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Student Services

Study Aids

A Study Aid is a secondary source that covers a specific type of law. They give explanations, analysis, and overviews of topics, making them particularly useful for students.

Study Aids Online: West Academic Collection

All Widener Law Commonwealth students, faculty and staff will have unlimited online access to 500+ West Academic Study Aids Subscription. 

Study Aid Series in the online collection include:

  • Acing
  • Black Letter Outlines
  • Concepts and Insights
  • Concise Hornbook Series
  • Exam Pro (now with interactive quizzing)
  • Gilbert Law Summaries
  • Nutshells
  • Sum & Substance Audio
  • and more...

Accessing the Online Collection

  1. Go to the West Academic Study Aids Subscription website.
  2. Create an account using your Widener email address. 
  3. After your account is created, you can sign in to your account anytime, anywhere.

Offline Reading / Listening

Study anywhere and on any device when you download the VitalSource Bookshelf app for reading and the West Academic Audio app for listening.

How to use the apps for offline studying.

Finding and Navigating the West Academic Study Aids

Watch the West Academic Study Aids Collection- 2021 on YouTube for an overview.

Need more help?  Watch the West Academic Study Aids Collection Student Guide on YouTube.

Study Aids Online: LexisNexis Digital Library Collection

Note: New students - please be advised that your access will be available a few weeks after the semester starts.

All Widener Law Commonwealth students and faculty will have unlimited and simultaneous online access to 160+ LexisNexis Digital Library Study Aids Subscription. 

Study Aid Series in the online collection include:

  • Understanding
  • Questions and Answers
  • Skills and Values
  • Mastering
  • and more…

Accessing the Online Collection

  1. Go to your LexisNexis Digital Library page
  2. Sign in with your school’s credentials:
    1. User ID = Widener email address
    2. Password/PIN = Widener ID number 

If you encounter this screen

email address and ID number, sign in

  1. Widener email address
  2. ID number = University ID Number (typically the last part of your barcode on your ID)

If you encounter this screen

organization's library code

Enter widenerlawcw as the library code

Offline Reading

  • The LexisNexis Digital Library app will be available in the GooglePlay™ store and Apple® App Store.
  • Users should enter the following Library Code as they complete their app profile: widenerlawcw

If you have previously used the OverDrive app you will be prompted to switch to the Libby app, due to the eventual retirement of the OverDrive app.

Study Aids Online: Aspen Learning Library

Formerly known as Wolters Kluwer Online Study Aid Library.

All Widener Law Commonwealth students and faculty will have unlimited and simultaneous online access to 180+ Aspen Learning Library Subscription.

Study Aid Series in the online collection include:

• Examples & Explanations
• Emanuel Law Outlines
• Glannon Guides
• Casenote Legal Briefs
• Inside Series
• Friedman’s Practice Series
• Emanuel CrunchTime
• And many more!

Accessing the Online Collection

By using this link or the links found on our website and Canvas, you will be able to seamlessly log into the Aspen Learning Library through our OpenAthens authentication. Make sure you are signed into the Widener network. 

You can personalize your experience by creating a “sub-login.” Click the "Don't have a personal account?" to create a sub-login.

Click "Register".

Fill out the form.

Click "Create My Account" and you will now have a personal account (with username and password) that will allow you to highlight and take notes, etc.

Users Guides 

Web Browser User Guide

iPhone/iPad User Guide

Android Phone/Tablet User Guide

Mac User Guide

Windows User Guide

Issues with Safari Browser

Apps

Apple iTunes Store

Google Play Store

Windows Direct Download

Apple Mac Store

Study Aids in Print

Widener Law Commonwealth's library houses study aids in the Library Lobby.  Study Aids in print may be checked out for three days and are renewable for an additional loan period unless there is a hold on the item.  Please keep in mind that the print versions are no longer kept up to date.

Study Aid Series in the print collection include:

  • Examples & Explanations
  • Hornbooks
  • Sum & Substance CDs
  • Understanding 
  • Bar exam preparation materials
  • Books on Legal Writing
  • Guides on preparing for and writing law school exams
  • and more...