Dear Library Partners,
We are aware that the Covid-19 public health directives are changing how all libraries are delivering service, as well as other institutions like the Courts of BC. As much as possible, we want to help ensure that the public can still find useful and important information online. While Courthouse Libraries BC has closed all 29 of our branches, our staff are available online and by phone during business hours Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM email: librarian@courthouselibrary.ca or call toll-free 1-800-665-2570 or 604.660.2841.
To learn more please see the message from Caroline Nevin, our Courthouse Libraries BC CEO:
https://www.courthouselibrary.ca/how-we-can-help/new-notable-legal-news/message-ceo
In the meantime, if you are among the libraries closing spaces to the public but still offering digital and remote information services, please let your team know of our services and online resources that are freely available to the public, listed below. Also, please share widely with your colleagues for quick reference! We’ll be posting this information on our blog and via the BCLA listserv as well.
Advocacy and Community Services
First, we'd like to acknowledge the legal issues that can come up during social-distancing and quarantine for vulnerable populations. There are many advocacy services in BC that are doing their best to maintain public health safety but also offer help to those in need. Find out more from the following sources:
- Clicklaw Blog: Covid-19 Updates: Services and Online Resources– a listing of hotlines and service updates on public health and community agencies https://blog.clicklaw.bc.ca/2020/03/18/covid-19-updates-services-and-online-resources/
- Povnet has provided useful updated resources on their website:
- A list of resources for special circumstances related to COVID-19: https://www.povnet.org/covid19-special-resources
- Information about changes in advocacy services: https://www.povnet.org/covid19-service-changes
- For services supporting women, some of whom may be forced to be in quarantine with an abuser, see the organizations on the LawMatters International Women’s Day blog post
- You can also direct patrons to the crisis lines of these organizations:
- Battered Women’s Support Services Crisis and Intake Line: 604.687.1867 or toll-free at 1.855.687.1868.
- Women Against Violence Against Women 24-Hour Crisis and Information Line: 604-255-6344 or toll-free at 1-877-392-7583.
- You can also direct patrons to the crisis lines of these organizations:
We will also be re-tweeting updates from community advocates and organizations regarding their services. Follow us @BCLawMatters.
Legal Information Sources and Reference Support
Courthouse Libraries BC website: https://www.courthouselibrary.ca/
- Clicklaw https://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/ is a database featuring public legal information on a breadth of legal issues.
- Clicklaw Wikibooks https://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/ are plain language practical resources on key topics, including:
- JP Boyd on Family law: https://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/JP_Boyd_on_Family_Law
- Tenant’s Survival Guide: https://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php?title=Tenant_Survival_Guide
- People’s Law School’s resources on Wills, Estates & Personal Planning
- A Death in Your Family: https://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php?title=A_Death_in_Your_Family
- Being An Executor: https://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php?title=Being_an_Executor
- Preparing Your Will: https://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php?title=Preparing_Your_Will
- Power of Attorney: https://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php?title=Power_of_Attorney
If you are getting questions about court closures, you can find information on the courts’ websites.
- For Supreme Court and Court of Appeal matters: https://www.bccourts.ca
- For Provincial Court matters: https://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/
Professional Development for Public Librarians
If this is a time when you or your team are working remotely and can do some professional development, you can find recordings of previous webinars (including parts 1 & 2 of our JP Boyd on Family Law series) on our Vimeo channel here: https://vimeo.com/showcase/5604644/.
Please reach out to us with any questions during this time.
LawMatters@courthouselibrary.ca
Sending all our best to everyone!