Reading room seats

The Law Library has a study area with a limited number of seats which are to be used by those who need to work with the legal collection. A number of PC's is also available for searching the Internet, catalogues and databases.
The internet and databases in the UvA network are available on a laptop when using "UvA-Wireless". Students and staff members of the UvA can use this wireless networking  facility when situated in the Law Library and with the right software on their laptop. For more information about "UvA-Wireless" click on the link below.

In the Oudemanhuispoort building a separate reading room is available in the basement of building D with 180 seats.
In this basement there are also two studycabinets (DK 06 and DK 07) available for groupwork for eight to ten persons.
Next to this reading room, through a different entrance, you will find the IC study centre where 90 PC's are available.
A complete list of UvA study centres is linked below.

There is also a link to a list of Study rooms at University Library, Singel 425. Just like at the Law Library only a small portion of the pc's do not require login.

Information about the collection

The catalogue of the Universiteit van Amsterdam contains all relevant information about the collection of the Law Library (JB). The catalogue can be accessed through the website of the JB.
Books.
A large part of the book collection is in open stacks in the reading room. The rest of the material is in closed stacks. To gain access to this material you have to retrieve the call number via the UvA catalogue. All call numbers of the JB are preceded by a prefix: 171, 184, 185, 187 or 189. The call number is to be handed over to a staff member at the desk who will retrieve the book from the stacks immediately. To borrow material or to use material from the closed stacks you need to have an UB library card or student card. New acquisitions (books) of the JB are presented in an acquisition list according to subject.

Periodicals.
The JB has a large collection of periodicals in print and online. An alphabetical list of periodicals is available as well as a list by subject, please click on the link below.
The last volumes/years of all current journals (from 2008 onwards) are stored in the open stacks in the study area. The other volumes/years are stored in closed stacks and should be obtained by asking a librarian at the desk (please look up the call number first).

Databases and electronic journals

An overview of electronic journals, CD-ROMs and databases is available through either the JB website -use the button Find legal resources - or refer to the Digital Library of the UvA. The use of these products is very often restricted to a closed group of users due to obligations in the licencing agreements. Most products are accessible via the UvA network. Information on the accessibility of the UvA -network can be found in the next paragraph. Databases which are stored on the Citrix server can only be accessed by using special software. This (free) software is available via the link (Citrix information website UB) below (only Dutch). 

Accessibility of the UvA network

Most electronic journals and databases are accessible via the UvA network. In the Law Library and many of the UvA buildings the UvA network is open for everyone. For UvA students and staff it is also possible to access to the UvA network at home or abroad. The UvAnetID provided to staff and students is required. 
Access is possible:

• Using the UvA as an Internet provider (UvA-dsl).
• Using VPN software. UvA students and staff can access the UvA network from any PC in the world. This requires an UvAnetID, an arbitrary internet connection and the possibility to download and install the Virtual Private Network (VPN) software. Downloading and installing is an one-off operation and is very simple. Look for UvAvpn on the ICT facilities page linked below.

Borrowing

The collection consists mainly of books available for 28 days. In the case of frequently used material, the lending period is 7 days. Documents, periodicals, compulsory material and specific other categories of material can only be used for reference (= 1 day loan). To borrow material or to use material from the closed stacks you need to have a library card: for UvA students your student card functions as your library card. Other users need to obtain a
card from any library of the Universiteit van Amsterdam. Any change in your membership record (i.e. address, telephone number, e-mail address) should be reported to any UvA library. Bring a valid identification document.
UvA students should always report changes in their personal record and they can do so on the link mentioned below.
For students and members of staff of the UvA the library card is free of charge. Students should present the student card, staff members should present a letter of appointment or a recent pay slip.

Renewing the loan period and returning material

Renewal of the loan period of books is only possible for material that is loaned out for 28 or 7 days. 1 day loans can not be renewed. You can renew the 28 day loan period several times yourself, within a period of six months, via de catalogue of the UvA (use: My account in the top frame). The 7 day loan period can be renewed within a period of a month. You can not renew books via the desk or by telephone. Books that are requested by other users can not be renewed.
All books returned from loan should be handed to a staff member at the desk who will check the material in. This can be a desk at any UvA-library. Material that is to be returned from reference (= 1 day loan) should only be returned to the JB desk.

