Libraries and Access to Justice
Public libraries are trusted community institutions and often serve as the first point of contact for people facing everyday civil legal problems. For many individuals, especially in rural and low-income communities, a library may be the most accessible entry point to the civil justice system.
LSC and our grantees work to strengthen libraries as community access points for civil legal information and referrals. Through research, partnership, technology tools, and grant-supported innovations, LSC supports libraries in helping patrons identify legal issues early and connect to appropriate legal assistance.
LSC partnered with OCLC, the nonprofit global library cooperative, to support development of WebJunction training resources that help librarians recognize common civil legal issues and guide patrons to appropriate help. They provide practical guidance on identifying potential civil legal issues, connecting patrons to reliable legal information and referral resources, and maintaining appropriate boundaries around legal advice. The featured trainings are:
Civil Justice Pathways
This training will strengthen public library staff’s knowledge and ability to help identify when there is a civil legal issue at play and how to direct library users to relevant, helpful information and services.
Eviction and Housing Resources
This training focuses on strengthening library staff’s ability to respond to eviction and housing questions with confidence.
Navigating Civil Legal Issues After Natural Disasters
This training provides the foundational knowledge and skills for recognizing general civil legal issues and directing library users to relevant, helpful information and services.
Connecting Libraries to Reliable Tools and Data
LSC funds the Legal Services National Technology Assistance Project (LSNTAP), which develops curated directories, technology guidance, and resource collections used by legal aid programs, courts, and community partners — including libraries. These tools help libraries provide accurate legal information and connect patrons to trusted self-help and referral resources.
Key resources include:
Highlight: Legal Aid Services of Northeastern Minnesota
In 2022, LSC awarded $299,866 to Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota (dba Justice North) to enhance the software that powers the Minnesota Legal Kiosk Project and create step-by-step legal plans to help kiosk users and other low-income Minnesotans across the state. LASNEM was part of a legal aid coalition that deployed a network of over 270 legal kiosks across Minnesota to create access points for low-income people during the pandemic. This project expanded the self-help resources available through the network of kiosks and enhanced access for all residents in need of legal assistance. Many of the kiosks are located in public libraries across Minnesota.
Related Projects: Libraries as Community Access Points
Rural Reach
LSC’s Rural Justice Task Force and related research highlight the role libraries play as trusted community institutions, particularly in rural areas where legal services may be limited. Strengthening connections between libraries and legal aid providers can help people identify legal problems earlier and find help more quickly.
Eviction Data and Research Initiatives
LSC’s eviction research has shown that many tenants facing eviction do not understand the legal process or know where to seek help. As part of this work, LSC partnered with OCLC to support development of training and resource materials for librarians on housing and eviction issues, helping libraries provide reliable information and connect patrons to legal assistance.
Supporting Library Collaboration Through Grants and Innovation
Through the Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) program, LSC has supported tools, partnerships, and outreach efforts that help community institutions — including libraries — improve access to legal information and referral pathways.
Nevada – Building a Statewide Legal Kiosk Network
In 2025, TIG funded Nevada Legal Services to enhance its statewide network of legal kiosks in 28 libraries across Nevada by adding an AI-powered search assistant. The kiosks currently provide free legal information and resources, but they have usability challenges for people unfamiliar with legal terms or categories. With input from an outside vendor, NLS will conduct user testing and implement the Kiosk AI Assistant to enable plain-language, multilingual search and navigation. This upgrade will make it easier for users – especially in rural and underserved communities – to quickly and efficiently find accurate, understandable legal information and resources.