Family Self Help Center has moved to the Law Library

Today was the first day that the Family Law Self Help Center operated as part of the law library.  The actual move took place on Friday.  The Center assisted 32 people today with the majority arriving before noon.  This made for an interesting, no time to think about it,  adjustment.  We will be working out the logistics as time goes on.

The library and the center have always cross referred. It could be difficult for the clients who would have to trek back and forth between the second and third floors.  Now all of the self help resources are in one spot making it easier for the center and library to collaborate.

The hours of the Family Law Self Help Center will remain the same:

Monday	9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday	9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday	9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Thursday	9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Friday	9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

MLA’s Maryland Legislative Day

On February 23, 2011, librarians from across the state came to Annapolis for the Maryland Library Association’s Maryland Library Day at the legislature.  Law Librarians were represented by LLAM members Jackie Curro, Pat Behles, Susan Herrick, Tonya Baroudi, and Janet Camillo.

The Anne Arundel County Public Law Library has been the gathering spot for librarians to prepare for their day in Annapolis for the last few years. The first task of the day was to prepare the packets for distribution to the legislators. The folders were already filled with statewide information including the LLAM brochure.  Each county brought local information specific to their county to add to the folders. Circuit court law libraries were able to add information to the county side of the folders, too.  Bags of candy, chocolate turtles, and Maryland library buttons are also distributed to be handed out with the information packets.

As packets are prepared, a continental breakfast, provided by LLAM, is available.  Hannah Powers of Alexander and Cleaver, a firm that provides lobbying assistance to MAPLA, began the breakfast briefing by reviewing the issues facing libraries in the 2011 session.  Funding for public libraries in the budget will remain at current levels rather than increase as provided by MD. CODE ANN. EDUC. §23-503.  Although this will in effect be a decrease in funding, libraries are willing to do their part in helping the state of Maryland to recover from current budget woes. With public library funding remaining flat over the last four years, public libraries will have in fact lost more than 11 million.   Mary Baykan, legislative officer of the MLA Legislative Panel, provided those who would be visiting their delegations with talking points.  Librarians would not be asking for reinstatement of funding amounts but would instead promote public and school libraries.  Included in the message was that “over three million Marylanders have library cards; a recent Maryland poll found that Marylanders use and value libraries as an essential service and that public libraries have proven to be a life line in helping Marylanders improve their job skills; search online for employment; get an email account; and fill out job applications online, and improve resume writing skills.”

The group then headed to the statehouse to hear Maryland Library Day proclaimed in the Senate.  The gallery was packed as it was also the day that the Senate debate on the gay marriage bill was to begin. Those who were able to get a seat did find it a bit more interesting to remain in the gallery after the proclamation than in past years.

Librarians then formed into county groups and began visiting their delegations.  Some librarians were able to break for lunch at the Reynolds Tavern across the street from the courthouse.  A fitting location as it once housed the Anne Arundel Public Library in Annapolis.  The AACPLL’s “reading room” became the break spot for librarian’s throughout the day until it was time for the reception held in the Senate Office Building where was a good turnout of legislators and librarians.  The reception is another means for librarians to promote libraries to legislators but also for librarians to talk with each another. The day on the whole is also a great opportunity for law librarians to make connections with and support our colleagues in other Maryland libraries.

Emergency Preparedness for Librarians

The  University of Maryland Health Sciences and Human Services Library offered a program last fall, Connections: Disaster Preparedness for Librarians and Emergency Management Personnel, that was attended by librarians from all types of  libraries, including Maryland court law libraries.  The program concentrated not only what libraries should do in the event of an emergency or disaster to protect the library and continue services but the services the library can provide to assist responders and survivors during such an event.

The information from the program is still available online and is worth reviewing now.

Agenda: http://www.hshsl.umaryland.edu/disaster/index.php/agenda/

Speakers with links to handouts and presentations:  http://www.hshsl.umaryland.edu/disaster/index.php/speakers/

Resources: http://www.hshsl.umaryland.edu/disaster/index.php/resources/

Speakers, Greta Marlatt and Jodi Stiles, of  the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security    were able to review the many resources available on the Homeland Security Digital Library (HSDL).  Librarians are encouraged to register for free access to the site @  http://www.chds.us/

Ask a Lawyer in the Library at the North County Area Library

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The Anne Arundel County Public Law Library and the Anne Arundel Bar Association have expanded the  “Ask a Lawyer in the Library” program by working with the Anne Arundel County Public Library.  The program will now be offered in north county and later in the day.  Hopefully, this will allow those unable to make use of the program in the law library because of location and hours.

