Imagine this scenario: A patron shows a reference librarian a letter from an attorney representing the county and asks, “What law authorizes the county to take a person’s land?” The patron says she has read statutes that might apply, but the attorney does not cite any law and she cannot afford to hire a lawyer. The librarian suggests that the patron check out websites for legal aid organizations and LawHelp.org. This scenario is an example of both a reference transaction and an access-to-justice issue. Many people do not have easy access to an attorney and will come to the library seeking legal information. Librarians are not authorized to give legal advice, but they can direct patrons to useful organizations and resources.

Citation
Latia Ward, Accessing Justice, 53 American Libraries Magazine 56 (2022).