Teaching Legal LiteracyOutside the Law Library
Brian R. Huffman, JD, MLIS
Washington County Law Library
27 April 2012 – ARLD Day
Recipe for an Effective Transliteracy Program
Ingredients:
• Information
• Presenter
• Technology
• Audience
• Public space
• Publicity
Product: Proactive, localized reference
Librarians Lending a Hand: Teaching the public how to find and use legal resources
Knowledgeable presenters: Lawyers
Eager audience: Pro se litigants/patrons of law library
Information: Legal forms, and fact sheets and online guides
Technology: LSTA-funded laptops using wireless
Location: Public libraries throughout the county
Publicity: Promotion through various publicity outlets
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomwatson/4702530398/
Purpose and Scope
Workshop Participants:
• Use laptops* to access free legal forms and online resources
• Learn the basics of various legal issues
• Become more informed of their legal options
• May chat one-on-one with a volunteer attorney
*Equipment purchased with LSTA funds
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecstaticist/3077048704/
Results
http://www.flickr.com/photos/liberato/2275622210/
As a result of attending the “Librarians Lending a Hand” workshop, participants:
• Cited increased knowledge of legal issues;
• Felt more prepared to resolve own legal conflict;
• Would use free services, forms and resources;
• Were able to ask volunteer attorney questions;
• Would attend additional WCLL workshops
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