Pandemic Reopen Guidelines

Law Library Guidelines (revised July 6, 2021)

Hours of Service:  Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm, and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm.

Library study rooms and journal offices remain closed. 

We will continue to provide services remotely in accordance with our procedures listed here:  https://library.law.hawaii.edu/law-library-operating-procedures-while-closed-due-to-the-covid-19-pandemic.  In person appointments are severely curtailed until further notice.

Monday through Friday, the University custodians will sanitize high touch areas (large tables, doorknobs, light switches, etc.) and the restrooms before the building opens and again after lunch but before 2 pm.  During the day, the custodians will wipe down high touch areas two more times.  They leave the premises at 2 pm.  Although we are closed on Fridays, the custodial staff will ready the building on Friday for our Sunday hours.  Our ability to remain open and safe depends on our much-appreciated staffing of the Law Library, the hard work of our custodial staff, and you for following the safety protocols listed below.  

Access:  Access is limited to currently enrolled law students holding a Law Library access card.  If you do not have an access card, see Obtaining an access card below.

If you plan to study in the Law Library, you are required to reserve a seat using the seat reservation system at https://law-hawaii.libcal.com.

If you are coming to the Law Library to pick up or return something, you do not need to make a seat reservation; however, you do need to make an appointment.  Please visit https://law-hawaii.libcal.com/appointments?u=72776&lid=4359  to make an appointment.

Seat Reservations: https://law-hawaii.libcal.com

You must reserve a seat if you plan to study in the library.

We have already dealt with two students who entered the building without making a reservation to study.  Don’t make us deactivate your cards!

You cannot reserve multiple seats (as in, for a friend).  Everyone should make their own plans and reservations.

You can make a reservation up to 48 hours in advance, but you can reserve only one seat each day. 

There are 108 seats available, and you may select whichever seat you prefer.  You may enter and leave the Law Library repeatedly during the day and return to use that seat.  However, do not leave personal items behind if you leave the Law Library building.

You must use the PPE to sanitize your seat before and after use.

Safety Protocols:

Many of these points should be common sense to all of us by now.  We need your cooperation to keep us all safe. 

  • We allow up to 108 students into the building each day to observe and comply with social distancing protocols.  Please do not disregard the directional and distancing signage!
  • You may not bring anyone with you into the Law Library.  Everyone needs to be accounted for in case we engage contact tracing.
  • You must use the Lumisight app (https://uh.campus.lumisight.com/) daily before entering the building. If you are not feeling well or show signs of illness, you cannot enter or stay in the Law Library building.
  • When you enter the building, sanitize your hands at the sanitizing station near the front doors.  Sanitizing stations are located conveniently throughout the Law Library.  You cannot miss them!  Use them!
  • Wear a cloth mask over your nose and mouth while walking through the building.   You can remove it when you are seated at your reserved seat.  We do not have an unlimited supply of masks so please bring your own.
  • Students must wipe down their carrels and the printing stations before and after each use with PPE supplies. Custodial staff will not service individual carrels or the printing stations.
  • Printer stations are available but you must sanitize keyboards before and after use.  Follow the posted instructions at the printer stations.
  • The restrooms are open.  Please wash your hands thoroughly before leaving the restroom.
  • There is no eating or drinking allowed in the Law Library.  Please take hydration and nourishment breaks outside.

If you cannot follow the above protocols, your access card will be deactivated.

Obtaining an access card:

If you do not have an access card for the Law Library, you will need to take a virtual orientation.  After orientation, you will need to answer a few questions and fill out a form.  Once the documentation is received, you will be contacted to arrange a pick-up time for your card.

Please visit https://law-hawaii.libguides.com/lawlibraryguide/keycardorientationCOVID19 – watch the video (step 1) and then complete the form (step 2).

If you lost your access card, please contact Ms. Rudolfo at rudolfo@hawaii.edu.  There is a $25 fee for replacing lost cards.

Returning your access card:

You are expected to return your Library access card after graduation.  You may drop it in the book drop on the lanai (please put it in an envelope), or mail it to:

Lynette Rudolfo
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, School of Law Library
2525 Dole Street
Honolulu, HI 96825

If we do not receive your access card, you will be assessed a fine.  If you fail to pay the fine, it will be reported to the Committee on Character and Fitness.