survey of law library programs for self-represented litigants ...€¦ · 7. self-help resources 8....

Survey of Law Library Programs for Self-Represented Litigants, including Self-Help Centers

conducted by the Law Librarians Working Group of the Self Represented Litigation Network

(August 2013)

Library Self-Help Programs and Services

Q1. Does your library provide services to the self represented litigant?

Answer Options Response Percent

Response Count

Yes 98.7% 151 No 1.3% 2

answered question 153 skipped question 1

Full Survey Results - Survey of Library Self-Help Programs and Services April 2014

LIBRARY SERVICES Q2. Which of these reference services does your library provide to self-represented litigants? Check all that apply.


Response Count

Legal research help (traditional legal reference) 96.3% 131 Explaining the legal process 57.4% 78 Collections of print materials written for non-lawyers 83.1% 113 Computerized legal research (e.g. HeinOnline, Lexis, Loislaw, Westlaw) 92.6% 126

Pathfinders and guides 64.0% 87 Telephone reference 83.8% 114 E-mail reference 70.6% 96 Chat reference 19.9% 27 Document delivery of resources in the library by fax, scan and deliver 48.5% 66

Referrals to legal aid programs, find-a-lawyer, mediation, limited scope representation 93.4% 127

Referral sheets such as Ask A Librarian pads for court staff and others to refer people to the library 25.7% 35

Maintain a website providing legal information for the self-represented litigants 50.0% 68



LIBRARY SERVICES Q3. Which of these form services does your library provide to self-represented litigants? Check all that apply.


Response Count

Court forms (already printed or printing from online) 94.5% 103 Court forms with instructions 66.1% 72 Document assembly forms such as to A2J (Access to Justice Author) guided interviews 22.0% 24

Forms in plain language 33.0% 36 Forms in multiple languages 20.2% 22 Assist on completing forms 8.3% 9 Create forms 13.8% 15 Write instructions for forms 11.0% 12 Create/re-write forms and/or instructions in plain language 8.3% 9



LIBRARY SERVICES Q4. Which of these programs does your library offer within the library to self-represented litigants? Check all that apply.


Response Count

Library provides legal clinics, often limited to specific topics 33.3% 20

Library supports legal clinics administered by another organization 80.0% 48

Legal advice clinics (a program of multiple lawyers providing advice) 16.7% 10

Lawyers in Libraries (attorneys who provide one on one assistance) 20.0% 12

Mediation program (staffed by trained mediators) 5.0% 3 answered question 60

skipped question 94


LIBRARY SERVICES Q5. What general services does your library provide to self-represented litigants? Check all that apply.


Response Count

Public computers with access to the Internet 96.9% 126 E-filing support 10.8% 14 Books, brochures, etc. available in multiple languages 35.4% 46

Interpreters or language line 10.8% 14 Bi-lingual staff 13.8% 18 Services for prisoners (i.e. responding to letters) 49.2% 64



LIBRARY SERVICES Q6. What educational services does your library provide to self-represented litigants? Check all that apply.


Response Count

Workshops? - Please list up to three most popular topics. 88.9% 24

Library-produced webinars? Please list up to three most popular topics. 33.3% 9

Webinars offered by other organizations? Please list up to three most popular topics. 29.6% 8


WORKSHOP TOPICS:

1. introduction to print materials; basic Lexis and Westlaw; online legal information

2. public sleuthing; legal research; Westlaw 3. Landlord Tenant, Divorce, Credit/Finances 4. small claims, learning databases, free legal websites 5. Saturday divorce clinic, expungement, Spanish-Speaking lawyers 6. Basic legal research, divorce and child custody, wills and trusts 7. self-help resources 8. Name Change, Discovery, Dissolution 9. Skiptracing, Legal research for the non-attorney, efiling 10. Our reference librarian offer training to public librarians in legal research to

help pro se litigants.


