Tarlton Law Library is open to all members of the University community and to the public. All are welcome to use the Library and its resources and services.
Library users with valid UT Austin ID cards, TexShare cards or Tarlton Guest Borrower cards may borrow circulating materials from the Library.
A Tarlton Guest Borrower Card entitles patrons to borrow materials from the Tarlton Law Library only. The Library has no reciprocal arrangements with other libraries on campus.
Individual guest borrower cards are available at a cost of $75 per calendar year. Corporate guest borrower cards are available for entities employing up to 15 attorneys, at a cost of $150 per calendar year. For firms and corporations employing 15 or more attorneys, the cost of the borrower card is $300 per calendar year. Cards expire annually on August 31. Invoices will be sent out annually to corporate guest borrowers, and individual borrowers who have elected to receive them, for the option to renew their cards.
To apply for a guest borrower card, complete a Patron Information Sheet and present a state-issued photo ID and the annual fee (cash or check) to the Circulation Desk between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Texas state agencies may obtain free guest borrower cards upon presentation of an employee's state issued photo ID and a letter printed on agency letterhead. The letter must state the following:
Patrons are encouraged to update their Library patron record if e-mail or mailing addresses change. As a courtesy, the Library sends e-mail reminders and overdue notices to patrons, but the Library is not responsible for misdirected notices sent to patrons who have not verified or updated their Library patron records. Patrons may also update their patron records in person at the Circulation Desk.
Primary source materials, digests, looseleaf binders, microforms, periodicals, and reference resources do not generally circulate outside the Library, but most other materials may be checked out by Library users with valid UT Austin ID cards, TexShare cards or Tarlton Guest Borrower cards.
Loan periods for circulating materials vary based on the type of material and the borrower's status, as follows:
Most Library materials may be renewed by logging in to the Library's online catalog. When renewing online, patrons are encouraged to check the screen for information on the success or failure of the renewal. If an item cannot be renewed, a 'Not all renewals were successful' message will appear on the screen. If the renewal is successful, a new due date will appear in the ‘STATUS’ column. Materials may also be renewed in person at the Circulation Desk. To avoid late fees, materials should be renewed before the due date.
All materials borrowed from Tarlton Law Library must be returned to the Library’s Circulation Desk or, in the event the Library is closed, placed in the book return located on the E. Dean Keeton side of the Library, outside the building's lower level entrance. Returning materials to other campus libraries may result in late fees.
Overdue fines are assessed when materials are renewed after the due date or returned late to the Library. Replacement charges are assessed for overdue materials not returned to the Library within a reasonable time.
Late fees and replacement charges are assessed as follows:
Replacement costs include a charge for repurchasing the item and a processing fee. The repurchasing charge may be refunded if items declared lost are subsequently returned, but the processing fee (minimum $50.00) will not be waived.
Patrons can check their Library patron record or What I Owe to determine how much is owed for renewed, returned or lost materials. Fines for overdue materials not yet returned can be calculated based on the fee schedule above.
Payment of late fees can be made:
Patrons who have questions about late fees can email the Library at
