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Reference Support

General Information

The primary mission of the Vernon E. Jordan Jr. Law Library  is to serve the Howard University School of Law community.  The Library's staff will respond to reference and information requests in accordance with this mission. Patrons are encouraged to use local and online resources. For those seeking further assistance, staff will respond to their reference and information needs to the extent possible. 

In-Person Reference Assistance -BY APPOINTMENT

The Vernon E. Jordan Jr. Law Library is ONLY available for in-person reference assistance to CURRENT Howard University faculty, staff, and students. Walk-in reference may be available during business hours based on the availability of staff. Librarians may ask  a number of questions as part of the reference interview to make sure that they fully understand the research request.  It helps to be specific and to tell the librarian about resources already reviewed. If the material is not available at Howard University, staff will help locate copies via the Washington Research Library Consortium

Remote Reference Services

Reference is available during business hours and based on the availability of staff. Librarians may ask  a number of questions as part of the reference interview to make sure that they fully understand the research request.  It helps to be specific and to tell the librarian about resources already reviewed. If the material is not available at Howard University, staff will help locate copies via the Washington Research Library Consortium or Interlibrary Loan. 

Archival and Special Collection Services

Individuals seeking Archival or Special Collections requests should complete the Howard University School of Law Library Permission Form and email it back to reference@law.howard.edu. More information about our Archival and Special Collection Services is located here.

Telephone Inquiries

In most cases, research inquiries cannot be answered via telephone.  As a result, all patron should send their research requests to reference@law.howard.edu