Library Resources
Catalog and Databases
Research
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- Search the Online Catalog JULIEN
Search the library catalog JULIEN to locate books, including ebooks, from our collection.
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- Search WorldCat
WorldCat is the union catalog of all libraries around the world. Search WorldCat to identify books beyond JULIEN, available by request through Interlibrary Loan (ILL).
Need to search for articles beyond Westlaw and Lexis? Don’t forget about our collection of specialized legal and non-legal journal article databases.
This is a collection of online research guides created by VLGS librarians on various topics. Check out the full list of research guides here.
Still not there? Request the book through the Interlibrary Loan service ILLiad and we will find a library that has the book and get you a copy.
Study Carrels At The Library
Study carrels are single-seat desks equipped with a power outlet, built-in light, and small bookshelf. If you prefer to have a dedicated space in the library for your daily study sessions, study carrels are an excellent option. However, if you do not need a reserved seat in the library for daily study, there are additional study space options available.
The study carrel reservation system is active at the beginning of each semester. The reservation period is for an entire semester, and students may reserve one and only one carrel per term. It’s important to note that space for carrels is limited, and the reservation process can be competitive, especially during the fall semester. Be sure to pay attention to the opening date and time and review the reservation process below so that you are well-prepared.
In the event that you are unable to secure a reservation at the beginning of the semester, we maintain a waiting list and will notify you promptly if a carrel becomes available.
Before proceeding with your study carrel reservation, we recommend reviewing the Study Carrel Policy to ensure compliance with the guidelines and regulations.
Spring semester reservations are now full. Summer 2024 applications will open on the first day of classes, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 8:00 am.
Carrels are located on each of the 4 floors of the library building. We recommend visiting the library a few days before the signup date to familiarize yourself with the available study areas and determine which one best suits your preferences.
The basement level is quiet with no distractions from outside.
Example: B03 Basement
Parking Lot Level
- Microfiche side is near Study Room 2, away from the noise of the stairs and bathrooms. Example: P12 Microfiche PL
- The driveway side is closer to the bathrooms and water fountain, with natural light from windows. Example: P58 Driveway PL
Campus (aka Main) Level has natural light and easy access from the lobby. It can also be a bit less quiet than the lower levels of the building. Example: M20 Campus
Loft Level
- Environmental Reading Room has beautiful views but can pick up noise from the library lobby. Example: ERR04: Loft
- Loft carrels are located in the back of the building adjacent to the environmental collection; this area is a bit quieter. Example: L07 Loft.
On the opening date, click the “Reserve a Study Carrel” button:
Study rooms are for group study and can be reserved in a two-hour time slot per day. Each has a whiteboard, table, and chairs. We encourage quiet group study, but please be aware these rooms are not noise-proof.
Additional seating options include tables and soft furnishings scattered throughout the library and the green-labeled “Open” carrels which are available for daily use. These are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Please do not leave materials in any of these locations overnight.
Happy studying!
Request an Interlibrary Loan
If the material you are looking for is not available in the JULIEN library catalog, it may be requested through interlibrary loan (ILL). To search for the item or article, look up the journal or publication title in the JULIEN catalog (not the article or chapter title) to get accurate results.
For all transactions, use the interlibrary loan system to create requests, retrieve articles, check the due date for ILL books, and request renewals.
- Sign in to the interlibrary loan page using your VLGS credentials.
- Complete a separate request form for each item you need.
Use the Book / Book Chapter form for a published book or specific chapter.
Use the Article form for newspaper, journal, or published scientific paper.
Use the Other / Media form for DVDs, sound recordings, or grey material such as conference papers, white papers, and dissertations.
Make sure to plan ahead when requesting materials. Journal articles generally take 3-4 days to receive, and books may take one to two weeks. When the material is available, you will be notified by e-mail
The library’s Access Services Department accepts borrowing requests from all current Vermont Law and Graduate School students, faculty, and staff for materials related to academic work (teaching, learning, and research).
Non-residential faculty and students enrolled in online classes through VLGS can submit requests for items owned by the VLGS Cornell Library, as well as scanned book chapters and articles owned by VLGS or by other libraries in our borrowing network. Physical items owned by the VLGS Cornell Library, such as a book, will be mailed to non-residential borrowers through the U.S. Postal Service and should be returned via USPS.
VLGS alumni and members of the public should submit interlibrary loan requests through their local public library or other affiliated institution.
Generally, articles and book chapters are made available electronically as a PDF. These are available to download for 30 days. These documents are for you, the borrower, to keep, and you are responsible for “fair use” (private study, scholarship, and research) of the reproduced material. Be sure to download and save your documents before the 30-day window has ended.
On-campus VLGS borrowers will pick up their loans at the VLGS Cornell Library Information Desk during our staffed hours. Physical books and other media may be returned anytime in one of the library book drops. Non-residential VLGS borrowers will return the borrowed item(s), using the envelope with pre-paid postage provided. It is the borrower’s responsibility to return materials to the VLGS Library by the due date. If a borrower loses their return envelope it is their responsibility to pay for return postage.
