The Yale Law Library, located in New Haven, Connecticut, is one of the world's premier law libraries. With a rich history dating back to 1824, it has been a cornerstone of legal scholarship and research for nearly two centuries. The library's mission is to support the educational and research needs of the Yale Law School community, while also serving as a national and international resource for legal information.
History and Development
The Yale Law Library was founded in 1824, when the Yale College Corporation approved the establishment of a law department. The library’s first collection consisted of a small number of law books, which were housed in a single room in the Yale College building. Over the years, the library grew rapidly, with significant additions to its collections and facilities. In 1931, the library moved to its current location in the Sterling Law Building, which was designed specifically to meet the needs of a modern law library.
Collections and Resources
The Yale Law Library’s collections are among the most comprehensive and diverse in the world. The library holds over 800,000 volumes, including rare books, manuscripts, and archival materials. Its collections span a wide range of topics, including American and foreign law, international law, human rights, and legal history. The library is also home to a number of special collections, including the Law Library’s Rare Book Collection, which features rare and historic legal texts, and the Yale Law School Archives, which preserves the history of the law school and its community.
| Collection | Number of Volumes |
|---|---|
| Law Books | 600,000 |
| Periodicals | 10,000 |
| Rare Books | 5,000 |
| Manuscripts | 2,000 |
Facilities and Services
The Yale Law Library is housed in the Sterling Law Building, which provides a state-of-the-art facility for research and study. The library’s facilities include reading rooms, study spaces, and computer labs, as well as a 24⁄7 study area for students. The library also offers a range of services, including research assistance, document delivery, and interlibrary loan. Its faculty services provide support for faculty research and teaching, while its student services help students navigate the library’s collections and resources.
Digitization and Online Resources
In recent years, the Yale Law Library has made significant investments in digitization and online resources. The library’s digital collections include a wide range of materials, such as e-books, articles, and databases. Its online catalog provides users with easy access to the library’s collections, while its research guides offer targeted support for specific topics and research areas.
The Yale Law Library is also a leader in the development of open-access initiatives, which aim to make legal information more widely available to the public. The library's Lillian Goldman Law Library's open-access repository provides free access to a wide range of legal materials, including articles, books, and primary sources.
What are the library’s hours of operation?
+The library is open Monday through Thursday from 8am to 10pm, Friday from 8am to 6pm, Saturday from 10am to 6pm, and Sunday from 10am to 10pm.
How do I access the library’s digital collections?
+The library’s digital collections are available through its online catalog and research guides. Users can also access the library’s digital collections through its website.
What services does the library offer to support faculty research and teaching?
+The library offers a range of services to support faculty research and teaching, including research assistance, document delivery, and interlibrary loan. The library also provides faculty with targeted support for their research and teaching needs.
