The Michigan State Bar Foundation is funding a statewide training program for the public library community entitled:  Michigan Legal Help:  How the Public Librarian Can Assist Those Representing Themselves in Court.

Attendees will learn about the self-represented community in Michigan and the challenges they face.  Librarians will get a better understanding of why this community turns to the public library for help and will have the opportunity to discuss strategies for assisting them.  The differences between legal information and legal advice will be covered and attendees will learn when they can assist the self-represented patron and when they cannot.  Lastly, attendees will be introduced to the new Michigan Legal Help website and will be able to see how this tool can assist in addressing many of the matters that the self-represented needs assistance with when they visit their local library.

Sessions will be on Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the following dates and locations:

September 6, 2013      Traverse Area District Library

September 20, 2013    Livonia Public Library

September 27, 2013    Bloomfield Township Public Library

October 4, 2013          Genesee District Library And Sault Ste. Marie Superior District Library

October 11, 2013        Otsego County Library (Gaylord)

Sessions will be limited to 30 registrations per session.  To register for any of these dates, please click on the link below:

http://www.solutionwhere.com/lom/cw/showcourse.asp?29

For additional information please contact Kimberly Koscielniak at the Library of Michigan (koscielniakk@michigan.gov or Laura Mancini at the Adams-Pratt Oakland County Law Library (mancinil@oakgov.com)

The Michigan Legal Help training program has been made possible through a grant from the Michigan State Bar Foundation and is administered by the Library of Michigan Foundation

mancinil@oakgov.com