Research Assistants Checklist

(For Faculty and Research Assistants)

MENDIK LIBRARY RESEARCH SKILLS SESSIONS The Library offers a variety of research skills training sessions, including sessions on Lexis and Westlaw. All sessions require advance registration. For a schedule of classes and to register online, go to the Mendik Library Research Skills Sessions in the Student Links section of the Library’s web page. Any questions should be directed to Michael McCarthy at ext. 2384 or via email mmccarthy@nyls.edu.

CIRCULATION PRIVILEGES
RA Accounts
RAs should not use their own library account to check out books for faculty members. Conversely, RAs should not borrow items on a faculty account that are not for actual use by a faculty member. RAs borrowing items for their own use on a faculty-assigned research project should borrow on their own account. Forms for creating RA accounts are available at the Circulation Desk. The forms must be completed, signed by the faculty member, and returned to the Circulation Desk. Any questions about the forms should be directed to Ping Tian at ext. 2838 or via email ptian@nyls.edu.

Course Reserves
RAs are not allowed to check out course reserve books unless the faculty member advises us that it is for emergency use only and not for the entire semester.

FACULTY LIAISON
Each faculty member is assigned a librarian liaison who serves as a primary library contact. RAs should arrange to meet with the appropriate liaison, who will be able to assist with questions about library procedures (including things like what to do if you can't find a book), as well as provide helpful research advice or assistance. Because they have been working with the faculty member for a while, they are likely to be generally familiar with the subject area the RA will be researching as well as the faculty member’s preferences.

PHOTOCOPYING
RAs should request (from his or her faculty member or the appropriate administrative assistant) a copy card for use with the library copiers during the summer. The cards come from the Business Operations Office. Faculty members and RAs should be aware that a copy code provided by a faculty member to the RA does not work on any of the library copy machines; a copy card, however, will work. Any questions about sending materials to the copy center should be referred to Jessica Brown at ext. 2149 or via email jbrown@nyls.edu.

SUMMER LEXIS & WESTLAW PASSWORD EXTENSIONS Because Lexis and Westlaw passwords are usually cancelled as of June 1, RAs who will be working over the summer must extend their passwords. The process is set forth on Westlaw’s and Lexis’s websites and links to the appropriate pages can be found on the Library’s web page (www.nyls.edu/library) in the Student Links section.

Mendik Law Library

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