Public Libraries
The American Library Association’s Fact Sheet 6 contains information from recent studies that document public library use and opinions held by individuals about public libraries. As noted in the American Library Association’s State of America’s Libraries Report 2015, libraries are increasingly being recognized as community anchors – places for people to gather and exchange ideas.
Through its recent initiative, Libraries Transform Communities, the American Library Association has actively encouraged libraries to focus on the communities they serve, rather than an internal focus on the library itself. As indispensable partners within their communities, libraries are a natural place in building awareness, partnerships and services in support of access to justice.
The SRLN has identified a number of readily available tools and resources for access to justice partners to use in developing a plan to create partnerships and provide opportunities for public libraries to contribute to a larger mission of providing access to justice.

Open to the Public – 2024 How Law Libraries are Serving Self-Represented Litigants Across the Country

Online Course: Creating Pathways to Civil Legal Justice (WebJunction 2021)

Survey: SRLN Library Working Group National Self-Help in Libraries Survey (SRLN 2019)

Conference: SRLN Conference on Public Libraries and Access to Justice (Austin 2010)

Webinar: Public Library Webinar Series (Pro Bono Net 2012)
Report: Opportunity for All - How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries (University of Washington Information School 2011)

Conference: Public Libraries and Access to Justice Conference (SRLN 2010)

Report: Public Libraries and Access to Justice (Richard Zorza, Future Trends in State Courts 2010)

Report: Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries (Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS 2011)
