In this occasional feature, we highlight recently asked questions and brief answers from the Law Library reference desk.
Q: Why can’t I find the full text of this complaint on PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records, the federal court system’s electronic document system)?
A: Not all federal court pleadings are available on PACER. For example, if a complaint was filed using paper rather than electronically, some of the federal courts will not make it available (other courts will eventually scan the document and put it on PACER).
Q: How do I find a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report?
A: The LexisNexis Congressional database contains CRS reports back to 1916. Using that database’s “Advanced Search� option, you can limit your search to just the CRS reports. Usually, reports can be retrieved by title; a date is also helpful.
Q: Is the Reference Office open during finals and break?
A: Yes! The Reference Office is staffed regular hours during exams (M-Th 9 am to 8 pm; F 9 am to 5 pm; Sat 11 am to 5 pm; Sun 1 to 5 pm) and when the Library moves to Winter Break hours (M-F 8-4:30), the Reference Office is open 9 am to 4:30 pm.
Have your own reference question? Call or email the reference desk at 612-625-4309 or law-ref@umn.edu.
