New semester, new beginnings! Wishing you all a great start! Below are the library hours for the new fall semester beginning Monday August 18 through Sunday November 30. In observance of Labor Day, the library will be closed on Monday September 1 and will resume regular hours on Tuesday September 2. We look forward to seeing you throughout the semester!

 

 

 

 

 

 

This a friendly reminder that carrels must be clear of all personal items by Friday August 15. Opened food contents will be discarded, and non-food items will be taken to the lost and found area located behind the security desk at the 185 W Broadway entrance. For further information, please send an email to [email protected]. Thank you and we hope you enjoy the rest of the summer!

Below are the library hours for the intersession period beginning Thursday July 31 through Sunday August 17.

    Intersession: Thursday July 31 through Sunday August 17

In observance of Independence Day, the Library will be closed on Friday July 4 and will reopen Saturday July 5 at 8:00 a.m.

Below are the extended library hours and intersession hours beginning Saturday, July 5 through Sunday, August 17. On Thursday July 3, The Reference Desk will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. On Friday July 4, the library will be closed in observance of Independence Day and will reopen on Saturday July 5 at 8:00 a.m.

 

  Bar Study and Exams Study Hall: Saturday, July 5 – Wednesday, July 30

 Intersession: Thursday, July 31-Sunday, August 17

 

In observance of Juneteenth, the Library will be closed on Thursday, June 19 and will reopen on Friday, June 20 at 9:00 a.m.

In observance of Memorial Day, the Library will be closed on Saturday, May 24 through Monday May 26, 2025. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday May 27, at 9:00 a.m.

Floors L2, L3, and L4 will not be accessible on Sunday May 18, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. We apologize for the inconvenience.

 

Below are the library’s hours of operation beginning Friday May 16 through Thursday July 3. We hope that you had a great and successful Spring semester and we look forward to seeing you throughout the Summer!

   Saturday, May 24 – Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day Weekend): Library CLOSED

   Thursday, June 19 (Juneteenth): Library CLOSED

   On Thursday, July 3rd Reference Hours will be 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 

 

   Friday, May 16 through Tuesday, May 27, 2025:

   Summer Semester: Wednesday, May 28 through Thursday, July 3:

Effective research skills are vital to all students engaged in any type of legal writing, as well as to those who are clerking, participating in internships, and entering legal practice. The ability to find the legal material you need to interpret and analyze is critical to help you prepare for the research realities of law practice. NYLS offers upper division research courses designed to build upon the skills learned in the first year. The courses offer students an opportunity to become more effective, efficient and confident researchers. Click here for course descriptions. Click here to read what other students have said about these classes.

The Mendik Library’s Reference Librarians also offer a variety of short research workshops throughout the year. To learn more about additional classes offered and to register, click here.

Legal Research: Practical Skills (1 credit)

Reviews and builds on the first-year research program to help students refine their skills, learn shortcuts, and develop research strategies. When you complete this course you will know how to find statutes, legislative materials, administrative regulations, and related cases. You will know how to use citator services effectively to enhance and update your research. You will also learn about a variety of important secondary sources and attain a comfort level with electronic research using Lexis, Westlaw, Bloomberg Law, and other databases, as well as reliable free or low‐cost legal sources. In different semesters, we also offer Legal Research: Corporate & Business Law; Legal Research: Family Law; Legal Research: Intellectual Property Law; Legal Research: Labor and Employment Law; Legal Research: Criminal Law; and Legal Research: Real Estate Law.

For the Fall ’25 semester we are offering Legal Research: Practical Skills (4 remote Saturday classes) and Legal Research: Corporate Business Law (7 weekday classes, in-person).

For the Spring ’26 semester we are offering Legal Research: Practical Skills (4 remote Saturday classes).

 Legal Research: Skills for the Digital World (3 credits)

Reviews and builds on fundamental research skills as described in the Legal Research: Practical Skills courses. This course allows students time to concentrate on more advanced techniques using both electronic legal research and, where appropriate, print resources, to maximize research effectiveness and efficiency. The course provides detailed instruction in developing appropriate research strategies and in evaluating the various electronic and print sources in order to choose the best source for particular projects. Students pursue research assignments that may be geared to their individual subject interests. Students complete take‐home assignments that test and enhance their understanding of research tools, their understanding of important process and strategy considerations, and their ability to perform various research tasks. This class will be offered only during the Spring ’26 semester.

Questions? Contact Professor Michael Roffer, Interim Director of The Mendik Library.

T 212.431.2150   E [email protected]