Library Access Policy

The Furman Smith Law Library serves the law students and faculty of the Walter F. George School of Law. It is also open to members of the practicing bar, the general public and the Mercer University community. Everyone other than members of the Mercer Law School community will be asked to leave the library at closing time.

Library Conduct Policy

All patrons of the library are asked to follow all posted rules and observe rules of common courtesy. Visitors who are not members of the Mercer community should sign in at the front door and sign out when you leave. Food is not permitted in the library. Drinks are permitted in covered, non-disposable containers. Cell phones and tobacco products are not permitted in the library. Patrons who do not follow these rules, who disturb other patrons, or who attempt to obtain legal advice from Mercer faculty, staff, or students, will be asked to leave.

Library Circulation Policy

Everyone is welcome to use library materials within the library. Library borrower cards are required in order to check out library materials. Library borrower cards can be obtained at the circulation desk Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You must present a valid Georgia ID to apply for a card. Note: You cannot obtain a library borrower card on weekends and evenings.

Only the person named on a card may use that card, and each borrower is responsible for all materials checked out in his or her name.

Most law library materials are for research and reference, and do not circulate outside the library. Reporters, codes, periodicals and multi-volume sets must be used in the library.

I. Borrowing privileges

A. Law Students and Law Staff Members

1. One- and two-volume treatises from the general collection may be checked out for two weeks.

2. Two (two-week) renewals are allowed, and may be made in person or by calling 301-2612.

3. A limit of 10 items may be checked out at once.

4. Most one- and two-volume reserve materials may be checked out for two hours, for library use only. Within two hours of library closing, reserve materials may be checked out for overnight use, and may leave the building. These items will then be due one hour after the library opens the next morning. Some materials, including codes, regulations, reporters, and multi-volume sets, do not circulate overnight.

5. Video tapes and audiotapes in the general collection may be checked out for 24 hours, and may be renewed for a second 24 hours.

B. Attorneys and Paralegals (attorneys must present valid Georgia bar card, and paralegals must present valid Georgia ID, to apply for a library card)

1. One- and two-volume treatises from the general collection may be checked out for two weeks.

2. One (two-week) renewal is allowed, and may be made in person or by calling 301-2612.

3. A limit of four items may be checked out at once.

4. Most one- and two-volume reserve materials may be checked out for two hours, for library use only. Within two hours of library closing, reserve materials may be checked out for overnight use, and may leave the building. These items will then be due one hour after the library opens the next morning. Some materials, including codes, regulations, reporters, and multi-volume sets, do not circulate overnight.

5. Video- and audiotapes in the general collection may be checked out for 24 hours, and may be renewed for a second 24 hours.

C. Other Mercer faculty (must present a valid Mercer ID to apply for a library card)

1. One- and two-volume treatises from the general collection may be checked out for two weeks.

2. One (two-week) renewal is allowed, and may be made in person or by calling 301-2612.

3. A limit of four items may be checked out at once.

4. Most one- and two-volume reserve materials may be checked out for two hours, for library use only. Within two hours of library closing, reserve materials may be checked out for overnight use, and may leave the building. These items will then be due one hour after the library opens the next morning. Some materials, including codes, regulations, reporters, and multi-volume sets, do not circulate overnight.

5. Video- and audiotapes in the general collection may be checked out for 24 hours, and may be renewed for a second 24 hours.

D. General public, Other Mercer Students, and Other Mercer Staff (must present a valid Georgia ID to apply for a library card)

1. One-volume treatises from the general collection may be checked out for one week. No multi-volume sets may be checked out.

2. One (one-week) renewal is allowed, and may be made in person or by calling 301-2612.

3. A limit of two items may be checked out at once.

4. Reserve materials may be checked out for two hours, for library use only. If a patron is a one-time library user, his or her driver's license will be held while he or she is using reserve materials.

II. Fines

A. Treatises: 10 cents for each day overdue, for law students. For all other patrons, 25 cents for each day overdue.

B. Reserve materials (including video- and audiotapes): 25 cents for each hour overdue

C. Videocassettes: 25 cents for each day overdue