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1st Steps to Using the Law Library

Help with using the catalog systems used by the law school and university as well as how to hunt for ebooks. The emphasis is on law materials.

Who Can Help Me?

The following information is for students and faculty.  Members of the general public should call the service desk at 816-235-1650 or if requesting legal advice, contact the UMKC Law Self Help Clinic at umkclawprose@umkc.edu or 816-235-2271.

The library service desk is staffed by library assistants and student workers, with back up service provided by librarians. Library assistants and student workers can help with general questions, but law student and faculty research or technology questions should usually go to one of the librarians listed below. The service desk can help you locate the librarians below and suggest who you should contact. If no one is at the front desk, seek out Librarian Pluta or Professor Callister (see below).

General questions for libraries can be answered by our chat service during normal business hours (M-Th 8-6, F8-5) or by email at umkclawlibrary@umkc.edu.

Librarians

Paul D. Callister, Library Director & Professor of Law - background in various subjects, including law and AI, tax, transactional law, copyright, and historical research.

Contact: Office 1-104 - 1st floor Library, turn left at the service desk and go past the printer • 816-235-2436 • email callisterp@umkc.edu • bio

Paul Callister

Ayyoub Ajmi, Director of Innovation & Legal Technology - background in library, law and education technology, particularly with respect to the law school's Center for Law, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Clinic.  

Contact: Office 2-102K - 2nd floor Library, turn right at the top of the central staircase • 816-235-2633 • email ajmia@umkc.edu • bio 

Ayyoub Ajmi

Lisa Gooden, Circulation and Operations Librarian - Background in library operations, collection development, and public services. Oversees the law library service desk, collection maintenance, and the Institutional Repository.

Contact: Office 1-102A - 1st floor Library, behind the service desk • 816-235-5849 • email lagooden@umkc.edu • bio

Ariel Newman, Student Services Librarian - background in legal research, outreach, and student engagement.

Contact: Office 007A Library - Ground floor Library, turn left just inside the entrance • 816-235-2631 • email newmanam@umkc.edu • bio

Julia Pluta, Faculty Services & Collection Services Librarian - background in business law, legislative history, administrative law, and foreign, comparative and international law. 

Contact: 816-235-5365 • email plutaj@umkc.edu • bio