Workshops

Committee Programs

Management Training Series

Library Leadership Ohio

Legal Reference

Tuesday, September 23, 2022
1:00:00 PM - 4:00:00 PM

Location:
Cuyahoga County Public Library--Administration Building
Electronic Classroom
Map

Cost:
$40 CAMLS Members
$50 Affiliate Members
$80 Non-members
Free for guests/speakers

Deadline: Tuesday, September 16, 2022
Limit: 18
Registered Now: 18
Contact Hours: 3

**Notes:
Fee includes materials

This workshop will provide a framework for conducting legal research. It is geared to the non-law specialist. Topics will include: Structure of the American legal system; an overview of primary and secondary sources of law on the state and federal levels; methods of approaching legal reference questions; and hands-on examples of typical legal reference questions. Participants will learn how to respond to queries without engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. This workshop focuses on the librarian's skill in conducting a thorough reference interview and selecting appropriate tools to assist the library user, integrating print and online resources.

Course Content

Overview of American legal system; history and structure of the law; outline of approach to legal reference queries.
Federal Materials: Primary sources (online and print)
State/Local Materials: Primary sources (online and print)
Secondary Sources (online and print)
Examples of typical questions
Hands-on problem solving

Audience: Public librarians; Academic librarians; Special Librarians; Library Assistants (Public Services); Paralegals & Legal Assistants

Presenter:
Christine Stouffer has been director of the Ulmer & Berne LLP law firm library since 1995. Headquartered in Cleveland, they also have offices and libraries in Columbus and Cincinnati. The firm has 150+ attorneys and 20+ paralegals. Christine is also a part-time faculty member at Lakeland Community College where she is an evening/weekend Reference Librarian and teach a variety of Bibliographic/Electronic Instructional sessions every semester. Finally, She is in the 6th year of a 7 year appointment to the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library Board of Trustees and is serving as President of the Board this year. Christine has an M.L.S., M.Ed., and J.D. degrees. She is an attorney licensed in Ohio and hold an Ohio teaching certificate.