Legal Reference
Though legal issues can feel intimidating for library staff, public libraries are well positioned to help patrons with civil legal questions by providing more access points to legal information and services. A wide range of resources and examples are available to help support library staff in both connecting with local and regional experts, and developing their own skills in answering these essential reference questions.
In partnership with the Legal Services Corporation, WebJunction offers learning opportunities and resources for library staff to support the civil legal needs of patrons through the Improving Access to Civil Legal Justice through Public Libraries inititative. Key resources developed for supporting patron civil legal needs include:
- NEW course series: Navigating Civil Legal Issues of Natural Disasters
- Course series: Creating Pathways to Civil Legal Justice
- Resource collection: Eviction Resources for Libraries
Most Recently Added
Civil Legal Issues of Natural Disasters: Libraries Can Help
Publish Date: Webinar / 22 September 2022
Presenters will introduce the civil legal issues that arise during natural disasters and share how to support related patron information needs.
Libraries at the Disaster Preparedness Table
Publish Date: News / 3 August 2022
Libraries have an important role to play in disaster response planning, and their contributions are welcomed at community disaster preparedness exercises. Building on its Creating Pathways to Civil Legal Justice foundational course series, WebJunctio...
Resources for Advancing IDEAs (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility): A New Blog Series
Publish Date: News / 21 July 2022
A new blog series shares resources and learning opportunities for library staff Advancing IDEAs (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility). Twice monthly, series editor Jay Weitz compiles a collection of information, stories, and tools on time...
WebJunction Collaborator Wins Public Access to Government Information Award
Publish Date: News / 13 July 2022
WebJunction is thrilled to share the news that Deborah Hamilton, strategic services librarian at Pikes Peak Library District in Colorado Springs, Colorado is this year’s winner of the American Association of Law Libraries Public Access to Government ...
How to Run an Expungement Clinic at Your Library
Publish Date: News / 28 June 2022
Staff at the Worcester County Library (MD) were offering workforce development services for their community when they learned how many patrons encounter roadblocks due to their previous criminal history. Staff also knew that expungement–the process b...
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention for Veterans, Service Members, and Their Families
Publish Date: News / 21 June 2022
WebJunction is collaborating with the Veterans Health Administration and Legal Services Corporation to promote free and reliable services, information, and resources on suicide prevention.
Legal Expungement Assistance by State
Publish Date: News / 20 June 2022
This list of Legal Services by state is a starting point for partnering with a legal service that offers pro bono expungement work, or can refer patrons to someone who does, and is willing to meet virtually.
Closing Equity Gaps with Community Partnerships: Key Resources from WebJunction
Publish Date: News / 17 May 2022
At the Public Library Association’s 2022 conference, Dr. Audrey Barbakoff gave a talk on "Digital equity through community partnerships," in which she discussed how community partnerships can be building blocks for sustainable digital inclu...
New Justice Gap Study Confirms Problem Persists
Publish Date: News / 10 May 2022
The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) released a far-reaching new report on the crisis in civil legal aid, The Justice Gap: The Unmet Civil Legal Needs of Low-income Americans, in April 2022.
Libraries Learn from Eviction Focus
Publish Date: News / 8 February 2022
As a continuation of the Improving Access to Civil Legal Justice initiative, WebJunction focused on the eviction crisis, developing resources that strengthen library staff’s ability to respond to eviction questions with confidence and help close the ...
