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State Law Library of Montana

Ask A Librarian

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


    Need Help?

    If you are having trouble finding what you need on our website, you may want to try these options:

    Contact Us
    Visit Another Montana Law Library or Legal Research Center
    Contact An Agency or Organization that Specializes in Your Type of Problem
    Contact An Attorney
    Try a Legal Research Guide
    Check Out a Book About Legal Research

    Contact Us

    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, including our online resources and website. 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 if your request is truly urgent.

    Visit Another Law Library or Legal Research Center

    The following libraries and research centers contain legal materials and are open to the public. Contact them directly for information on hours and services offered.

    • William J. Jameson Law Library
      University of Montana School of Law

      32 Campus Drive #9999
      Missoula , MT 59812-9999
      Contact: Stacey Gordon, Reference Librarian
      Phone: 406-243-6808
      Website: http://www.umt.edu/law/library

    • Butte-Silver Bow County Law Library
      County Courthouse
      155 W. Granite St., #302
      Butte, MT 59701
      Contact: Mary Jo MacDonald, Librarian
      Phone: 406-497-6417

    • Gallatin County Law and Justice Center
      Public Access Westlaw Terminal

      615 South 16th Ave., #200
      Bozeman , MT 59715
      Contact: Dorothy Bradley, Office of Court Services
      Phone: 406-582-2091

    • Flathead County Law and Justice Center
      Public Access Westlaw Terminal

      920 South Main
      Kalispell , MT 59901
      Contact: Bonnie Olson, Court Administrator
      Phone: 406-758-5665

    Contact An Agency or Organization that Specializes in Your Type of Problem

    The Montana Legal Resource Directory contains the names, phone numbers, addresses, and websites of various organization that provide legal assistance to Montanans.

    Contact An Attorney

    Despite your best efforts, some legal problems may be too complicated or too time consuming for you to handle on your own. If you are considering hiring a lawyer to help you with your problem, click here for more information on Finding a Lawyer.

    Try a Legal Research Guide

    The State Law Library has created several handy research guides on various legal topics that may help you to understand your problem, including the detailed "Guide to Montana Legal Research." Click here for a full list of Research Guides.

    Check Out a Book About Legal Research

    The State Law Library owns several books that provide more detailed information on how to research a legal problem. You may also be able to find books like this in your local library or from a local bookseller. Suggested books include:

    • Title: How to Find the Law
      Author: Robert C. Berring
      Call #: KF240 .B42 (1995)

    • Title: Using the Law Library: Your Guide to Legal
      Resources in (and Outside) the Law LibraryHow to Find the Law
      Author: Jennifer Sekula
      Call #: Z675.L2 U7 (2004)

    • Title: Legal research in a nutshell
      Author: Morris L. Cohen
      Call #: KF240 .C54 (2003)

    • Title: Legal Information: How to Find It, How to Use It
      Author: Kent C. Olson
      Call #: KF240 .O44 (1999)

    • Title: How and When to be Your Own Lawyer
      Author: Robert W. Schachner
      Call #: KF8841 .S33 (1993, 2003)