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/
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.
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
