Resources and Services for Law Students

Library Access and Hours for Law Students

Law students have 24-hour access to the J. Reuben Clark Building with their campus ID card.  ID card access is governed by the Law School Security Agreement.  Limited overnight access to specific study rooms may be arranged by contacting the Library Administration.

General Library Schedule 

JRCB / HWHLL Security System Policies

1. Law students are given access to the J. Reuben Clark Building and the Howard W. Hunter Law Library through a card access security system. Security will not be given to students until they have read and signed the user’s agreement.
2. The Security system is linked to the University Police Dispatch. This means that the police monitor and respond to alarms in the JRCB and the Law Library. Law Library emergency exits are monitored both within the building and at the Police Department by motion-detecting cameras. University Police issue fines for violations of up to $300 per occurrence. Your fines cannot be waived or reduced by anyone at the Law School or the Law Library. Appeal is available only through University Police.
3. There are several different types of security doors and elevators in the Law School and Law Library:

   1. Emergency Exits: These doors are alarmed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You may only exit these doors during a true emergency (e.g. fire, earthquake, flood, etc.). To release the door during an emergency, push the crash bar, the alarm will sound, wait 15 seconds and the door will release. Pushing on the crash bars in a non-emergency situation will set off the alarm.
   2. Card-Swipe Doors and Elevators: These doors allow after-hours access to the building itself and certain restricted areas within the building Monday through Saturday. The Law School and Law Library are closed on Sundays. Your ID card must be activated by the Administrative Assistant in 277 JRCB before it will allow after-hours access to the Law Building. Card activations are processed only once per semester, and only after a security agreement has been signed and returned. Failure to submit an agreement by the activation deadline will forfeit after-hours access to the Library for that semester.
      Security doors have a card reader adjacent to them. A green light indicates that the alarm is deactivated and the entrance is open. A yellow light indicates that the door is locked, but can be opened with your swipe card. Swipe your card with the picture side facing left. If you are cleared to enter the door, the green light on the card reader will blink, indicating the door is momentarily unlocked. If you get a red light you may have not swiped your card properly, your magnetic strip may be corrupt, or you may not have clearance in that area. You can check with the Administrative Assistant to determine exactly what the problem is.

      1. After-Hours Building Exits: The Law School doors are open 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. There are two after-hours building exits marked with small green plaques – one on the 2nd floor (North-East exit down the hall from career services office). These doors will allow you in and out of the building after hours. 
      2. Staff Only Areas: You may notice a few other doors with card swipe readers. These doors are restricted to staff and faculty members. Forcing the door open or using a key will result in an alarm.
      3. DO NOT prop open any card swipe door when the card reader light is yellow. Keeping the door open for longer than 60 seconds will result in an alarm.

   3. Business Hours Only Doors: These doors included the perimeter building doors, stairwells and Law Library entrances. They are marked with signs stating the hours the doors are alarmed. In the case of the Library, the signs state only “Doors Alarmed After Hours.” This specifically refers to Law Library Hours which vary depending on the time of year. When the Law Library closes, the door alarms are set. Please observe the hours posted on all of the signs and do not exit through alarmed doors after hours. Be aware the 3rd floor entrance to the Law Library closes and alarms earlier than the rest of the Library. When the doors are closed you must use the doors on the 2nd floor to enter or exit the Law Library.

4. To avoid alarms and fines please take the following precautions:

   1. Be aware that not all alarms are audible. Exiting through a door marked as alarmed will set off an alarm even if you don’t hear it. 
   2. Look for signs posted on doors before exiting the door. 
   3. Do not prop open any card swipe door or perimeter door. 
   4. Pay attention to the card swipe light. Unless it is showing green do not try to enter the door. 
   5. If it is after hours, exit only through doors marked as after-hours exits. 
   6. Do not lend your ID card to anyone. The police will hold you responsible for what happens with your ID, even if another person has it. 
   7. Do not stop in front of after-hours exits to chat before exiting. These doors are equipped with motion detectors that release the lock as you approach. The detector will shut off after a few seconds and will not have time to reactivate again if the door is suddenly pushed open.

