Welcome to the Law Library. We are joining with UMKC Campus Libraries to provide information and resources that facilitate the work of the legal scholar.

Mission, Vision & Values
 

The Law Library is located within the UMKC School of Law building at the corner of Oak St. and 52nd St.  The combined resources of our staff and collection serve the information needs of the Law School faculty, students, staff, members of the bar and judiciary, and the greater Kansas City Metroplex.  We invite you to tour our Online Library and drop us an email with your comments. 

It is the primary mission of the Leon E. Bloch Law Library to support the academic and scholarly pursuits of the students and faculty of the UMKC School of Law. The Library also serves the wider UMKC academic community, members of the bar and members of the general public by providing access to its collection of legal materials. To ensure that each patron enjoys a productive and orderly work environment, all patrons are required to observe the following rules of conduct when they are in the Library:

Law Library Patron Code of Conduct

Computer Conduct Policy	Public Access Computer Policy	Student Library Lounge Conduct & Use Policy
Drinks/Food	Respect/Patrons	Respect/Staff	Library Hours
Children	Lost/Stolen Items	Furnishings/Materials	Miscellaneous

Law Library Computer Conduct Policy:
Use of the Computer Lab is restricted to UMKC Law Students. All students are expected to abide by professional standards of conduct, including courteous language and treatment of others. Computers and Lab equipment are to be used for purposes of legal research and preparation of documents. Conduct that distracts others from legitimate use of the Lab may result in disciplinary measures. In the event of disruptive conduct, patrons need to contact Library or IT staff, or in cases of emergency, immediately dial Campus Police at (816)235-1515.

Public Access Computer Policy/Guidelines:
These guidelines are effective beginning Monday, February 20, 2012.

As a service to our community, the Leon E. Bloch Law Library welcomes guests to use our computers and has established guidelines for guest user computer access. Please be aware, however, that priority will be given to non-Law UMKC students, faculty and staff, for needed computer access.

The Law Library is a research institution and is available for members of the public who need to perform legal research. The Law Library does not offer facilities for non-legal study.

Availability
Guests may ask at either the Circulation or Reference Desk for permission to use the computers at any time up to 30 minutes before the Library closes to the public. Guests will be required to provide a photo ID each time they request to be logged on to a Law Library computer. Acceptable forms of ID include a driver’s license, state issued ID card, U.S. Military ID card, passport, or college/university ID. The date, time, and your name will be logged and kept in a locked filing cabinet for up to one month, at which point all records will be destroyed.

Only the three workstations adjacent to the computer lab on the first floor are available to guests. Patrons under 16 years old will not be logged in unless closely supervised by their parent or guardian.

Guests and UMKC users are requested to respect others in the Library by treating computer equipment appropriately, limiting noise, and keeping phone calls, conversations and audio at a respectful level. Guest users will not be allowed to change computer settings.

Time Limits
We reserve the right to set time limits for use of the computers. Computers log off automatically after 2 hours, with a 5-minute warning. Computers automatically lock the screen after 10 minutes of inactivity. As long as there are no others waiting to use the computers, a guest may be logged in again after the 2 hour expiration period.

Resources
Guest users have access to the Internet and the Library’s databases, and to some limited software. Internet access and software are also available at area public libraries.

No Printing is available.

If you have extensive research needs for using Library databases, or any questions or concerns, please ask the person staffing the First Floor Reference Desk. We thank you for your cooperation in our efforts to serve the UMKC community.

Failure to Adhere to Rules of Conduct
Causing a disturbance or engaging in any behavior that interferes with the quiet and safe enjoyment of the Law Library’s facilities and services is prohibited. Proscribed behavior includes (but is not limited to) excessive noise, verbal abuse, threats of violence, or sexual harassment directed at another person on Library premises.

Law Library computers and wireless network may not be used for viewing, sending, downloading, or making available offensive or explicit materials. This includes materials which would tend to create a hostile environment.

Any patron who violates any of the Rules of Conduct is subject to sanctions, including: being asked to leave Law Library premises; being reported to the police; and legal prosecution. Offenders are subject to loss of Library privileges.

