Named in 1977 in honor of DePaul Law alumnus Vincent G. Rinn (JD ’31), the Rinn Law Library is central to academic life within the College of Law. The library supports the research, teaching and scholarly activities of students, faculty and alumni while also serving the broader DePaul community and members of the public.
Occupying three floors of the law school, the library provides extensive legal resources, expert research assistance and a variety of spaces for individual study and collaboration.
Since 1979, the Rinn Law Library has served as a Federal Depository Library, providing free public access to government information, including publications from Congress and federal agencies.
The library’s distinctive Arts & Crafts interior features oak paneling, brass detailing and a dramatic circular oak-and-glass staircase that defines the space. The Mary Rinn Reading Room overlooks the stairwell, while a large arched window fills all three floors with natural light. The Professor Daly Rare Book Room houses the College of Law’s rare books and archival collections and serves as a setting for seminars and special gatherings.
Among the library’s notable holdings is a nearly complete collection of signatures from United States Supreme Court justices, spanning from Chief Justice John Jay (1789–1795) to Justice Elena Kagan (2010–present). The collection includes letters, legal instruments, signed photographs, articles, speaking notes and other rare materials that offer insight into the history and influence of the Supreme Court and its members.