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Research Assistant Guide

Resources and strategies for law school student research assistants

Finding books

The Mabie Law Library has a large collection of books spanning a wide range of legal subjects

Search by keyword

  1. Go to the Mabie Law Library catalog. The catalog can also be found on our web page ("Library Search")
  2. Enter key terms
  3. Click on a book to view the book record. The record will show you the call number and whether the book is available to check out

Expand your search to all UC Davis Libraries or all UC Libraries

  • At the top of the page, click on the dropdown arrow to the left of "SIMPLE SEARCH" 
  • To search all UC Davis Libraries, in Location, select "All Libraries"
  • To search all UC Libraries, under "Search," select "UC Libraries" 

Search by subject

  1. ​​Find a "good fit" book: After performing a keyword search, click on a title that is a promising one for your topic.
  2. Scroll down to "Subject": Library of Congress subject headings assigned to your title will be listed here. Click on a heading that matches your topic to find more books on the same subject.

 

 

Expand your search to all UC Davis Libraries or all UC Libraries

  • At the top of the page, click on the dropdown arrow to the left of "SIMPLE SEARCH" 
  • To search all UC Davis Libraries, in Location, select "All Libraries"
  • To search all UC Libraries, under "Search," select "UC Libraries"

Browse the "shelf" to look for other similar books

  1. Use the call # to find other books on the same topic - Use the "good fit" book's call number to browse other books on the shelf with the same call number.
  2. Browse virtual shelf - Browsing can also be done virtually. Scroll to the bottom of book's record to "Virtual Browse." 

 

 

 

 

Borrowing books from Shields or other UC Davis campus libraries

UC Davis students may borrow books from other UC Davis Libraries, including Shields Library. Students may check out books at Shields Library in person or request a book for pick-up at Mabie Law Library

  • To pick up a book from another UC Davis Library at Mabie Law Library, sign in with your UC Davis login
  • You will now see a "Get it" section
    • Select UCD Request to pick up at Mabie Law Library
      • Make sure to select Mabie Law Library from the Pickup Location dropdown
    • Select UCD Digitization to request a scan of a chapter or pages from the title
      • Digitizations are limited to 50 pages
      • Enter chapter & author information or start & end pages

Borrowing books through Inter-Library Loan or requesting digitization

UC Davis students may request Inter-Library Loans (ILL) from other UC Libraries at no charge

  • Please note:
    • If Mabie Law Library or another UC Davis Library has the requested book, you must check it out from a UC Davis Library. ILL requests for books already at UC Davis will not be filled.
    • Requests for textbooks on UC Davis Law School Booklist for a semester will not be filled. 
    • Contact  lawlibref@ucdavis.edu with questions or for assistance with ILLs
  • Instructions for requesting ILLs
    • Locate the book you would like to borrow
    •  Sign in with your UC Davis login
    • Under "How to get it," select Request through Interlibrary Loan
    • For digitization of select pages or a chapter, select "Article or Chapter"
      • Digitizations are limited to 50 pages
      • Enter Article title, Volume, Issue, and start & end pages
      • Select Mabie Law Library as your Preferred Local Pickup Location
      • A link to the digitization will be emailed to you when it is ready
    • For an ILL of the print book, select "Book"
      • Select Mabie Law Library as your Preferred Local Pickup Location