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Library Services & Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Library Information

Is there a map of the library?

Yes. Maps of all three floors of the library can be found here.

What are the library’s hours?

During Fall and Winter Semesters, the Law Library is open from 7:00am until 12:00 midnight, Monday through Thursday; 7:00am until 10:00pm on Friday; and 9:00am until 10:00pm on Saturday. The Fall Semester Schedule begins on the first day of 1L Orientation — Wednesday of the third full week in August.

For Spring/Summer, the Law Library is open from 8:00am until 8:00pm, Monday through Friday and 10:00am until 6pm on Saturday. The Spring/Summer Schedule begins on the first day of Spring term classes.

The Law Library is closed on Sunday.

Holidays the Law Library is Open (8:00 am until 5:00pm):

  • Martin Luther King Day
  • Presidents’ Day
  • Labor Day

Holidays the Law Library is Closed:

  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day (or date observed)
  • July 24th | Pioneer Day (or date observed)
  • Thanksgiving (4th Thursday in November)
  • Christmas Eve (or date observed)
  • Christmas Day (or date observed)
  • New Year’s Eve (or date observed)
  • New Year’s Day (or date observed)

Other Exceptions to the Schedule:

  • Day before Thanksgiving (8:00am to 5:00pm)
  • Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving (8:00am to 5:00pm)
  • Last day of Fall Semester Final Exams  (6:00am to 6:00pm)
  • Christmas Break (8:00am to 5:00pm, generally)
  • Last day of Winter Semester Final Exams (6:00am to 8:00pm)
  • Winter Semester Graduation (Spring/Summer schedule begins; 8:00am to 8:00pm)

For More Info / Source(s)  (Links open in new window.)

What are the Reference Desk hours?

The current Reference Desk hours are available here. Call the Reference Desk at (801) 422-6658 to inquire about future Reference Desk hours.

Library Tours

May I schedule a tour of the Law Library and the Law School?
Yes. For prospective law school applicants, law school tours (which include a tour of the law library) may be scheduled through the Law School Admissions Department. Please visit their website for more information. Law library tours for teaching support may be scheduled through Annalee Hickman: (801) 422-3596 or HickmanA@law.byu.edu. Law library tours for other reasons may be scheduled by contacting the Law Library Administrative Assistant at (801) 422-7475.  

For More Info / Source(s)  (Links open in new window.)

Public Services

Can I check out books from the law library if I am not a law student?

If you are an undergraduate or graduate student or faculty member at BYU, you may check out any books or materials from the law library that are currently in circulation.

If you are not a current BYU student or faculty member, you may check out books or materials only if you fall under one of the following three options:

  • You are a graduate of BYU Law School; or
  • You are a current member of the Utah Bar Association; or
  • You are a current student at one of the following schools and can verify your enrollment by producing a current student ID:
    • Dixie State University
    • Salt Lake Community College
    • Snow College
    • Southern Utah University
    • The University of Utah
    • Utah State University
    • Utah Valley University
    • Weber State University
    • Westminster College

If you do not fall under any of the above categories, you are welcome to come use the Law Library and read any books in the Library, but you may not check out the books. (See “Is the Law Library open to the public?”)

I’m a BYU Law alumnus. Can I use books and CDs at the library? Do I need to renew my student ID?

The Law Library is open to the public, so anyone can come to use our books within the library. BYU Law alums and other members of the Utah bar can also check out books and CDs that circulate. (Major treatises typically do not circulate.) You do not need to renew your student ID. There is a form available at the circulation desk that you will fill out to gain borrowing privileges.

Is the Law Library open to the public?

Yes, the Howard W. Hunter Law Library is open to members of the public needing to conduct legal research. Members of the public may use law library materials on-site and have access to certain electronic resources through 3 computer terminals on the main floor that are reserved for legal research. Members of the public may also access BYU’s wireless guest network within the law library. BYU Law School alumni and members of the Bar may borrow law library materials that circulate.

Members of the public needing reference assistance should visit this page to see the hours that reference services are offered. Reference employees cannot give legal advice.

What can the reference desk help me with?

Reference librarians and reference assistants are available to help direct patrons to information and resources that may answer their questions or aid in their research. Be advised that library policy prohibits reference librarians and reference assistants from doing research for patrons or answering specific legal questions; however, they can direct patrons to relevant resources and give instruction on their use.

Quick FAQs

How do I reserve a group study room?

Group study rooms are for the exclusive use of BYU law students. Study rooms are available for students to reserve for up to two hour blocks. You can find the online reservation system and study room policies here.

Step by step directions to using the online reservation system are as follows:

  1. Agree to the terms of the study room policies (found here).
  2. Enter net ID and password
  3. Under “My Reservation Templates” click “book now”
  4. On the left under “Date & Time” select which day and time you want to reserve a study room.
  5. To view all room options, click “Search” under “Locations.
  6. Select which room you want to reserve by clicking the “+” sign next to the room.
  7. If you know which room you would like to request enter the room number under “I Know What Room I Want” and select it from the dropdown.
  8. Click “Next Step”
  9. Enter reservations details
  10. Click “Create Reservation”
Is the Law Library open to the public?

