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