The Law Library subscribes to dozens of online legal research tools. These resources are available off-campus only to authenticated law school users. However, most subscription resources are available within the law library for public use. Contact Reference Services for further information or for assistance with using these databases.
Resources for the Public
Online Subscriptions
Westlaw Patron Access
Westlaw Patron Access is a version of Westlaw open to the public. It is available on two of the three computers that are currently open to the public near the Reference Desk. Westlaw Patron Access allows access to all federal and state cases and statutes, KeyCite, ALR, and AmJur (plus many different parts of the AmJur series, like Forms and Causes of Action).
Use of the Patron Access terminal is limited to 30 minutes when someone else is waiting.
Westlaw also provides a means whereby the public can access Westlaw (with some time limitations). For information on how to do that, see this law library blog post.
Scanning
The Law Library does not have any printers available for public patrons. The Law Library provides document scanners, which allow the option of saving a document as a PDF to save and print at home. If you need an on campus printing option, BYU has several Print Centers or Printer Kiosks across campus.
The Y App can help you find the closest pharos printer. The Print and Mail website provides more information about these options.
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The person using the equipment is liable for any infringement.
Please note that scanning all or even a substantial portion of a book in order to avoid purchasing a copy is not a Fair Use (see § 107(4)).
Scanned PDFs may be saved to USB flash drives, uploaded to cloud-based systems like your own Google Drive, Box, or Dropbox account, or emailed using web-based accounts such as Yahoo or Gmail.
Scanner Locations
The Law Library currently has:
- two KIC Bookeye open-face scanners (the newer one near the Reference Desk and the older one in the Reserve Room);
- four flatbed book scanners (2 near the Reference Desk on the 2nd floor, 1 in the Reserve Room, and 1 on the 3rd floor near the Rex E. Lee room); and
- two multi-page feed scanners (1 near the wall that at the end of the table has the reference co-op printer and another on the 3rd floor near the Rex E. Lee room).
Employees at the Circulation and Reference are trained and ready to assist anyone who needs help with scanning.
Microform
Copies of documents on microform can be made as digital scans on the public computer in the Microform area (first floor). Patrons may email those scans on that computer to themselves.