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Northern Illinois University
College of Law
David C. Shapiro Memorial Law Library

Law Library Policies and Procedures

Accessing the Law Library and borrowing materials

Please see the table below for a summary of access and borrowing privileges:
Patron Form of ID required Library access on Sun. or after 5 p.m.  Mon.-Thurs. Borrow circulating materials Borrow Reserve materials Use or borrow AV equipment Notes
NIU College of Law: current students, faculty, Faculty Associates or staff NIU OneCard Yes Yes Yes Yes  
NIU: current undergraduate or graduate students NIU OneCard No Yes In-library use only No  
NIU: current (non-law) faculty or staff NIU OneCard With prior authorization 1 business day in advance Yes In-library use only No  
NIU: Alumni or emeritus faculty Government issued photo ID With prior authorization 1 business day in advance and (for alumni) verification of alumni status (see Notes) Yes, up to 10 items at a time with a Law Library Authorized Borrower Card (see Notes) in-library use only No Verification of alumni status is done against NIU Alumni Association records. Alumni and emeritus faculty who want to borrow materials may apply for a Law Library Authorized Borrower Card* free of charge. 
I-Share consortium members: students, faculty and staff Valid photo ID from current I-Share institution (see Notes) No Yes In-library use only No Patrons must also have an active (non-expired) patron barcode in the I-Share patron database.
Local bench and bar members Bar Association ID card –OR—  government issued photo ID and verification of good standing in ARDC database With prior authorization 1 business day in advance Yes, up to 10 items at a time with a Law Library Authorized Borrower Card (see Notes) In-library use only No Local bench & bar members who are not NIU alumni and who want to borrow materials may apply for a Law Library Authorized Borrower Card* for a fee of $100 per year.
Community patrons Government issued photo ID No In-library use only In-library use only No  

* Authorized Borrower cards are valid only at the Law Library, not at Founders Library or other NIU libraries. The law library reserves the right to not issue, or to revoke, Authorized Borrower cards without prior notice.

--Last updated March 22, 2023

The policies and procedures of the David C. Shapiro Memorial Law Library apply to all law library patrons: faculty, students, staff, and visitors. The law library reserves the right to update or modify these policies at any time and without prior notice.

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