Preparing for Summer Q & A

 

 

Q: Can I use my Lexis and Westlaw passwords this summer?

A:  Continuing Students:  Westlaw passwords are suspended for the summer.  Certain students may be eligible for summer access if they have law school related employment or are completing law school work over the summer.   Lexis Advance and Bloomberg passwords will work over the summer and can be used for non-educational purposes. To access Lexis Advance you must have a Lexis Advance password. Contact Michael Campion if you don't have a Lexis Advance password.

A: Graduating Students: Lexis and Westlaw passwords expire at graduation.  You may be eligible to extend your passwords for access this summer for limited circumstances. Bloomberg Law will be available to graduating BUSL students for six months after graduation. Sign up here for a Bloomberg Law password.

 

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Q: Can I access licensed databases this summer?

A: Continuing Students: BU Licensed databases and other electronic resources, such as HeinOnline and BNA are available during the summer for continuing students. 

A: Graduating students: Remote access to BU licensed databases ends soon after graduation. Alumni can use any database by coming to the library, but do not have remote access.

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Q: Can I use MyPrint during the summer?

A: Spring semester MyPrint quotas expire on graduation day.  Allocations for the fall term are set in late August before classes begin.  Summer allocations are granted to students registered for BU Summer Term courses. 

Students who do not have MyPrint summer allocations may purchase a copy card in the library.  Visit our copying page for more information.

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Q:  I will be working as a summer research assistant for a law faculty member.  How can I borrow books/make copies/print for my faculty member?

A:  Research assistants need to register for library services in order to be set up for RA privileges.  

The library will be holding a Summer Research Assistant Orientation on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 11am in Barristers Hall.  During the orientation we will cover web resources, research classes, and other tips for navigating the library as a research assistant.

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Q:  I will be studying for the bar in a different state.  Can I study at a law school library in that state?

A:  The answer will depend on the law school library.  Some law school libraries will allow students taking a bar prep course in their law schools to use the library for study for a nominal fee or for free.   Check the law library’s website for information about “access”.

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Q: I will be working out of town this summer.  Can I use a law school library where I will be spending the summer?

A: The answer will depend on the law school library you wish to visit.  Check the law library’s website for information about “access”.  That page will explain under what circumstances visitors may use the library and what resources are available to visitors.  Also, don’t forget to check the library’s summer hours!  If the school does not hold summer classes or uses a different academic calendar their open days/hours may be different than during the academic year.

Law students can call, LiveChat or send SMS messages to the BU Law reference librarians during library hours.  After hours, you may email and they will respond to you the next business day.  See more details at our Ask a Reference Librarian page.

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Q:  What are the building hours this summer?

A:  Building hours and access remain the same as the academic year.  BULaw May 2013 graduates will be able to use their BU IDs for building access until August 1st.

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Q: What are the law library hours this summer?

A: The BU Law Library will be open 9am-5pm Monday-Friday, closed on Memorial Day and Independence Day.  Please see the complete summer schedule.

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Q: I will be working in Massachusetts this summer, but cannot make it to the library during scheduled hours.  How can I get research help? 

A: Law students can call, LiveChat or send SMS messages to the reference librarians during library hours.  After hours, you may email and they will respond to you the next business day. See more details at our Ask a Reference Librarian page.

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Q: I will be working in Massachusetts this summer, but cannot make it to the library during scheduled hours.  Is there another local law library that I can use?

A: If you're in the Boston area, find out if your employer is a member of the Social Law Library, located at the John Adams Courthouse in Government Center. Current students may also join the Social Law Library at a reduced rate. The State Library of Massachusetts, located in the State House, has the most complete collection of Massachusetts legal materials. Finally, the Boston Public Library has a complete collection of current primary materials for Massachusetts and federal law as well as selected secondary materials.

If you'll be elsewhere in Massachusetts, be sure to check out the closest Massachusetts Trial Court Law Library. Located throughout the state, these libraries are open to the public.

The BU Law Library is a member of the New England Law Library Consortium and the Boston Library Consortium. Benefits of membership include access to most member libraries for BU Law students. Access policies and summer hours at other libraries vary, so please check the library websites.

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Q: I will be working in town this summer, but cannot make it to the library during scheduled hours to  borrow books.  What can I do?

A: Please contact Terri Geiger to make arrangements: tgeiger@bu.edu or 617-353-8881.

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