Norway library to provide chats with lawyers

NORWAY — A grant recently received by the Volunteer Lawyer Project has given libraries across Maine the ability to provide patrons with video conferencing technology to speak with volunteer lawyers on specific civil legal subjects. 

The program, Lawyers in Libraries, is now being offered at Norway Memorial Library (NML). The first video conferencing event is October 16 from 6-7 p.m. and will be presented by Portland lawyer Kim Pittman from the Maine State Library (MSL) in Augusta. 

During the conference, Pittman will discuss Family Law. Another conference on the topic of Probate is scheduled for November 20 from 6-7 p.m. –  the presenter is to be determined. 

"It's a way to get information out to people they may not be aware they have access to," says NML Director Beth Kane. 

"Lawyers volunteer their time to ... reach many people at once," she said. 

"This will be the first time," said Kane about the first event on October 16.

"We have never seen it in action before, so it will be interesting to see if people want to attend." 

According to the MSL website, the focus is to bring video clinics to rural areas that have few legal resources available. 

Kane said these programs are being offered at the library using equipment received through a Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP) grant in 2011. 

Norway is one of 11 locations in the state that received the grant, she said. 

The goal of the BTOP program, according to the MSL website, is to offer improved access to broadband service to consumers in underserved areas, as well as provide education, awareness, training, equipment and support to institutions serving vulnerable populations. 

Legal information clinics will be provided through the Maine video conferencing and Movi technology, according to NML's fall newsletter. The clinics will address specific civil legal subjects likely to be of interest and use to those with low incomes. 

However, the clinics are open to all patrons of public libraries and will allow patrons to ask questions directly to the attorney who will be available by video conference.

The project also allows clients with low incomes to set up private consultations with lawyers, who will be at VLP offices, through video conferencing at their local library.

More informational workshops on a variety of legal issues will be scheduled into the new year, says Kane. 

"Sometimes it takes a little while for people to realize they can do this at their own library, so we are trying to get the word out there and see how people respond," says Kane. 

Registration is required. To register call Norway Memorial Library at 743-5309 or stop by the library's information desk. 

Libraries interested in participating in the Lawyers in Libraries project should contact Juliet Holmes-Smith by phone at 400-3270 or by e-mail at jholmessmith@vlp.com.