materials owned by the library. Correct citations are necessary to locate the information requested. We will only accept a copying order if, in our judgment, fulfillment would not violate copyright law. 

Legal Aid

While our librarians can direct you to library resources which will answer most questions, we cannot provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please see our page on other local legal resources.

Library Computer Use

You may access most of our online databases with a guest password at the library computers. Research librarians and circulation staff can assist you in using public computers and databases. If you prefer, you can use your laptop on the campus wireless network one day per week (see Wireless Internet Access, below).

Photocopying/Printing

Public patrons may copy library materials and print from certain library computers while researching at the Wolf Law Library. Research librarians and/or circulation staff can assist you in using the public photocopiers and printers. Photocopying and printing costs 7¢ per page single-sided, or 5¢ per side double-sided. Color copying and printing is 10¢ per side.

Research Assistance

Reference librarians provide telephone and on-site assistance to the public.

Research Guides

Law librarians write guides to research in specific areas.  See:

Wireless Internet Access

Visitors to the law library may set up a guest account for the unencrypted W&M wi-fi network on laptops and other devices for a 24-hour period, once per week. When you open your browser, you should be redirected to connect.wm.edu. Click on "I'm a guest/conference attendee," and enter your name and e-mail address.