Services > Services to Law Faculty
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m uncertain of where or to whom to send my requests to in the library.
The web-based request forms automatically route your request to the correct library department for action, so we encourage faculty members to use the request forms. You may also call in or email your requests to the Reference Desk or to Eileen Cohen, who coordinates faculty support workloads and assignments among the librarians and staff. Any librarian or staff member who receives your request will also be able to ensure that it goes to the correct person or department for processing.
Can one person be permanently designated as my ‘go to’ librarian?
You should consider Eileen Cohen, who coordinates faculty support workloads and assignments among the librarians and staff, as your "go-to" librarian; however, she will very likely assign the work to another librarian or to the Research Pool. The library had a faculty liaison program in the past, but in recent years a more flexible system has been adopted.
Under the current model, Eileen ensures that the faculty support workload of the librarians and research pool students is as equitable as possible. This means that requests might be assigned to any number of people, not just one person. The primary reason for this is due to the teaching load now carried by all of the Law librarians. Every Law librarian teaches at least one class a year in the law school, and some do more. When a librarian is teaching, the others step in to carry more of the faculty support work. Using a coordinator to monitor workloads has also increased efficiency. In recent years, the Library has more than doubled the total number of requests completed each year. In FY2006-07, the Law Library delivered 1,047 articles and books and completed 351 research projects for a total of 39 different faculty members.
Of course, you might want to suggest a particular librarian for a given project given his or her expertise; every effort will be made to accommodate such requests. Once a request is assigned you are also encouraged to contact that librarian to ensure that he or she completely understands the nature and extent of your request, and so that you can answer any questions he or she may have.
Must I use the web based requests form? I prefer to email or speak with a live person.
While we prefer that the web-based request forms be used because those are continually monitored throughout the day, we also are happy to receive requests that are placed in person, or by phone or email.
The librarians suggested that I should hire my own research assistant for a project. Are they unwilling to help me?
From time to time, the librarians might suggest that, given the scope of a request, it is better suited for a private research assistant or assistants. This is never an indication that the Library is unwilling to undertake the work, but would instead be a reflection that librarians might not be able to do the work given other demands on their time. In those cases, the librarians can still help your personal research assistants provide more efficient, focused service by serving as a resource and consultant for your RA. The librarians can also show your RAs how to use specialized resources and databases that might be useful, or to provide review sessions on research processes and techniques. Your RAs can also be registered to use the web-based request forms to request articles and books on your behalf.