If you have any questions about this system or if you need assistance with some aspect of the system, please contact the Administrative Assistant in 277 JRCB during office hours.

(updated: August 23, 2007 – dd)

Carrels

The Law Library provides study carrels for all regularly admitted law students. First-year law students are randomly assigned carrels in the "1L area" at the beginning of the school year. Second- and third-year students are able to select their carrels based on a randomly-generated lottery order. All law students are expected to abide by the terms of the "Carrel Occupancy Agreement." (pdf version)  Each carrel has locking cabinets and file drawers and is provided with power and data outlets. Carrel problems should be reported online or to the Circulation Desk.

View carrel features video.

Group Study Rooms

There are 17 study rooms in the Law Library, designated exclusively for Law School use.  The rooms may be reserved for two consecutive hours by groups of two or more law students.  Study groups may sign up for only two 2-hour blocks in a given room each day.  Groups must occupy a room within 15 minutes of their scheduled reservation, or lose their reservation for that hour.  Unoccupied study rooms are available on a first-come-first-served basis to any group of two or more law students.  No food or drink is allowed in any study room.

The first priority use for JRCB rooms 361, 362, 363 and 364 is family support.  During Fall and Winter Semesters, room 364 JRCB is reserved exclusively for support uses from 7 am until 6 pm Monday thru Friday, and should be the first option used for meeting those needs.  However, please be aware that for all of the support rooms, even if a study reservation has been made, it can be superseded if unexpected family needs arise.  Conversely, if room 364 JRCB is not being used for family support purposes, it can be temporarily used as a study room.

Access to rooms 361, 362, 363, 364, 397 and 398 JRCB during the hours between midnight and 6:00 a.m. can be arranged in person through Dianne Davenport, Circulation Desk Manager, 294 JRCB. Persons requesting after-hours access must have their campus id card with them when making the request.

Fourth Floor Reading Room

The Law Library Fourth Floor Reading Room is a quiet study area with table workspace and soft seating; intended for the purpose of law student individual study and quiet reflection.  Within the Reading Room, noise is to be kept to an absolute minimum.

Please be aware that this room is occasionally unavailable for study due to scheduled law school events.  Notices of these exceptions will be posted in the library and elevators.

Rex E. Lee Popular Reading and Conversation Room

The Rex E. Lee Room (393 JRCB) has popular magazines and newspapers from several cities around the United States There is a growing collection of popular novels in the room that the law students may choose from to read and then return to the shelf. Many students donate their paperbacks to the collection when they have finished reading them.

The Rex E. Lee Room is a great place to take a break, relax, and socialize with friends and family members. There is a “kiddie” corner where children can read and play. In addition to the items stored in the Rex E. Lee Room, games and puzzles for all ages can be checked out at the Circulation Desk.

The Rex E. Lee Room can be reserved for Law School functions by contacting Dianne Davenport, Law Library Administrative Assistant: (801) 422-7475. Food is prohibited. Any exceptions must be authorized by the Library Director.

Telephone

Students can make free local calls from a courtesy telephone in the entrance to the southwest stairwell on the second floor of the Law Library. Additional courtesy phones are located on the second and third floors of the Law School. A TDD-enabled phone is located next to the building elevator on the second floor.

Out of consideration for other Library patrons, cellular phones should be silenced within the Library (alternative ring modes such as vibration are permitted), and telephone conversations should be conducted in an area designated for conversations, such as the Rex E. Lee Room, or outside the library.

Lost and Found

The Circulation Desk receives lost & found items from the J. Reuben Clark Building. These items are collected by the BYU Lost & Found Department once or twice a week. Be aware that it often takes a few days for items to be turned in. In addition, some "finders" of lost items take them directly to the campus lost & found.

