Civic education has faltered in the United States. Recent research has found an alarming lack of basic civics knowledge among students and adults. Libraries as avenues to information and community hubs are uniquely situated to fill this gap in education and to increase civic awareness. During this one-hour program, librarians with a combined 50 years of experience in government, academic, and firm libraries, will discuss their firsthand involvement with the development and marketing of civic education programs. The current State Law Librarian for Virginia will share insights on the court’s Judicial Learning Center (JLC), an interactive learning center that brings the law alive for visitors. In 2024, there were 59 JLC tours provided to almost 1,500 students and adults. A USC Lecturer in Law and director of one of the country’s largest public law library systems will enthrall participants with a discussion on how to awaken the library stacks through a “show and tell” resource demonstration and haunted quest. A state court librarian, who has coordinated 19 civics programs for almost 700 students in 2024, will discuss: how to design civics-related exhibits; create field trips for schools, camp, and youth groups; and strategies for outreach and marketing of these programs to teachers, school librarians, and principals. A federal court librarian will discuss the Justice Institute, a one-week summer camp for high school students that commenced in 2016. The Justice Institute is a collaboration between the federal courts, law schools, and bar associations, that educates students about the federal government, the U.S. legal system, and law-related careers.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Librarians in all levels of experience, in all types of libraries, will benefit from this program as all types of librarians can be tasked with creating educational programs for groups outside of their organization.

This program is sponsored by the Government Law Libraries SIS (GLL-SIS) and Legal Information Services to the Public SIS (LISP-SIS).

TAKEAWAYS:

1. Participants will gain proven techniques for proposing and planning a civic education event in their library or institution.
2. Participants will learn how to strategically select a compelling civic education topic and choose the right audience and format to effectively communicate their ideas.
3. Participants will acquire strategies for successfully interacting with outside organizations including law schools, bar associations, and law firms to organize, market, and fundraise for their program or event.

SPEAKERS:

• Ryan Metheny, LA Law Library
• Sara Pixon, Law Library of Louisiana
• Alexis Fetzer Sharp, Virginia State Law Library

COORDINATOR:

• Christine E. Morton, United States Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit Library

AALL BODY OF KNOWLEDGE DOMAINS: Teaching + Training, Marketing + Outreach

CANCELLATION AND OTHER POLICIES:

No refunds will be given for any purchased AALL conference recording. This applies to non-AALL members only as the recordings are free for AALL members.

The opinions shared during this program represent the views of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). Recording, capturing, or using AI tools to duplicate, transcribe, or otherwise reproduce an AALL program in any form is strictly prohibited without prior written consent from AALL. This includes, but is not limited to audio, video, or any other content shared. By accessing an AALL recording, you agree to adhere to this policy.