Borrowing Privileges
Mitchell Hamline students, faculty, and staff and members of the Minnesota legal community (alumni, attorneys, and students and faculty from other Minnesota law schools) may borrow circulating materials from the Library.
Current students may have a maximum of 20 items checked out at one time. Members of the legal community may have a maximum of 5 items checked out at one time.
Members of the general public are welcome to use the resources of the law library, but do not have borrowing privileges.
Loan Rules – Books
| Patron type | Checkout time | Renewals | Minimum time before recall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students | 4 weeks | 1st renewal: 4 weeks; 2nd renewal: 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Faculty/Staff | 12 weeks | 2 renewals: 12 weeks each | 3 weeks |
| Legal Community | 2 weeks | 1 renewal: 10 days | 10 days |
Loan Rules – DVDs
| Patron type | Checkout time | Renewals | Minimum time before recall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students | 3 days | 2 renewals: 3 days each | 3 days |
| Faculty/Staff | 3 days | 3 renewals: 5 days each | 3 days |
Loan Rules – Reserve Materials
| Patron type | Checkout time | Renewals | Minimum time before recall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students | 2 hours – 2 days | 2-6 renewals depending on material type | Not applicable |
| Legal Community | 2 hours (no overnight) | 1 renewal: 2 hours (no overnight) | Not applicable |
Loan Rules – Student Laptops
| Patron type | Checkout time | Allowed renewals | Minimum time before recall |
|---|---|---|---|
| MHSL JD and LLM Students | 4 hours (no overnight) | 2 renewals: 4 hours each (no overnight) | Not applicable |
Non-returned Overdue Items
The law library depends on the respectful care, use, and return of all materials. We understand that circumstances may arise when borrowers are unable to timely return materials, or when materials are lost or damaged.
The Library notifies patrons via e-mail when checked out items become overdue. Three overdue notices are sent for non-reserve materials and five overdue notices are sent for reserve materials.
If an overdue item is not returned within one week after the final overdue notice, you will be billed for the full replacement cost of the item plus a $15.00 processing fee. If the price of the overdue item is not readily determinable, a standard replacement cost of $75.00 will be assessed.
Students who have been billed for non-returned overdue items will have a hold placed on their Mitchell Hamline student accounts and will not be able to register for classes, access grades, or request transcripts. The hold will be released when the overdue items are returned, or replacement costs are paid. Students who disregard notice of such charges may be subject to additional administrative action, such as the addition of library material replacement fees to their student account.
Members of the legal community who have been billed for non-returned overdue items will lose borrowing privileges at the Library.
Please direct all questions about law library charges or borrowing privileges to the circulation desk at 651-290-6333 or [email protected]
Reserves
Reserve materials are located behind the circulation desk. Reserve materials circulate for two hours to two days depending on material type. Students may keep reserve books overnight if they are checked out two or fewer hours before the Library closes. Overnight checkout items are due back one hour after the library next opens. Reserve materials may be renewed if no one else has requested them.
Non-circulating Materials
Because the law library is primarily a research and reference library, many materials, including statutes, case reporters, reference materials, loose-leaf services and periodicals may not be taken out of the library. You may consult the online catalog or a member of the library staff to determine if an item can be checked out.
Recalls
If an item has been checked out for more than two weeks, current Mitchell Hamline students, faculty, and staff can request that a checked-out item be recalled by contacting the circulation desk.
Holds
Current Mitchell Hamline Students, faculty, and staff can place a hold on an item either electronically by clicking on the “Place on Hold” button in the catalog or in person at the circulation desk. When the requested item is available, a notice will be sent to the requesting patron, and the item will be held for that person for seven days. Hybrid program students have the option of having the requested mailed to their home address. Reserve and non-circulating items may not be placed on hold.
Book Mailing Policy
Students are eligible to have library materials mailed to them at the library’s discretion. The following criteria will apply:
- Library materials are mailed via UPS Ground or USPS unless otherwise specified. Best practice is to request your books well in advance of the time you need them.
- Regular circulating materials will be checked out and mailed on a first come, first served basis. Most items can be renewed for up to 2 loan periods if there are no holds on them. Renewals can be made by accessing the patron account online, or by contacting the circulation desk at 651-290-6333 or [email protected]
- Reserve materials may be loaned at the discretion of circulation staff.
- Course Reserve materials do not circulate via package delivery.
- Students are responsible for the safe and timely return of any items checked out on their account. This includes necessary return shipping costs.
Student Employment Opportunities
The Circulation Department in the Warren E. Burger Library employs a number of work-study eligible students to help staff the Circulation Desk, assist with shelving, and perform other tasks.