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Research Instruction: Reference

Overview

The Reference Departments offer a variety of legal research classes throughout the year. In the fall, librarians give tours and provide HOLLIS, Westlaw, and LexisNexis training to incoming students.

Throughout the year, librarians also teach a variety of one-hour research sessions. A sampling of past research classes include:

At the request of a faculty member, all reference librarians are available for classroom lectures on research techniques or information resources.

And as always, the Langdell Reference Department offers walk-up training in HOLLIS, including an introduction to HOLLIS Catalog, offered on Wednesday afternoons at 2 p.m., and Thursday mornings at 11:30 a.m. Just come to the Langdell Reference desk!

Please periodically check The Administrative Updates section on the MyHLS homepage, this page, or the What's New section of the Library's Web for notice of upcoming research classes. If you are interested in research sessions on a particular subject, please let the reference librarians know!

Other Instruction Opportunities

Do You Know How to Research for Summer Positions?

Many law firms require that you attend a "Build Your Future" research session with Lexis before you enter the firm. This session teaches you how to research efficiently and cost effectively. With Lexis Build Your Future Classes, you'll quickly learn the essential skills to help you with your summer jobs. All attendees will receive unlimited free use of Lexis this summer and 500 LNUR points. Classes will begin after spring break and space is limited. Check the schedule and register at Harvard's myschool homepage: www.myschool.lexis.com.

Westlaw Summer Associate Training

Summer Associate training at law schools has come to an end, but here is a final opportunity for you to learn advanced, cost effective research for your summer job and earn double WestlawRewards points next fall term.

Summer Associate classes will be held at the Boston Westlaw Information Center as follows:

Monday, May 12: 9-10 a.m.; 12-1 p.m.; 1-2 p.m.
Wednesday, May 14: 9-10 a.m.; 12-1 p.m.; 1-2 p.m.

To register, please call 617-742-2888 or 1-800-458-5939. Registration is required.

The Boston Westlaw office is located at 53 State Street, 13th Floor. The nearest T stops are State Street (orange and blue lines) and Government Center (green and blue lines). From Harvard Square, take the red T line to Downtown Crossing, change to the orange line, and take the orange line to State Street.

Need Research Help?

Do you need some last-minute research help before exams or for that paper? Ask a Westlaw Student Representative: Mandana Dashtaki (mdashtak); Bridgette Thornton (bthornto); Mayelin Prieto-Gonzalez (mprietog). The Student Reps are in the main Langdell Library computer lab:

Mondays: 4-8 p.m.; 8:30-11:30 p.m.
Tuesdays: 2-8 p.m.; 8:30-11:30 p.m.
Wednesdays: 6-8 p.m.; 8:30-11:30 p.m.
Thursdays: 12-4 p.m.; 6-8 p.m.; 8:30-11 p.m.
Fridays: 2-8 p.m.
Saturdays: 3-5 p.m.
Sundays: 3-5 p.m.