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GW Law Library
Research Guides

Services at the Jacob Burns Law Library

Who May Use the Law Library

Access to the Law Library is exclusively reserved for:

  • GW Law faculty, students, alumni and staff of the GW Law School and Friends of the Jacob Burns Law Library;
  • The George Washington University, including students, faculty and staff of the University who need to use the Law Library's resources to conduct legal research; and,
  • Students and faculty of OCLC Shares partner institutions.  Please contact your home institution for information about its OCLC Shares membership.

During reading and examination periods, access is limited to GW Law faculty, students, alumni and staff and to Friends of the Jacob Burns Law Library.  The Law Library may not be used as a study hall except by current students and recent graduates of GW Law.

Questions about the Law Library's Access Policy may be sent to Access Services at andrew.winston@law.gwu.edu.

Identification Required

The following types of identification are required to enter the Law Library:

  • GW Law faculty, students and staff should present a GWorld card.  Law students without a GWorld card must obtain a temporary pass from the circulation desk to enter the Law Library. 
  • Friends of the Jacob Burns Law Library must present a Friends card for admission.
  • Adjunct faculty of GW Law should obtain a GWorld card upon appointment.  The card is non-transferable and admits only the adjunct faculty member for the teaching semester.
  • Students, faculty and staff of The George Washington University must present a GWorld card.
  • GW Law alumni must present a GW Law Alumni card along with a photo identification or a GWorld card for admission.  Alumni identification cards and GWorld cards are non-transferable and admit only the alumnus.
  • Students and faculty from OCLC Shares partner institutions may be granted a one-day admission to the Law Library upon showing a photo ID from an OCLC Shares institution.

Visitor Access

Onward GW has information about University safety measures and campus health plus updates to its protocols.  Campus Access has information about requirements for visiting the GW campus.