The first “Ask a Lawyer” event at the North County Area Library last Wednesday was a great success.  Three volunteer attorneys were on hand to answer legal questions.  Cliff O’Connor, who has a law practice in Glen Burnie with his wife Cassie Holmes, was instrumental in getting this program going.  He was able to enlist the help of Bill Trevillian, Jr. and Gene Brennan  in providing legal services to north county residents.  Cliff indicated his interest in bringing the “Ask a Lawyer” program to the public library in Glen Burnie last year and coordinated a pilot program at the Anne Arundel County Public Library Brooklyn Park Branch last May.

The program began at 4:30 after a lottery to determine the time slots for the ten people who had already arrived to see one of the attorneys.  There were two more participants that arrived after the lottery bringing the total to twelve.  The attorneys were busy the whole time, sometimes taking a little more time than the allotted twenty minutes.  The wide range of issues addressed included credit, housing, replevin, unemployment, foreclosure and social security benefits.

The meeting room which is located just inside the door to the parking lot made access to the program easy.  The staff of the library was more than gracious and accommodating in helping to get the program established in the library.  The assistance and guidance of  Wanda Wagner, Jackie Langdon, Susie Herron, and Mary Ann Keicher were instrumental in our being able to reserve the room for 2011 and getting the work out about the program.  There was a great display inside the door and the program was also advertised on the library’s webpage.  Mary Ann had the room set up and ready to go for the program upon my arrival and provided me with support during the evening.

The “Ask A Lawyer” Program will resume in March and continue on the third Wednesday of the month through June.  There will be a summer break during July and August but the program will be back on schedule in September through the rest of  2011.

More information on the North County Area Program can be found here: http://aacpll.pbworks.com/f/flyer+Ask+a+Lawyer+public+NCA.pdf

AACPLL Blog 2010 in review

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads This blog is doing awesome!.

Crunchy numbers

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 2,000 times in 2010. That’s about 5 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 46 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 57 posts. There were 42 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 60mb. That’s about 4 pictures per month.

The busiest day of the year was October 1st with 50 views. The most popular post that day was New Maryland Cell Phone Law and More — effective October 1, 2010.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were circuitcourt.org, twitter.com, micheladrien.blogspot.com, ow.ly, and aacpll.pbworks.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for new maryland foreclosure law 2010, maryland mandatory cle, new foreclosure laws in maryland 2010, new maryland laws october 2010, and pro bono lawyers in anne arundel county.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

New Maryland Cell Phone Law and More — effective October 1, 2010 September 2010

2

Anne Arundel County Attorneys and the AACPLL Partner to Provide Pro Bono Legal Services at the 3rd Annual Anne Arundel County Homeless Resource Day March 2010
2 comments

3

New Maryland Foreclosure Laws and Rules June 2010

4

Social Media Use by Government and Courts March 2010

5

About the Anne Arundel County Public Law Library September 2009

Maryland People’s Law Library Announces Redesign

Yesterday the Maryland Judiciary issued a press release announcing that the redesigned Maryland People’s Law Library had been launched.  The AACPLL has relied on the People’s Law Library in assisting the self represented litigant for years.

The home page still has lists of topics from which to choose such as consumer, health, and family.   In the right sidebar there are now links to popular articles and updates.  I like the new left sidebar with quick links to “How do I” topics: evaluate my situation, file a case, prepare a case, and appeal a case.  How to appeal an administrative decision is a frequent question asked by the self represented litigant in the law library and the article, “Appealing an Administrative Decision,” provides the information needed to understand the process.  Another frequent question is how to file a mandamus action for a car title.  “Correcting a Public Record/Court Ordered Vehicle Titling” is a great resource.  The bibliographies listing materials we have in the law library and the links to Maryland rules and code sections bring the pertinent information in one place in these articles.

I appreciate that Maryland law libraries have this resource to rely on in our mission of providing legal information and congratulate the Maryland State Law Library on the redesign effort.

AALL Annual Meeting Roundup: Working With Public Libraries

Two programs at the meeting dealt with the role of public libraries in providing access to legal information: “Partnering with Pubic Libraries to Expand Services” and “Statutes, Cases and Codes, Oh My! Easing Public Librarians Down the Road to Legal Reference.”

Many states do not have an extensive system of court libraries and public libraries can fill the gap.  Where court law libraries are available, public libraries can supplement with additional hours and locations.

Marcia Koslov, of the Los Angeles Law Library, began the “Partnering” program by stating that law libraries are a  means of bridging the gap between the courts and public libraries.  Public libraries and court libraries can complement each other. Public libraries can make legal resources more available to the public with better hours and more locations and have an established user population.  Court law libraries have trained staff, access to extensive legal material and are located within or adjacent to the court building.

