Alternative Spring Break (ASB)

As we grapple with unseasonably cold temperatures and the remnants of Snowmageddon 2026, it seems difficult to accept that spring break is right around the corner. 

Yet, in a couple of weeks, you’ll be leaving us to enjoy much needed rest and relaxation, explore exciting work opportunities, or perhaps, a little of both.  Many of you will be spending the week in a pro bono work placement as part of the Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program. If that applies to you, first off, bravo! Second, consider your library staff members allies as you seek to use your position and education to improve justice systems in our local region and beyond.

How Can the Law Library Help?

After working with ASB students for several years now, we understand that our greatest value may be providing guidance on research strategies.  When you get an assignment, you may be unfamiliar with the practice area, legal issues, and jurisdictional resources associated with your research task.  That can be overwhelming. The library staff can assist you in figuring out how to get started and follow-through on a research problem.  We can also help you identify resources and the most useful tools for specific research tasks.  

In addition to our regular reference services, offered daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can drop into a Zoom room to speak with a librarian on the Wednesday (3/10) and Thursday (3/11) of spring break week from 1pm to 5pm.  Use this meeting link: Spring Break 2026, Talk to a Librarian Live.

Please remember that you can drop by the library for in person research assistance or contact us electronically for assistance via Chat or email at lawlibraryhelp@rwu.edu.

How Can You Help Us?

• Ask Follow-up Questions.  When you reach out to the law library for assistance, the more information you provide to us about your research problem, the easier it is for us to help you develop the most effective research strategy.  So, don’t be afraid to ask your supervisor follow-up questions about your assignment if you don’t understand something or if you need additional information to effectively answer the question or questions posed.  Likewise, ask timely follow-up questions to your law librarian if you don’t understand the information they discussed or provided to you.
• Understand Your Timeline and Communicate It. Let us know the deadline for your assignment and if you need a consultation appointment or response to a research question on or before a particular date.  We do our best to respond to questions and requests in a timely manner.  However, if you need assistance by a specific deadline, please don’t be afraid to tell us so.  We will inform you if we’re unable to meet your deadline for some reason.
• Plan Ahead. Closely related to understanding your timeline, it always helps to get a jump on research tasks as early as possible.  Understanding the parameters of a research assignment and reaching out for assistance, if needed, as early as possible, will help you to meet your assignment deadlines.  In addition, while the library staff will always do our best to assist you with emergency, same-day requests, we truly appreciate your consideration in giving us as much time as possible to assist you.
• Feedback is Much Appreciated.  If a librarian spends time assisting you with a research question, please let them know if their assistance was helpful. If not, why.  Your feedback will help them better serve you and other students in the future.

Other Considerations?

Keep in mind that you may use your Lexis+ ID to include workplace related research whether clerking, interning, or working at a firm, academic, or non-profit organization. You can use your RWU accounts for Thomson Reuters products, including Westlaw Precision, Practical Law, and Practice Ready solutions for non-commercial research only (i.e. prohibited from using your account in situations where a client is being billed). Non-commercial research includes non-profit, clinical, and externship placements.
You can also reach out to Lexis and Westlaw customer service representatives or RWU student representatives if you have questions that specifically relate to those databases. 

And don’t forget the library’s 10-minute rule. If you get stuck on a research question for 10 minutes or more, reach out to the law library. We’re here to help you.