Law on the Frontlines 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 Frontlines curriculum includes introductory sessions on Legal Reference Best Practices and Foundations of Law for Public Library Reference. Frontlines also offers topic-based sessions, Navigating the Law, on the most heavily requested areas of law.
All Frontlines sessions address:
- The role of public libraries in advancing Access to Justice
- Best Practices tips
- Basics on the structure of law
- Legal information resources
- Where to refer forward
Navigating the Law sessions include a deeper dive into resources and referrals for each specific topic.
Frontlines runs statewide live training via Zoom in Spring and Fall sessions (see Upcoming, below, for registration).
For interested Maryland 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. Contact the Maryland Thurgood Marshall State Law Library or the Frontlines Project to request local training.
For each completed training, a Certificate of Completion indicating Contact hours will be provided.
Frontlines is 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.
Upcoming Sessions | Completed Sessions | Submit a Question/Comment
Upcoming Sessions
Law on the Frontlines: Legal Reference Best Practices
Wednesday, October 9, 2024, 9:00am – 10:30am
Registration: https://mdcourts.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_WSTSHYXUSYyQzk4BKcmDYA
Law on the Frontlines: Foundations of Law for Public Library
Wednesday, November 20, 2024, 9:00am – 10:30am
Registration: https://mdcourts.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_iBxSb1NiRu6pfSdSwo6X6A
Frontlines: Navigating the Law – Finding Maryland Legal Forms
Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 9:00am – 10:30am
Registration: https://mdcourts.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_RMFEwCeTQWijM-9jGjpJ5w
Completed Sessions
Law on the Frontlines: Legal Reference Best Practices
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Recording (Passcode: wC!2=+*x)
Slides
Law on the Frontlines: Foundations of Law for Public Library Reference
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Recording (Passcode:?78qqISU)
Slides
Frontlines: Navigating the Law - Consumer Law
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Recording (Passcode: H3te6B$R)
Slides
Consumer Law Tip Sheet
Frontlines: Navigating the Law - Family Law
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Recording (Passcode: NceT$u8v)
Slides
Frontlines: Navigating the Law - Finding Maryland Legal Forms
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Recording (Passcode: wGWUq!7P
Slides
Frontlines: Navigating the Law - Landlord and Tenant
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Recording (Passcode: m=Mp2Mz3)
Handout (links from the presentation)
Slides
Frontlines: Navigating the Law - 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
Slides (from April 17, 2024 Session)
Frontlines: Navigating the Law - Public Benefits
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Recording (Passcode:iU5a0m9?)
Slides
Tip Sheet