The Law Library provides a computer lab reserved for law student use in room 290D. The lab features Pentium PC Windows-based machines and a high-speed laser printer networked to the University's Internet backbone connection. The lab offers access to word-processing, computer-assisted legal research, the Internet, and other functions.
Access to the lab is restricted to law students. Non-law students may use computers located in other parts of the library for research purposes. Non-law students may not use the library computers for word-processing or other activities not directly related to legal research. Access to LEXIS/NEXIS and to WESTLAW by non-law students is prohibited because of contractual restrictions imposed by the database providers.
In addition to the computer lab, NIU College of Law has 14 Ethernet ports in the Law Library for use by students with laptops. Wireless access to the Internet is also available in the Law Library and most of the classrooms.
The Chessick Center incorporates a high-tech Moot Courtroom and Smart Classroom, as well as a deposition room. The Center introduces students to technology being utilized in the courtroom. The Chessick Center courtroom is flexible in its format so that it can be used for different courtroom scenarios, including mediation and hearings; it can accommodate up to sixteen students for trial advocacy exercises. The Smart Classroom seats a maximum of fifty students at movable tables that are equipped with power and wireless Internet connection capability. It supports real-time distance learning and provides a space for practicing and viewing mediations and depositions.
Several NIU Law faculty use online courses to compliment classroom meetings. Faculty may design their own course web sites or they may use sites created through Blackboard, Lexis-Nexis Web Courses, or The West Educational Network (TWEN).
Blackboard is a University supported web based course management system that students and faculty can access course data at anytime and anywhere through an Internet connection. Students enrolled in the face-to-face class are automatically enrolled in the Blackboard course component if one exists. Access to Blackboard courses is available at:
Lexis-Nexis Web Courses are available at:
http://www.lexisnexis.com/lawschool/webcourses/. Students must have a Lexis-Nexis ID to access a course. For assistance in using Lexis-Nexis Web Courses, students and faculty may contact a librarian or one of their Lexis representatives.
TWEN courses are available at:
http://lawschool.westlaw.com/twen/default.asp. Students must have a Westlaw ID to access a course. For assistance in using TWEN, students and faculty may contact a librarian or one of their Westlaw representatives.
Laptop users have 22 study carrels equipped with power strips in the North Wing of the Law Library. In addition, the Law Library possesses 14 high-speed network connections for laptops, as well as wireless access.
The Law Library provides A-V rooms (rooms 290E and 290F) which can be used to view videotapes or make videotapes of law school-related activities (i.e., Lawyering Skills, Trial Advocacy, Moot Court, First Year Oral Arguments). The A-V Room are reserved at the Circulation Desk. The Law Library reserves the right to restrict reservations. The equipment is to be used in the rooms unless other arrangements have been made. Audio materials may be used within closed rooms only.