About the Charles B. Sears Law Library

Named for the Honorable Charles Brown Sears, the Law Library occupies six floors in the center of the Law School. Our services and research collections are carefully tailored to meet the research and instruction needs of the University at Buffalo School of Law community. Our beautiful facility, often referred to as "the heart of the Law School," provides a comfortable, modern setting that is very conducive to the study of law.

Our library’s fine collection of more than 470,000 volumes plus a wide array of online resources in legal and cross-disciplinary subjects, is augmented by convenient access to the university’s research collection and our extensive and efficient interlibrary loan network.

Our law-trained librarians answer reference questions, suggest research strategies, help students locate hard-to-find research material, and teach students how to perform legal research in all formats. The librarians not only train students on finding materials, they also teach students analytical skills needed to find sources, evaluate them, and use them to best effect in legal work. They provide crucial research services to faculty and scholars across the country and continue to serve alumni well after graduation.

With its dedicated staff, outstanding resources and services, comfortable carrels, and conference rooms, the Law Library is well positioned to support student success.

  • Charles B. Sears
    12/20/24
    Mr. Sears was an active supporter of the University of Buffalo. He served as Vice Chairman and member of the Council of the University of Buffalo. He was the recipient of the Chancellor's Medal of the University in 1944. When the Law School of the University moved in 1973 to its new building, O'Brian Hall on the North Campus, the law library was named in honor of Mr. Sears.
  • Mission Statement
    12/20/24
    The Law Library is an indispensable partner to the University at Buffalo School of Law whose primary mission is to support the School’s program of legal education and research pursuits. As the only research-level law library for New York legal materials in the region, we are an important community resource. Toward that end, we strive to provide outstanding service to the University community, our alumni, the practicing bar, and the public at large.
  • Staff Directory
    12/20/24
    A listing of the Law Library Staff.
  • Policies
    12/20/24
    Law Library Policies and Procedures.
  • JD/MS Program
    12/20/24
    The program in Legal Information Management and Analysis offers qualified students the opportunity to combine studies and professional training in law and library and information studies.