Legal Reference 2.0: Navigating Maryland Resources Online
What is the difference between legal research and legal advice? How can we help patrons find the right forms without crossing the line? If you’ve ever felt uncertain when a patron asks for legal help—or if you want to learn more about legal research—this session is for you.
Join us for Legal Reference 2.0, a practical guide to handling legal inquiries with confidence and precision. We’ll break down the basics of legal reference, including the "golden rule" of providing information rather than advice to avoid the unauthorized practice of law.
In this session, you will:
-
Navigate Legal Forms: Learn how to find free, Maryland-specific forms for everything from real estate to family law.
-
Connect with Referrals: Get a curated list of reliable Maryland legal aid and referral services for patrons.
-
Explore current and new trends on the horizon, such as using generative AI for legal research, and how to prepare patrons effectively.
CE Contact Hours for Maryland Public Libraries = 1 hour
- Date:
- Tuesday, April 28, 2026
- Time:
- 2:00pm - 3:00pm
- Time Zone:
- Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
- Sponsor:
- Eastern Shore Regional Library (ESRL)
- Online:
- This is an online event. Event URL will be sent via registration email.
- Audience:
- Library Staff
- Categories:
- Core Library Skills General Interest
Please register by 2PM on April 27, 2026. This session will be recorded and posted to the Maryland Libraries Training Academy on Niche Academy. Please register with your Maryland library's issued staff email address. Generic Gmail addresses will not be given access.