Law: Library Resources & Course Guides

As there is no law school at JSU, the library law collection is mainly for curriculum support. Resources for business law, communication law, criminal law, correction law, education law, emergency management, health care law, tax law and other essential resources are priorities. The following list provides LAW related and interdisciplinary databases (ID may require for access). For more databases from the Library, please click here.

Circulating/Reference Collection Books available for borrowing by students and faculty members. They are shelved on the stacks on 10th Floor of the Library under Call Number K:

Click here for new books that the Library recently purchased. To view a list of technology reference books, please click here. JSU library also provides access to electronic books. ID may require for off-campus accessing these E-books. InterLibrary Loan Service is available as well.

Microforms Microforms (mainly microfiches and microfilms) are located on 10th floor. They are in-library use only. Microforms can be viewed and printed out by using the microform reader machines.

Government Documents Most government documents for law are located on 10th floor under call number K. They are integrated into the regular agricultural collection. For more information on government documents, please click here.

Periodical = Serial = a publication that comes out regularly (weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc.) that uses a numbering system that is intended to continue indefinitely. Magazines, journals and newspapers are all referred to as periodicals or serials. JSU students and faculty can connect to EBSCOhost Searching: Library Publications for a list of online periodicals.

Scholarly Journals are academic periodicals that publish on a regular schedule (monthly, quarterly, etc.). They offer original scholarship and reviews written by expert scholars. Most include long articles with footnotes and/or bibliographies.  

General magazines have essays, editorials, and news written by journalists for non-experts with photos, cartoons, sidebars, usually sources are not cited. They are good for basic information, news, opinions about public policies, etc.

Databases are collections of articles from journals, magazines, and newspapers. Use databases to search hundreds of different publications to find articles on your topic. A list of library databases can be accessed here.

• to discuss ways the Library collections can support your curriculum and research needs through the acquisition or provision of access to resources;
• to answer questions about library research materials, tool, services, policies, or procedures;
• to obtain reports on library collections and services for program reviews, accreditation reports, grant applicants, etc.;
• to schedule research instruction or support sessions tailored specifically for your course topic or project;
• to obtain additional or individualized research assistance for students and faculty.

Normal Working Hours

Fall, Spring, May & Summer Sessions :

Monday-Wednesday: 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.

Thursday: 3:30 P.M.-11:00 P.M.     Friday: 9:00 A.M.-4:30 P.M.

Office Location: 10th Floor, Houston Cole Library

• How to Find Cases and Other Legal Information in the Library: A Step-by-Step Guide
• LawHelp.org: provides referrals to local legal aid, basic information about legal rights, court forms, self-help information, court information, and etc. 
• Gale LegalForms:  Part of Alabama Virtual Library. Gale LegalForms brings together thousands of authentic, professional, national and state-specific legal forms and templates including business, personal, real estate and general forms covering hundreds of legal subjects and issues.
• West Training: Training videos and guides on how to use Westlaw database, including Case law research, Statutory research, Regulatory research, Secondary sources, etc.
• Legal Research Video ---The Key Aspects of Legal Research
• Legal Research Video  ---- How  and Where to Locate Primary and Secondary Sources

• Please visit the Open Access: Awareness, Adoption, Adaptation, and Assessment page for tools and resources on open access and OER.
• Doing Research at the Library: In this video, we explore the extensive collection and diverse services offered by our library. Research strategies/skills such as Keyword v. Subject Searches, Boolean Operators, Primary and Secondary Sources, Scholarly v. Non Scholarly Publications are introduced.
• Discovering Books and Periodical Articles Related to Your Topic at the Library: A Step-by-Step Guide (Hands-on Guide)