Services @ the Jacob Burns Law Library

Before using the library, you must complete and submit a "Library & Computer Privileges Request" form, which you may obtain from the office of the Associate Dean for International & Comparative Legal Studies.  After the form is submitted, you will be notified by email that you may use the library and that computer privileges, if any, have been established.

Library privileges for GW Law Visiting Scholars are granted for the term approved by the Associate Dean for International & Comparative Legal Studies.  Library privileges may include borrowing books from our collection and use of electronic resources.  Privileges for the law library do not include use of the Gelman or Himmelfarb libraries; please contact the libraries individually for information about their services.

Once you receive your privileges, see our Online Databases, Books, Journals and Articles at the Burns Law Library if you need assistance with electronic services.

Visiting scholars from other University departments must have a current GWorld card to use the library.  Circulation privileges are not given unless the sponsoring department agrees to be liable for any fees or charges incurred from use of the library and its collection.  Visiting scholars may use our database services through the visitors workstations and may use Westlaw through the Westlaw terminal located in the reference commons area, near the reference desk on the library's first floor.  We do not provide Lexis for non-law visiting scholars. 

Before they may borrow materials from our collection, all Visiting Scholars at GW--both GW Law and non-law--must be approved for borrowing privileges by their respective programs. 

GW Law Visiting Scholars who are approved for circulation privileges may borrow from our circulating collection for one semester, except as limited by the expiration of the Visiting Scholar's library record.  Non-law GW Visiting Scholars should check with the Gelman Library for information or questions about borrowing privileges for other libraries.

Since we are a research library, many books do not circulate.  For example, reporters and digests do not circulate.  All of our books may be used in the library.

Reserve books circulate for two hours and must be used in the library.

Renew your books before they are overdue; books may not be renewed beyond the expiration of your library record.  GW Law Visiting Scholars may renew online by signing into their library account or calling us at 202.994.6648.  Overdue books may not be renewed.

Fees:  All books and materials must be returned to the library in good condition prior to the expiration of the Visiting Scholar's stay at GW.  Charges incurred for lost or damaged books are: 

• overdue fee of $10 for each book that is more than 40 days overdue
• processing fee of $30 per book
• replacement fee of $80 per book  

The maximum fee is $120 per book.