For more detailed information on current acceptable use guidelines, or to report a potential violation, view MU's Acceptable Use Policy.


Student Library Lounge Conduct & Use Policy:
Students and visiting patrons are expected to abide by professional standards of conduct in the library, including courteous language and treatment of others. The library lounge is intended for individual study and collaborative group work. Students may converse freely but should avoid interfering with patrons in other parts of the library engaged in quiet study. This Lounge is subject to the Library’s food policy, so drinks with lids and packaged foods are allowed. Please refrain from bringing any other type of food or uncovered beverages.


Drinks/Food

•	Drinks with lids are permitted
•	Packaged snacks are permitted
•	All other food items are prohibited

Respect for other patrons

•	Patrons who wish to work together may do so in the Reference area and the Library Lounge; students may also use the study rooms in the ERC for this purpose
•	In all other areas of the library, patrons are asked to refrain from activity that might disrupt the work of other patrons, such as loud or extended conversations, playing music, making or taking calls, etc.
•	IN PARTICULAR, PATRONS MAY NOT DISRUPT THE WORK OF OTHER PATRONS BY ASKING THEM FOR LEGAL ADVICE OR ASSISTANCE
•	Cell phone use is not permitted in the Library, so as not to disturb other patrons, and patrons will be asked to leave when making or receiving phone calls

Respect for Library staff

•	Members of the Library staff are happy to assist patrons within the parameters of their particular job functions:
•	Circulation staff will assist patrons with functions such as use of the catalog, use of the library map, identifying the Library’s location and hours of operation and so forth
•	Reference librarians will direct public patrons to appropriate resources and provide basic instruction in the use of those resources
•	Reference librarians may not conduct legal research on behalf of public patrons
•	Neither reference nor circulation staff are permitted to give legal advice, to answer legal questions, to assist with the preparation of legal documents or to make legal determinations for public patrons
•	All patrons are expected to be courteous and appropriate at all times in their dealings with Library staff

Library hours

•	Library hours and reference hours – and changes to those hours - are posted outside the entrance to the Library and on the Library’s website (http://www1.law.umkc.edu/Library/hours.htm)
•	It is the patron’s responsibility to confirm hours of operation before traveling to the Library, either by checking the website or calling Circulation (816-235-1650)

Children

•	Children may not be left unattended in the Library
•	Adults who bring children with them to the Library are responsible for the behavior of those children, including any resulting damage or disturbance

Lost or Stolen Items

•	Patrons are expected to take reasonable precautions with respect to any personal property they bring to the Library, i.e., do not leave property unattended
•	The Library maintains a lost and found in the Circulation area
•	Nevertheless, the Library is not responsible for lost or stolen goods

Library furnishings/materials

•	Patrons shall not damage or deface Library furnishings or equipment
•	Patrons shall not mark or damage Library books or journals, or in any manner render those materials unavailable for subsequent use by other patrons
•	Patrons shall not remove materials from the Library without formal check-out (circulation privileges are extended to UMKC faculty, students and staff, and to members of the bar) or other authorization
•	Library staff holds the right to search possessions when the security gate alarm has been activated upon exit

Miscellaneous

•	Smoking is prohibited in the library
•	Animals are not permitted in the library, with the exception of service animals as defined by 28 C.F.R. §36.104.
•	Patrons may not remain in the Library after hours, and must exit when requested to do so for emergencies and drills
•	Patrons may not go into unauthorized areas
•	Patrons may not open emergency exits except in emergency situations
•	Library phones are for staff use only

  Any behavior or condition that disrupts the orderly use of the Library, affects the ability of the staff to provide service, or is detrimental to staff and patron safety, is prohibited. Disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to: abusing, threatening or intimidating Library staff or patrons through language or actions; disturbing students or staff by unwanted advances, questioning or solicitation of legal advice; entering staff areas of the Library; exhibiting signs of drunkenness or other substance abuse.

Persons who act in a manner inconsistent with Library rules and expected conduct may be asked to leave the Library and/or may forfeit Library privileges. Violators may, in addition, be referred to the UMKC Police or other appropriate authority. UMKC students may be subject to UMKC disciplinary action; law students may be subject to penalties imposed under the Honor Code.