Purpose
This policy describes the type of information assistance and access to legal materials that may be provided by Library reference staff to public patrons of the Maryland Thurgood Marshall State Law Library.
Library staff are not permitted to give legal advice, interpret the law, practice law, or act as an attorney for any patrons. Staff must use reasonable judgment and caution when providing legal information assistance to the public. Any information or assistance provided by Library staff should not be construed as legal advice.
Definitions
Legal advice: Guidance or recommendations based on application of the law to a specific situation. Legal advice includes telling a person what they should do in a legal situation or predicting the outcome of a case. Only an attorney can provide legal advice or interpret the law.
Legal interpretation: Explanation of what the law means or how the law may apply in a particular situation.
Legal information: General knowledge or information about the law. Legal information may be found within the law itself – statutes, regulations, court rules, and court decisions – as well as in secondary legal resources which discuss, clarify, or summarize the law.
Legal Information Service
Library reference staff are available to help public patrons identify and use resources to find legal information. Staff can provide research suggestions and guidance to support patrons, but patrons are responsible for conducting their own research. Staff have discretion to limit assistance based upon staff availability, time constraints, copyright restrictions, and similar factors.
When responding to a patron request, staff evaluate the request to determine whether the patron is asking for legal information or legal advice. Staff may ask questions to confirm understanding or clarify the legal information need before recommending resources that may address the request.
Staff can assist by:
- Locating materials within the Library’s print collection using the Library catalog
- Demonstrating how to use Library materials, including print resources, databases, and materials in digital formats
- Helping patrons search for current or past law
- Providing research instruction on specialized topics, such as legislative history
- Identifying secondary resources which may cite to case law
- Helping patrons locate standard court forms or use Library resources to search for form templates
- Providing basic assistance with Library equipment, including public computers, photocopiers, and microform readers
Staff cannot:
- Explain or interpret a law or legal resource
- Perform case law research for public patrons
- Tell a patron which form is appropriate for their situation, or what to write on a form
- Review legal documents for accuracy or compliance with court rules
- Provide any other assistance which might reasonably be considered legal advice or the unauthorized practice of law
Communication with the Library Reference Desk
Staff assistance is available in person, and by phone, email, webform, or mail, during Library hours. Staff typically respond to requests in the order they are received. The timeframe for a response varies based on a number of factors. Staff respond to requests as quickly as possible while balancing the needs of all Library patrons.
Staff may not be able to provide on-the-spot answers. If additional time is needed to search for resources, staff may offer to take the patron’s contact information and follow up with a response.
Patrons with complex research questions or limited time may wish to contact the Library in advance of a visit. With advance notice, staff may identify materials and make them available upon the patron's arrival.
Patrons may be asked to submit requests via email. Email communication allows patrons to fully describe their information need and enables reference staff to respond with direct links to online resources or attach other materials.
Confidentiality
The Library strives to maintain confidentiality of personally identifiable information, as well as details regarding patron use of Library materials and services. Staff may reveal this information in some instances, such as a perceived or actual threat of violence, an emergency, or pursuant to a subpoena, warrant, or court order.
Referrals
Library staff cannot provide legal advice or interpretation. Patrons seeking legal advice should contact an attorney.
Library staff can provide referrals to court help centers and legal service organizations which may offer free or low-cost legal advice to eligible individuals. Staff can also provide contact information for local bar associations, many of which provide attorney referrals.
Staff cannot provide referrals to or recommend the services of specific attorneys. Staff may also refer patrons to government agencies, local law libraries, and other external resources as appropriate.
This policy was approved by the State Law Library Committee on April 3, 2026.