For interested library systems, local training can be provided (in person or via Zoom) 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 – Fall 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.
The 2023 Fall session begins in September with the Basics and will be followed with topical sessions on Family Law, Consumer Law, and Legal Forms. Frontlines topics help develop recognition of law topics through terminology, resources, and referrals specifically related to that topic.
There will be a follow-up Lab session for each topic. 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 Lab participants will choose which questions to learn from; law librarian facilitators demonstrate gathering information and referrals to address each question.
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, September 13, 2023, 9-10am Basics I: Legal Reference Best Practices
The foundation class for the series, this course provides an overview of best practices when addressing questions about law and legal situations.
Wednesday, September 27, 2023, 9-10am, Basic II: Foundations of Law for Public Library Reference
A solid understanding of law-making structure is foundational to providing good reference. This course provides an organized look at Maryland's law-making structure, including government bodies and the resources for law promulgated by those bodies.
Wednesday, October 4, 2023, 9-10am, Frontlines Topics: Family Law
Family Law provides an overview of common areas of concern, such as divorce, child custody, child support and name change.
Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 9-10am, Frontlines Lab: Focus on Family Law
This Lab is a follow-up to the Family Law topical session held on October 4, 2023. As a high degree of participation will be expected of attendees, it is strongly recommended that attendees have viewed or attended a Basics session in addition to the Family Law topical session prior to coming to the Lab.
Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 9-10am, Frontlines Topics: Consumer Law
Consumer Law looks at the span of topics related to debt collection, credit issues and consumer protection.
Wednesday, November 29, 2023, 9-10am, Frontlines Lab: Focus on Consumer Law
This Lab is a follow-up to the Consumer Law topical session held on November 8, 2023. As a high degree of participation will be expected of attendees, it is strongly recommended that attendees have viewed or attended a Basics session in addition to the Consumer Law topical session prior to coming to the Lab.
Tuesday, December 5, 2023, 9-10am, Frontlines Topics: Legal Forms
This session will provide an overview of what might be considered a form, where to find forms, and where to find guidance for people trying to fill out or construct a form.
Wednesday, December 13, 2023, 9-10am, Frontlines Lab: Focus on Forms
This Lab is a follow-up to the Session on Legal Forms held on December 5, 2023. Attendees are invited to provide legal reference questions in advance or bring a question to the session. As a high degree of participation will be expected of attendees, it is strongly recommended that attendees have viewed or attended a Basics session in addition to the Legal Forms session prior to coming to the Lab.
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.
Completed Sessions
Frontlines Lab
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Lab sessions are not recorded for posting.
Law on the Frontlines: Landlord-Tenant
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Recording (Passcode: m=Mp2Mz3)
Handout (links from the presentation)
Slides
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)