Family Law Self Help Center Expansion in the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court

The Ribbon Cutting for the Anne Arundel County Family Law Self Help Center (FLSHC) was held on Friday, June 24, 2016.  The area dedicated to the Family Law Self Help Center which is located in the Anne Arundel County Public Law Library has just about doubled.  The result is increased privacy and access for those using the services of the center. The expansion was made  possible by a grant from the Access to Justice Department of the Maryland Judiciary. Family Law Division funds were used as well to supplement the grant.

Family Law Self Help Center moved to the law library 5 years ago on April 25, 2011.  Since that time the law library and FLSHC have worked together to serve the needs representing themselves in family law issues such as divorce, child custody, visitation and name changes.  The law library provides a self-help computer room and collection of materials written for the non-attorney. Librarians are able to guide Center users to appropriate resources when referred by FLSHC staff.

Law Library Intern, Chi Song, was responsible for the grant application and management; research and ordering of the workstations and computer equipment;  and the planning and reorganization of the law library, including the moving of thousands of books.

View the slideshow to see the before and after.  

The event was covered by the Capital. Please see the 6/27 online article, “Self-help family law center expands, thanks to grants” written by Lauren Loricchio for more information, pictures and a video. (It was also published  in the  print Capital  on June 28, 2016 but titled “Fulfilling a growing need.”)