Final Exams

During the Reading and Exam Period, the Barco Law Library provides study-friendly services for law students.

Extended Study Hours

During the Reading and Exam Period, from Friday April 18 to Monday, May 5th the Law Library will be open for extended hours for law students. Reading and Exam Period hours are:
Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 11:45 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 11:45 p.m.
Tuesday, May 6 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

On Tuesday May 6th the library will close at 8:00 pm and Summer Hours will begin. Note that during the summer the library is closed on Sundays. Summer hours:
Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
CLOSED SUNDAY

University Library and Computer Lab Hours

Please be aware that the Law School academic calendar differs from the University academic calendar. The University Spring Semester ends on Saturday, April 26 and the Summer Semester begins on Monday May 5. During the Interim, from Saturday April 26 through Sunday May 4, University libraries and computer labs have very limited hours.

Lexis and Westlaw

All student Lexis and Westlaw accounts are inactivated on June 1 for the summer, and reactivated on Aug. 1 (continuing students will have 2 hours of access in both June and July). Exceptions:

• Students may request a summer extension of their passwords for an approved purpose. Approved purposes include: 1. Taking summer school classes; 2. Working for a professor; 3. Conducting law review or journal work; 4. Conducting moot court work; and 5. Students who are working in an unpaid, non-profit public interest (non-governmental) internship/externship or pro bono work required for graduation. If you fall into one of these categories, log into your Lexis and Westlaw accounts to request a summer extension.
• Graduating students may extend their Westlaw password for a free password to use while studying for the bar. The passwords will be good for 5 hours in June and 5 hours in July. Note that your Westlaw Reward Points will expire on June 30, 2008.

CALI Lessons

The CALI Library of Lessons is a collection of over 600 interactive, computer-based lessons covering 32 legal education subject areas available to students at member law schools like Pitt Law. Provided by CALI, the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction, the lessons are written by law faculty & librarians and are regularly reviewed and revised. The format of individual lessons varies according to the educational objectives of the author. Some authors use the setting of a simulated trial to provide students with an opportunity to test their understanding of an area of law. Other lessons drill students through a series of questions requiring them to identify relevant issues and apply recently learned concepts. All provide a unique way to study the law and prepare for exams.
Here's the Direct Link to CALI Lessons. Once there:
Choose a legal subject area
Choose a lesson
Select a version to run
You can select either an online version (if there is a Flash version we recommend using that) or you can download the lessons to your computer .
Need help with the CALI lessons? Check the CALI FAQ for answers to frequently asked questions about finding, using, and troubleshooting lessons. You can also contact the school's CALI administrator, Susanna Leers, at leers@pitt.edu or (412) 648-1329.

Stress-control: Games

The library has a bookshelf of games and puzzles to exercise the other side of your brain available in the Fawcett Student Commons area (Starbucks).

Study Aids

The library has study aids for a variety of classes available at the Circulation Desk. We have many items from the Nutshell series, Emanuel's Outlines, Gilbert's Law Summaries, Roadmap Law Course Outlines, the Understanding series, the Concise Hornbook series and the Examples and Explanations series.

Be Thoughtful

As exams loom, here is a gentle reminder about noise in the library. Please remember that everyone is feeling a little anxious this time of year. You can help each other reduce some of those stress levels by demonstrating the following courteous behaviors.

Turn off your cell phone or set it to vibrate; everyone will appreciate your thoughtfulness if you do.

If you find yourself involved in a conversation that lasts more than a couple minutes, move your discussion to the student commons.

Food is only allowed in the Student Commons area.

And finally, although the study rooms are designed for group use, please be aware that they are not soundproof and loud discussions can disturb your fellow students studying quietly at nearby tables.

Security

As always, keep an eye on your laptops, phones, backpacks, jackets and other personal belongings. When spending much of your day in the library it is natural to leave your belongings on a desk in the library study area or study room when taking a short break. Unfortunately, it is all too easy for those items to be quickly taken.

Leaving late? Please be sure to walk with a companion. The Campus Police website has information about campus safety, emergency telephone locations and police services. The SafeRider program provides safe transportation during the evening and early morning hours when special, nonemergency needs arise for Pitt students, faculty, and staff. Call 412-648-CALL (2255) for a safe ride.