FAQ for Journal Staff
Last updated: August 2007
This FAQ is intended to answer general questions about recurring issues in
writing and editing for either of the journals. If we didn’t cover something
or you have a more specific question, please don’t hesitate to ask for
help.
How do I find materials in the Law Library collection?
Search the Law Library catalog online.
For tips on how to search the catalog, check out: www.law.seattleu.edu/library/research/help.
How can I get more familiar with the Law Library locations?
Check out our popular locations
guide.
How do I borrow Law Library materials?
Journal staff should identify themselves at the Circulation Desk when checking
out materials. Journal staff receive longer check out periods and can check
out some materials that are non-circulating (e.g. reporters). Journal staff
are responsible for turning in the materials on time and in good condition.
If you are using the materials for non-journal purposes (e.g. your own study
or other research), please check them out in your own name.
How do I borrow books at the Lemieux Library?
Check out materials at the Lemieux Library under your own name. Be sure to turn
in materials on time and in good condition as fines do accrue. The Lemieux
Library catalog is available online.
How do I borrow books on Summit?
Summit is the shared library catalog of the Orbis Cascade Alliance, a consortium
of 31 colleges and universities in Washington and Oregon. This service provides
access to over 27 million books, DVDs, and videotapes. Summit does not provide
access to magazines, journals, and newsletters. Materials are delivered to campus
from member libraries within 2 - 3 business days. Borrow books in your own name
with your 7 digit university identification number preceded by two leading zeros
(e.g. 001234567 – your university identification number is available under
“registration information” on SU Online: https://suonline.seattleu.edu).
Loan periods are 21 days (with one renewal) for books and three days (with one
renewal) for videos/CDs. Fines accrue for overdue items so be sure to return
materials on time and to time your request accordingly. The Summit catalog is
available online at: summit.orbiscascade.org.
For questions, check out the Summit
FAQ.
How do I borrow books on interlibrary loan (ILL)?
First, check the Law Library catalog.
Next, check the Lemieux
Library catalog. Then, check the Summit
catalog. If you do not find what you need by searching the catalogs above,
fill out an ILL
request form online or pick one up at the Law Library Circulation Desk and
return it to the Circulation Desk.
The time it takes to receive requested ILL material generally depends upon
the location of the lending library (one to two weeks). If the material is needed
by a specific deadline, please indicate this on the request form. Fines accrue
for overdue items so be sure to return materials on time and to time your request
accordingly. You are also expected to comply with any special loan conditions
imposed by the lending library. If a renewal is needed, ask the ILL staff to
request it before the due date. Some libraries do not renew interlibrary loan
materials. ILL materials are subject to recall at any time by the lending library.
To ensure that our institution can continue to receive materials via ILL from
other libraries, it is important to follow the above procedures. For more information,
consult our ILL FAQ.
What types of material can I get on ILL?
Generally, books, copies of periodical articles, and certain government documents
(if in print) can be requested through ILL.
What types of material are not available on ILL?
The following material is often not available through ILL: recently published
books, entire issues of periodicals, reference or reserve books, rare books
or original manuscripts, books in poor condition, film, videotapes, software
and other non-print material, some dissertations and theses, microfiche/film.
Additionally, original or obscure materials such as correspondence, non-published/minimally
distributed reports, and manuscripts are not available on ILL and are best requested
directly from the author.
How do I find articles in magazines, journals, and newsletters?
First, check to see if the journal is available on Lexis or Westlaw. (For Lexis,
use the “Find a Source” tab; for Westlaw, use the “Find a
Database Wizard” on the left of the Welcome screen.) For law related titles,
also try Hein Online, which is available through our database
listing. For non law titles, check the Lemieux
homepage. Finally, if no online version is available, check our
catalog and the Lemieux
catalog for hard copies of the journal. If you do not find what you need
by searching the databases or catalogs above, fill out an ILL
request form online or pick one up at the Law Library Circulation Desk and
return it to the Circulation Desk.
Do I need to find a print copy of all my sources or can I use an
online version?
Consult with your journal editors about the policy on source and cite checking.