Court law libraries can expand service to the public by partnering with public libraries to provide collection support, online services and staff training for public libraries.  Public libraries, in turn,  can provide additional space and extended hours.  Understanding the legal system, legal materials and the difference between legal information and advice can be a challenge for public librarians.

Los Angeles has a model outreach program consisting of three parts:  an introduction to the courts, access to legal information which includes a “civics” lesson, and legal materials in the public library collection.

While there might be concerns that this model could lead to competition, it must be considered that the public library will not be able to provide the extensive law collection or staff expertise found in a court library.  This model of partnering will allow the public library to provide better service to patrons needing legal information.

Liz Reppe, of the Dakota Law Library in Minnesota, described the partnership between the public libraries and law libraries in Minnesota.  You can find law libraries embedded in public libraries there.  This model provides the advantage of having public library substitutes when the law librarian is out of the library.  Other ways in which libraries partner in Minnesota include attorney legal information sessions in public libraries, guides to legal resources on the Internet created by law librarians, self help terminals in public libraries and legal clinics.

Sara Galligan, of the Ramsey Law Library in Minnesota, presented information on grant opportunities that Minnesota has taken advantage of to fund partnerships between public and law libraries.  LSTA grants are a source of federal funds implemented by the State Librarian.  The Gates Foundation is another source mentioned.

The program, “Statutes, Cases…” provided examples of programs developed by law librarians for training public librarians in legal reference.

Brian Huffman, a law librarian in a Minnesota public library, spoke about the “Austin” Conference held earlier this year.  Teams representing states from across the country met in Austin, Texas to address the needs and methods of training public libraries in providing legal information to the public.  He shared a FAQ and template resulting from that conference that could be used by public librarians to develop materials for use in providing access to legal information.  He provided a link to the conference materials: http://www.webjunction.org/legal-information/-/articles/content/93601257.  His overview of Minnesota efforts in developing materials for public libraries included MALL‘s resources, a MLA 2009 Handout, “Access to Justice for All: The Public Library’s Role,” and the Ramsey County Law Library Guide.  Other resources mentioned included a training program for public librarians that deals with the unauthorized practice of law, “What Public Librarians Can Do,” and a handout on the topic for patrons.

In Georgia, the ALLA offers a Legal Research Institute that provides training to public librarians.

Terrye Conroy, of the University of South Carolina Coleman Karesh Law Library, described  South Carolina as a very rural state without a state law library and only a few public law libraries.  Public libraries are needed to fill the gap.  The need for the training of public librarians called upon to provide legal reference service to the public is being addressed by the  Circuit Riders Outreach Program. South Carolina law librarians travel the state to deliver the program and provide the presentation materials online for reference.

Maryland is one of the states that sent a team to the Austin Conference. The team was made up of  Sarah Frush, a Legal Aid attorney who heads the Glen Burnie District Court Self Help Center, Julie Strange who administers Maryland’s Ask Us Now service and Cathy Ashby, the director of the Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County.  They are now collaborating with the staff of the Maryland State Law Library to create a three part webinar on legal information for public librarians.

On a local level, I recently worked with Catherine McGuire of the Maryland State Law Library to present a program to Anne Arundel County public librarians on legal information.  Catherine provided an in depth overview of law and legal materials.  I was able to highlight resources and referrals  specific to Anne Arundel County.

As a result of meeting Wanda Wagner, the director of  the North Area County Library,  at this training we can now offer the “Ask a Lawyer” program in north county on a regular basis beginning  in January of 2011.  Without taking part in that training, the AACPLL would still be an unknown resource to many Anne Arundel County public librarians and it would not have been so easy to expand the program.  The public can only benefit from such partnerships.

AALL Annual Meeting Roundup: The Practical – Accounting and Reference Statistics

When the responsibility of library accounts transferred from the Clerk of the Court to the county’s finance department, I was exposed to a new way of talking about library finances.  I decided to attend the program, “Accounting: Prepare for  Your Future,” to get a better understanding of finance.  As a result I now have a better understanding of the vocabulary and some of the concepts.  Still, I am more than aware that I belong in the information world and not the world of accounting.

The program, “Lies, Damned Lies, and Reference Statistics: Maximizing Your Data Efficiency,” was more library practical.  Jennifer Behrens of Duke University provided a good overview of the hows and whys of collecting reference statistics.  Though she may have been speaking from an academic perspective, the information was useful for any type of law library.