To renew a physical book borrowed from another library, submit a renewal request through the ILL system. Not all lending libraries offer renewals, and occasionally borrowing restrictions are specified. Borrowers are expected to honor these conditions and to make a renewal request before the due date. Please help us maintain excellent relationships with our lending library partners by returning all loans on time. Renewal requests for items owned by the VLGS Cornell Library can also be made through the ILL system. One renewal is usually permitted.
The VLGS library follows federal copyright law (Title 17 of the United States Code).
There is no limit on the number of ILL requests borrowers can make, but please use sound judgment when requesting a large amount, as every item incurs a cost to the library.
The library is unable to borrow textbooks, casebooks, and other assigned reading materials for classes. Students are expected to rent or purchase their own textbooks. Faculty may be able to request a review copy of texts directly from the publisher.
The library does not charge for borrowing books or articles. However, we reserve the right to review the cost of purchased articles, chapters, or lending fees from other institutions, and to suggest alternative sources.
Not all materials are available to borrow. Some rare or out-of-print materials or unpublished items such as white papers and dissertations may be difficult to acquire.
Student borrowers are responsible for lost, damaged, or unreturned materials and will be billed accordingly.
Federal Work Study at the Library
Are you a returning 2L or 3L JD student or a Master’s student who’s interested in earning some money through Work Study? The library hires Federal Work Study eligible VLGS students to help at the Information Desk and as needed for library projects. The application period opens a few weeks before each new semester begins and closes three weeks into the semester.
Federal Work Study eligibility is determined by the Vermont Law and Graduate School Financial Aid Office. Contact finaid@vermontlaw.edu to confirm your status, or visit this page for more information about financial aid opportunities at VLGS.
Submit an application for a Work Study position in the library for the Spring 2024 semester.
Environmental Law Collection Resources
Located on the loft level of the library, the Environmental Collection, comprised of over 20,000 physical volumes and thousands of e-books, concentrates on environmental law and policy, supporting the VLGS curriculum and experiential programs. The collection is diverse and has evolved to reflect the changing nature of the discipline; topics include environmental justice, climate change, food and agriculture, energy law and policy, water law, environmental economics, biodiversity, sustainability, planning and zoning, hazardous waste, and more.
The library subscribes to a number of online databases that focus on environmental law and support the study of and research in environmental law. They are freely available for use by the VLGS community.
The Environmental Law Research Sources database is a collection of over 500 free environmental law websites, selected in consultation with VLGS faculty and students. Topics include environmental justice, environmental health, climate change, energy, agriculture law, food law, animal law, land use, endangered species and wildlife biodiversity, environmental dispute resolution, water law and policy, ocean and marine law, international environmental law, and more. Each website has a description of its information resources.
The Environmental Law Research Guide focuses on environmental, international environmental, and environmental justice law and policy resources that are useful in leading you to environmental case law, statutes and legislative history, administrative law, scientific and statistics sources, and specialized web sites. It includes research resources: books, databases, statistics sources, Westlaw and Lexis, and an ever-expanding number of free, vetted websites
The Food and Agriculture Law and Policy Research Guide focuses on food and agriculture law and policy, which often involves related areas including water quality, land use, energy, food labeling, etc. This resource will lead you to many useful resources using books, databases and articles, vetted websites, news and statistical sources, specific resources relating to farmed animals, equity issues, and climate change, and government sites. Also included are the National Agricultural Library, the National Agriculture Law Center, and the VLGS Center for Agriculture & Food Systems.
Community Legal Information Center (CLIC)
- Use of legal research databases (including Westlaw, Lexis Nexis, Fastcase & HeinOnline).
- Access hard copies of Vermont legal materials (Vermont statutes, cases, administrative codes, and some forms).
- Access and read 150+ legal self-help books on many topics.
- Legal reference guidance from our expert librarians.
- Notary services when the CLIC Coordinator is available.
- Free access to printers, scanner, photocopier, and fax machine. Use of equipment and supplies is limited to legal research use and is not for personal or other use.
- Phone – Leave a detailed message on the “Ask a Law Librarian” phone line: 802-831-1313. Please note this line is not answered live, so you must leave a voicemail and call-back number to receive a reply.
- Email – Send an email to clic@vermontlaw.edu with your legal research or reference question.
- Legal self-help books – Borrow books through interlibrary loan (ILL). Contact your local Vermont public library to make an ILL request. See CLIC’s list of self-help legal books.
- Try a temporary free trial with Fastcase to access legal research databases.
The Community Legal Information Center provides legal reference services to Vermont’s general public. Founded in 2015, CLIC is funded by a grant from the Vermont Department of Libraries and is operated by librarians and staff of Vermont Law and Graduate School.
Community Legal Information Center (CLIC)
Monday – Friday
8:30am – 4:00pm
CLIC Coordinator Office Hours
Monday – Friday
10:30am – 4:00pm
(802) 831-1313 or clic@vermontlaw.edu
164 Chelsea St., South Royalton, VT 05068
Map and directions
Note: Legal and library ethics standards prohibit library staff from providing legal advice. Librarians are available to suggest resources and provide help on how to use resources; they can also provide information about where to obtain legal assistance.