CMCLLD Quarterly Meeting, 09/11/2017 at the MSLL

Kate Martin, Chair, welcomed everyone. Attendees included: Kate Martin, Catherine McGuire, Steve Anderson, James Durham, Sandy Brewer, Joanie Bellistri, Stephanie Levasseur and Lonnie Summers

Minutes from the CMCLLD’s April 28, 2017 meeting were approved.

Catherine McGuire led the discussion on working with the MSLL, and stated that WestlawNext county law librarians can no longer look up WestlawNext passwords. Mary Jo had suggested that librarian administrators could delete WestlawNext users as they leave employment or send an email to the MSLL. Kate confirmed that there is no ILL charge for county law libraries. Steve said that e-books are being used.

Joanie led the discussion on library monthly statistics, and stated that our statistics will be consolidated with the rest of the Maryland Judiciary.

Guest attendee: Ksenia Boisova, Court Interpreter Program Administrator, AOC provided handouts and a talk about the interpreting services that are available.

Joanie presented a report on the activities of the SRL sub-committee and the Maryland A2J Commission: (I was in the bathroom at this point.)

Catherine provided a report on the activities of the Training Program for Public Librarians (with Reena Shah) and stated that the next meeting will occur in October. The membership of the Program is growing, and the goal of the Program is to establish a general/standard curriculum for reference staff for Maryland public librarians. In addition, CEUs will be attainable by attending/participating in the training. Steve asked if webinars can also provide CEUs. Catherine answered by stating that a webinar program would need to be developed that ensures attendance. Catherine added that Louisiana has a 3 –prong approach to libraries: Law Libraries/Public Libraries/Self-Help Centers.

The Conference reviewed a list of possible action items to determine what should be the Conference’s priorities for 2018. The following action items were discussed: Represent CMCLLD at the Court Administrator quarterly meeting; Investigate the possibility of a state-wide catalog; Develop a consistent marketing/branding plan; Collaborate/partner with other like-minded groups; Work with Reena Shah and serve on other judicial subcommittees; Develop a model program for correctional facilities; Work with public librarians and community colleges; Reach out to legal aid, pro bono and other A2J legal services to provide training programs; Meet with solo practitioners and young lawyers to create training programs on cost effective legal research; Training for Clerk of the Court offices.

Kate stated that the next LLAM event will be a tour of the FDA Library on September 14, 2017. The spring 2018 program will be a topic of interest for public librarians. A suggested possible topic was immigration law.

Updates: Kate said that Montgomery County Law Library sent boxes of books to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility to update the collection. Sandy said that the Circuit Court for Howard County is beginning to get ready for MDEC in April 2018.

Next meeting will take place at the JECC on December 12, 2017.