Visitor and Alumni Access Policy

We expect that all library patrons will be aware of library policies, comply with the policies, and treat all library staff and fellow patrons civilly.

Access Policies for Yeshiva Community Members

The library is open to currently enrolled students, staff, and faculty members of the Yeshiva University community. A current YU ID is required to enter the building. All visitors to the Cardozo School of Law must first check in at the Security Desk. Yeshiva University patrons may research or study in the law library, but study rooms are reserved for the use of Cardozo Law students. Yeshiva University patrons may access the Wi-Fi network, use any of the law library’s electronic resources (other than Westlaw, Lexis, and Bloomberg Law), and check out circulating items. Any interlibrary loan requests must be done through your home library (e.g., Stern or Pollack).

Access Policies for Cardozo Alumni

Cardozo alumni have reading privileges in the library which permits Cardozo alumni to use print materials in the library. Alumni can check out reserve materials with a Circulation-issued guest pass and state-issued picture ID. Alumni have access to LARC, the Lillian & Rebecca Chutick Scholarly Repository and Institutional Archives. 

Alumni must bring their own laptop and can access YU-Visitor Wireless as the public computers require a current YU ID to access. Due to University IT security policies, on-site access to commercial databases that permit University-wide access is limited to alumni who bring and use their own personal devices and connect through YU-Visitor Wireless network. Some digital resources provided by Yeshiva University libraries are available off-site via their Library Services for Alumni page.

Alumni may not check out books, request items via interlibrary loan, or obtain access to Cardozo’s Lexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg Law accounts. Printers are not available for visitor use. 

An Alumni ID card is required to enter the building. The application for an Alumni ID card can be accessed here: Alumni ID application. Please allow 2 to 3 business days for the processing of a request which will be available at the Security Desk when ready. Alumni visiting the library must first check in at the Security Desk.

Additional information for alumni may be found on the Alumni page. 

Guests of Cardozo Faculty and Staff

Cardozo faculty and staff must have secured pre-approval for their guests by Visitor Management. Cardozo faculty interested in obtaining library visiting privileges for a colleague of another academic institution or of other distinction should contact the law library at lawlibaccess@yu.edu.

Visiting Scholars

Cardozo Law School hosts a variety of visiting scholars through several programs. Depending on the nature of their program, visiting scholars may receive circulation privileges and Westlaw, Lexis, and Bloomberg Law subscription research services. To arrange access to library resources, Visiting Scholars should contact the law library at lawlibaccess@yu.edu .

Cardozo Israeli Judges Visiting Scholar Program

Currently sitting Israeli judges visiting Cardozo for their sabbatical as part of the Visiting Scholar Program have physical access to the library. They do not have borrowing privileges and do not get Westlaw, Lexis, or Bloomberg Law subscription research services.

Cooper Union Students, Faculty and Staff

Students, Faculty, and Staff of Cooper Union are permitted access to the Law Library. Access is not permitted during reading and examination periods. Please check the Cardozo School of Law academic calendar for these dates.

Cooper Union affiliates must check-in and present a current school ID at the Security Desk.

Bar Study Access Policies

The law library offers library access passes for July bar exam study. Passes are not available for February bar exam study. Interested students must contact the law library at lawlibaccess@yu.edu.

Once we receive your email, we will add your name to our mailing list. We will send detailed instructions to students on the mailing list, such as how to purchase and pick up your passes. 

The passes will cost $50 each, payable by cash or check, in person at Cardozo Law Library. 

Access Policies for Non-Cardozo Community Members

Cardozo School of Law is a private institution, and the library is not open to the general public. Please visit the NY Courts website to find a publicly accessible law library near you.

Cardozo is a selective Federal Depository Library. Persons needing access to specific federal depository documents must make arrangements at least 48 hours in advance of their visit by emailing lawlibaccess@yu.edu. 

Enforcement of Library Policies

Library staff will provide one warning to users whose behavior violates library policy including the noise policy.* If the patron fails to heed the warning and continues violating library policy, library staff will ask the patron to leave the library. If the patron refuses to leave the library, library staff will contact Public Safety to remove the patron from the library. A patron that has been removed from the library is allowed to return the following day.

Students that are repeatedly removed from the library for policy violations will be referred to the Office of Student Services. Non-student patrons that are repeatedly removed from the library for policy violations may be subject to permanent restrictions on library use.

*Serious threats to the health and safety of library patrons or staff will be reported immediately to Public Safety without warning.

(updated 2024-10-09)