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Guide to the Law Library at UH Manoa : Welcome

A guide to the University of Hawaii Law Library.

Law Library

Law Library Lobby

When you enter the library, you will be in the public area with round tables for public, student, and faculty patrons to study and chat with others.  The lobby also features the Reference Desk, the Hawaiian Collection, public computers, scanners and digital copiers

CJ's Corner

CJ's Corner

This corner is dedicated to Chief Justice William S. Richardson, the namesake of the Law School.  It is a welcoming space to sit in a living room-like environment and to have a chat with others. Hand made wooden bowls flank the portrait of Richardson. Also in this area is the "humidity to water" fountain for hot or cold water supplied by the air! It was a gift from the Class of 2015.

Circulation Desk

The friendly circulation staff can help you check out books, as well as answer any questions related to fines and fees, computer access, cool stuff, and room reservations.

Walk Through the Stacks

Explore this guide to learn more about our library and other resources we offer. Check out the Law Library Map to find out where items are located.

Traveler, ceramic sculpture by Karen Lucas

Art in Public Places

Traveler is a ceramic sculpture by artist Karen Lucas, who teaches in the Art Program at UH Manoa.

New Acquisitions

New books are available on the New Book shelf located in the lobby.  Click on this link to see the newest acquisitions.

READ

Ashllyn and Jimmy READ @Your Law Library

Ashllyn and Taylor Women READ @ Your Law Library

Jimmy READ @ Your Law Library

2017 Law Men READ @ Your Law Library

2021 Law Student Abby Lazo Read @Your Law LIbrary

2019 Law Student Justin Homma Read@Your Law Library

2022 Law Student Cong Nguyen Read @your Law Library

Returning Library Materials

Return of Library Materials

A book drop is located near the Library main entrance. Library materials borrowed from any UH System library may be returned to the Law Library, except for reserve and audiovisual items which must be returned to the owning library

Reshelving (Don't)

Please do not re-shelve library materials you have used but have not checked out.  Materials should be placed on the re-shelving carts.

Procedures at the Law Library

A keycard is needed to access the building.  We can provide service to non-law school, public patrons after they make an appointment with a Law Librarian. Please consult the following table:

Winter Break 2024-2025
Business Hours

Sunday: Closed

Monday: 9 am-5 pm

Tuesday: 9 am-5 pm

Wednesday: 9 am-5 pm

Thursday: 9 am-5 pm

Friday: 9 am-5 pm

Saturday: Closed

Law Student Service Hours are
Monday to Friday 8am-5pm

Law Students may use their keycard
after hours and on the weekends.

Access to the Law Library building requires an access swipe card. Public patrons should contact a Law Librarian to arrange a day pass, or to acquire an access card for longer periods of research.  Please allow at least 24 hours for a Librarian to respond to your request and set up a time for your visit to the Law Library.  Access cards issued to the general public are valid during business hours only and require a $50 deposit to be refunded when the access card is returned to the Law Library (exceptions to the deposit will be made if a public patron is experiencing financial hardship).  Depending on their time commitments, the Law Librarian you contact may be able to produce and deliver the research you need based on that initial conversation and save you a trip to Manoa. Please note that non-University and non-Community College visitors do not have borrowing privileges at our Law Library.

To schedule a research and/or access appointment, please contact:

 

Aamir Abdullah

aamir@hawaii.edu

 (808) 956-0541

Public Access policies can be found here.

To borrow items from our collections, please visit the "Library Services" tab and the "Course Reserves" tabs. 

For computer lab access, visit the "Computers & Digital Copies" tab.

For law student keycard access to the library, visit the "Keycard Access" tab. 

Read our Use Policies to learn about our library rules.

Mission

Mission Statement

The primary mission of the Law Library is to support the research, publication, educational and service endeavors of the faculty, student and staff of the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawai'i. The Law Library pursues this mission by acquiring, organizing, making accessible, preserving, and disseminating legal and law related information in all available formats, by providing the best possible service, support and instructional programs, and by creating a physical environment conducive to user needs.

In addition to its primary mission, the Law Library serves as a key information resource center for the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa community, the statewide University of Hawai'i system, other libraries throughout the state and region, and to the bench, bar and citizenry of the State of Hawai'i.

Read our statements on Racial Injustice and Indigenous Land Acknowledgement.

What Law Librarians Can and Cannot Do 

Haw. Rev. Stat.§ 605-14 states it is unlawful to engage in the unauthorized practice of law. Outlined below are examples of what a law librarian can and cannot do to assist you. We do not know the answers to all questions about court rules, procedures and practices. You are advised to talk with an attorney or a legal service program that may be able to help you.
 

Summer 2024

Roofing Work at the Law Library

A scheduled roofing project to install solar panels will disrupt the Law Library operations this semester.  Roof work is scheduled to resume on Dec. 23 and continue through January 5th.  Roof work will take place Monday through Friday, from 8am until 4pm. 

Contacts for specific services:

General Information:  Vicki Szymzak, vjs777@hawaii.edu

Acquisition Requests:  Catherine Bye, thomasca@hawaii.edu

Archive Research or Access:  Ellen Rae Cachola, ellenrae@hawaii.edu

Circulation and keycard Questions:  Lynette Rudolfo, rudolfo@hawaii.edu

Electronic Services (including database access):  Brian Huffman, brhuffma@hawaii.edu

Reference Services:  Aamir Abdullah, aamir@hawaii.edu