For interested library systems, local training can be provided (in person or via Zoom) from the Thurgood Marshall State Law Library and other members of the Conference of Maryland Court Law Library Directors.
Upcoming Sessions | Completed Sessions | Submit a Question/Comment
Upcoming Sessions
As a specialized area of knowledge and resources, law and legal reference can be a challenging area for providers of general reference. Law on the Frontlines: Legal Reference for Public Libraries enables and empowers public library staff across Maryland to provide quality legal reference in their local communities, ensuring that the law is accessible to every Marylander who needs it.
Brought to Maryland's public libraries through a partnership of the Thurgood Marshall State Library, the Maryland Access to Justice Commission, and the Conference of Maryland Court Law Library Directors.
For each completed training, a Certificate of Completion indicating Contact hours will be provided.
Frontlines sessions address:
- The role of public libraries in advancing Access to Justice
- Best Practices for legal reference interviews
- Legal resources in a variety of subjects
- Basics on the structure of law
- Recognizing the difference between information and advice
- Where to refer forward
The Frontlines curriculum includes introductory sessions on Legal Reference Best Practices and Foundations of Law for Public Library Reference. Frontlines also offers topic-based sessions, Navigating the Law, on the most heavily requested areas of law. Navigating sessions include a deeper dive into resources and referrals for each specific topic.
NEW - In response to feedback from Frontlines participants, 2024 sessions will expand to 90 minutes. Each session will incorporate demonstrations of the resources provides and offer the opportunity for participants to practice using those resources in the live environment. Attendees to all sessions are invited to bring to the session real-world reference questions for consideration during workshop time.
For more on Legal Reference Training see the Law on the Frontlines: Legal Reference for Public Libraries webpage at the Thurgood Marshall State Law Library.
Completed Sessions
Law on the Frontlines: Legal Reference Best Practices
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Recording (Passcode: wC!2=+*x)
Slides
Law on the Frontlines: Foundations of Law for Public Library Reference
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Recording (Passcode:?78qqISU)
Slides
Frontlines: Navigating the Law - Consumer Law
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Recording (Passcode: H3te6B$R)
Slides
Consumer Law Tip Sheet
Frontlines: Navigating the Law - Family Law
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Recording (Passcode: NceT$u8v)
Slides
Frontlines: Navigating the Law - Finding Maryland Legal Forms
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Recording (Passcode: wGWUq!7P
Slides
Frontlines: Navigating the Law - Landlord and Tenant
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Recording (Passcode: m=Mp2Mz3)
Handout (links from the presentation)
Slides
Frontlines: Navigating the Law - Life & Health Planning
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Recording (Passcode: VuqzH4K. - passcode includes the "dot" or period at the end.)
Handout (links from the presentation
Slides
Slides (from April 17, 2024 Session)
Frontlines: Navigating the Law - Public Benefits
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Recording (Passcode:iU5a0m9?)
Slides
Tip Sheet