University of San Francisco (USF) - Finding Legal Materials and Information

For specific advice on finding materials on the topic you're researching, stop by the reference desk or call 415-422-6773. For general pointers, see below, or consult the Zief Library research guides "Research Strategy" and "Starting Places for Legal Research Projects."

Five of the most common ways of finding materials by subject are listed below. If none of these seems satisfactory, do not hesitate to consult a reference librarian at the reference desk or at 415-422-6773.

1. Key Word Searching in Ignacio, the Online Catalog

Ignacio tells what books, journals, online resources, and other materials are owned by or available at the USF libraries.

Ignacio offers the flexibility of key word searching. Select "Keyword" searching from the main menu, and follow the directions on the screen to search one or more words that describe your research topic. For specific advice on key word searches, ask a reference librarian.

2. Subject Searching in Ignacio

Another choice for searching Ignacio is by subject. This allows you to find books that (in whole or in large part) address your subject. From the main menu, select "Subject" searching to begin a subject search.

Subject searches require the use of Library of Congress Subject Headings, which can sometimes be rather eccentric. If you are having trouble finding a useful heading, check the red multi-volume Library of Congress Subject Headings set located in the reference collection on the Zief Library's first floor. A reference librarian can help you use this guide.

3. Shelf Browsing

The Library of Congress call number scheme we use in the library is designed to keep items on the same subject together on the shelves. It is often possible to locate a general subject area in the stacks and to browse that area to see what is available. To make browsing easier, consult our charts matching topics with their call numbers:

4. Searching for Articles on Legal Topics

If you are looking for law review or journal articles, try one of the sources on the Zief Library's "Law Review Articles" page. For information about the different tools searching techniques, consult the Zief Library research guide "Tools for Finding Law Review Articles"

5. LEXIS, WESTLAW, Internet, and other online searching

LEXIS, WESTLAW, other commercial search tools available at USF, and many free legal websites are all powerful resources for finding materials related to your topic that may not be available in the law library. For advice on specific sites, and search techniques, ask at the reference desk or call 415-422-6773.

Researching Non-Legal Topics

1. Gleeson Library / Geschke Learning Resource Center

Gleeson Library/Geschke Learning Resource Center, USF's main library, is an excellent place to begin a search for non-legal information. You'll find a comprehensive interdisciplinary collection, a wealth of online materials, and a collection of U.S. federal government documents. Its reference department is staffed by librarians who are experts in retrieving information in all fields and formats.

Gleeson library is across Fulton Street behind Saint Ignatius Church. USF law students, faculty and staff have full access to and borrowing privileges at Gleeson Library. (When you visit Gleeson, bring your current law school ID to pass through the security gates.)

To find out whether Gleeson owns a particular book or subscribes to a particular periodical, search on Ignacio on the Web or at one of the workstations located throughout the law library. Ignacio covers both law library and Gleeson library materials.

2. Other Bay Area Libraries

The Bay Area is home to several other large, general libraries -- the San Francisco Public Library, the San Francisco State University Library, and the libraries of the University of California at Berkeley -- that may have the information or materials you need. The catalogs of these libraries can tell you if they own the materials you need. You'll find these catalogs at the Zief Library's "Frequently-Used Catalogs" page . For suggestions about non-USF libraries, please visit the Zief Library reference desk.

Finding a Specific Item

To learn whether the Zief Library has a particular item (and, if so, where it is located), check the following sources. If you can't find what you are looking for, ask a reference librarian or call 415-422-6773.

1. Ignacio, the Online Catalog

Ignacio is designed to help answer the questions "what books does the library own?" and "what periodicals or online resources does the library subscribe to?" It contains records from both the Zief and Gleeson libraries.

Ignacio is designed to be easy to use. At all times the searching commands and other options are displayed right on the screen. Some tips for using Ignacio are available on this site. Reference librarians are also available to explain and demonstrate any of the features of this catalog.

Ignacio displays the call number for the item and various phrases indicating its location. If the location phrase does not include the word "LAW," then the item is in the Gleeson Library or another USF library. The most common locations for law library materials are explained below:

LAW REFERENCE -- the item is shelved in the Reference collection on the first floor.
LAW RESERVE -- the item is on closed reserve and may be requested at the Circulation/Reserve Desk.
LAW CEB RESERVE -- the item is a California Continuing Education of the Bar book and is kept on closed reserve.
LAW RES AV -- the item is an audio or video tape, a computer disk, or an associated manual. These items are on closed reserve and may be requested at the Circulation/Reserve Desk.
LAW STACKS -- the item is shelved on the open stacks in the law library. If the call number is between KF 1 and KFZ 9000, the item is on the second floor. If the call number is between KFC 1 and KFC 1199, the item is in the California collection on the first floor. If the call number is between AC 8 and KEZ 5000 or between KG 1 and ZA 3300, the item is on the lower level.
INTERNET(LAW) -- this is a digital source that the Zief Library subscribes to on behalf of the USF law school community.
LAW COMPACT STORAGE -- the item is in compact shelving on the lower level.

2. Uncataloged Materials Notebook

This notebook lists microform titles that are not in Ignacio. Copies are available at the reference desk and at the circulation/reserve desk.

3. When You Have Trouble Finding an Item

If you are unsuccessful after checking these sources, consult a reference librarian, who may be able to locate the item online, on the Web, or in another library. You may also want to check one of the following:

If the item is owned by the law library but not on the shelf, ask at the circulation/reserve desk whether it has been checked out. Library confidentiality rules bar us from disclosing the names of borrowers, but we may be able to request that the borrower return it. Also, if the book is not checked out and has been missing for a while, the circulation staff can search for it. Forms to request a search are available at the circulation/reserve desk.

Techniques & Resources

Contents

Finding Materials By Subject