Local Law Libraries: All You Need to Know Before You Visit

NOTE: For exceptions to general hours, check here or call ahead.

Boston College Law School Library
885 Centre Street
Newton, MA 02459
Hours: 8am-Midnight, M-Th; 8am-10pm, F; 9am-10pm, Sat; 10am-midnight, Sun.
Circulation Desk: (617) 552-4434

NESL students have library access with their ID for study and research purposes except during reading and exam periods. LEXIS and WESTLAW workstations are not available to non-BC law school students.

Boston University - Pappas Law Library
765 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
Hours: 8am-11:30pm, M-Th; 8am-10pm, F; 9am-9pm, Sat; 10am-11:30pm, Sun. (Annex hours are different.)
Phone: (617) 353-3151

NESL students have access to the library for specific research projects that require materials in the Pappas collection, except during reading and exam periods (at which time please see a NESL reference librarian if you need access to a unique item in the collection). Be sure to bring a NESL ID. Students will have to sign in the visitor's register at the circulation desk and indicate the purpose of their research. NESL students may be allowed to use LEXIS or WESTLAW terminals if available in the training room only. They must use their own passwords.

Harvard Law School Library
1545 Massachusetts Ave. (Langdell Hall)
Cambridge, MA 02138
Hours: 8:30am-midnight, M-Th; 8:30am-9pm, F, Sat.; noon-midnight, Sun.
Phone: (617) 495-3174

NESL students must present a NESL ID and a letter from a reference librarian stating that they are conducting research unique to the Harvard Law Library Collection. There is limited access during exam periods. Outside students with their own passwords may use the LEXIS and WESTLAW terminals.

Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries
2 Center Plaza, 9th Floor
Boston, MA 02108 (mailing address)
Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm, M-F
Administrative Office Phone: (800) 572-5027 x338

For more information, including locations of the various courts, see the Trial Court webpage

All 17 Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries (located in Barnstable, Brockton, Cambridge, Dedham, Fall River, Fitchburg, Greenfield, Lawrence, Lowell, Norwood, New Bedford, Northampton, Pittsfield, Plymoth, Salem, Springfield, Taunton, Worcester) are open to the public without restrictions.

Northeastern University School of Law Library
400 Huntington Library 300 KN
Boston, MA 02115
Hours: 7:30am-10pm, M-Th; 7:30am-9pm, F; 9am-5pm, Sat.; 2pm-10pm, Sun.
Circulation Desk: (617) 373-3332

NESL students have free library access with their student ID.

Social Law Library
1200 Court House
Boston, MA 02108
NOTE: The Social Law Library is on the 12th floor of the New Suffolk County Court House.
Hours: 8am-8pm, M-F
Phone: (617) 523-0018

NESL students will be allowed limited access with a NESL ID and a letter from a reference librarian identifying their specific need, times and dates. For interlibrary loans, please see the New England Law Library interlibrary loan staff.

Suffolk University Law School
120 Tremont St., 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Hours: 8am-11pm, M-F; 9am-11pm, Sat. and Sun.

NOTE: Any changes in hours will be posted on the library door, in the online catalog and on the library web site.
Reserve/Circulation Desk: (617) 573-8177

NESL students need to bring a NESL ID and a letter from a reference librarian specifying the materials that they need. Because of space concerns, Suffolk cannot allow use of their computer terminals to non-Suffolk law students.