11. landlord-tenant, will, domestic relations 12. Expungement, Foreclosure, Small Claims 13. Guardianship, Conservatorship 14. Garnishments; Third Party Custody; Criminal Expungement 15. How to find in-print primary authorities; How to use the online resources at

the RCLL; How to conduct an online California legislative intent search 16. Expungment; Third-Party Custody; Conciliation Court Process (used to be

called Small Claims Court) 17. Life Documents, Divorce, SAPCR 18. basic legal research 19. Small Claims, Family Law, Foreclosures 20. debt collection, senior estate planning, 3rd party custody

WEBINARS PRODUCED BY LIBRARY - TOPICS:

1. Ready Legal Reference Resources 2. public sleuthing; legal research; Westlaw 3. Expungement, Case Management Statements, Proof of Service 4. Skiptracing; Commencing an Action; Searching Westlaw; Searching King

County Court Records Online

WEBINARS OFFERED BY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS – TOPICS: 1. Divorce training sessions 2. Termination of parental rights, custody, divorce 3. Family Law 4. Access to Justice, Unauthorized Practice of Law


LIBRARY SERVICES Q7. Are there any other services not listed previously that your library provides to self-represented litigants?

Answer Options Response Count

21 answered question 21

skipped question 133 Other services:

1. faxing, self-service photocopying, notarization 2. We host 4 free legal clinics in our library where people can meet with a

volunteer attorney 3. We have a Reference Attorney who assists SRNs with their paperwork for

uncontested family law matters. 4. We have print materials that pro se patrons are welcome to use, i.e., form

books. We may direct pro se patrons to a web sites like texaslawhelp.org, www.texasbar.com, www.martindale.com, etc.

5. Articles for local online newspaper and our blog/Facebook on popular self-help topics

6. We have legal encyclopedias, statutes, practice materials and treatises. We do not give legal advice. We make the materials available for public patrons to do their own research.

7. I am currently learning the A2J Author software. I plan to offer more A2J interactive forms in the future.

8. Referrals to pro-se program provided by another organization, but not located within the library.

9. Our library is the largest law library in the state and we provide public patrons with an excellent print collection in addition to university databases and Internet access

10. We have held legal research training classes for local public librarians. I think this indirectly benefits self-represented litigants.

11. Federal and state government documents 12. We don't have forms, such as those listed above, but we do have some

resources that contain forms (such as West's Legal Forms) that they can use.

13. public computers with limited internet access (research sites; .gov, .org & .edu sites; white-listed .com sites that are vetted for use in legal research)

14. Co-sponsor a self represented divorce class 15. Free printing of forms when they apply for a fee waiver. 16. Our court system has a great self-help center that provides telephone and

web assistance in family law. There is also web-only assistance for civil appeals, and a probate site is about to go live. None of this is directly provided by the library, however.

17. A2J programs in public library meeting rooms, coordinated and moderated by county law librarians, with attorney presenters.


LIBRARY SERVICES Q8. Is your library involved with self-help centers in some way?


Response Count

Yes 38.7% 53 No 61.3% 84



LIBRARY SERVICES LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER Q.9 Does the library operate a self-help center on its premises.


Response Count

Yes 42.6% 23 No 57.4% 31



LIBRARY SERVICES LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER OPERATED BY ANOTHER ORGANIZATION Q10. Is there a self-help center that operates in your library but is staffed by another organization?


Response Count

Yes 13.5% 7 No 86.5% 45 Please provide the name of the organization. 8


Organization:

1. There isn't a clear answer to this question. The State Law Library, the Judicial Branch, and Montana Legal Services all have a role in operating the center

2. State Court 3. Clerk of the Court 4. Collaboration with Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County 5. Illinois Legal Aid Online 6. Clerk of the Court 7. Legal Aid Bureau 8. District Court--Criminal Division


LIBRARY SERVICES EXTERNAL SELF-HELP CENTER Q11. Does the library partner with a self-help center operated in another place such as a court or public library?


Response Count

Yes 42.0% 21 No 58.0% 29 Please provide the name of the organization. 14


Organization:

1. Judge Henry S. Kenderdine, Jr. Court Self Help Center 2. Baltimore county bar association, court self help center 3. Housing Justice Project; Family Law Facilitators 4. Charles County Bar Association 5. MN judicial branch 6. Clerk's self-help centers in 2 other court buildings 7. Alachua County Public Library 8. Local court 9. Maryland District Court 10. Other court help programs around the state 11. Family Law Self-Help Center. We're both part of the same organization,

statewide court administration. 12. Coming in Oct. 2013, we will be partnering with the Self Help Resource

Center, Superior Court of California 13. Anne Arundel County Public Library 14. Local Court System


LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER Q12. In the library operated self-help center, which of these services are offered?


