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State Law Library of Montana

Ask A Librarian

Local (406) 444-3660
In State: (800) 710-9827

    Reference Services

    The State Law Library's Reference Staff is made up of professional librarians who have been trained in legal research. Our job is to help you use the Law Library. In particular, we can help you to select, locate, and use legal materials that will, hopefully, enable you to answer your own legal questions. A Reference Librarian is usually available when the law library is open, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. You can reach us during those hours by:

    • Visiting the Law Library
      Justice Building
      215 N. Sanders St. (Cross street: 6th Ave.)
      Helena, MT
      Click here for directions
    • Writing us a letter
      State Law Library
      Reference Desk
      P.O. Box 203004
      Helena, MT 59620-3004

    • Calling the reference desk
      406-444-3636
      Toll free in Montana: 1-800-710-9827

    • Sending an email to the reference desk
      mtlawlibrary@mt.gov

    • Faxing a request to us
      406-444-3603

    Although we attempt to answer all requests promptly, we highly recommend that you contact us by telephone and talk to someone in person if your request is truly urgent.

    What We Can Do For You:

    • We can tell you where things are in the Law Library.
    • We can show you how to use the Law Library's online catalog to find resources on your topic and, if you are a Montana resident, we can help you to check out items from the Law Library. Click here for more information on circulation policies.

    • We can help you to find free legal information on our website and other legal websites.

    • We can help you to figure out legal citations.

    • We can show you how to use resources in the Law Library, including online sources such as Public Westlaw and HeinOnline.

    • We can suggest resources for you to use to find the answers to your questions.

    • We can send you copies of portions of resources that might be helpful to your research. Please note: we do charge a fee for this service. Click here for more information on fees.

    • If you are a Montana resident, we can make requests for you for items from other libraries if we do not have what you need in our Law Library.

    • We can refer you to other organizations that may be able to provide more assistance with your problem.

    What We Can NOT Do For You:

    • We cannot interpret the law for you or give you legal advice.
    • We cannot do legal research for you.

    • We cannot read statutes, cases, court rules, or definitions over the phone.

    • We cannot recommend or refer you to a particular lawyer.

    If you need someone who will research and interpret the law for you, you should consider talking to an attorney. Click here for more information on finding an attorney.