Policies
Access Policy
Heafey Law Library is a private library. Access is limited to Santa Clara University faculty, staff, law school students and attorneys who purchase a Heafey Law Library Courtesy Card. Non-Law SCU students have restricted access to the library collection upon presenting a valid pass from the University Library staff to Heafey staff. Click here for a listing of other Bay Area law libraries. For more information, please review our Public Access Policy.
Borrowing and Renewal Policies
Patrons with borrowing privileges must present a valid Access Card or Heafey Courtesy Card to borrow material. Not all patrons have the same borrowing privileges or access to material. Generally, patrons with borrowing privileges may check out circulating material from the stacks for 3 weeks, from the California Collection for 3 days, and from the Stauffer Reserve Collection for either 2 or 24 hours. Most periodicals, statutes, case reporters, and reference material cannot be checked out. If you have questions, please contact the Circulation Desk at (408) 554-4072.
Patrons may renew checked-out materials in person at the Circulation Desk, by phone at (408) 554-4072, or online. Renewals on some materials may be limited or restricted. Material that has reached the maximum number of renewals must be physically returned to the library.
Holds and Recall Policy
Patrons with borrowing privileges may place a hold at the Circulation Desk on materials currently checked out to another patron. A hold prevents renewals of this material. When the item is returned to the library, Circulation staff will place the item on the hold shelf for a limited number of days and notify the patron who placed the hold. If the patron who placed the hold does not pick up the item by the deadline specified by Circulation staff, the library will either reshelve the item or check it out to the next patron who requested the item. Material designated for Course Reserve, processing or updates will be recalled by library staff. A recall may reduce the due date for checked-out materials. Every effort will be made by staff to contact the patron by phone and e-mail. The library may impose additional fines if patrons do not return hold or recall items by the due date.
Fines
Library material is considered overdue the day or hour after the due date, depending on the type of loan period. The library imposes fines of 25 cents per day (or 25 cents per hour) on overdue materials. Overdue material with a hold is also assessed a one time $2.00 "In Demand" fee in addition to the regular overdue fines. The library imposes a fine of $2.25 per day or hour for overdue materials that are also subject to a hold. Patrons who lose library material will be charged the list price of the item (or $100) and a $20 processing fee. Patrons with SCU library fines that exceed $10 may not renew or borrow materials until they pay outstanding fines. The library may restrict patrons' library privileges and/or place a hold on patrons' library or academic records if patrons have not paid all fines in full by the end of the semester in which fines were assessed. Patrons pay fines at the Circulation Desk; the library accepts cash, checks, or flex account funds. For more information please review our Library Regulations & Fine Schedule.
Food, Drink, and Smoking Policies
Food, drink and smoking are strictly prohibited in the library. However, patrons may bring drinks in approved spill-proof mugs into the library. Bottled drinks and cardboard coffee cups, even with a cover, do not qualify as an approved, spill-proof container. Patrons will be asked to enjoy their food and drink outside the library if they are found to have them inside the library.
Noise and Cell Phone Policy
The primary purpose of the library is to create a quiet and stress-free environment for patrons to study and do research. Please be considerate and keep conversation and noise down while using the library. Cell phone use is not permitted in the library -- please make and take calls outside the library.
Non-Disclosure Policy
Library patron records are considered strictly confidential and protected by state and federal law. The library will not disclose the contents of a patron's record to any third party unless the library is required to do so by federal or state law. For more information, please click here.
Theft Policy
Heafey Law Library is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. We highly discourage patrons from leaving personal items unattended in the library. For more information, please review our Theft Policy.
Policy Regarding Patrons With Disabilities
The law library makes every attempt to meet the needs of patrons with disabilities. All areas of the law library are wheelchair accessible, including several carrels and computer stations. Also, the library has a TTY machine for patrons with hearing disabilities. If you require accommodations in order to access the library, please contact the Circulation or Reference staff. Additional resources for patrons with disabilities are available at Drahmann Center´s Office of Disability Resources.
Date of Last Update: May 1, 2008