Library Guides: Law: Home

Subject Resources

If you're just starting out as a pre-law student and need to get some background/fundamentals, the following can help:

LSAT Prep Book 2018-2019
Call Number: R 340.076 A641L 2018
Publication Date: 2018
LSAT 2017
Call Number: 340.076 F182 2017
Publication Date: 2016
Illinois compiled statutes 2014 : containing the general and permanent laws of Illinois through P.A. 98-1175 (end) of the 98th General Assembly : using the classification and numbering system of the official Illinois Compiled Statutes, as authorized by Pu
Call Number: R 348.773 I29c 2014

To search all of Schewe's databases, use the following:

Illinois College Multidatabase Search

Criminal Justice (Gale OneFile) This link opens in a new window
This sociology and criminal justice database includes over 250 full-text scholarly and professional journals. Those interested in law, law enforcement, terrorism prevention, forensic science, and crime scene investigation would do well to consult this database.
LegalTrac (Gale OneFile) This link opens in a new window
This legal database contains over 200 full-text legal publications, and features coverage of U.S., British Commonwealth, and European Union law. The database also includes law reviews, Bar Association publications, and select legal newspapers.
Nexis Uni This link opens in a new window
This general database draws from over 17,000 distinct sources, and includes a variety of legal, business and news information. Best used for newspapers, company information and legal cases. The update to Nexis Uni provides a new, more intuitive, interface, and the option to personalize your research!

The databases below will be the best bets for starting your research in law. If you are having trouble finding articles, see our Finding Articles guide, or ask a librarian for help!

Here are some websites which might be helpful for a law student:

Findlaw.com
This site provides free access to US legal decision at the state and federal level.
Govtrack.us
This site tracks current and pending legislation in the US Congress.
Congressional Laws and Resolutions
This collection from the U.S. Government publishing office provides information on laws and resolutions passed by the U.S. Congress from 1951 - 2011.
Historical Congressional Laws and Resolutions
This collection of U.S. Laws provided by the Library of Congress covers the time period from 1789 - 1875.
Congress.gov
Cornell University Law School's Introduction to Basic Legal Citation
Public Legal
This site from the Internet Legal Research Group provides forms and documents relating the law in the United States and law as a profession.
Law Source
While it may not have the most pleasing interface, this site provides links to a variety of sources with information about the US legal system.
Court Listener
The stated purpose of this site is to provide free access to primary legal materials.

The best place to find books relevant for pre-law students is in the Schewe Library Catalog or in the library on the shelves primarily in the 340 - 349 range on the lower level. If you are having trouble finding more books, see our Finding Books guide. Here are some suggested titles:

Impact: how law affects behavior
Call Number: 340.115 F9112i
Publication Date: 2016
Constitutional Law for a Changing America: A Short Course
Call Number: 342.73 E645c
Publication Date: 2017
Lawtalk
Call Number: 340 C589
Publication Date: 2011
Rebooting Justice
Call Number: 347.73 B2931r
Publication Date: 2017
Analogy and Exemplary Reasoning in Legal Discourse
Call Number: CARLI Open Access Materials
Publication Date: 2018

You can find reliable and high-quality videos on a variety of topics below:

Kanopy Videos at Schewe Library

You can find reliable and high-quality law videos on the following topics:

Legal Scholars often cite according to the ALWD Guide to Legal Citation or The Bluebook. For undergraduate purposes, APA will often be sufficient unless your professor has specified otherwise.

APA Guide

Other Helpful Resources

For more help finding books, click here

For more help finding articles, click here

For additional citation help, click here

Have a question?

You are welcome to contact us individually at:

Jaeda Calaway - Information Literacy Instructor and Student Research Support Specialist
217.245.3207

McKenna Jacquemet - Research Services and Information Literacy Librarian

217.245.3117

Bree Kirsch - Director of the Library

217.245.3573

Or you can ask a question here!