Weekend loan from reference material

Compulsory reading material, handbooks, most case law and statutory editions, are kept for reference only (1 day loan). However you can take this material out for a weekend. Checkout time for weekend loan is one hour before closing time of the desk on Saturday (on Friday during summer holiday).The material should be returned on the next working day before 10.00 a.m. Users not complying to these rules are excluded from this service.

Fines

When the loan term has expired you will receive a reminder via e-mail or mail. On receiving the second reminder you will be fined. As long as fines are overdue you can not borrow or return other material.

Material lost

Any library material which is damaged, stolen or lost whilst in your possession has to be compensated. The compensation consists of the replacement value of the material and 20 Euro administrative expenses.

ILL account

You can either borrow books or obtain articles from other libraries outside the UvA using Inter Library Loan (ILL). You will need an ILL account to make use of this service. You can open an account at the desk of the JB or at any other UvA-library. It is advisable to open your account in the location you visit most frequently.

List of law journals

A list of law journals is available both online -via the JB website-  and in print at the desk. The list refers to both print and online subscriptions. An alphabetical list and a subject list or both available. The electronic journals can be accessed within the UvA network.  Articles in journals can be retrieved by using special databases i.e. Data Juridica (Dutch), Picarta.

Photocopying and printing

For photocopying or printing int he Law Library you need a chip card. Any Dutch bank card has a chip card on it. Recharging these bank-chip cards is possible at the coffee counter in the Central Hall of the Oudemanhuispoort complex.
At the counter of the Law Library chip cards are available. These cards cost 12,50 € (with a printing/copying value of 10 €) and they aren't rechargeable. These cards can be used at any other UvA library.

Workstations

The JB has workstations to retrieve information from catalogues, CD-ROMS and databases. The research should have baring upon the subjects of the library. A few workstations are assigned for other use e.g. word-processing or reading and sending e-mail. It is strictly prohibited to download data to the hard disk or change the set up of the computer. Repeated non compliance to these rules will result in exclusion from use of the library facilities.

Current awareness service

The JB would like you to be aware of our acquisitions (books) by subject. The acquisitions list is available via the JB website: Subjects>Acquistion list: new books in the library.

Several (legal) databases offer personal current awareness services (SDI). In general you need to make a selection of subjects beforehand. The service can vary according to the different databases. In general you will either receive an e-mail or you can access a personalised section of the database.

Personal awareness service via e-mail

The JB offers an personal awareness service via e-mail, every two weeks covering acquisitions of books. You will receive a list of new books which is restricted to five chosen subjects after you have subscribed to the service.
You can choose any five subjects:

• Competition law
• Constitutional law and administrative law
• Criminal law
• Environmental law
• European law
• Health law
• History of law
• Human rights/constitutional rights
• Intellectual property, media law and information law
• International trade law
• International private law, comparative law
• International law
• Labour law and social security law
• Law of international organisations
• Miscellaneous
• Philosophy of law, sociology of law
• Private law
• Tax law

To subscribe send an e-mail to Rob Braggaar, R.P.Braggaar@uva.nl and give the following details: name, e-mail address, staff member and section or student and discipline and your choice of subjects. After transmitting your subscription you will receive confirmation of your subscription.
You can also subscribe to the service by completing the form on the JB website.

Guided tour

A guided tour of the library can be arranged. Tours can be for groups or individuals. You can call the following staff members to make an appointment: Ms. Marjolein Baaij or Mr. Erik van Vonno (020-5253428/3843). The guided tour will be custom made to either size of the group or your special wishes in regard to subjects you want covered. New faculty members are invited to make an appointment for a personal guided tour.

Manuals

Several manuals are available at the JB. The manuals cover different subjects: general visitor information, manuals for the use of specific databases or suggestions to improve your search for information. A complete overview of all manuals is to be found on the JB website: Help>Manuals.

Courses

The Law Library offers courses for searching legal information. More information is to be found on the JB website: Help>courses.

Rules and regulations

Rules and regulations of the UvA libraries guide the interaction between visitors of the library and the library.
Apart from these general rules and regulations  supplementary rules apply to the JB which can be found in print in the library or through the links below.

Tariffs

* = free for faculty members of the law faculty of the UvA.

General

Service with assistance of the library staff *

Inter Library Loan (IlL) *

Students will receive an once-only deposit for an ILL account of  € 12 .

Books

Photocopies     

N.B. The high tariff is applicable if material is to be ordered from outside the UvA. The low tariff is applicable if the material can be supplied by a library of the UvA.