The law library at Dalhousie Law School still enforces many of the same rules that guided students back in 1978, according to an archival casebook reviewed by a current intern.

Food and Drink Rules Remain Unchanged

One rule from the 1978 handbook survives nearly word‑for‑word: food and drink are prohibited in all library areas. The policy now permits water bottles or covered reusable mugs, but still bans takeaway paper cups.

Despite the allowance for hydration, the stacks continue to be littered with remnants of granola bars, a 12” subway sub, and even take‑out pizza. Staff frequently find crumbs tucked between volumes, a reminder that the rule is often ignored.

Library officials note that the prohibition outlasted disco, dial‑up internet, and a building fire in 1985. The fire, recorded as caused by lightning, sparked jokes about past smoking habits but remains officially unrelated to any student activity.

Noise Policies Evolve Into Floor‑by‑Floor Zones

In 1978, the handbook instructed students to move conversations to the Current Periodicals room or a designated discussion area. Today, the library uses a tiered hush system that intensifies with each floor level.

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Students refer to the floors informally as “sure,” “shhh,” and “shut up.” The second floor, labeled “shhh,” is where print‑research instruction often takes place, and even instructors have been shushed while explaining methods.

Enforcement is taken seriously, though anecdotal evidence suggests that formal shushing is rare. The quiet hierarchy reflects a broader shift toward structured noise management rather than simple courtesy requests.

Copying and Security: From Coins to RFID

Photocopying in the late 1970s relied on coin‑operated machines on the fourth floor, with change available at the circulation desk. The tactile experience of inserting dimes is described as “positively tactile” compared with today’s account‑based printing network.

Modern security uses RFID tags and audible alarms, replacing the earlier practice of on‑the‑spot searches of personal belongings. Back then, students were expected to hand over briefcases for inspection, a routine that seemed normal at the time.

The shift from briefcases to bookbags mirrors the transition from hard‑copy statutes to online databases. Access to the Statutes of Canada now occurs through three research platforms or directly from a legislative website in HTML, XML, or PDF format.

Compared with earlier decades, the current environment feels both more convenient and more surveilled. While students no longer risk smuggling physical copies, they must manage digital credentials and budget for printing credits. The balance of ease and control continues to shape library use.

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Security staff still clear study carrels each morning for abandoned items. In the past, a briefcase left behind might be inspected for loose change, cigarettes, or even stolen case reporters. Today, the lost‑and‑found bin typically contains laptop chargers and the occasional hat.

Smoking was once tolerated in the fourth‑floor copying area, where students could light a cigarette while unrolling dimes. Current fire safety standards prohibit any open flame inside a building full of paper, making the old practice seem reckless by modern standards.

The 1985 fire, officially attributed to a lightning strike, remains a notable event in the library’s history. Although some have joked about a possible link to smoking, the official report makes no such connection.

Overall, the spirit of respect for the space and for fellow researchers endures despite technological change. The library’s core expectations—quiet, cleanliness, and proper use of resources—continue to guide daily conduct.

Students entering the facility are still reminded, “please, please, do not eat in the library!” The admonition appears in both the historic casebook and current signage, showing the lasting emphasis on maintaining a clean environment.