Do I need to use a Law Library?
As outlined in your Study Guide, all the textbooks and reference materials which you need to complete your study of your law module are provided to you as part of the module package. This includes access to a number of databases (Westlaw, LexisLibrary (previously known as LexisNexis Butterworths), Lawtel) which will allow you to find and use a very wide range of legal materials.
As a registered Open University student, you also have access to the extensive range of library resources and services provided by the OpenLibrary (including specially-selected Law Programme websites; see in your Study Guide).
If you are a W200 or W301 student, you will be offered the opportunity to come along to one of the College of Law’s libraries for a Study (W200) or Research (W301) day, to learn how to use a law library (or refresh your memory on how to do so). The days are an excellent opportunity to develop your research skills with guidance from professionals and information officers, but are not compulsory.
You do not therefore need to have access to a “physical” (as opposed to online) law library to complete your law module successfully. However, there may be occasions when you would like to visit a law library; there are two main ways in which such facilities are open to you:
1. The College of Law’s Libraries
You are welcome to use the libraries at the College centres in Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Guildford, London, Manchester and York.
Contact details for each centre are set out in your Study Guide; please follow the instructions there for notifying the library in advance of your visit, particularly if you have a disability and will require special facilities.
2. Public Libraries
A small number of major public libraries in the UK and Republic of Ireland have public-access law collections, as do a rather larger number of universities.
Information about law libraries generally can be obtained from the British and Irish Association of Law Librarians (BIALL). The Association publishes a Directory of British and Irish Law Libraries, which contains details of library access; however, as this is a printed publication, the information may not necessarily be up-to-date.
The BIALL website at www.biall.org.uk does contain some details of library access, although the nature and quantity of information regarding each library does vary considerably.
However, bear in mind that as noted above, you will not need to use an external law library as part of your module.