Yes, the Howard W. Hunter Law Library is open to members of the public needing to conduct legal research. Members of the public may use law library materials on-site and have access to certain electronic resources through 3 computer terminals on the main floor that are reserved for legal research. Members of the public may also access BYU’s wireless guest network within the law library. BYU Law School alumni and members of the Bar may borrow law library materials that circulate.

Members of the public needing reference assistance should visit this page to see the hours that reference services are offered. Reference employees cannot give legal advice.

What are the library’s hours?

During Fall and Winter Semesters, the Law Library is open from 7:00am until 12:00 midnight, Monday through Thursday; 7:00am until 10:00pm on Friday; and 9:00am until 10:00pm on Saturday. The Fall Semester Schedule begins on the first day of 1L Orientation — Wednesday of the third full week in August.

For Spring/Summer, the Law Library is open from 8:00am until 8:00pm, Monday through Friday and 10:00am until 6pm on Saturday. The Spring/Summer Schedule begins on the first day of Spring term classes.

The Law Library is closed on Sunday.

Holidays the Law Library is Open (8:00 am until 5:00pm):

  • Martin Luther King Day
  • Presidents’ Day
  • Labor Day

Holidays the Law Library is Closed:

  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day (or date observed)
  • July 24th | Pioneer Day (or date observed)
  • Thanksgiving (4th Thursday in November)
  • Christmas Eve (or date observed)
  • Christmas Day (or date observed)
  • New Year’s Eve (or date observed)
  • New Year’s Day (or date observed)

Other Exceptions to the Schedule:

  • Day before Thanksgiving (8:00am to 5:00pm)
  • Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving (8:00am to 5:00pm)
  • Last day of Fall Semester Final Exams  (6:00am to 6:00pm)
  • Christmas Break (8:00am to 5:00pm, generally)
  • Last day of Winter Semester Final Exams (6:00am to 8:00pm)
  • Winter Semester Graduation (Spring/Summer schedule begins; 8:00am to 8:00pm)

For More Info / Source(s)  (Links open in new window.)

What are the Reference Desk hours?

The current Reference Desk hours are available here. Call the Reference Desk at (801) 422-6658 to inquire about future Reference Desk hours.

Reserve Items

Can I check books out of the reserve collection?

Law students are permitted to check most books out of the reserve collection for two hour intervals. If a book is returned late the student is assessed a $1.20 fine during the first hour the book is late and an additional $1.20 per hour until the book is returned. Some books, such as treatises, are unavailable for checkout.

Can I check out my class textbooks?

Yes. The Circulation Desk has a copy of every textbook for all law classes and may be checked out for two hour intervals. If a book is returned late the student is assessed a $1.20 fine during the first hour the book is late and an additional $1.20 per hour until the book is returned.

Where can I check out flashcards?

Flashcards are available at the Circulation Desk on the main floor of the library to check out for a two-hour interval. If the flashcards are returned late, the student is assessed a $1.20 fine during the first hour the flashcards are late and an additional $1.20 per hour until the flashcards are returned.

Where can I check out supplemental materials on CD?

Class supplemental CDs are available at the Circulation Desk for a 24-hour check out. If the CD is returned late the student is assessed a $1.20 fine during the first hour the CD is late and an additional $1.20 per hour until the CD is returned.

Where can I find study guides/supplemental materials for classes like Examples & Explanations or Crunchtime?

The most current study guides are located on the first shelf in the Reserve Room. Previous editions of study guides can be found on the third floor under similar call numbers. There are also many online study aids available to law students, including online copies of Examples & Explanations. Check out this research guide for more information.

Scanning and Printing

Are there Pharos printers in the law library? (the printing system used by main campus)

Yes, there are two black and white BYU Pharos printers in the law library. They can be found in the following locations:

  • 2nd floor (which is the ground floor): near the reference desk
  • 3rd floor: near the Rex E. Lee room

There is one color BYU Pharos printer. It is located on the 3rd floor near the Rex E. Lee room.

For more information, see Printing for BYU Law Students or Printing for the Public.

Can I use the Co-Op printing option from any computer?

Yes. You are able to print from any computer, even if it does not have the Co-Op drivers installed on it. See steps below:

1.       Click here (or type “BYU Co-Op printing” in Google and click on the first site that comes up, and scroll down to the bottom of the page and click “EveryonePrint”).

3.       Enter your net ID and password.

4.       Under “Upload Document To Print,” select the file(s) you want to print.

5.       Click “Next.”

6.       Select desired printer.

7.       Click “Next.”

Is there a color printer in the law library?

Yes, there is a color print in the law library. It is a BYU Pharos color printer. To learn more about how to use it, see this page on Printers for BYU Law Students or see this page on Printers for the Public.

Where are the Co-Op printers located?

1st floor (Basement): by the entrance of the 1st floor in the basement

2nd floor (Commons): in the student commons (outside of the law library)

3rd floor (Bathroom): near the bathrooms on the 3rd floor

3rd floor (Reference): near the Rex E. Lee room on the 3rd floor

For more information about these or other printers, see Printers for BYU Law Students.

