What is Chapman Law Library?
The Chapman Law Library has been a vital resource for legal education since the founding of Chapman University School of Law in 1998. Its mission has always been to advance the learning and scholarship of both students and faculty. As Chapman’s seamless resource center, the library provides researchers with access to a multitude of print and electronic legal information resources. It is committed to educating law students in research and technology, giving them the competitive edge necessary for practice in an information-driven world . With numerous seating options, from group study rooms to carrels for quiet reflection, the library offers an ideal atmosphere for study and research. The Chapman Law School campus boasts many wireless access points for additional convenience. Finally, the library is also a significant research center for Chapman scholars and faculty. All in all, the Chapman Law Library is a versatile, state-of-the-art setting.
Quick Facts and Facilities
One of the most striking features of the Chapman Law School Library is its state-of-the-art facilities. The building is equipped with the latest technologies to facilitate legal research and scholarship. This includes a comprehensive catalog of legal databases, research guides, and online resources. Several computer labs are available for student use, with access to multiple databases, search engines, and online catalogs. Students also have access to printers and scanners, to assist with research and editing.
Chapman University Law School opened its new Law Library during the Fall 2009 semester. The 200,000 cache-foot building is located at the north section of the University’s campus, off of Walnut Avenue and in between Center and Glassell Streets. The Library is meant to centralize all law resources and collaboration spaces. The library was designed by the prestigious award-winning firm of Furnary, + Gusk, + Weitz, + Assoc. (F + G + W) whose focus is construction and design of university buildings. The $50-million dollar building is strikingly modern, and extremely efficient. The building has been recognized as one of the greenest law school buildings in the USA. Building occupants are currently not subjected to additional mechanical heating or cooling (no heating, no air conditioning). During warm days, Southern California breezes waft through the room, keeping the temperature in the low 70s. The cost-cutting design does not compromise any of the Library’s utilities.
Collections and Resources
Chapman Law Library hosts a wide array of resources and collections that support legal research. The library has a robust collection of legal texts and legal reference materials. Over 350,000 volumes are available in all major areas of law, including historical and rare legal texts. The collection contains legal treatises in all major areas of law, as well as historical and rare legal texts. Although the library houses a physical collection of legal texts, it also provides access to thousands of legal texts electronically. Subscription-based databases that provide access to both law and non-law texts and treatises are also available for substantive legal research. Publicly-available databases are also available, both inside and outside of the University. For example, the library subscribes to Early English Books Online, which provides to our patrons access to over 125,000 texts printed between 1473 to 1700. Special collections include some well-known collection of legal texts about state and federal laws. Another collection comprises a full range of California and federal jurisprudence. This collection spans nearly all jurisdictions and includes early historical titles from the 19th century, as well as more recent titles. The library also hosts several research collections, which are open to the public and support research at Chapman University School of Law.
Research and Study Assistance
The Chapman University Fowler School of Law Library offers an array of support services to assist with research and study needs. The library provides workshops on topics such as legal research, advanced research techniques, and research strategy. The library also offers librarian consultation services for more in-depth research questions. The librarians are available to meet with students individually by appointment to provide guidance on research which meets your needs the best . They can also direct you to specialized research sources and governmental information. In addition to the reference services, all of the law students have full access to study aids via the library website and in the second floor study area. Study aids include Nutshells, Gilbert Study guides, Hornbooks, Eisenberg’s Contracts Study Aid, Schwartz Principles of Taxation Study Aid, Clear Law Banker’s Dilemma Study Guides, the Nolo Legal Research Series, the West Academic Study Aids, CEB Library, and Lexis Access to Bloomberg Law and Cheetah.
Library Access and Membership
Library Membership/Access Requirements
Chapman Law Library is open to all students, faculty, and staff at Chapman University, Brandman University, and students enrolled in Chapman’s Academy for Professional Education (APE) as well as other affiliated institutions. All students must adhere to the policies and procedures outlined in the Student Handbook. Faculty and staff are subject to the Library’s policies and procedures as stated in the Faculty and Staff Handbook. Residents of Orange County over the age of 18 years with valid and legal identification, current proof of residence, or proof of enrollment in an Orange County college, university or law school may acquire a Library membership that grants access to the Chapman Law Library for no charge. Access to the Library is restricted to Library members and authorized staff, five days a week from 8 AM to 5 PM, excluding official holidays and break hours. Additional access hours may be considered upon individual request. A designated staff member must be assigned to supervise when the Library is open. A local public transportation system, Metrolink, runs near Chapman University and the city of Orange and provides a means of transportation to Chapman Law School. Bus service is also available at the University. No late fees or additional charges are incurred to Library members; however, members who fail to return library materials in a timely fashion will be considered in violation of Chapman Law School’s Letter of Understanding (LOU) and will be subject to LOU enforcement actions.
Promoting Legal Learning
Rather than existing in a silo, Chapman Law Library expands the legal education experience by integrating seamlessly into the curriculum of Chapman University Fowler School of Law. For many students, the library is a central hub of study, research, and scholarship. During orientation, students are welcomed into the library for instruction on both legal research and academic writing. These subjects continue to be covered in depth throughout their studies either through their core classes or through advanced seminars and workshops. Library faculty work closely with faculty members and law library liaisons are appointed to support each academic program on campus. Being a relatively small law school, law faculty have also turned to the library for help staffing their grant-funded projects.
Scholarship, collaboration , and research support both our faculty and our students. Our faculty highlight this collaboration in their scholarship by waving the copyright on their articles and allowing the library to maintain digital copies as part of Chapman University’s Digital Commons repository. Library publications highlight this collaborative work and preserve the broader research efforts by working with faculty, the university faculty center, and the provost’s office to identify the broader impact of individual works.
As a newer law school, Chapman has the luxury of growing and changing with our community instead of being held to dated practices or policies. Our library is committed to pushing the envelope and exploring new ideas that ultimately meet the needs of our law school community and provide the best possible service to our citizens of Orange County.