1. Pro-Se and Librarians: Legal Self Help Options Beth Goble, Government Information Services Nebraska Library Commission Julie Beno, Bennet Martin Public Services Manager Lincoln City Libraries Laura Johnson, Continuing Education Coordinator Nebraska Library Commission Mary Jo Ryan, Communications Coordinator Nebraska Library Commission NCompass Live – September 29, 2010

2. What we will Cover Today Issues Do’s and Don’ts Nebraska Legal Referral Resources Nebraska Legal Web resources Legal questions you may get Help is on the way—BTOP Grant Handout www.nlc.state.ne.us/libdev/ce/prosencompass.html

3. Why Are We Doing This Session? Huge number of e-government services available People can’t afford to hire lawyers Increasing Pro-Se "for himself" "on one's own behalf" A person who represents himself in court alone without the help of a lawyer Increasing need for online legal resources

4. Impact on Libraries ALA 2009-10 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Survey http://www.ala.org/ala/research/initiatives/plftas/2009_2010/index.cfm 83% of Nebraska Public Libraries provide assistance in accessing e-government 68.8 % provide access to jobs databases 78% report they offer the only free access to computers and internet in their communities Expectation that libraries have access to resources and are able to help people use them

5. Pro-Se Assistance: Background Summit on Nebraska Public and Law Library Resources for Pro Se Litigants Fundamental right of access to the system and system should be accessible Nebraska Supreme Court committee on Pro Se Litigation County court cases 55% pro se District court 43%

6. Partnering with Court System What can we offer customers when they walk through our door? We do not give legal advice But we CAN have the attitude “Let’s see what I can offer you”

7. We Can Explain/answer questions about how the court works Provide names, phone numbers, for lawyer referral services Provide contact information for legal aid services Provide access to legal information resources

8. We Cannot Select legal forms for customers Fill in forms for people Explain or interpret the law Give legal advice Tell people whether to bring a case to court What words to use on court papers What to say in court What will happen in court

9. Nebraska Legal Assistance www.nlc.state.ne.us/libdev/ce/prosencompass.html Self-Help Centers Low Income Legal Services Law School Legal Clinics Libraries Lawyer Referral Mediation Centers Court clerks and magistrates

10. Web Resources for Self-Help Links on Handout www.nlc.state.ne.us/libdev/ce/prosencompass.html

11. Questions and Resources questions about what one can & cannot legally do e.g. "Can my divorced spouse do x with the kids without my permission?" "If I know my ex-spouse is doing drugs, can I have my kids removed?" "What do I need to do to get custody of my kids?" What are my visitation rights for my children, who live with my ex? "Can a police officer legally do x when he arrested my son?" "My neighbor & I had a verbal agreement about x and now he's not following his end of the bargain." "My neighbor & I bought a snow blower together, but now he's moving & he wants the snow blower.”

12. Questions … and resources www.nlc.state.ne.us/libdev/ce/prosencompass.html How to put a lien on a property Concealed weapons law in Nebraska Landlord/Tenant Forms…divorce, name change, small claims, etc. Living wills Setting up a trust City ordinances on barking dogs, junk cars, weeds…. Appealing my case

13. Help is on the Way Library Broadband Builds Nebraska Communities http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/lbbnc/index.html

14. Contact Us Beth Goble, Laura Johnson, Mary Jo Ryan Nebraska Library Commission 1200 N St. Suite 120 Lincoln, NE 68508-2023 beth.goble@nebraska.gov 402-471-4017 laura.johnson@nebraska.gov 402-471-2694 maryjo.ryan@nebraska.gov 402-471-3434

15. Contact Us Julie Beno Lincoln City Libraries Bennett Martin Public Library 136 S 14th St, Lincoln, NE 68508-1899 j.beno@lincolnlibraries.org 402-441-8535