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WASHINGTON – People turn to libraries for help with crises in their lives. Librarians at public and law libraries serve as an important first point of contact for individuals seeking legal information or those who might not recognize that their problem has a legal dimension. 

In the latest episode of the ���˶���’s (LSC) “Talk Justice” podcast, LSC Vice President for Grants Management, Lynn Jennings, hosts a conversation on how libraries can help close the justice gap by connecting low-income Americans with relevant legal information and resources. She is joined by Brooke Doyle, Project Coordinator at WebJunction; Emily Florio, Senior Research Services Manager at Hogan Lovells and President of the American Association of Law Libraries; Diane Rodriguez, Assistant Director at San Francisco Law Library and President Elect of the American Association of Law Libraries; and Laura Tuggle, Executive Director of Southeast Louisiana Legal Services.

They discuss the important role librarians play in directing patrons to court forms and legal resources, linking people to legal aid organizations, and supporting Lawyer in the Library programs and outreach efforts. They also highlight the challenges that librarians face, especially a lack of funding. 

COVID-19 and social distancing requirements have presented an additional hurdle for librarians trying to connect with people in need of their skills and services. “Everyone is having to pivot on the types of services that they offer and figuring out a new way to deliver services that they've been delivering for a long time,” Florio explains.  

But she says that the last nine months have also “seen a groundswell of collaboration.” Librarians are sharing with each other what works and what doesn’t and working creatively to bridge the digital divide. 

Doyle lays out the ways that WebJunction, which provides training to libraries, is helping empower public librarians to feel comfortable helping patrons with legal questions and to build partnerships with legal aid organizations, law libraries and social services organizations.  

"We try to remind librarians that you have these skills,” she explains. “You know how to listen empathetically, you know how to ask good questions, you know how to be neutral and defuse an emotional situation. And you have amazing research skills.” 

Talk Justice episodes are available on LSC’s website and on Spotify, Stitcher, Apple and other popular podcast apps. The podcast is sponsored by LSC’s Leaders Council.

Future episodes of Talk Justice will explore legal aid’s importance to American business and takeaways from LSC’s Innovations in Technology Conference.