Individuals who who have lost items in the JRCB are encouraged to check several times with the Circulation staff to see if the items have been turned in, and also with the BYU Lost & Found Department (1055 WSC, (801) 422-3024).

Reserve Collections

Locked Reserve: Locked reserve consists of course reserve, audio/visual reserve, software reserve, professor files, and hard-copy sample exams. All of these items are located behind the Circulation Desk and may only be borrowed for a limited time. Course reserve and professor files may be borrowed for 2 hours at a time. Audio/visual and software reserve items circulate for 24 hours.

Course Reserve: Course reserve consists of texts and supplementary materials for courses presently being taught. It is located behind the Circulation Desk. There is a binder at the attendant's desk that lists the title and call number of all items in course reserve, indexed by course and professor name. Items in this collection may be checked out for 2 hours. Overdue Course Reserve items carry a fine of $2.00 per hour.

Electronic Reserve: Electronic reserve consists of selected reading materials which are made available online in various formats. The Library maintains access to sample exams and the Perspectives on Law Collection. Readings for specific courses are most often available through individual class pages or through TWEN.

Reserve Library: The Reserve Library is located on the second floor, in room 280 JRCB (near Circulation). The Reserve Library consists of high-use monographs (texts, outlines, restatements, etc.), current legal newspapers, 3 week's worth of popular reading newspapers, 1 year's worth of popular reading magazines, bulletins from other law schools, unbound/current legal periodicals, along with most of the Utah Law Collection — including copies of the state code, and the codes for various Utah cities. The Biblical Law and Benson Collections are also located in the Reserve Library.

Reference

Reference librarians are available to help direct patrons to information that may answer their questions or aid in their research. Be advised that library policy prohibits reference librarians from doing research for patrons or answering specific legal questions; however, librarians can direct patrons to relevant sources and give instruction on their use. The full-time reference librarians are also responsible for teaching and conducting the legal research classes offered at the law school.

Reference desks are located on the main floor and the third floor of the Library.   The Reference Department is staffed by both full-time and part-time reference librarians. When school is in session, reference assistance is available Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 9 p.m and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. During the summer months, reference assistance is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday thru Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Reference librarians are also available for additional assistance by appointment and may be contacted by telephone at (801) 422-6658.

Sample Exams

Copies of many past law school examinations are available under the professor's name at the Circulation Desk. These exams are also available in electronic format. Law students can obtain the necessary password by calling the Circulation Desk at (801) 422-3593.

Be advised that not all professors submit examinations to the collection.

Final Exam Study Aids

The Law Library purchases a number of study aids to assist the law student with exam preparation.  Current versions of study aids are generally shelved in the Reserve Library and may not leave the room. Older versions are shelved with the main collection and can be checked out. Many of the study aids purchased by the Law Library are described below.  For additional titles, check the library catalog.

The Black Letter Series contain outlines of particular areas of law, capsule summaries of those outlines, review questions and practice examinations.  For a list of most of the Black Letter titles owned by the Law Library, search "Black Letter series" in the online catalog. As with all of the larger series sets, your search may be further narrowed by subject using the "Search Again" dialog at the bottom of the online catalog page.

Example and Explanation Series titles offer a combination of hypothetical questions in a legal subject area complemented by detailed explanations. To generate a list of most Examples and Explanations titles housed in the Law Library, search "Examples and Explanations" in the online catalog.

Each of the Gilbert Law Summaries contains an overall outline of an area of law, a capsule summary for quick review, an index, table of cases, exam tips and sample examination questions.  To see a list of most of the Gilbert Law Summaries owned by the law library, search "Gilbert Law Summaries" in the online catalog.

The In a Nutshell Series are compact, soft covered study guides that explain issues of law, highlighting key cases and statutes.  These reference guides supply a quick simplified summation of issues in many areas of the law.   A list of most of the titles owned by the Law Library can be generated by searching "Nutshell series" in the online catalog.

