Public libraries are perfectly positioned to extend law library services outside of its walls. With a little training, public librarians can feel more confident answering common legal questions, and know when to refer their library visitors to a law library’s more comprehensive collection and services instead. As community hubs, libraries have long been partners in social services, but access to justice partners are also recognizing the capacity of public libraries to help people where they’re at. In this program, you’ll explore the training needs of public librarians, gain adaptable educational materials for your own state, learn about access-to-justice partnerships with public libraries, and receive an update on AALL-LISP's 50-state toolkit initiative.

Audience members will enjoy an animated discussion of successful public library training and outreach programs. Interactive polling will be used to allow attendees to 1) identify needs in their own regions, and 2) share their own best practices or ideas. This program also focuses on providing editable templates to recreate training and outreach materials for your region. Handouts include: model training materials on legal reference, research, and collection building; model public service desk referrals/handouts/marketing materials; and AALL-LISP 50 state legal research toolkits.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Law librarians, including public, government, academic. Libraries with a public outreach or community outreach component.

TAKEAWAYS:

1. Participants will collect real-world examples of training that help public librarians bridge the justice gap.
2. Participants will identify successful marketing and outreach methods for reaching the public library audience. 
3. Participants will identify potential in their own communities or regions where increased training of public librarians can help address community legal needs.

SPEAKERS:

• Aaron Glenn, University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law
• John Murphy, Anoka County Law Library

COORDINATOR/SPEAKER:

• Carol Hassler, Wisconsin State Law Library

AALL BODY OF KNOWLEDGE DOMAINS: Professionalism + Leadership At Every Level, 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.