Library services for law students

Law students are required to find and use distinctive types of legal information such as:

  • textbooks and practitioner texts
  • journal articles
  • case reports
  • legislation
  • official publications

This guide provides details of key resources for finding primary sources, including case law and legislation and secondary information like books and journal articles, including links to training and user help guides; advice on effective searching, including using Google to find grey literature (government or other open information like legal blogs) and tips on keeping your research up to date.

Getting started

Most courses will have a reading list to guide you. Follow the link from your course Moodle, or search Reading Lists. Use this guide if you are new to Reading Lists:

  • Reading Lists for students - search for reading lists, link to online material, find print books in the library and add your own notes to items on the list

If you are not working from a reading list, use Library Search to find books, journal articles, book chapters and many other types of information - though not case law or legislation.

Cases and legislation are specialist types of primary legal information and legal databases are the best source for finding them as legal databases are updated daily to reflect the current law.

Library Search lets you search most of the material owned or licenced by the library. It is the main way to find books and is a useful starting point for information for assignments or independent research.

Law Collection Locations

Main Library

The print law collections are on Level 7 of the library building containing:

  • law books
  • law reports (cases)
  • journals
  • UK and Scottish Parliament collections and materials from the European Union

There is a specialist helpdesk on level 7 of the main library. Staff there are trained in using legal materials and they can help if you are struggling to find any of the print materials. The desk is staffed Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm.

Books that are marked as essential on your course booklets or reading lists are shelved in the High Demand Collection on Level 3. Books in High Demand are available for 4hr or 24hr loan. Colour-coded stickers on the book will tell you how long they can be borrowed for. You can only borrow 2 books at time from this collection and items cannot be renewed. Where possible all essential reading is provided online as eBooks.

Law Workshop

A study space and resource centre for law students. There is a wide variety of textbooks, law reports, journals, and periodicals to help you with your studies. The Workshop is also equipped with PCs and printing facilities.

Law Workshop website

Padlet is a place for gathering ideas and other interesting resources. Visit for book lists, videos, and playlists. Get in touch if you think there is anything other students should know about

Instagram - @uofglawlibrary

Moodle - The Virtual Law Workshop - up to date information, learning guides and a legal research skills course