NOTE: The law library is open from 8am-6pm M-F, and 12pm-6pm Sunday through December 11th. Click here to make a reservation for up to three hours a day. Check our COVID-19 Guide to Services Libguide for information on how to use the library's services.
Using our facility
(for information on how to find materials in our collections, please see this page; for information on our hours of operation, please see this page).
Who can use the MacMillan Law Library?
The Emory Law Library serves Emory faculty, staff, students, alumni and healthcare employees as well as members of the local legal community (Bar members and firm employees) or visitors who have made prior arrangements for their research. All users must swipe in with their Emory ID or present valid picture ID to enter. Patrons with disabilities will be passed into the building via our ADA accessible gate after having their ID verified. The computer lab and printers on level 2 (main floor of the library) are restricted to Emory faculty, staff and students. Please note effective March 2015: in accordance with its license agreements Emory University requires users to logon from on and off campus; database access is available to current faculty, staff, students and healthcare employees (for select clinical resources) and is not accessible via guest wireless.
Retired Emory faculty and staff may continue to view library websites and the library catalog (discoverE). Contact individual libraries for borrowing privileges. Remote access to electronic resources and databases is not a benefit, but retired Emory faculty and staff are welcome to come into the Emory Libraries to use designated workstations to access electronic library resources.
All non Emory researchers may use the terminals available on each floor for checking the online catalog, and may have view only access to select databases at workstations on levels 2 and 3. Emory provides guest wireless internet access for visitors with laptops (guest access will not provide database access). Members of the public may do research in our government documents collection only.
A little bit about us . . .
Our catalog, discoverE can be viewed online. Here you can search for books and journals, as well as check your Library record to see when your books are due back or request a renewal.
To gain entrance to the facility you will need to get an alumni card from the EmoryCard Office (located on the first floor of the B. Jones Center 404-727-0224), or borrower card available from our Service Desk. If you do not have either of these, you will need to sign in and show a photo ID.
More Alumni Resources:
You may apply for borrowing privileges by completing a paper form available from the Service Desk of the library.
Once you have filled out an application form, your graduation date will need to be verified and your user record created in our system. Both of these functions must be performed by a supervisor, so there may be up to a 24 hour delay between your first visit and the creation of your record.
We ask that you provide complete contact information, including an email address if possible, and that you update us if this information changes.
Once registered, your borrowing privileges are valid for one calendar year. As your registration expires, you will be asked to fill out a new form so that we can keep current contact information on file for you.
Borrowing privileges must be exercised in person, and are not transferable to another.
Spouses and family members of Emory alumni are not eligible for borrowing privileges from the MacMillan Law Library.
Circulating materials may be checked out for 28 days (please bear in mind that the majority of our collections do not circulate).
Materials may be renewed by coming in person to the law library (you do not have to bring the items). You may also phone (404-727-6824) or reply to the notices you receive to have your borrowing period extended.
We send out reminder notices 7 days prior to the due date of all library materials as a courtesy. All borrowers are asked to keep track of their checkouts and due dates by logging into our catalog.
Overdue notices are sent out daily via email - be sure to check your spam filter to make sure you're getting our notices!
Books may be recalled from you if they have been checked out to you for 10 days or more. We ask that you return recalled materials as quickly as possible. If an item you need is listed as checked out to another, you may request a recall via our catalog.
A fine of 50 cents per day is charged for each overdue item, to a maximum fine of $45.00. There is a 5 day grace period. Books are considered lost after they have reached 6 weeks past their due date. Lost books will be billed a replacement fee of no less than $100.00 (this charge may be greater depending on the value of the lost material).
Borrowing privileges will be suspended after an accrual of $20.00 in fines. A supervisor can reinstate borrowing privileges once the fines have been paid.
Catalog access terminals are available on the first four floors of the Law Library. There is a public use computer available at the Service Desk for brief research use.
Alumni users do not have access to the computer lab; however visitors may bring laptops to the library and use the guest wireless access.
Printing is not available to visitors.
The library has scanners which patrons can use to save images to a flash drive or email them to an account. These scanners are available free of charge.
A supervisor is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am through 7:00 pm, as well as selected weekend hours. We understand that it may not be possible to visit the law library during times when a supervisor is on duty. We encourage you to email us or call (404-727-6824).
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Head of Access Services directly (404) 727-8211 or by mail at 1301 Clifton Road, Atlanta GA 30322.
Policies for using our Library
The MacMillan Law Library seeks to provide all users with a welcoming, comfortable, and safe environment for research and learning; access to well-managed and diverse Library collections; and helpful, knowledgeable staff. Our Policies are intended to ensure a pleasant and productive environment for all our users.
Because of restrictions governing University insurance policies, concerns for the integrity of research projects, and interest in the welfare of faculty, students, staff, and visitors, it is the policy of Emory University that animals are not permitted in University buildings. Service Animals and Research Animals are the exception to this policy. Assistance, Comfort, and/or Emotional Support Animals are not permitted inside University buildings without approval from the Office of Accessibility Services.