Response Count


Forms in plain language 53.8% 14 Forms in multiple languages 34.6% 9 Assistance on completing forms 50.0% 13 Assistance in explaining the legal process 88.5% 23 Attorneys provide legal advice 30.8% 8 Telephone assistance 76.9% 20 Email assistance 69.2% 18 Mediation program (staffed by trained mediators) 7.7% 2 Referral to legal aid programs 92.3% 24 Referral to find a lawyer generally through Bar Associations 88.5% 23

Referral to limited scope representation 26.9% 7 Public computers with access to the Internet 84.6% 22 Print materials written for non-lawyers 92.3% 24 E-filing support 11.5% 3 Books, brochures, etc. available in multiple languages 42.3% 11

Interpreters or language line 38.5% 10 Other (please specify) 0



LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER Q13. How is self-help center staffed? Check all that apply.


Response Count

Court personnel hired for the position 20.8% 5 Library Staff 70.8% 17 Paid attorneys 4.2% 1 Legal aid attorneys 8.3% 2 Volunteer attorneys 29.2% 7 Volunteer judges 0.0% 0 Volunteers law school students 16.7% 4 Other Volunteers 12.5% 3 Other (please specify) 5


Other: 1. AmeriCorp 2. Two paid attorneys, two paid paralegals 3. Stand alone computer kiosk, employees can provide limited assistance as needed or requested. 4. Americorps members


LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER Q14. If volunteers are used in staffing the self-help center, is the library staff responsible for recruitment?


Response Count

Yes 50.0% 6 No 50.0% 6



LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER Q15. Who provides training for self-help center staff?


Response Count

Court staff 45.5% 10 Library staff 77.3% 17 Director of Self-help Center 22.7% 5 Other (please specify) 4


Other:

1. No training is provided by the court. Library staff taught themselves how to help the public help themselves.

2. I'm a solo law librarian. I am a licenses GA attorney in addition to having the MLIS. I attend training sessions from AALL, the State Bar of Ga, and the NCSC.

3. Legal Assistance 4. Legal Services


LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER Q16. How is the self-help center funded?


Response Count

Library budget 76.0% 19 Court budget 40.0% 10 Grant funds 12.0% 3 Legal aid funds 24.0% 6 Other (please specify) 4


Other: 1. 50% of library funding is from docket fees, 50% from annual mandatory

attorney registration fees 2. The Law School pays for a 1/4 time law student out of research assistant

funds who serves as my volunteer coordinator 3. There are really no costs associated with the program other than the cost

of the volunteer luncheon. Materials are covered in the library's materials budget.

4. no extra funding needed


LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER Q17. If you know the center's budget, please enter it here.



skipped question 149 Budget responses: 1. $352,800 2. $650,000 3. $119,000 4. $300 5. $0


LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER Q18. What are the self-help center's hours of operation?


Response Count

Full day - business hours 76.2% 16 Mornings 4.8% 1 Afternoons 4.8% 1 Evenings 4.8% 1 Weekly (set times each week) 14.3% 3 Weekends 9.5% 2 Monthly (set times each month) 0.0% 0 By appointment 4.8% 1 Other (please specify) 3


Other: 1. Monday - Thursday, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm 2. M-F, 9-12 & 1-5 3. Calls and emails come in 24/7. Student volunteers schedule their hours to

respond top calls and their hours vary each semester. The law student coordinator checks each evening to make sure that no one goes more than 24 hours without a call back. I cover the phone during school breaks and usually return calls every afternoon.


LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER Q.19 Are there restrictions on who can use the self-help center?


Response Count

Yes 22.7% 5 No 77.3% 17



LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER Q20. Which of the following are considered in establishing eligibility for the services of the self-help center?


Response Count

Income 20.0% 1 Residency 60.0% 3 Area of law (i.e. Divorce) 80.0% 4 Other (please specify) 3


Other:

1. Cannot be represented by attorney. Limited to straightforward civil and very basic probate issues. Family law by workshop only.

2. no requirements 3. non-family civil is the subject area


LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER Q21. How long has the self-help center been in operation?


Response Count

Less than 1 year 4.3% 1 1 – 5 years 34.8% 8 More than 5 years 60.9% 14



LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER Q22. What statistics or evaluation tools do you use to demonstrate that the self-help center is meeting its mission?



skipped question 142 Statisitics:

1. We use SurveyMonkey to track every contact. 2. 4 reference sampling weeks per year and annual door count of + 30,000 3. he CourtHelp program is a statewide initiative of the MT Judicial branch.

