The University of Michigan Law Library is “maintained and administered as a part of the instruction and research operation of the Law School.” (Board of Regents Bylaw 12.02).
The Law Library’s purpose is to build collections, provide effective access to legal information in diverse formats and provide facilities and services to support the teaching, research and educational needs of Law School faculty and students.
The Law Library’s collections, services and policies are primarily designed to benefit Law School faculty, students, staff and scholars in the Law School’s research scholar program.
The Law Library also welcomes others who need to conduct legal research, including University of Michigan faculty, staff and students, as well as attorneys, researchers and the public.
Our Collection
The library’s comprehensive collection covers Anglo-American, foreign, comparative, and international law, and includes legislation, court reports, and appropriate administrative material from all U.S. jurisdictions, Great Britain and the Commonwealth, Europe, and most African, Asian and South American countries.
The library is a depository for documents of the European Union, and was the first such depository in an American university, in 1957. It is also a selective depository for U.S. government publications, and extensively collects documents of international intergovernmental organizations.
The library seeks to provide a complete, worldwide collection of primary material, and a research-level collection of secondary and research resources in print, microform, and computer formats.
There is special depth in the collections relating to indigenous people, including Native Americans; French coutumes; pre-Soviet Russia; early American session laws and court reports; Roman law; foreign law, and international law. The library also has a strong collection of United Nations and League of Nations documents.
Notary Services for the Michigan Law Community
The University of Michigan Law Library can provide in-person, pen-and-paper notary services for free to current members of the Michigan Law Community. Please note, some restrictions may apply.
To learn more about our notary services and to request a notary appointment, please see below.
Michigan Law Community
Access to the Legal Research building is sometimes restricted to members of the Michigan Law Community via MCard.
For dates, times, and complete Law School building hours, see here.
Guest Access
Non-Michigan Law community members may visit the underground library during unrestricted hours.
If you are unable to visit during these hours, please contact us to inquire about access.
Email is generally monitored 8 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday. Expect a response to most emails within 1 - 2 business days.
Elevator Access to Underground Smith Addition
- Enter the Reading Room from the Monroe Street ramp if you need to use the elevators. Automatic door openers are available for the outside door. Proceed around the desk to the elevators and go down to the first floor (the Reading Room is on 3).
- Exit on level 1, go left around the corner and through the double grey doors. There is an automatic opener available.
- Go down the ramp to the right to another elevator and go down 1 flight to Sub-1.
- Proceed through the gate to the Law Library. You are entering the Library on the Sub-1 level. If you need to go to Sub-2 or Sub-3, there is another elevator just beyond the Reference Desk.
- The sub-level elevators are turned off 10 minutes before closing. Please exit the building 10 minutes before closing if you need to use the elevators.
To maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all, Law Library patrons must abide by all University, Law School, and Law Library rules, including:
- Patrons must show a valid ID at the Entrance Gate (e.g. MCard, state-issued ID, or Bar Card)
- No cell phone conversations
- No food
- No tobacco products, vaping, e-cigarettes, or smoking of any kind
- Patrons may not disrupt, disturb, or interfere with others’ use of the Library or with Library operations
- Patrons must comply with Library staff instructions
Address: 801 Monroe Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1210
Phone: 734.764.9324
Parking: Parking meters take coins and credit cards; hours: Mon - Sat, 6 am to 6 pm.
(Meters are free evenings and Sundays)
Scanners
Instructions are available at each machine. Ask at the Information Desk if you have questions.
All machines allow you to scan to email or a USB flash drive.
Catalog Terminals
On each floor in the library, located near the central staircase you will find general access computers that are intended for searching the library’s online catalog.
Printing
Information about printing for Law students can be found on the Law School’s Printing Policy page.
Printing for Students
U-M Wireless
Wireless internet access is available in the Reading Room and underground Law Library.
- The MWireless network is available to the University of Michigan Community.
- The MGuest network is available to visitors.
Librarians & Permanent Support Staff
When open, these positions are posted online at http://careers.umich.edu and at the University’s Employment Services office (G250 Wolverine Tower), 734.764.6540.
Student Jobs
The following positions are currently open:
- Document Delivery Phone Page
- Entrance Station Desk Assistant
- Faculty Research Assistant
- Information Desk Assistant
- Reading Room Desk Assistant
- Stacks Assistant
U-M School of Information Student Jobs
Student job eligibility:
- Make sure you have completed the University’s Student Employment Application in Wolverine Access and that all of your information is up to date. (Wolverine Access > Students > Student Business > Employment Application)
- You must be a currently enrolled student.
- All positions are work-study eligible. Applicants with work-study are strongly preferred.
- You must have your class schedule to complete the “availability” form, which is a required part of your application materials.
How to apply:
- Check individual job descriptions; some positions require special qualifications and require additional materials to apply.
- You must include your resume, the completed availability form, and any other required documents when submitting the online application. All jobs require a resume.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Apply early—applications are accepted until all positions are filled.
The University of Michigan is a non-discriminatory, affirmative action employer.