About Us

The Law Library is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its students, faculty and staff that is conducive to teaching, learning, study, and research.  Behavior that disturbs or disrupts the use of the Law Library is detrimental to the environment and will not be tolerated. Montague Law Library, Penn State Dickinson Law, and Penn State University policies apply to all library users including students, faculty, staff, and visitors.  

Any user violating the Conduct Policy will be asked to leave the Law Library. 

• For the purposes of this policy, disturbing or disrupting behavior includes, but is not limited to:  

• Soliciting or attempting to solicit legal advice from students, faculty, librarians, or staff.  

• Refusing to leave the Law Library at closing time or when directed to leave by Library staff and/or librarians.  

• Refusing to provide identification to library staff when requested.  

• Assaulting, abusing, threatening, intimidating or disrupting students, faculty, librarians or staff.   

• Engaging in any other type of behavior that interferes with the use of the library by students, faculty, librarians or staff.  

• Unattended Minors Policy Please refer to the University Libraries UL-AD28. 

Any user violating the Conduct Policy will be asked to leave. Students who abuse this facility and hinder the work of others will be subject to the Law School's disciplinary procedures.

See Also

• Penn State Dickinson Law Honor Code
• Penn State Student Code of Conduct

To preserve a clean, safe, and respectful environment, library users may consume food and beverages in the Law Library only in accordance with the following guidelines. Library staff may request that users remove food or beverages that do not comply with this policy.

• Beverages: Only non-alcoholic drinks in spill-resistant containers (e.g., containers with secure lids or caps unlikely to detach if tipped) are permitted. 
• Food: Small, non-messy food items (e.g., cold sandwiches, snack bars, cookies, candy) are allowed. Aromatic, noisy, or messy foods are prohibited in all areas of the Law Library. 
• Cleanliness: Users are expected to clean their workspace thoroughly and dispose of all food waste, containers, and related items in appropriate receptacles—preferably those located outside the Law Library. 
• Deliveries: Food delivery is not permitted. 

• Maintain a quiet environment throughout the Law Libraries, especially in designated quiet study areas. Conversations, group work, and online meetings are not permitted in shared spaces. Study rooms allow collaboration, but noise must be kept low as it carries outside.
• Phones and Meetings: Cell phones should be silenced. Phone calls, video calls, and virtual meetings are not permitted in general library areas. 
• Noise Enforcement: Users who create excessive noise may be asked to leave. 

University Park: The University Park Reading Room (Katz Building, Library Room 320) is reserved for quiet reading and research.  Conversations and collaborative/group work should not be conducted in this area at any time

• Study carrels, rooms, and tables are shared resources available on a first come first served basis and may not be claimed for an extended period without occupying the seat. Unattended items will be removed periodically throughout the day. 
• Only laptop computers and other study aids may be plugged into outlets in the library.  No appliances are permitted in the library and will be removed if discovered.  No extension cords are permitted in the library, whether in carrels or for use with laptops on tables. 
• Excessive sleeping and using the law library as a temporary residence is prohibited. If you are a PSDL or SIA student who is facing challenges accessing adequate food, stable housing, or other basic needs, please contact the Penn State Dickinson Law office of Student Services or Penn State's Office of Student Care and Advocacy. 
• The library is not responsible for loss or damage to personal belongings left in the study area or carrels. Users of this area are advised to take all belongings with them whenever they leave the area.

Library Study Rooms are scheduled through 25Live, the official Penn State scheduling system. Please note that reservations made in 25Live are publicly viewable and not private.

1. Only LAW and SIA STUDENTS can make reservations. 
2. To guarantee time in a study room a reservation must be made. Users without reservations must vacate the room when a group or individual with reservations arrive. 
3. Library Study Rooms are not soundproof.  Users should limit their noise to a respectful volume. 
4. Patrons are not permitted to post their own signs on or around study rooms. This includes notes, reservation claims, or any other informal signage.  Signage will be removed immediately.
5. To maintain a safe environment for all patrons, windows in the study rooms should remain uncovered at all times. 
6. Library Study Rooms are located within the Law Library and are considered part of the library facility. As such, all Law Library policies—including those related to noise, food and beverage, appropriate use of space, and electrical equipment—apply while using a library study room. Users are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the standards of the library environment at all times. 

Borrowing privileges are located on the University Libraries website.  

All library material, including items borrowed through ILL, may be checked out only during regular library hours and may not be removed from the library or taken from the reserve shelves at other times.  Library employees may inspect the books, briefcases, and effects of persons leaving the library. 

Borrowers are responsible for material charged to their library account(s). Materials eligible for renewal may be renewed online through My Library Account, ILLiad, or at a law library circulation desk. Material may be returned to the circulation desk during staffed hours, the law library book return, or any PSU Library location. 

Access for the Penn State Community, Alumni, and Community Visitors is permitted during public hours. For more information please visit our Visitor Information page.

Note that access to the law library may change due to Penn State University breaks and staffing at each location. Please check law library public hours before coming to either law library location. 

Carlisle 

• Lost and Found 
• Emergency exits 
• Campus security information 

University Park

• After-hours access is limited to Penn State Dickinson Law and SIA communities.  During all hours when the Law Library doors are locked individuals with authorized access must use their Penn State ID cards or mobile id+ cards to access the Law Library. Library staff will not open the entrance doors when they are locked.  Propping the Law Library doors open is not permitted and will result in an audible alarm and notification to local police authorities.

• Lost and Found : Lost and Found for the Katz Building is located in 009.  The Library does not accept lost and found items; all material is directed to 009.  

• Emergency exits: All users of the Law Library are to enter and exit through the library's main entrance only unless otherwise authorized. Other library doors are not to be used except in emergencies. An alarm will sound whenever these doors are opened.
• UNIVERISTY PARK SAFETY AND SECURITY: Contact information for University Police, Escort Services, Emergency phones on campus and other resources and information.