There is a standard intake form and then the Coordinator does targeted evaluations.

4. Survey 5. Statistics on walk in, telephone & email reference. 6. none 7. Number of contacts with customers

Facebook likes and weekly reach Number of self-help packets available Number of self-help packets distributed Number of "Intro to Family Law" DVDs distributed Number of "lawyers in libraries" meetings attended Results of self-help center customer survey Results of "lawyers in libraries" customer survey

8. Survey Monkey for statistics and customer surveys 9. integrated into library functions so DeskTracked with other library statistics 10. In-take data compared with follow-up data gathering. Surveys of judges

and clerks of court 11. Statistics on number of users and issues are recorded on a spreadsheet

and made public on the wiki:http://aacpll.pbworks.com/w/page/41659798/Ask%20a%20Lawyer%20Pro%20Bono%20Stats

12. For those who attend the clinic, we get a report on who actually went on to file a case in court


LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER Q23. How is the self-help center publicized? Check all that apply.


Response Count

Business cards 18.2% 4 Court referrals 90.9% 20 Distribute flyers through community and other organizations 63.6% 14

Email announcements to points-of-contact for customers, i.e. social service agencies 18.2% 4

E-newsletters 4.5% 1 Legal service providers 54.5% 12 Library website/blog 86.4% 19 Links on other web sites 50.0% 11 Newspapers 27.3% 6 Radio 4.5% 1 Signs in public libraries 45.5% 10 Television 0.0% 0 Other (please specify) 4


Other:

1. We also do a fair amount outreach to service organizations (government and non-profit) so that they can refer their clients as appropriate.


2. We are the main place for forms and photocopies in the courthouse and with phone calls stay busy

3. signs in courthouse 4. Court website


LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER Q24. Is the Bar Association involved in providing assistance?


Response Count

Yes 21.7% 5 No 78.3% 18 If yes, please explain. 6


Explanation:

1. No leadership provided by local bar association or court for pro bono assistance. Bar does have limited scope program.

2. Volunteers 3. volunteer for "lawyer in the library" program 4. Pro Bono limited advice 5. The local bar supports the program by making the program's needs known

to the bar by publishing articles 6. The bar association places announcements in print and email promoting

the volunteer opportunity


LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER OPERATED BY ANOTHER ORGANIZATION Q25. In the library self-help center run by an outside organization, which of these services are offered?


Response Count






LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER OPERATED BY ANOTHER ORGANIZATION


Q.26 How is self-help center staffed? Check all that apply.


Response Count



Other:

1. AmeriCorp 2. assisted with Legal Aid paralegals and the occasional volunteer attorney


LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER OPERATED BY ANOTHER ORGANIZATION Q27. If volunteers are used in staffing the self-help center, is the library staff responsible for recruitment?


Response Count

Yes 0.0% 0 No 100.0% 4



LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER OPERATED BY ANOTHER ORGANIZATION Q28. Who provides training for self-help center staff?


Response Count




LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER OPERATED BY ANOTHER ORGANIZATION Q29. How is the self-help center funded?


Response Count



Other:

1. Funded through the Clerk's office 2. The court contracts with Legal Aid to run the center.


LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER OPERATED BY ANOTHER ORGANIZATION Q30. If you know the center's budget, please enter it here.



skipped question 154 Q31.What are the self-help center's hours of operation?


Response Count



Other:

1. Attorneys available Thursdays and Fridays by appointment. 2. The center closes early on Tuesdays and Fridays


LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER OPERATED BY ANOTHER ORGANIZATION Q32. Are there restrictions on who can use the self-help center?


Response Count

Yes 50.0% 3 No 50.0% 3



LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER OPERATED BY ANOTHER ORGANIZATION Q33. Which of the following are considered in establishing eligibility for the services of the self-help center?


Response Count



Other:

1. Family law


LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER OPERATED BY ANOTHER ORGANIZATION Q34. How long has the self-help center been in operation?


Response Count




LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER OPERATED BY ANOTHER ORGANIZATION Q35. What statistics or evaluation tools do you use to demonstrate that the self-help center is meeting its mission?



skipped question 152

1. same as above: The CourtHelp program is a statewide initiative of the MT Judicial branch. There is a standard intake form and then the Coordinator does targeted evaluations.

