Helping Library Users with Legal Questions: Practical Advice for Research, Programming, and Outreach

by Deborah A. Hamilton

Overview

Learn how to assist library patrons, including self-represented litigants, through legal research instruction, programming, and outreach.

According to the National Center for State Courts, in 76 percent of civil cases in the United States at least one of the parties represents themself. As more people represent themselves in court, more are coming to the library to seek answers to legal questions.

Do you ever feel panicked when someone asks you a legal reference question? Are you are not sure where to look for information or how much information you can provide? What can libraries do to assist self-represented litigants? Deborah Hamilton began her career as a law librarian with no formal legal training. Now, not only does she help people with legal reference questions, but she also provides legal programming and outreach to the community.

Learn the difference between legal information and legal advice as well as how to connect with community groups who provide legal services. In this book, Hamilton teaches librarians how to teach themselves about legal research and resources, as well as offering practical ideas for types of legal programs and outreach that they can proactively offer patrons.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440872006
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	07/07/2021
Pages:	206
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.43(d)

About the Author

Deborah A. Hamilton is the strategic services librarian who oversees the law collection at Pikes Peak Library District. She has served as president, vice president, and secretary for the Colorado Association of Law Libraries.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

1 The Justice Gap: Who Are We Serving and Why Do They Need Us? 1

2 Developing Library Legal Materials and Resources 11

3 Legal Outreach and Programming 22

4 Legal Reference Interview 34

5 Legal Research Concepts 46

6 Secondary Sources 60

7 Laws from the Legislative Branch 69

8 Laws from the Judicial Branch and Court Forms 79

9 Laws from the Executive Branch 93

10 Conclusion 102

Appendix: Online Resources 109

Glossary 185

Index 189

What People are Saying About This

John Spears

"Many librarians are conditioned to shy away from assisting people with legal research, but Hamilton’s book demystifies this important area of public service. Not only does she cover how to assist people with legal research, but she also covers why public libraries should provide assistance with legal resources."

April L. Martin

"As the justice gap continues to grow nationwide, more and more people are seeking free or inexpensive but still reliable legal aid. From policy to practice, print to partnerships, Hamilton demystifies the elements of legal information services for public libraries and encourages us to establish or expand our already existing programs in ways that are appropriate, cost-effective, and sustainable and that will better meet the growing legal needs in our communities. I am looking forward to implementing her advice."

Editorial Reviews

This guide would be helpful to anyone who provides reference services, especially those new to legal reference.” —Library Jourbanal

“Anyone who wants to be a better librarian or who trains new reference staff on challenges such as

these should get this book!” —Public Libraries

“Deborah A. Hamilton's new book sheds light on the access to justice crisis in the American legal system and illustrates valuable strategies for how libraries can help.” —Jourbanal of Copyright in Education and Librarianship

“This excellent handbook is confidently recommended for any public library without specialized legal-research librarians on staff. Most academic librarians will find it a worthwhile purchase as well.” —Booklist

From the Publisher

10/01/2021

Hamilton's (strategic svcs. librarian, Pikes Peak Lib. Dist., CO) clear, concise work will aid librarians interested in learning more about the often-complicated task of fielding legal questions from patrons. Hamilton explains why patrons might ask for legal materials, then describes what kinds of resources might be helpful for a library to own, as well as types of legal outreach and collaboration that could be conducted for the benefit of patrons. She emphasizes that library staff are permitted to offer legal reference assistance but are prohibited from giving legal advice; throughout the book, sample reference interviews demonstrate ways to navigate the boundary between the two. Of particular note is the detailed discussion of legal resources and their uses; there is also a substantial appendix of federal and state legal resources that are available online. VERDICT This guide would be helpful to anyone who provides reference services, especially those new to legal reference.—Amber Gray, Fogler Lib., Univ. of Maine, Orono

Library Journal