The Tarlton Law Library is open at this time with access limited to current UT Law students, faculty, and staff. Members of the UT Austin community unaffiliated with the law school may contact the Circulation Desk (circ@law.utexas.edu, 512-471-7726) for assistance with accessing library resources. Online reference services are also available. Please see the Tarlton Reopening FAQs and the Texas Law Fall 2020 Reopening Plan for additional details
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 print materials from the Tarlton Law Library only. The Library has no reciprocal arrangements with other libraries on campus. Please note that a guest borrower card does not entitle the holder to offsite database access.
Individual guest borrower cards are available for Texas residents 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.
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 billing and processing fee. The replacement charge may be refunded in some instances if items declared lost are subsequently returned, but the billing and processing fee ($25.00) will not be waived. The Library may increase replacement costs or processing fees based on the actual costs associated with replacing a particular missing item.
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 circ@law.utexas.edu
Library users can place a “hold” on items that are checked out by other users. A hold is a request to get an item after the current borrower returns it. Law Faculty and Staff can place a hold on items by clicking the “Law Faculty Request” button in the TALLONS library catalog or by contacting the Circulation Desk. All other library users should contact the Circulation Desk to place holds on items.
In some cases, library users can “recall” an item which is currently checked out to another user. A recall is a request to get an item back from another users as soon as possible, and, in some cases, may modify the due date for the item. Library users should contact the Circulation Desk to if they are interested in recalling at item.
Law students may checkout laptops, AC adapters and other technology from the Library's Circulation Desk.
Laptops – Dell laptops and Apple MacBooks are available for 24-hour loan to law students. Because the Library is unable to guarantee problem-free operation with any software not installed by the Library, Library-owned laptops cannot be used for Law School examinations.
AC Adapters – AC adapters for selected laptops are also available for 24-hour checkout to law students. Adapters available include those for Dell Latitudes and Apple MacBooks.
MacBook VGA Adapters – This adapter, used to connect a MacBook to a video projector, is available for 24-hour checkout to law students.
Flip Video Cameras – To help law students prepare for oral advocacy exercises, there are Flip video cameras available for 24-hour loan. Tripods are also available for checkout.
Audiocassette Players – Audiocassette players are available for 2 hour loan (library use only) for users wishing to listen to audiocassettes.
Headphones – Headphones are available for 2 hour loan (library use only) for users wishing to listen to audiocassettes or other audio.