A library might keep statistics because it is required or for use in decision making and planning.  Statistics can be collected in a variety of ways from simply making hash marks on a page, “the prison wall method,” for each transaction to recording every question and answer in a database.  Duke uses a form that records whether a transaction is in person, by phone, email or an appointment longer than ten minutes.  In addition, it is recorded whether the transaction involved faculty, students, other university, non-university or if is directional.  With the information collected in this way patterns can be seen over time as long as data is collected in a consistent manner.  The continuous recording of questions and answers can result in more qualitative data.  Collected reference data can become a database of reference questions.  This allows the library to track types of questions and make use of past transactions in aid in answering future reference questions.  A hybrid approach might combine the two methods.  All transactions could be logged with the more substantive questions recorded in a knowledge base.  Statistics can be collected daily or via sampling.  If using a sample to compile statistics it should be decided whether the sample period will be a week or a day and how often, weekly or monthly or some other regular time period.

Reference statistics can be used to evaluate the success of a reference transaction, to develop information packets for frequently ask questions or plan to staff the reference when use is higher.  No matter how a library collects reference statistics, it is important that the information is used.

The AACPLL has been recording all substantive reference transactions in an askSam database.  All questions are assigned a subject area and, for most, a category within the subject.  In addition, it is indicated if the question was initiated by a non-attorney, via phone or email.  We can use the database to help in answering repeat questions.  We can track the types of questions asked most often and by whom.  This information aids in making collection development decisions.

A record of the library’s questions can provide evidence of the value of a public court law library by illustrating the breadth or information provided by the library to meet the legal information needs of a variety of users.

National Pro Bono Week Celebration in the AACPLL

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On Tuesday, October 26, the law library celebrated National Pro Bono Week by hosting an appreciation lunch for the attorneys who volunteer for the “Ask a Lawyer” programs.  The AABA provided the food and we provided the appreciation certificates.  I hope that these volunteer attorneys  know how much their donation of time is appreciated.

Through the “Ask a Lawyer” programs, 36 attorneys have provided 181 hours to 378 clients.  Services have been offered at the Annual Anne Arundel County Homeless Resource Day,  in the Law Library and at the Brooklyn Park Branch and the Russett Branch at Maryland City of the Anne Arundel County Public Library.

John Gardner, AABA President, presented the attendees with certificates of thanks for their volunteer time with the Ask a Lawyer programs.  John also mentioned that Andy Vernick of Wharton, Levin, Ehrmantraut and Klein is Anne Arundel County’s Pro Bono Resource Center Pro Bono Star.  He will be recognized as the Anne Arundel County Honoree at the PBRC 20th Anniversary Benefit Gala on November 13.  Andy was chosen because of his work with the Asbury United Methodist Church located across the street from his office.  He offered his pro bono service to members of the church on a whim and has been busy providing his legal services on an average of 5 hours per week since.

It is hoped that beginning with these programs and the recognition of one of Anne Arundel County’s Pro Bono stars that interest in pro bono service will increase for Anne Arundel County attorneys.

Cliff  O’Connor has already shown interest in expanding the program by agreeing to coordinate the  “Ask a Lawyer in the Public Library“  program.  Through his commitment the program will be offered on a regular basis in 2011 at the North County Area library of the Anne Arundel County Public Library.  The first is scheduled for January 19, 2011.  Then, beginning on March 16, the service will be offered on every 3rd Wednesday through June.  There may be a summer break but the program will definitely resume in September and continue through December.

Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Service

I am proud to say that I just attended my first in person Court of Appeals Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Service meeting last Wednesday on June 16 as the newly appointed public member.

This was a joint meeting with the local and regional pro bono committee chairs of  Maryland.  All of the chairs described the pro bono activity sponsored by their committees.  Dan Andrews, the AABA Pro Bono Committee Co-chair, was there to report on Anne Arundel County’s pro bono projects.  He concentrated on the “Ask a Lawyer in the Library” program that has gotten underway this year.   This meeting was a great source of inspiration for new ideas for the pro bono committee in Anne Arundel.

Another source of  ideas for local committees can be found in the new Best Practices Manual for Local Pro Bono Committees written by Claire A. Smearman  and edited by Sharon E. Goldsmith of the PBRC  who staff the Standing Committee.   Each meeting attendee received a copy of the new manual.

The standing committee is established by Maryland Rule 16-901.  Maryland Rule 16-902 calls for the creation of local pro bono committees.   The rule outlines the composition of the local committee and requires the creation of a local plan.  I am not aware of the existence of any local committee in Anne Arundel County other than the bar committee chaired by Dan Andrews and Elizabeth Leight.  I hope to obtain more information about the local committee and the local plan through my participation on the statewide committee.