About Law Library Limburg

Mission

The RBL preserves and provides access to a comprehensive legal collection tailored to the evolving information needs of various stakeholders within the Limburg legal community (students, academics, lawyers, magistrates, court personnel, notaries, bailiffs, etc.). Providing quality and customer-oriented services to every visitor is central to our mission.

Vision

The RBL aims to be an accessible meeting place between education, research, and practice that encourages the acquisition and exchange of legal knowledge.

A quiet space for study and research

The RBL offers around eighty study spots. Here, you can conduct research and study. We expect everyone to respect the quiet and calm environment. The library also features two 'co'lab boxes,' ideal for various group work activities. In the social area at the back (the 'm'eating room'), you can take a break, chat, or enjoy your own packed lunch or coffee.

For those focusing solely on studying, the self-study rooms at the Oude Gevangenis (Hasselt campus) and Bibliotheek Hasselt Limburg provide an alternative. Additionally, the study spaces in the Campus Library Diepenbeek are always an option.

PCs and UHasselt network

All visitors are allowed to freely use the desktop computers provided in the library. You can also connect to the wireless UHasselt network using your own device. External users can request a Wi-Fi day pass via wifi.uhasselt.be, which grants them 24-hour access.

Printing, copying, and scanning

There are two photocopy machines available in the library: one is designated for use by Federal Public Service (FOD) for Justice personnel; the other is equipped with the UHasselt PingPing payment system. This allows all library visitors to make copies.

One-day and overnight loans

There is a limited borrowing option available, exclusively for students, staff members, and emeriti of Hasselt University, as well as members of the FOD Justice.

We distinguish between two types of loans:

• Overnight loan: borrowing from one hour before closing time until one hour after opening time on the following day when the library is open.
• One-day loan: borrowing for a duration of 24 hours (1 day)

Returns

Readers are required to return their books on time to the library desk. Those who are late will be excluded from the borrowing service for two weeks.

Stock requests

You can request all works located in our stocks at the library desk, but you cannot borrow them. When placing the request, you will be told when the work is available. The work remains available at the desk for 1 week.

Interlibrary Loan Service

Works that are not available in the library or cannot be accessed electronically can be requested from another library through interlibrary loan (although many law libraries generally prefer not to offer their books through the ILL system). More information about the procedure and fees.

Please note: Law Library Limburg does not handle individual requests submitted by non-members via email, fax, or phone. Each request must be submitted through an official ILL request.

Loss or Damage of Works

• Upon receipt of the work, you should examine the item and report any damage. Otherwise, it is assumed that you have received the work in good condition.
• When returning the work to the person at the desk, they will check it again to identify any possible damage.
• In case of loss or damage of a work, you are required to reimburse the cost of repurchase or repair.

Membership

Students and staff members of Hasselt University are automatically members; their student or staff card serves as a library card. Members of the association (PXL) and tUL (Maastricht University) can become members by presenting their student or staff card. Students from other educational institutions can also access RBL for free provided they can present a student card.

(Honorary) magistrates and employees of the courts, tribunals, and judicial departments associated with FOD Justitie Limburg (Federal Public Service for Justice Limburg) are also automatic members; they receive a membership card.

Lawyers affiliated with the Limburg Bar Association, as well as bailiffs and notaries, can become members for €5.00/year.

External users can become members for €20.00/year or €3.00/day.

Alumni (masters) have free access to Law Library Limburg. Ideally, they become members of the vzw Phylexa (the alumni association of the Faculty of Law - alumnirechten@uhasselt.be | info@phylexa.be).

All visitors must always register at the library desk with their library card.

Code of Conduct

In the reading room, you are required to avoid any activity that may disrupt the proper functioning and tranquillity of the library or disturb other readers. Engaging in activities other than those necessary for study and research is not allowed.

• Speaking aloud or making phone calls is not permitted. For group work, you can use the two silent boxes.
• Law Library Limburg is a smoke-free environment.
• Eating and drinking are not allowed, except in the social room ('M'eating room') at the back of the library.
• Bags, jackets, and similar items should be stored in the designated lockers.

After consulting materials, please place them in the designated 'shelf for used works'. The library staff will then return the materials to their proper location in the library.

Due to limited seating capacity, research work is given priority in the library. If you only intend to study, we kindly refer you to the self-study rooms at the Oude Gevangenis (Hasselt campus) and Bibliotheek Hasselt Limburg.

Sanctions

All sanctions are pronounced by the head of the library after the reader has been heard. The reader may appeal to the Library Policy Committee. All sanctions are communicated to the Executive Board of Hasselt  University. The decision on legal recovery is made by the competent Board of Directors.

For criminal actions (theft, willful damage of material, etc.), the matter will be automatically reported to the  police.

• The library cannot be held liable in case of damage or theft of personal items.
• Visitors using the lockers must clear them and leave them open upon leaving the library. The library reserves the right to clear the lockers after closing time.
• Library staff are authorized to stop the person from leaving if the alarm goes off. When borrowing works, users are subject to the registration system of UHasselt. In case of dispute, the data from the library administration are binding for the borrower.
• The return must be done in the presence of the desk staff. The user is obliged to wait until the correct return of the works is registered in the loan system and the desk staff has confirmed that the user has no further obligations towards the library.

UHasselt collaborates with partners from the legal field, Maastricht University, KU Leuven, and Bibliotheek Hasselt Limburg, to provide its students and staff with a comprehensive range of legal information resources.

Law Library Limburg has built an impressive collection in record time. However, further expansion of the collection remains a significant challenge, especially as certain older legal sources and journals are no longer available. Hasselt University is therefore grateful for any donations.

If you are interested in making a donation, please contact Kelly Cleenders at kelly.cleenders@uhasselt.be or by phone at +3211374712.

Do you have a specific question about the services of the Law Library? Are you experiencing difficulties with any of the e-resources on the library website? We are here to assist you! In this overview, you will find the contact information of the library staff members who can best help you with these issues.