For interested library systems, local training can be provided from the Thurgood Marshall State Law Library and other members of the Conference of Maryland Court Law Library Directors.
Upcoming Sessions | Completed Sessions | Submit a Question/Comment
Upcoming Sessions
Law on the Frontlines: Legal Reference for Public Libraries – SPRING 2023
As a specialized area of knowledge and resources, law and legal reference can be a challenging area for providers of general reference. Frontlines: Legal Reference for Public Libraries, enables and empowers public library staff across Maryland to provide quality legal reference in their local communities, ensuring that the law is accessible to every Marylander who needs it.
Brought to Maryland's public libraries through a partnership of the Thurgood Marshall State Library, the Maryland Access to Justice Commission, and the Conference of Maryland Court Law Library Directors.
For each completed training, a Certificate of Completion indicating Contact hours will be provided.
Frontlines sessions address:
- The role of public libraries in advancing Access to Justice
- Best Practices for legal reference interviews
- Legal resources in a variety of subjects
- Basics on the structure of law
- Recognizing the difference between information and advice
- Where to refer forward
Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 9-10am, Frontlines Topics: Landlord-Tenant
Frontlines Topics help develop recognition of law topics through terminology resources, and referrals specifically related to that topic. Landlord-Tenant provides an overview of common areas of concern, such as eviction, leases, non-payment of rent, and more, and points to reliable resources to help inform the public.
Tuesday, May 23, 2023, 9-10am, Frontlines Lab
Lab sessions provide an opportunity for learners to work collaboratively with law librarians to investigate real-world resources. Attendees are invited to provide legal reference questions in advance or bring a question to the session. The class will choose which questions to learn from; law librarians facilitators demonstrate gathering information and referrals to address each question. As a high degree of participation will be expected of attendees, it is strongly recommended that attendees have viewed or attended one or both Basic sessions prior to coming to the Lab.
Completed Sessions
Law on the Frontlines: Basics II - Foundations of Law for Public Library Reference
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Recording (Passcode: J=TdX4Jm)
Handout (links from the presentation)
Slides
Frontlines Lab
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Lab sessions are not recorded for posting. A handout containing resources discussed in the session is linked herein.
Handout (links from the presentation)
Slides
Law on the Frontlines: Life & Health Planning
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Recording (Passcode: VuqzH4K. - passcode includes the "dot" or period at the end.)
Handout (links from the presentation)
Slides
Law on the Frontlines: Basics I - Legal Reference Best Practices
January 24, 2023
Handout (links from the presentation)
Slides
Law on the Frontlines: Legal Reference
October 19, 2022
Recording (Passcode:!F@2!bwj)
Slides
Life & Health Planning
May 17, 2022
Recording (Passcode: CnN.pGR0)
Slides
Law on the Frontlines: Legal Reference
May 6, 2022
MLA/DLA Annual Conference
Slides
Advancing Justice: Access and Navigate Maryland Legal Information, Court Tools, and Resources
Note: while not part of the Frontlines sessions, the presentation is an excellent companion to the May 6th program above.
May 5, 2022
MLA/DLA Annual Conference
Slides
Public Benefits
April 26, 2022
Recording (Passcode:Mk1Gx#JF)
Slides
Consumer Law
April 19, 2022
Recording (Passcode: az&zpu9z)
Slides
Navigating the Law: Family Law
April 5, 2022
Recording (Passcode: u7#tf8#P)
Slides
Navigating the Law: Landlord-Tenant
March 24, 2022
Recording Part I (Passcode: djEX%083)
Recording Part 2 (Passcode: RvV9e@kX)
Slides
Law on the Frontlines: Legal Reference for Public Libraries - Basics II
March 8, 2022
Recording (Passcode: p7C&g#se)
Slides
Law on the Frontlines: Legal Reference for Public Libraries - Basics I
March 1, 2022
AUDIO ONLY Recording (Passcode: .d5zq7df)
Slides
Law on the Frontlines: Basic Training
September 19, 2018 (in-person)
Part 1: Access to Justice and Public Libraries (YouTube)
Part 2: Managing the Legal Reference Interview (YouTube)
Part 3: Getting Started: Descriptive Resources (YouTube)
Part 4: Digging Deeper: About Law (YouTube)
Part 5: Choosing and Making Referrals (YouTube)