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In this episode of ClackCo Works, Jennifer Dalglish, the law librarian at the Alden E. Miller Law Library of Clackamas County, shares how the library is a key resource for anyone in Clackamas County who needs legal information. She explains how the library welcomes everyone, offering expert help on topics like small claims and estate planning. Jennifer also discusses the value of getting accurate, trustworthy information instead of relying on the internet. Listen in to learn how the law library empowers the community and why its services are more important than ever.
Transcript
Dylan: Welcome to ClackCo Works, where we chat with the people who make Clackamas County work for their community. I'm Dylan Blaylock with Clackamas County public government. Today, we're here with Jennifer Dalglish, the law librarian at the Alden E. Miller Law Library of Clackamas County. Thanks for being here.
Jennifer: Thank you for having me.
Dylan: The county's law library was established in 1927. What is its purpose? What's the benefit to the public?
Jennifer: The purpose of the law library is to help provide equal access to justice. The benefit to the public is that anyone can receive access to legal information, resources, and assistance without discrimination.
Dylan: Walk us through what it's like for someone to visit the law library. What's the difference between a law library and a regular library?
Jennifer: The biggest difference is that the law library isn't a place to browse or hang out. When someone comes in, they're greeted by a staff member who has either a Juris Doctorate or a master's degree in library and information science. We ask about their legal issue or question and help them navigate the process, because legal research can be complicated.
Dylan: How big is the law library?
Jennifer: The law library just moved into the new courthouse, and we occupy approximately 2,000 square feet immediately to your right as you walk through the front doors.
Dylan: Who usually uses the law library, and who can use it?
Jennifer: Everyone can use the law library. Our patron usage is split almost in half between members of the legal community—judges, attorneys, paralegals—and everyone else, like students, authors, reporters, self-represented litigants, or anyone with a legal question or issue.
Dylan: What kind of services does the law library provide? What areas of law do people ask about?
Jennifer: The library can help with anything and everything when it comes to legal issues and questions. We've had questions on every topic of law you can imagine—from torts and personal injury to small claims, name changes, bankruptcy, estate planning, and simple wills. It runs the gamut.
Dylan: In the age of the internet, why is the law library still helpful? What's better about going to the law library than using, say, Google or AI?
Jennifer: The advent of the internet and especially AI has actually increased the need for the law library and law librarians. People can get basic answers online, but the law library provides assistance that goes above and beyond what people can access on the internet. We provide access to print and online materials that the public can use for free or low cost. It's also important to have a law librarian's help to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the information you find online, since there's so much out there.
Dylan: What can you not help people with? You don't give legal advice, right?
Jennifer: That's right. The only thing we can't do is give legal advice. We always provide resources for attorneys, and I like to say we teach people how to fish—we don't fish for them.
Dylan: Is the law library available to all Clackamas County residents, or is it open to anyone?
Jennifer: Absolutely. It's available to any member of the public.
Dylan: Do people have to physically come in, or do you offer electronic services as well?
Jennifer: Anyone, anytime, anywhere. That's my motto. We are available in person, and people can access our resources and services online as well. We have an "Ask a Law Librarian" icon, or they can email me at lawlibrary@clackamas.us. There's also a form on our website to make an appointment to meet with a law librarian.
Dylan: And do you do Zoom?
Jennifer: Yes, we can do Zoom or Teams virtual meetings, and we also provide a lot of telephone assistance.
Dylan: What's one of your favorite stories of someone you've helped—a success story?
Jennifer: I have so many after almost 30 years of working in a public library and helping so many people. I'll share a recent one. Last week, we had a patron who had lost custody of her child and spent months in the law library. She did a lot of research and represented herself. She came back to tell us she regained custody of her child. Those are the stories that stick with us. On the attorney side, I once helped an attorney who was writing a book, and he thanked us in the book for all the assistance we provided.
Dylan: The law library is in the new courthouse in Oregon City, right here on the Red Soils campus. What are your hours and how can people reach out?
Jennifer: We're open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. We don't close during lunch, and people can come in during those hours. They can also reach us by phone or online.
Dylan: Jennifer Dalglish is the law librarian at the Alden E. Miller Law Library of Clackamas County. Thanks for being here.
Jennifer: Thank you so much. I appreciate you shining a spotlight on the law library.