Connecting Library Patrons to Legal Information Resources

Thursday, Sep 14, 2023 | 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
  • Registration Closed
Illinois Heartland Library System logo

About This Event

A special training from legal professionals to help librarians explore resources to assist their patrons

We all want to help our patrons find the information they need, but when they approach the reference desk with a legal problem, how can we help them without crossing the line into "legal advice," and what resources are available? Amy Clark of Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) and Jill Roberts of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts share resources and advice for providing legal information services.

1:30–2:30 p.m. IllinoisLegalAid.org Resources and Navigation

Speaker:

Amy Clark, Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO)

Description:

This session provides an overview of Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO), the free legal resources on ILAO's website, IllinoisLegalAid.org, and how to use those resources to help people without lawyers. Attending this session will also allow libraries to become a "Legal Self-Help Center," join the Navigator Listserv, have access to webinars, and more.

During this session, you will:

  • Discover Illinois Legal Aid Online and how it can help your patrons (and you!)
  • Learn how your library can become a “Legal Self-Help Center”
  • Connect with other resources such as the Navigator Listserv and webinars

 

2:30–3:30 p.m. Assisting Library Patrons with Court Issues

Speaker: 

Jill Roberts, Deputy Director of the Access to Justice Division at the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts

Description:

The law affects everything we do, but people don’t always know when they have a legal issue. Because many people seek answers at their local library, librarians are uniquely situated to promote access to justice by providing equal access to legal information, especially to those who cannot afford an attorney. In this discussion, Jill Roberts shares the difference between legal information and legal advice so that librarians know what type of assistance they are able to provide.

During this session, you will learn:

  • The difference between legal information and advice
  • What type of assistance libraries can provide

 

Registration Information

Session Capacity: 300 seats

Cost: Free for staff of member libraries of Illinois Heartland Library System.

Deadline: Registration requested by Sept. 13. Forgot to register? Join us anyway.

 

Accessing the Webinar

Join the Meeting: 

via computer or mobile device: https://Illinoisheartland.zoom.us/j/88355036116?pwd=bzNCS1FJTTRrWEd6eDI3Z25jOW43QT09

via one-tap mobile: 
+13126266799,,86199262538# US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 883 5503 6116
Passcode: 171643

via dial by phone:
312.626.6799
Meeting ID: 883 5503 6116
Passcode: 171643

Recording:

The recording of the event can be found on IHLS's YouTube channel. Connecting Library Patrons to Legal Information Resources - YouTube

 

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About Illinois Heartland Library System

As one of the three library systems in Illinois—and one of two multi-type library systems—Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS) is the library's support partner, serving libraries of all types and the staffers and trustees that work for them. IHLS provides the libraries of southern and part of central Illinois with interlibrary loan delivery service, access to digital collections and the SHARE automation consortium, continuing education, networking opportunities, discounts and group purchases, access to state grant opportunities, and more.

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Location(s)

Virtual Location

See event details.

Online
Presenter
Amy Clark
Community Engagement Director at Illinois Legal Aid Online

Amy Clark is the Community Engagement Director at Illinois Legal Aid Online  (ILAO), which increases access to justice for lower-income Illinois residents through the use of technology. Amy directs ILAO's engagement and partnerships with social service and community organizations, libraries, and court staff to promote access to ILAO's statewide legal information website, IllinoisLegalAid.org. She also oversees ILAO’s Community Navigator Programs, which serve communities affected by immigration policies and mass incarceration. Amy received her MA from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration and her JD from Emory University School of Law.

Presenter
Jill Roberts
Supervising Senior Program Manager, Access to Justice Division, Administrative Office of Illnois Courts

Jill Roberts is the Supervising Senior Program Manager in the Access to Justice Division at the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts. She facilitates and coordinates statewide efforts to promote meaningful access to the Illinois courts to meet the needs of litigants appearing in court without lawyers. Jill staffs the ATJ Commission’s Court Guidance & Training Committee which creates resources like judicial bench cards and is the point-person in the ATJ Division for education and training, particularly on the topic of the legal information vs. legal advice and self-represented litigants. Prior to joining the AOIC, Jill worked at various government and non-profit agencies including Michigan State University College of Law, Cabrini Green Legal Aid, Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago, and the DOJ’s Executive Office for Immigration Review Detroit Immigration Court. Jill received a Bachelor of Arts degree summa cum laude from Saint Mary's College in 2005 and a Juris Doctor degree from the Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2008.