2. Numbers of users are collected and other information through the online sign-in program.


LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER OPERATED BY ANOTHER ORGANIZATION Q36. How is the self-help center publicized? Check all that apply.


Response Count





Other: 1. Signs in courthouses 2. Court website


LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER OPERATED BY ANOTHER ORGANIZATION Q37. Is the Bar Association involved in providing assistance?


Response Count




EXTERNAL SELF-HELP CENTER Q38. In the external self-help center, which of these services are offered?


Response Count






Other:


1. Housing Justice volunteers will appear in court with unrepresented litigants

2. e-mail completed forms to the law library with the name of the patron/client. The law library prints out and charges patron/client for the prints.

3. The self-help center is phone-in only, with an extensive website. No physical location for litigants to visit.

4. Chat


EXTERNAL SELF-HELP CENTER Q39. How is self-help center staffed? Check all that apply.


Response Count



Other: 1. Two attorneys (director and staff attorney), and four non-attorney

facilitators who staff the phones.


EXTERNAL SELF-HELP CENTER Q40. If volunteers are used in staffing the self-help center, is the library staff responsible for recruitment?


Response Count

Yes 14.3% 2 No 85.7% 12



EXTERNAL SELF-HELP CENTER Q41. Who provides training for self-help center staff?


Response Count



Other:

1. The librarian is the director of the Center 2. I don't know that there is any training; all staff are volunteer attorneys. 3. AOC


EXTERNAL SELF-HELP CENTER Q42. How is the self-help center funded?


Response Count



Other: 1. Staffed by volunteer attorneys in court space 2. Probably grants too, but I'm not familiar with specifics 3. No specific budget for the program


EXTERNAL SELF-HELP CENTER Q43. If you know the center's budget, please enter it here.



skipped question 153 Budget: 1. $15,950


EXTERNAL SELF-HELP CENTER Q44. What are the self-help center's hours of operation?


Response Count



Other:

1. The Center is open 3 mornings and 2 afternoons each week; times and days are set--i.e., they do not vary from week to week.

2. Family Law clinic weekly; General Civil Practice clinic twice a month. 3. Attorneys see people by appointment 1 day a week at one location and 2

days a week at the other location 4. Varies depending on location. Generally can find assistance during

non-lunch day-time hours. 5. Mon-Thurs 8-6.


EXTERNAL SELF-HELP CENTER Q45. Are there restrictions on who can use the self-help center?


Response Count

Yes 50.0% 9 No 50.0% 9



EXTERNAL SELF-HELP CENTER Q46. Which of the following are considered in establishing eligibility for the services of the self-help center?


Response Count



Other:

1. Family law only, at least one side unrepresented 2. civil non-family


EXTERNAL SELF-HELP CENTER Q47. How long has the self-help center been in operation?


Response Count




EXTERNAL SELF-HELP CENTER Q48. What statistics or evaluation tools do you use to demonstrate that the self-help center is meeting its mission?



skipped question 149

1. We keep statistics on number of inquiries and number of packets sold. 2. The centers evaluation their own performance independently 3. Same as previous answer: In-take data compared with follow-up data

gathering. Surveys of judges and clerks of court 4. Spreadsheet


EXTERNAL SELF-HELP CENTER Q49. How is the self-help center publicized? Check all that apply.


Response Count





Other:

1. Flyers posted and distributed in law library and around courthouse. 2. Signs in courthouses 3. Law Library postings. 4. Court website 5. Law Library promotes to patrons


EXTERNAL SELF-HELP CENTER Q50. Is the Bar Association involved in providing assistance?


Response Count



Explanation:

1. The County Bar Association sponsors and staffs the clinics with volunteer attorneys.

2. They do "Law in the Library" sessions for the public 3. Volunteer attorney recruitment assistance through articles in newsletter 4. Limited to pro bono programs, working with legal aid and lawyer referral

programs 5. Helps promote the pro bono opportunity


PRO BONO SUPPORT Q51. Does your library provide support to attorneys who participate in pro bono programs?


Response Count

Yes 58.8% 70 No 41.2% 49 If yes, please describe the support you provide. 63


Description:

1. Training for lawyers is offered by outside organizations during Pro-BonoWeek and Law Week

2. We are trying to connect with clinics to offer training to their volunteer attorneys but it has been a difficult sell for some reason.

