The circulation desk is located to the left of the library entrance. This is where students, alumni, faculty, and staff may check out and return books and other library items, including laptops, book stands, interlibrary loans, and standing desks. Please ask a circulation staff member for help finding books and other library materials.

Pence Law Library is located at 4300 Nebraska Ave, NW, Washingon, DC 20016.  

WCL students, faculty and staff

WCL students, faculty, and staff may access the library 24/7 using their AU ID card. Access is granted by passing a current AU ID in front of the card reader to the right of the Library's entrance. 

Users without AU ID cards cannot access the library after 11pm on weekdays and after 8pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. 

Consult the Alumni Access tab for information regarding alumni access to library services.  

Problems Swiping Your Card? Contact Facilities Management in YT05 between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to have your ID card coded

Public Access

The library is open to the public Monday-Friday, except during reading and exam periods in December and May when access is limited to WCL students, faculty, staff and Federal Government Depository patrons. 

Users without AU ID cards cannot access the library before 9am or after 5pm on weekdays. 

Consult the Circulation Hours tab for further information on Library hours and access. 

Parking information

Parking is available in the garage at 4300 Tenley Circle, NW for a charge of $2.00/hour. Please note that the District of Columbia requires that the Washington College of Law inform all of our visitors that they cannot park on nearby public streets. Those who do so may be subject to a $100.00 fine. 

Food and drink are allowed in the library but may not be stored in carrels.

Please be courteous to your colleagues and dispose of trash before leaving the library.

Please be considerate of your colleagues and keep conversations to a minimum while in the library.  If you need to make a phone call, please step outside.

Students wishing to collaborate with colleagues should reserve a group study room.

Pence Law Library regularly polices noise in the library. The library is designed so that as you ascend the floors and walk further away from the stairs, the library gets quieter. The first floor is intended to be a more collaborative space with study tables and computer work stations. Quieter study spaces are available on the upper floors of the Law Library. Collaborative spaces are available in the Commons on the Terrace level and also on the Second floor near the stairs. Single study carrels are also available on the Second and Third Floors of the library. The reading room and other locations throughout the library have designated "Silent Tables" for quiet study as well.