The Sum & Substance Quick Review Series covers several legal topics.  Each Quick Review contains a summary of a particular area of law, a capsule outline, case squibs, essay and multiple choice questions and answers.  To see a list of titles in this series housed in the Law Library, search "Quick Review" in the online catalog.

The Understanding Series strives to concisely yet comprehensively cover over 30 legal topics.  To generate a list of many of the Understanding  series titles housed in the Law Library, search "Understanding series" in the online catalog. 

The West Hornbook Series explains the law and provides instructive references to cases, statutes, and articles.  It provides historical and contemporary context for the law. Additional features include footnotes and Tables of Cases. To generate a list of most of the Hornbook Series titles, search "Hornbook series" in the online catalog.

Law Student Circulation Policy

Law students with a current BYU Student ID may borrow materials from the library.

Loan Periods are as follows:

There is no grace period on overdue items. Fines are as follows:

Law students may checkout up to 50 items at one time. Items may be renewed either in person or by telephone at (801) 422-3593.  Each item may be renewed up to four times if the item is not on hold. Once items are more than five days overdue the law student is blocked from checking out any more items until the matter has been cleared up.

All books are subject to hold and recall. A patron is guaranteed a minimum of two weeks use per book before a recall will be allowed. When a book is recalled, the borrowing patron will be notified via e-mail.

If any material is lost, the patron will be assessed the cost of replacing the item and a $15.00 processing fee. An item is considered lost if it is not returned within 28 days of the due date.

Because of the teaching and research needs of an academic law library, much of the material must remain on site and does not circulate. The following types of materials cannot be checked out: administrative regulations, codes, dictionaries, digests, encyclopedias, materials in the second floor looseleaf collection, materials in the Reserve Room, microforms, periodicals, rare books, reference books, reporters, restatements, session laws, and Shepard's citators.

Abuse of any of these policies or of the library personnel may result in the loss of library privileges. Any appeals of fines or other policies should be directed to the Circulation Manager.

Holds and Recalls

A hold may be placed on any item that has been borrowed from the Law Library. The hold will prevent the item from being renewed, and require the first patron to return the book to the Library. The requesting patron will then be notified by email that the item has become available. Holds do not change the original due date of the item.

Because law students and faculty enjoy extended loan periods, the Law Library reserves the right to recall circulating materials when necessary. If an item is required for a class, it may be subject to immediate recall. A rush recall requires the borrowing patron to return the book within 24 hours of notification.

A regular recall may be placed on any item that has been out of the Library for more than two weeks. The first patron is then given 7 days from notification to return the item. Recalls DO change the original due date of the item. Recall notifications are made by telephone and/or email (both if possible). The Library considers notice to have been given on the date the message was emailed or left on an answering machine. Overdue fines for recalled materials are double the normal rate ($2/day up to $20.00). Library policy prohibits forgiving overdue recall fines.

Law students should be advised that many law faculty like to be informed about any research within the law school that might be related to their own interests. In circumstances where both parties agree, students desiring access to material borrowed by a law professor may be directed to consult directly with the professor instead of recalling the specific item. This is an entirely voluntary option, and the student retains the right to request a recall.

Interlibrary Loan

The Interlibrary Loan Department is located behind the Circulation Desk on the second floor.  Items that are not available in either the Lee or Hunter Libraries can be requested from another library at no charge. (However, a research fee is charged when books owned by a BYU library are requested from ILL.) Because this service affects the Library’s relationship with peer institutions, students will be asked to read and agree to abide by the ILL policies and procedures before being allowed to request materials. Normally, the ILL process takes around 2 weeks, depending on where the lending library is located. In some instances, materials — such as periodical articles — can be delivered more quickly.

After a request is submitted, it is the responsibility of the student to check up on the status of the request.  Students will be notified of the material’s arrival through e-mail.  

Students may submit a request by filling out an online form.  For assistance, contact Interlibrary Loan at (801) 422-5481 or lawill@lawgate.byu.edu.

