Director's Welcome

Welcome to the Florida State University Research Center. The mission of the research center is to support fully the scholarly pursuits of the faculty and students of the College of Law.  To this end, it offers an active program of legal research instruction, an experienced and helpful staff, and extensive collections of law and law-related information.

The collection of nearly 500,000 volumes and volume-equivalents includes the basic sources of United States and British law as well as international law.  A wireless network provides access to a growing list of databases and the Internet. The Research Center's materials are fully catalogued on ALEPH, the online catalog of the University libraries. (Off Campus Access)

The resources available to faculty and students extend far beyond the Research Center's own holdings. The collection of the University's Strozier Library, including extensive holdings of U.S. and U.N. documents, is available a short walk from the Law School. Access to U.S. government documents is also available on GPO Access, an online system. Computer links to regional and national networks make available resources from hundreds of libraries. Law School students and faculty also enjoy unlimited access to LexisNexis and Westlaw. Many other databases are available via the Strozier Library, other Florida State University libraries, and via the Internet.

The Research Center staff of 17, includes five librarians with professional library degrees and five attorney/librarians.  All of the librarians serve at the reference desk, and each teaches in the research center's highly regarded legal research instruction program. An Advanced Legal Research course is taught by the Associate Director. In addition, the Research Center offers classes in International Legal Research and Environmental Legal Research. Research Center staff  provide services such as circulation, course reserve, interlibrary loan, acquisitions and document delivery.

The Research Center has over 400 seats at carrels, tables and in soft seating.  Several public computers and microform reader/printers are available. Sonitrol cards allow law students and faculty access to the Research Center seven days a week, 24 hours per day.

Suggestions are welcome! Please send suggestions on the research center, its services, collection or other matters to Faye Jones, Director & Professor, at fejones@law.fsu.edu.