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Law Library Guide for Students

Law Library service desk hours and law student access.

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Access to Law Library

Services (during CoVID)

Access to Law Library (Currently closed)

TRU Law Students have access to the TRU Law Library and the Law Reading Room 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

1Ls are provided with a key fob during their first semester at TRU (usually the 2nd or 3rd week).

Key Fobs are issued by the TRU Society of Law Students (SLS) truslsexec@gmail.com

The TRU Law Library is staffed during Service Desk Hours which are Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.

How to Read a Call Number

How to read a call number

Libraries use a classification system to arrange items so that the same topics are shelved together.  Most academic libraries use a system called "Library of Congress Classification System" or LC.   Think of the call number as being the "address on the shelf"!
Each call number is composed of several parts or lines. Our call number will be formatted a little differently, depending on where you see it, on a computer screen or on the spine of a book.

For example, consider the call number TK7881.6 M29 1993

Decoding a call number, step by step

TK
7881.6
M29
1993
It is not important that you know what "TK" represents.  It is important that you understand that the letters "TK" are read in alphabetical order:

A, B, BF, C, D...L, LA, LB, LC, M...

Therefore, "TK" is shelved after TJ and before TL.

TK
7881.6

M29
1993
The second line of our call number is read as a whole number:

1,2,3...4, 4.5, 4.9...32, 57, 57.01...

In our example, "TK 7881.6" will be located after TK 7880.7 and before TK 7882.5

TK
7881.6
M29
1993
The third line is composed of a letter and a number.  The letter is read alphabetically and the number is ALWAYS read as a decimal.

  L34, L373...M154, M29, M8...

                
L34 = .34    L373 = .373

That means that call number:

TK7881.6 M29 1993 will be shelved before  TK7881.6 M4 1992

TK
7881.6
M29
1993
The last line of our call number represents the year that the item was published.  This line is read in chronological order:

1984, 1985, 1989...1991, 1998...

Not all call numbers will include a year of publication, but most current items will.

Using a call number to locate an item on the shelf, consider each line of the call number in turn, before moving on to the next line.  The following call numbers are in order as they should appear on the shelves.


Because items are classified by subject, you will often find other items on the subject on the same shelf or nearby.  Further, items are arranged by author within a classification so you can find other works on the same topic by the same author. If you have difficulty locating or interpreting a call number, please Ask a Question!

Self-Checkout Instructions

Self-Checkout Instructions

Steps to check-out a book:

  1. Scan the barcode on your TRU-ID card (barcode face-up).
  2. Scan the TRU barcode on the front of the book.
  3. Desensitize the book by placing it spine-down into the "V" shaped slot.
  4. Repeats steps 2 and 3 for additional books.
  5. Print or Email receipt (touch screen) for a record of your due date.Self Checkout Instructions

Return books to the drop box that is accessible from the hallway just outside of the Law Library.

Loan Lengths and Renewals

Reserve books can be borrowed from 2 hours to 3 days. See the book's spine label for the loan length. Reserve books cannot be renewed.

Books in "Stacks" can be borrowed for 8 weeks with up to 4 renewals. Please note that if another student puts a "hold" on a checked-out book, the original loan length will be shortened. You will receive an email to your mytru email alerting you of the new due date!

WiFi, Printing and Scanning

WiFi

Printing

Scanning

There is a student scanner located in the Law Library. It has a touch screen and is fairly intuitive to use. If you need assistance with it please ask the library staff.

Legal Terms

Legal Terms

Introductory Resources

Law Schools

LSATs

Law Firms

Practice of Law

Quicklaw & Westlaw

Quicklaw & Westlaw

Login credentials for the Lexis Advance Quicklaw and WestlawNext Canada databases will be emailed to you during your first semester.

If you are having trouble logging in please contact:

Lexis Advance Quicklaw

WestlawNext Canada

Sample PLTC and NCA Exams

Sample Exams

Mooting - An Introduction

Mooting Books

Mooting Resources