Research & Instructional Services

Assistance with Faculty Research
The Reference Librarians will be glad to work with you to address your research needs.  Contact the Reference Desk, 443-1792, reference@law.syr.edu, or make an appointment with your Liaison Librarian to meet to discuss your research project. We encourage you to bring your Research Assistant with you to these meetings, because we believe it is essential for the librarian, the Faculty member, and the Research Assistant to discuss and agree upon research project goals, strategies for completion, and deadlines.
 
Faculty Research Assistants' Program
The Law Library has developed a training and orientation program for Faculty Research Assistants to help them conduct more efficient and effective research. Early in the fall semester, the library will email a packet of information to Research Assistants and Faculty regarding the R.A.'s role in the research process, and describing the Law Library's services and policies regarding the R.A.'s. Training opportunities on Westlaw and Lexis, as well as review of traditional research methods, may also be arranged at this initial session. Please encourage your Research Assistants to attend, and feel free to join us.

Research Support for Your Classes
The librarians will work with you to devise a customized instructional program for your course.  Some of the possibilities are listed below. The librarians would also be happy to discuss your ideas and suggestions for programming not listed here.

Program options:

• Law Library tours and basic Law Library skills training
• Hands-on research sessions in the Law Library for small groups (best for classes of 20 or fewer
• Print and electronic resource guides, FAQ's
• Classroom presentations
• Customized Westlaw and Lexis training
• Research consultation service for students with special needs or for project teams
• Consultation service for Faculty and RA's who wish to develop their own research problems and programs

For more information, please see the Instructional Support Services Guide [PDF] or contact your Liaison Librarian.

Instructional Resources to Support First Year Courses
The Law Library has prepared resource guides that direct faculty of first year courses to instructional aids and materials available in the Law Library or on the web. They encompass such resources as key web sites, texts, databases, guides, handouts, PowerPoint presentations, and tutorials that you can integrate into your classroom instruction and/or assign to students.

Civil Procedure
Constitutional Law
Contracts
Criminal Law
Legal Communication & Research (formerly Law Firm)
Legislation & Policy
Property
Torts

Law Library Research Guides
Numerous legal research guides have been developed by law librarians to assist law students and other Law Library patrons in conducting print and electronic legal research at the Barclay Law Library.  The guides address general topics in federal, state, and International law as well as research in specific topics (e.g., disability law, family law, employment law, etc.).