“Ask a Librarian” Options

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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.

More FAQs

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You may text us now with your questions for librarians! We are trying out this option, primarily for BYU Law students. Text us at 801-422-3596. We strive to respond quickly during business hours.

Email

You may email us your reference question at reference@law.byu.edu. BYU Law faculty and BYU Law students will receive first priority for responses, and we strive to respond by the same business day. For public patrons, we will attempt to answer reference questions within two business days, and we remind you that we cannot offer legal advice; we can provide answers to brief, factual research questions and resource inquiries. For example, we can help identify and locate legal materials or provide guidance in using legal resources or tools.

The hours that reference services generally are available via email are listed here.

Reference Desk

The physical reference desk on the main floor of the BYU Law Library is open. See the hours for this service here. You may also make appointments to receive in-person reference services with a law librarian by emailing reference@law.byu.edu.

Additionally, many virtual reference options (like emailing, submitting a reference question, and calling) are available to both the BYU Law community and other BYU and community patrons to receive reference services. The hours that virtual reference services generally are available via the reference department are listed here.

Submit a Reference Question

Patrons may use the Contact Us form to submit reference questions. We will attempt to answer reference questions within two business days. We remind you that we cannot offer legal advice. We can provide answers to brief, factual research questions and resource inquiries. For example, we can help identify and locate legal materials or provide guidance in using legal resources or tools. BYU Law faculty and BYU Law students will receive first priority for responses.

Call

To receive reference services by talking with a reference employee over the phone, call 801-422-6658. The hours that reference services generally are available via calling are listed here. If a reference employee does not answer, feel free to leave a voicemail because it is checked regularly. You may also email us your reference question at reference@law.byu.edu.

revised: 12 January 2024