About the Library

The Pence Law Library is the hub of legal research at the Washington College of Law. The primary mission of the Pence Law Library is to provide the faculty, students, and staff of AUWCL with the information resources and library services necessary to support the instructional, research, and service activities of the law school.

The library is located in the Warren Building, spanning three floors. In addition to a robust U.S. legal collection, the library has specialized foreign & international law and human rights collections. The library has also been a federal government depository for more than thirty years and has a selected collection of federal primary resources.

Research Assistance

Research assistance by email is available at reference@wcl.american.edu, by telephone at 202-274-4352, and via Chat at the following times:

  • Monday through Thursday:  10 am to 8 pm
  • Friday: 10 am to 4 pm
  • Saturday & Sunday: 12 pm to 6 pm 
  • Other times by appointment  

Zoom meetings by appointment for in-depth research assistance will also be available. 

More Information:

Library Hours 

Hours for WCL Students, Faculty and Staff
Days Hours
Monday – Thursday 8 am - 11 pm
Friday  8 am -  8 pm
Saturday  10 am - 8 pm
Sunday  10 am - 11 pm

Hours for all other users

  Days Hours
  Monday – Friday 8 am - 5 pm