Where are the Lexis printers located?

Lexis printers are available near the entrance of the basement on the 1st floor, behind the reference desk on the 2nd floor (the ground floor), and on the 3rd floor near the Rex E. Lee room. There is also a Lexis printer outside the law library in the Student Commons. For more information about these printers and others, see Printers for BYU Law Students.

Where are your photocopiers located?

Due to decreased demand, the Law Library no longer has photocopy machines in the library. As an alternative, we do have a number of scanners throughout the library. The scanners provide patrons with the option to save the document on a flash drive, email themselves the document as a PDF, upload the document as a PDF to a cloud-based system like their own Google Drive or Dropbox account, or print the scanned documents.

Where can I scan something in the library?

The law library has a number of scanning options.  The KIC scanners, which are ideal for books, are available near the 2nd-floor reference desk and in the Reserve Library on the second floor. There are also flatbed scanners near the first-floor entrance in the basement, near the 2nd-floor reference desk (two of them), in the Reserve Library on the second floor, and near the Rex E. Lee room on the 3rd floor. Multipage (feeder) scanners are located next to the 2nd floor Pharos printer (near the 2nd floor reference desk) and near the Rex E. Lee room.

Library employees at the reference and circulation desks are available to assist if you run into scanning problems.

For more information, see this page on Scanning.

Will scanning pages of this book violate any copyright or fair use laws?

The Law Library cannot answer any questions about copyright or fair use laws. You must make your own determination about whether your scanning would violate any applicable laws. You can visit the Copyright Office Website for more information about how you can make an informed choice.

For More Info / Source(s)  (Links open in new window.)

Special Collections

How do I access a book in your Rare Book Collection?

Patrons wanting to look at a book in the Rare Book Collection should come to the Reference Desk between 8am and 5pm, Monday-Friday. A full-time law librarian will retrieve the book for you and allow you to look at it in the Reserve Library. Based on the condition of the book, the librarian will inform you whether scanning will be permitted.

Student Services

Can I check out dry erase markers?

Yes. The Circulation Desk has dry erase marker sets that may be checked out for 4-hour intervals. If the marker set is returned late, the student is assessed a $1.20 fine during the first hour the set is late and an additional $1.20 per hour until the set is returned.

Is there a fax machine in the law library?

Yes, there is a fax machine located behind the circulation desk where law students may send and receive faxes for a small fee. This service is only available to law students. Fees must be paid before a fax is sent, no exceptions. The Law Library fax number is (801) 422-0404. For pricing and additional information see the link below.

For More Info / Source(s)  (Links open in new window.)

Where can I find past exams?

The Library no longer hosts prior exams on the website, as they were becoming increasingly out-of-date.

A limited number of VERY OLD exams – most from retired faculty – are available through TWEN.

  1. Sign in to Westlaw
  2. Select TWEN from the top menu
  3. Click the <Add Course> button
  4. The course title is “Sample Exams”

Submission of sample exams is voluntary. If your professor’s name is not listed, please ask them if they’d be willing to contribute to the collection.

Study Rooms

How do I cancel a study room reservation?

Online reservation system and study room policies here. To cancel a study room follow the process below:

1.       Agree to the terms of the study room policies

2.       Hover over “My Account” and click “Log in”

3.       Enter net ID and password and click “Login”

4.       Hover over “Reservations” and select “View My Requests”

5.       Under “Name” click the reservation you want to change

6.       Under “Actions” click on the red box with an “x”

7.        Enter in reason for cancelling and click “Cancel Booking(s)”

For More Info / Source(s)  (Links open in new window.)

How do I modify a study room reservation?

Online reservation system and study room policies here. To modify a reservation follow the steps below:

  1. Agree to the terms of the study room policies
  2. Enter net ID and password
  3. On the left, click “My Reservations”
  4. Select the name of the reservation you want to modify
  5. To modify reservation details click “Edit Reservation Details” and update information as needed and click “Save Reservation Details”
  6. To modify the date or time of a reservation under “Bookings” click on the pencil icon next to the reservation you want to change. Enter updated information and click “Update Booking”

For More Info / Source(s)  (Links open in new window.)

How do I reserve a group study room?

Group study rooms are for the exclusive use of BYU law students. Study rooms are available for students to reserve for up to two hour blocks. You can find the online reservation system and study room policies here.

Step by step directions to using the online reservation system are as follows:

  1. Agree to the terms of the study room policies (found here).
  2. Enter net ID and password
  3. Under “My Reservation Templates” click “book now”
  4. On the left under “Date & Time” select which day and time you want to reserve a study room.
  5. To view all room options, click “Search” under “Locations.
  6. Select which room you want to reserve by clicking the “+” sign next to the room.
  7. If you know which room you would like to request enter the room number under “I Know What Room I Want” and select it from the dropdown.
  8. Click “Next Step”
  9. Enter reservations details
  10. Click “Create Reservation”