Many law libraries make it their goal to serve all patrons equally, but what about patrons who have no legal background? Further, how do law librarians serve a population that needs extra help and assistance with research, while having to deal with shrinking materials budgets and staff reductions? Librarians from academic and court libraries will discuss data from courts on the reasons pro se litigants are unsuccessful, as well as new and fresh approaches to better serve this patron base. Examples will demonstrate how difficult it is to complete various types of legal forms, and suggestions will be offered on how law libraries can collaborate with other related organizations to provide better outreach to those patrons who need it the most.

Takeaway 1: Participants will be able to identify the exact reasons pro se cases fail in the court system.

Takeaway 2: Participants will be better able to create and manage innovative and cost-effective library services and programs to help people without lawyers better navigate the legal system.

Takeaway 3: Participants will acquire tools and techniques that will enable them to better collaborate with different stakeholders and interested parties to achieve an objective.

Who should attend: Court librarians and academic public law librarians seeking to develop new services and programs to better serve people without lawyers; AALL members who want to foster their project management skills and facilitate their library's collaboration with other stakeholders and interested parties; AALL members who are interested in reaching out to underserved populations

Track(s): Reference, Research and Client Services