The Innovation and Equity of Access to Legal Resources Project gives library staff the opportunity to pilot their most promising ideas and bring all Ontario courthouse library collections up to a common minimum standard.
Download the project report here!
This project was developed by LiRN’s Board and staff over several months in response to data we have collected since 2020 to address a discrepancy in access to legal resources and a need for innovation across the network.
The Innovation and Equity of Access in Ontario Courthouse Libraries Project includes two streams of activity.
This project was made possible through the Innovation and Equity of Access to Legal Resources project funded by The Law Foundation of Ontario.
Stream One: Innovation Sandbox
The Innovation Sandbox is an opportunity for libraries to experiment with ways to expand the traditional courthouse library service model. Network libraries will have the opportunity to execute their ideas on how to provide library users with the tools they require – now and in the future.
Courthouse libraries are invited to propose ideas that allow them to experiment with and pilot new technologies, equipment, and service models. Successful pilots may be scaled up to include to other libraries in the network.
See the below menu of tested options for expanding or modernizing services to choose from – or submit your own ideas for consideration! Ontario Law Associations may apply for an innovation sandbox grant for a courthouse library initiative at any time. Please refer to the Grant Application Information Form for more information.
Innovation Menu
Digital Signage
Expanded Accessibility Duo
Innovative Resources
Privacy Booths
Satellite Library – Expanded Access
Slow Zone
Network Projects
LibAnswers with LibChat Pilot Project
Springshare, a well-regarded company that provides online products and services for libraries, has a combination of products that may assist in addressing the inequity of access to reference assistance.
LibAnswers & LibChat is a multi-platform communication system. LibAnswers allows us to create custom FAQ groups for unique user groups, record reference questions, and build a repository of questions and answers for future use and identify subject areas for frequently asked questions (FAQs). LibChat gives end users the ability to contact a librarian for assistance during regular business hours 9-5 M-F.
LibGuides Pilot Project
LibGuides & CMS. This content management and curation platform, also from Springshare, will allow us to create curated guides to help patrons start library research and reuse guides from their library of over 900,000 existing guides. The guides have embedded links to resources and expert suggestions for further research. They can highlight and promote resources and services available at their local courthouse library.
Working with Marketing Experts
This pilot will help get the word out about library and network projects.
Library Use Protocol
Setting out basic expectations for behaviour in courthouse libraries.
Stream Two: Equity of Access to Standard Library Collections
This project stream addresses acquisition needs in both print and electronic resources to allow lawyers across Ontario to access the critical resources required to maintain professional competence and meet the public’s need for effective legal services from anywhere in the province.
Print Acquisitions
In year one, libraries were invited to submit an acquisition list for a one-time purchase of essential print resources, resulting in consistent access to the titles most essential to meeting the access to justice needs of their specific communities.
14 libraries received funding to invest in new titles for their libraries, enabling them to better meet the needs of their legal community.
The most sought-after titles related to:
> Civil procedure
> Criminal law
> Real estate
> Torts
> Wills, trusts, and estates
> Artificial intelligence
> Indigenous law
Library staff were quickly able to identify key titles missing from their collections using the Ontario Courthouse Libraries Association Core List of Titles list as a helpful resource. They also analyzed their users’ needs and invested in unique titles that benefit the legal community and its clients. The chart below shows that, of the books acquired under this project stream, close to a third were the result of this type of analysis.
rangefindr.ca
This pilot extends remote access to the essential criminal law tool to all lawyers in Ontario! Learn more.