Alumni Services
Regular Semester Policies
Access
Boston University alumni in need of print materials, computing, access to electronic resources, or research assistance are welcome to visit the library in-person Monday-Friday 11am-3pm* during our open reference hours. Access to these services outside of those hours should be requested in advance of a visit by contacting lawlibraries@bu-law.libanswers.com, so we can determine if there are any staff available to accommodate the request.
Upon arrival at the law libraries, alumni must check in at the circulation desk, complete a visitor registration form, and show their BU Alumni Card and a valid form of photo ID.
All law library spaces not behind swipe access are available for alumni use. Access to law library spaces and collections behind swipe access may be granted based on research needs by speaking with one of our Legal Information Librarians M-F 11am-3pm or contacting lawlibraries@bu-law.libanswers.com.
*Please note: Access and access hours are subject to change around holidays, breaks, and during periods where the law complex is closed to current B.U. Law Faculty, Staff, and Students, such as Law Reading & Exam Periods. See “Using the Library” for the most up to date law libraries hours.
Research
Our legal information librarians are available M-F 11am-3pm to assist with legal research needs. To speak with a legal information librarian call 617-353-3151, chat us, or submit a ticket.
Electronic Resources & Computing
If you are looking to utilize electronic resources or databases, please submit a ticket, explaining your research need and which databases you are hoping to utilize. A member of the library team will reply to discuss your access options. Unfortunately, due to vendor licenses all electronic resources available to Alumni are only accessible on-site through a law library computer terminal and some electronic resources and databases are only available to current law students, including Westlaw Precision, Lexis+, and Bloomberg Law.
Borrowing and print collection
Alumni interested in borrowing materials from the law libraries should see the circulation desk to create an alumni library account. Most items in the law libraries and other campus collections will circulate for 30 days at a time. Some materials designated library use-only may only be checked out and used within the library.
Scanning
Scanners are available on all library floors and a document feeder for scanning is available on the 3rd floor.
The law libraries also provide scanning services for alumni. To request scans, complete the following form. Law library staff will evaluate your request for fair use compliance and reach out with any questions. Scan requests are typically filled within 48-72 hours.
Printing
Unfortunately, the library is unable to provide copy or print services for alumni. Print services are available for a fee at the FedEx Kinkos on campus, located at 15 Cummington Mall.
Law Reading & Exam Period Alumni Policies
Fall Law Reading & Exam Period (Friday, 12/6/24 – Friday, 12/20/24)
The Boston University Law Complex is only accessible to current Boston University School of Law Faculty, Staff, and Students via card swipe access during the Law Reading & Exam period.
Alumni who are in need of materials from the law library collections can request them through the law library catalog, or by contacting us at lawlib@bu.edu, and we will route the requested materials to Mugar for pickup through BUL2Go.
Virtual research assistance will also be available Monday – Friday 10am-2pm, by calling 617-353-3151, emailing lawlib@bu.edu, entering a query on our “Ask Us” form, or utilizing our chat reference services.