Law Students should observe the following procedures to obtain desired materials from another library:

1. Please check the On-Line Catalog to see if the Lee or Hunter Libraries own the item you need. 
2. If the item you need is an article from a recently published periodical, such as a law review, check in the Reserve Library (280 JRCB).  Pre-bound issues of legal periodicals are housed there.
3. If you are looking for an article, check the Law Library’s electronic article databases such as Lexis, Westlaw, and HeinOnLine to see if it is available electronically. lili If the Library owns the material desired but you cannot find it on the shelf, please notify the reference desk. 
   (Failure to complete any of the tasks listed above may result in a $2.00 research fee and cancellation of the request.) 
4. After you determine that the material is not available at the Lee or Hunter Libraries, please fill out an online interlibrary loan form.
5. The Library can fill most requests within two weeks. Students will be notified by e-mail when materials arrive.

Books borrowed through ILL are limited to a two-week checkout period. Occasionally the request can be renewed, if the patron still needs the material and the lending institution is willing to extend the check-out period. However, all such extensions are granted at the discretion of the lending library.

Book Purchase Requests

To recommend a book purchase, please email suggestions to Kory Staheli, Law Library Director: stahelik@lawgate.byu.edu.

Searches for Missing Books

If the catalog indicates that an item the Library should have has not been checked out, but it is not on shelf, patrons can fill out a search request at the Circulation Desk.  If the item is found, the patron will be notified by email. Missing books searches may take up to two weeks. Students may find the item quicker by checking the maroon “reshelving” shelves near where the item is usually shelved, by checking near the copy machines, and by checking on the study tables. After a student has verified that the item really is missing, it can be requested through ILL without penalty.

Printing and Copying

Law students may join the Law School Printing Co-Op for a reasonable annual fee and receive unlimited printing access within the Library throughout the school year. Specific printers are designated for Lexis and Westlaw research, with printing subsidized by the respective vendors. BYU IT Services also maintains the Pharos printing network throughout the university campus. Pharos printing costs $.06/page, and must be paid for by signature card.

There are three copiers in the library for patron use.  They are located in rooms 380A, 292 and in the Reserve Library (280 JRCB).  All copy machines offer reduction as well as full size copy capabilities.  Copies are $.05 a page.  The machines accept Signature Cards, dollar bills and coins. Individuals are expected to do their own photocopying.  Copies of documents on microform can be made on a reader/printer in the Microform Room (267 JRCB).  Copies from microforms are $.20 a page and are paid for at the Circulation Desk. If any of the copiers are out of paper please notify the clerk at the Circulation Desk.

There are several ways money can be added to Signature Cards.  Circulation clerks can make deposits with cash or checks.  Credit card deposits can be completed by accessing the "Quick Pay" section on the website and following the instructions.

Faxing

Faxing services are available for students at the Circulation Desk for a minimal fee.  Fax fees must be paid before the fax is sent.  The circulation clerks are not authorized to make exceptions. Students can send or receive faxes.  The Law Library fax number is (801) 422-0404.  Students will be notified by email if a fax arrives for them.

Selected Legal Research Links

There are a few research options available to Law Students when LexisNexis and Westlaw are not appropriate research tools (for example, while working for a law firm or other for-profit employer as a Summer Intern.)  Links to these resources are provided as a courtesy by the Legal Research Instructors.

LoisLaw (registration is required) 

Loislaw is a comprehensive, easy-to-use online legal research service.  Loislaw offers a wide range of legal content and supporting materials, including:

• up-to-date cases, statutes, rules and regulations, and other primary law for all 50 states and federal jurisdictions;
• expert-authored online treatise libraries, focused around practice areas, and
• extensive public records for individuals and corporations.

VersusLaw (registration is required) 

VersusLaw is a commercial database providing legal decisions and opinions from the US Supreme Court, Federal Circuits, specialized Courts, and more.

Additional legal research links are available through the Legal Research subject page.