Research Assistants

The Law Library provides special services for Research Assistants, including training, research consultations, RA Library Cards with special loan privileges, and Interlibrary Loan services.

Training for New Research Assistants

All new summer Research Assistants must complete a MANDATORY session of RA training that covers library basics (RA Library Cards, ILL services, Lexis/Westlaw/Bloomberg access, etc.) and useful legal resources (HeinOnline, ProQuest Congressional, and interdisciplinary materials). The training also provides advice on communicating with faculty and producing work product for research projects.

Research Assistants who start during the Fall or Spring semesters can contact the library for a one-on-one training session. All Research Assistants are encouraged to schedule a research consultation to discuss strategy for specific research projects as assigned by the faculty.

If you have any questions about RA training or other services, please contact Assistant Director for Public Services Nicole Downing at ndowning@email.unc.edu or 919-843-9734.

Research Assistant Library Cards

Research Assistant Library Cards are separate borrower’s cards issued to authorized Research Assistants in the faculty member’s name. The RA Library Card allows a student to check out campus materials and request items through Interlibrary Loan on the faculty member’s behalf.

Materials will receive the same loan as a regular faculty loan, instead of a student loan period.

Faculty are subject to fines (according to the policy of the lending library) and will be responsible for all charges accrued.

Both the Faculty member and the Research Assistant will receive overdue notices, pickup notices, and bills for items checked out on this card.

If you are interested in obtaining an RA Library card, please reach out to Nicole Downing.