3. Occasional research assistance. 4. print and online materials 5. For those attorneys who participate in our Law School's Marquette

Volunteer Legal Clinic, we provide access to, for clinic purposes only, State Bar CLE books and certain electronic databases.

6. Assistance with legal research 7. They are users of our library and access information resources. Many are

our regular subscribers, anyway, and access all of our resources.


8. We provide meeting rooms at no charge for attorneys who are doing a pro bono case. We also provide the meeting rooms at no cost to attorneys who are doing limited scope representation for SRNs.

9. They use library materials in representing pro bono clients as they would with any other client.

10.Fees for printing and copying are waived for local legal aid attorneys when working on pro bono cases. Like other patrons, legal aid attorneys also receive research and reference support.

11.They can use our materials and resources 12.On an informal basis. The library is open to the public and some attorneys

have mentioned they are there working on a pro bono issue. 13.The same kind of support we give to pro bonos. 14. legal reference 15.Our Lawyer in the Library program is staffed by local attorneys and we

provide some training and administrative support 16.Free photocopying, document delivery and they are allowed to check out

materials (we don't usually circulate materials). 17.Library access and research assistance 18.We have an attorney member program. They pay for expanded access to

the library (over public access hours), onsite access to legal databases, and reference assistance

19.Same as support provided to attorneys working on non-pro bono work. Reference, document delivery, etc.

20.Not other than services provided to all attorneys. 21.There is no special program for this, but we are open to the public and

support the work of pro bono lawyers in that role. We are available to accommodate their needs.

22.The library is open to the public and will provide support to anyone including attorneys participating in pro bono programs.

23. I have just been appointed to serve on the Access to Justice Committee of the State Bar of GA. I plan to provide information and encouragement to GA attorneys through my involvement in this committee.

24.Research assistance and materials provision when needed. 25.We would if any of our attorneys participated in pro bono programs or

asked for help. 26.We would, but Pro bono is not big in Pennsylvania. 27.But nothing beyond what is in our collection. In other words, we are a state

university so are open to all attorneys doing research 28.We give full support to any attorney - a good collection, reference

assistance, and if they need it and we don't have it, I'll do whatever I can to find out who does.

29.created notebooks of basic information that is provided to attorneys who provide pro bono services in library

30.All attorneys are welcome to use our library to prepare their cases. 31.Access to library databases and print resources.


32.We are open to everyone including members of the bar 33.Books, 34.Our resources are available to all local attorneys, including those who

participate in pro bono programs. We also support our school's pro bono efforts.

35.Access to our library for research 36.Nothing specific but we provide assistance to all patrons, attorneys and

public alike. 37. In the sense that we are open to the public and all state attorneys can

check out materials if they have their bar card. We don't do anything special for pro bono attys.

38.General support as needed. 39.Access to the collection. 40. Same support as to all members of the public - traditional legal reference,

online resources, public computers with limited Internet access 41.As members of public, attorneys may use our library. No dedicated

support beyond that. 42.We're open to the public and loan most of our materials out to them as

well but there's nothing that we specifically do for pro bono attorneys. 43.Library and reference access 44.We're open to attorneys as well as members of the public. We would

provide more services to attorneys. 45.We help create a bibliography of materials and resources in our Library on

their topic for attorneys to refer their clients to. 46.same services to them as anyone 47.Westlaw, Lexis, print legal resources, legal forms 48.Same general service as we do to all patrons. 49.We offer free research help and free copies to them. 50.General Reference 51.The library is open to the public. We don't do anything special for pro bono

attorneys 52.Partner with local bar association pro bono committee and local legal aid

society 53.Training, free Lexis & Westlaw 54.Borrowing privileges; free copying and document delivery. 55.Some copying, research. 56.Offer support, but so far no one has taken us up on it. 57.Not beyond general reference services. 58.same as to all patrons 59.Pro bono and self-help wiki:

http://aacpll.pbworks.com/w/page/1175071/AACPLL%20Self%20Help%20and%20Pro%20Bono%20WIKI participate (chair) in the Local Pro Bono Committee

60.Reference and research, copy/fax, notary, meeting rooms, wifi, referrals, free legal research databases, CLE course materials


61.Various groups use the law library for workshops 62.Help with answering questions about administering pro bono services 63.We allow them to make copies and prints for free.


INVOLVEMENT WITH ACCESS TO JUSTICE, LEGAL AID, PUBLIC LIBRARIES, ETC. Q52. Is your library staff involved in any of the following activities? Check all that apply.