Be aware that there are many materials that are simply not published in print.
For example, many government documents are migrating to electronic format only.
While we will do everything we can to assist you in finding a print source,
sometimes we cannot locate a print copy. An alternative option may be electronic
databases which contain images of materials (e.g. Hein Online, Westlaw Reporter
Images, GPO Access, LLMC Digital, and so on).
Where do I make photocopies?
Journal staff make photocopies in the journal offices. Materials should be checked
out before removing them from the Law Library for photocopying. When photocopying
material, be sure to indicate the title, author, source, date and page number
of the reference on the photocopy for your files. To make copies on the Law
Library microform reader printers, notify the Law Library Circulation Desk of
the number of copies made and indicate that the copies are on behalf of a journal.
To make copies of materials at the Lemieux Library, ask for the copy card at
the Law Library Circulation Desk.
What is a good starting point for my research?
The Law Library maintains a research portal.
The research portal includes our online catalog, database listings, and suggested
internet links. The librarians have also authored a number of topical research
guides, called “Starting Points,”
to assist in finding resources.
How do I go about selecting my paper topic?
Current awareness sources like topical newsletters (e.g. BNA reports) and legal
newspapers (e.g. National Law Journal) are very useful. The UW Gallagher Law
Library’s research guide, Writing
for and Publishing in Law Reviews, contains a section on finding interesting
topics. You may also wish to consult two helpful books: Scholarly Writing for
Law Students, Reserve KF250.F34 2005; Academic Legal Writing, Reserve KF250.V65
2005. If you need additional assistance, contact your journal editor or set
up an appointment with a librarian.
How do I find out which articles have already been written on my topic?
The following databases will be helpful in determining whether your topic has
been previously published in the legal journal literature:
Current Index to Legal Periodicals
(CILP); Westlaw = CILP
Hein Online
Index to Foreign Legal Periodicals (IFLP)
Index to Legal Periodicals (ILP); Westlaw
= ILP; Lexis = LAWREV; ILP
LegalTrac; Westlaw = LRI; Lexis = LAWREV;
LGLIND
Lexis full text law journals = LAWREV; ALLREV
Westlaw full text law journals = JLR
How do I locate working papers on my paper topic or submit my research
paper to a working paper series?
In the legal arena, there are two main working paper repositories: 1) Social
Science Research Network’s Legal Scholarship Network; 2) Bepress
Legal Repository. Both Web sites provide searchable working paper archives
and instructions on working paper submissions.
Where can I get more information on writing for and publishing in law
reviews and cite checking?
The UW Gallagher Law Library has two research guides which may be of help: 1)
Writing
For and Publishing in Law Reviews covers sources for law review addresses,
law review rankings, and more; 2) Cite
Checking & Library Research covers resources for assisting with citation
format, retrieving cited sources online, internet sources and so on.
Where can I get help with my research?
Send us a question via our e-mail reference service at lawreference@seattleu.edu
or visit us or call the reference desk at (206) 398-4225.
Who is the primary librarian liaison for the journals?
The librarian on duty at the reference desk is always ready to assist with research
questions. If you need more in depth help, Barbara Swatt is the primary contact
librarian for the Law Review. Kelly Kunsch is the primary contact librarian
for SJSJ.
How can I set up a research consultation with one of the reference
librarians?
Contact the reference librarians directly to set up an individual research consultation:
How can I contact a member of the library staff?
Consult our Web-based Law Library staff directory.
How can I get additional training on Westlaw & Lexis?
Contact the vendor representatives directly to schedule training:
Westlaw/TWEN: Zachary Gose
Web: lawschool.westlaw.com
LexisNexis: Aaron Meyers
(206) 323-9537
Web: lexisnexis.com/lawschool
What other databases are available?
The Law Library subscribes to many specialized
databases. Please note specific access instructions, availability (on site
only – wired vs. wireless network) and usage restrictions. Lemieux Library
hosts a variety of non-legal
databases. Contact the reference desk or one of the reference librarians
if you need training or assistance.
Where can I find additional information?
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Law Library Research Portal