Access to Justice Workshop (SENYLRC)

SENYLRC is again offering this 2-hour free program for all librarians and library staff who work with the public. The program will be presented by Alice M. Chapman-Minutello, Director of Statewide Access to Justice and Zoya Golban, Principal Law Librarian, 9th Judicial District, Westchester Supreme Court, who are collaborating with SENYLRC in this effort despite drastic cutbacks in the NYS Court System. Anyone providing reference help can benefit from attending this workshop.

ACCESS TO JUSTICE WORKSHOP

SENYLRC is sponsoring two sessions of the 2-hour Access to Justice Workshop to be held on September 27, 2011 at the Finkelstein Memorial Library in Spring Valley. Each session is complete. You only need to attend one session, either morning or afternoon.

ONLINE REGISTRATION: http://www.senylrc.org/reg/
There is no charge to attend this program.

DATE:             September 27, 2011
LOCATION:   Finkelstein Memorial Library Fielding Room, 3rd floor
                          24 Chestnut Street (at Route 59) Spring Valley, NY 10977-5594
TIME:              10:30 am - 12:30 pm Registration begins at 10:15 am
                          OR
                          1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Registration begins at 1:15 pm
DIRECTIONS: http://finkelsteinlibrary.org/AbouttheLibrary/Location_direction.aspx

TARGET AUDIENCE:
This program is targeted to librarians and library staff who work with the public.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
Librarians play an essential role in promoting and ensuring the public's access to justice as they are often the first contact the public turns to for legal information and an explanation of how the court system works.

This workshop will enhance librarians' knowledge about the court system and allow them to guide their patrons more effectively.

The workshop will open with an overview of the New York State Courts "Access to Justice Program", which ensures access to justice in civil and criminal matters for New Yorkers of all incomes, backgrounds and special needs, through resources such as self-help services, pro bono programs, community outreach, and technological tools. The balance of the workshop will focus on how to locate content and tools on the UCS Public Website and CourtHelp. In addition to hands-on website navigation, participants will have the opportunity to test, complete, and comment on our statewide Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Form Programs.


Zoya Golban, Law Librarian from the Ninth Judicial District (including Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties) will give a brief overview of the New York State law libraries including their services and access to the public.

SPEAKERS:
Alice M. Chapman-Minutello was appointed Special Assistant to the Honorable Fern Fisher, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for New York City Courts and Director of Statewide Access To Justice in 2009. Prior to this appointment, she was Director of Diversity for the New York State Unified Court System for more than 15 years, where she had the responsibility for the development and implementation of the court system's diversity program, policies and initiatives. Presently, Ms. Chapman-Minutello has responsibility for the development of Access To Justice Outreach and Community Relations Programs for all judicial districts outside of New York City.

Zoya Golban is a principal law librarian for the 9th Judicial District, NY State Unified Court System. Zoya has worked in various types of libraries abroad and in the States for over 20 years. She received her MLS from Indiana University (Indianapolis) in 2000 and has worked in private and public law libraries since then. Before assuming her current position at the Westchester Supreme Court Library last January, Zoya had managed a county law library in Indianapolis, Indiana. She also has a background in journalism and co-founded and edited several newspapers in her home country, Moldova. Zoya is a member of American Association of Law Librarians and Special Libraries Association, and volunteered for Indiana chapters of both organizations by developing programs and hosting international library/judiciary exchanges.

Each class size at is limited to 22 people. There will be hands-on computer time. Two people will share a laptop computer. BYOL! You are welcome to Bring Your Own Laptop.

QUESTIONS?
Please call Southeastern (845) 883-9065 if you have questions about the program.