Response Count

Access to Justice Commission 25.0% 19 Access to Justice activities. Please explain below: 32.9% 25 Work with legal aid. Please explain below: 44.7% 34 Work with public libraries. Please explain below: 80.3% 61 Participated in the Pro Bono Net webinars on Welcoming Libraries to the Access to Justice Movement

19.7% 15

Plan to implement some of the concepts in Zorza’s The Sustainable 21st Century Law Library Report 23.7% 18

Others or explain above responses. 59 answered question 76

skipped question 78

Others or explanations:

1. Law Library staff are on task forces of the Access to Justice Commission and Advisory Committee on Access to Justice Initiatives Provide workshop on legal reference to public libraries Coordinating a pilot

2. "Small Claims Court" program presented by judge & attorney for the public to be held at local public libraries this fall. Aside from referrals, current interaction with legal aid mostly involves provision of continuing education materials and other legal resources to staff. We are looking forward to


partnering with more agencies in the future, and are excited to pursue an 'ask a lawyer' program in the library in the near future. We highly value the Zorza report and are brainstorming ways to further our service to SRLs.

3. We have a librarian who is involved with Access to Justice activities but I do not know what she does.

4. We are an integral part of our courts' Access to Resources for Self-Represented Parties Committee.

5. Librarian in chair of the Policy Board that oversees the work of the Center. 6. work with public library staff person to provide brochures to county library

system 7. provide seminars for librarians 8. Judy Meadows was involved in all of it prior to her retirement 9. my library facilitates the legal aid clinic by allowing a staff member to meet

with pro se litigants at the library one day a week. 10.We collaborate occasionally with legal aid and attempt to convince our

board that clinics are standard and good and don't detract from paid services

11.We have provided space and promotion for Legal Aid pro se/limited assistance clinics. We have participated in workshops for public librarians to raise awareness of law library services and provide tools to better assist those seeking legal information.

12.We offer public librarians training on the resources contained on our web site.

13.The Reference Attorney is on the Access to Justice Commission committee in Texas. We partnered with legal aid in a Spring Break program for law school students. We had 8 law school students for a week, who met with pro se clients and assisted them with their paperwork under the supervision of the Reference Attorney. The students also attended uncontested docket and pre-trial docket with the Reference Attorney.

14.Participate in local consortium to share resources and information. 15. I conduct training sessions for public librarians on legal reference and

resources, and I audit legal collections at local public libraries. Additionally, I provide research, reference and current awareness support for our local legal aid organization, and advertise local legal aid programs extensively in the law library.

16.They refer patrons to us. We have also given presentations at library conferences on basic legal research.

17.Made a presentation to public library reference staff about the services and materials available at the law library.

18.provided some training to public library in use of law materials. 19. taught classes on free legal information on the internet to local public

librarians, and at the state level (West Virginia) Library Association Annual Conference.


20.Provide workshops on legal reference; website on legal topics aimed at public librarians.

21.One of our reference librarians created the Circuit Riders Program, where she traveled to different public libraries across the state to educate public library staff on providing assistance to patrons seeking legal information.

22.Legal Aid and I refer folks both ways. I have taught classes to public librarians on how to handle legal reference. I will implement as many of Zorza's recommendations as I can given my declining budget and my limited staff.

23.We conduct workshops for librarians in public libraries 24. I am on the Access to Justice Commission in KY and Chair the Public

Resources Committee which has a strong focus on public libraries and A2J. We held 5 statewide trainings for public librarians and self represented litigants and presented at the EJC with Pro Bono Net on A2J and public library partnerships.

25.Legal aid: provide resources at no charge (copies, etc.). Public libraries: workshops and trainings, both general and targeted topics, upon request.

26.we are a court library. we are the self help center. We are the liaison to legal aid and the public libraries. If there is a low/no cost opportunity to work with another group/speak/train, I take it.

27.We provide referrals to legal aid, in person and on our website. We do our best to teach any user how to use our resources, and how to find others.

28.Make local public libraries aware of our resources 29.The library director serves on two committees of the local Access to

Justice Commission. All librarians have attended at least one ATJ annual meeting. We house three clinics that are sponsored by the local bar association, and two legal service providers. We offer training classes through the state libraries training webinar (new software that they use is not conducive to interacting on Internet), offer classes to public librarians at their libraries, offer classes to the public at local public libraries, currently studying the Zorza report to identify ways we can expand our help to the self represented litigant.

