MLA/DLA Annual Conference 2022 - Law on the Frontlines: A Great Refresher!

Law on the Frontlines: A Great Refresher!

Presented by Joan Belistri, Catherine McGuire, and Reena Shah

Not sure who is really behind that Maryland Self Help Law Center phone number??

At this session I was assured the callers we refer would be talking to attorneys dedicated to assisting people in low-medium income brackets navigate the legal system. When librarians refer a customer to the Self Help Law Center the volunteer attorney will be a pro bono lawyer, college or academic faculty lawyer, a lawyer from one of the Judiciary departments, Bar associations, law school clinics or other Court approved legal organizations. 

Providing Legal Information

The panel discussed current and applicable resources valuable to public library librarians and their customers. Here are some refresher highlights.

1.Instead of Black’s Dictionary the panel suggested Cornell’s Legal Terminology which allows for more flexibility. The librarian can utilize it whether addressing a patron in person, through Libchat or Libans. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex

2.Nolo.com is another common resource useful for forms, brief explanations

Legal Encyclopedia, Legal Forms, Law Books, & Software | Nolo

3.Maryland Peoples’ Law Library offers vital legal information for self litigants and Court Help on specific Law Topics. Homepage | The Maryland People's Law Library (peoples-law.org) (PLL)

The “Other Help” page relates well to the recognizable kinds of everyday law questions librarians receive by phone. https://maryland.freelegalanswers.org/OtherHelp

Providing Referrals to Other Organizations

The panel emphasized that often users are looking for help librarians cannot provide but that can be found on websites like those discussed:

• Maryland Court Law Libraries

• PLL Legal Services and Directory

• PLL includes a Maryland Legal Services Directory

Legal Services Directory | The Maryland People's Law Library (peoples-law.org). The directory

Is comprised of organizations that offer no cost or low fee based legal services such as CASA. 

• PPL Legal Clinic Calendar Legal Clinic Calendar | The Maryland People's Law Library (peoples-law.org) includes Pratt’s Lawyer in the Library and similar events throughout Maryland.

• Court Help Centers Maryland Court Help Centers | Maryland Courts (mdcourts.gov)

Likewise, the panel reiterated that librarians distinguish between what they can do: Provide information, a resource or referral that might help. Librarians cannot provide legal advice; an interpretation of a legal subject or help users fill out legal forms.

This session covers the basics and the Advancing Justice Access and Navigate Maryland Legal Information, Court Tools and Resources session provides a more in-depth look at the People's Law Library website, the State Law Library website and more.

Rose Anne Ullrich, Librarian

Information Services

Register for the Percipio online training

 

Here is a quick link to the Percipio login.  You can create your own account and get started.  You must use your Pratt email to register for the site.

https://marylandlibraries.percipio.com/

SkillSoft retires on June 30, 2022 and no information will be available after that date.

MLA/DLA Annual Conference 2022 - Back together again

The MLA/DLA conference returned to Cambridge, MD this year to the delight of attendees.  There is something about meeting in person that just makes a conference a better experience, especially when you are with a group of fantastic librarians and staff from Maryland libraries.

Tuesday was a beautiful day to drive to the Eastern shore, and check in to the Hyatt in preparation for the pre-conferences on Wednesday.  An interesting array of pre-conferences were attended by EPFL staff, including the "Everyone Leads" follow-up workshop and the adult programming unconference.  Bright orange backpacks, colorful badges and committee ribbons were available for participants, and by Thursday morning we were ready for the breakout sessions, visiting vendors, and the MD author award luncheon.  Whenever we feature a poet they always bring a tear to your eye, and Afaa Michael Weaver's reminiscences about growing up in Baltimore was no exception.

As always, the social events including the pub quiz and scavenger hunt brought extra fun to the conference, and the De-Stress with Pets puppies brought smiles to many faces.  The drive back on Friday was a bit nasty with the rain and traffic, but overall a fantastic event.

Lisa R. Kenyon
Staff Development and Training Coordinator

It was great to meet the new ALA president Patty Wong

Remember this viral sensation?  It was in the vendor's room.

Lots of good donations for the silent auction!