30.Library staff are working on developing A2J forms for our state as none are currently available

31.Our resources are available to all local attorneys, including those who participate in pro bono programs. We also support our school's pro bono efforts. We have offered legal research training to local public librarians.

32.We are an academic law library and our law school has a legal clinic. 33.We hold training sessions for public librarians in legal research for pro se

litigants. 34.We have offered legal research training to public librarians, through a

series of workshops [Circuit Riders] around the state, a page on our


website where program materials are published, and a series of video tutorials also available on our website.

35.We partner for marketing purposes to promote each other's programs. 36.Reference work and training via our state library association organization

and conferences. 37.We have a good relationship with our public library system and they know

they can call us with questions. We are also listed on their QuestionPoint and they refer legal information questions to us. I've offered to provide a Westlaw terminal at one of their branches that is a distance from me to better serve residents.

38.A librarian is a liaison to the pro se commission. We also have done presentations for non-law librarians.

39.We partner with Legal Aid on a legal clinic at the Courthouse (we are in the Courthouse), and Legal Aid pays for a private attorney to review the self-help packets we write.

40.Director involved in committee work 41.Access to Justice: Take referrals from the courts for self-represented

litigants needing to research their topics and learn how the legal process works. Work with legal aid: Legal aid refers their clients to us for additional research, and refers people who do not qualify for legal aid to us for assistance with their legal research. Work with public libraries: We participate in L-Net, Oregon's online public library reference network, where we are referred legal reference questions from public library patrons from around the state.

42.Maintain self help legal center; co-sponsor free divorce class; continue to invest in self help books and materials for use by unrepresented litigants

43.Our law library branch is located inside a public library and we have a good collaborative relationship set-up. Legal Assistance along with the District Court is our partner in setting up family and consumer law clinics. Two of our three locations are in public libraries to increase accessibility.

44.We have a small access to justice committee in the courts department that we are involved in.

45.We provide free memberships to these organizations. 46.Director is on sub committee IL Equal Access to Justice creating plain

language forms and instructions. Give basic legal reference instruction to public libraries. Actively network with public and other libraries for referrals. Director chair of Kane County Bar Association "Access to Legal Services" Committee = pro bono/low bono. Law Library annually hosts a Boy Scout Law Merit Badge Day and a Family Reading Night with the Judges

47.Offer presentations to the public library patrons re law library services. 48.Library is integrated with A2J activities. Library staff has frequent contacts

and trainings with state public library association. 49.Staff members occasionally go to public libraries and give presentations

on finding the law online.


50.Participation in Lawyers in Libraries; provide legal reference to public libraries and to patrons sent to us by public libraries

51.We encourage public libraries to refer patrons to us if they do not have the materials needed

52.Executive Director is a member of the Judiciary self-represented/pro se committee.

53.Continuous training for public libraries 54.We help out at legal aid fairs sponsored by the Access to Justice

committee. We work with public libraries to make legal websites more accessible. We plan to implement some of the concepts from the Report

55. I am a member of the TLA and am in contact with multiple local librarians. I often offer and teach them legal reference skills.

56. I am on the A2J SRL committee. I work with legal aid by creating guides for the Family Self Help Center that is located in the law library. Partner with the public library to provide the Ask A Lawyer program and sometimes provide legal research training.

57.Law library staff work with local trial court administrator and Presiding Judge, with public libraries locally and around the state, and provide meeting space, research, and video projector to legal aid and local legal nonprofits for their presentations and meetings.

58.We are very engaged with the local legal community on ATJ. Have rants to partner with legal aid, presented at one of the ProBonoNet webinars and work with legal aid and others to partner with public libraries

59. I have met with legal aid to discuss workshops and current issues. I provide information to public librarians regarding legal materials and provide them with business cards to contact the law library


Please provide your contact information.


Response Count

Name: 99.0% 96 Title: 97.9% 95 Library/Organization: 99.0% 96 Address: 93.8% 91 City/Town: 94.8% 92 State: 97.9% 95 ZIP: 93.8% 91 URL: 75.3% 73 Email Address: 92.8% 90 Phone Number: 90.7% 88


We appreciate your participation in this survey. May we contact you to follow up?


Response Count

Yes 77.7% 87 No 22.3% 25

