Law Library-- Lights. Camera. Action!
By Rick Stroup, Assistant Director
The Shutdown’s Silver Lining
Like nearly everyone, we at King County Law Library found ourselves particularly challenged by the COVID shutdown. A huge percentage of the legal research materials we had were literally meant to be used hands-on. Even most of the electronic subscriptions we maintained were still set up to be used from one of the library’s in-house computers. The shutdown happened and necessity certainly became the mother of invention. We reviewed all aspects of our services and essentially launched a “New Look” KCLL designed to deliver those same services virtually. One of the new delivery methods we chose was videos. Public libraries in general have offered video content for some time, but they were new to us. In February 2020, just before the world ground to a halt, our website had no video content at all. Three and a half years later, it houses over 40. They’ve become an important part of our service package, due in part to the COVID shutdown.
Legal Research is Complicated
Like the law itself, legal research is complicated. KCLL purchases research materials in the traditional formats you would expect — good ole fashioned textbooks and online subscriptions. We also provide or guide people to legal information presented in a wide variety of additional ways: simple pamphlets, simple guides, complex guides, and a dizzying array of government and legal aid websites. One fact remains true in almost all instances: these materials still aren’t easy to use. Even the immensely helpful guides authored by the many non-profit legal aid organizations in Washington can be daunting. Just the sheer variety of information options can also make people’s eyes cross. For example, someone learning how to file for divorce will need to synthesize information from custom court form packets, paper and online procedure guides prepared by their local court, broad and procedure-specific online guides prepared by legal aid groups and potentially To Do list instructions from a legal clinic.
How Videos Can Help
(and a tiny Mea Culpa)
Videos are popular because people find them approachable, visually attractive, less intimidating, and more in tune with how we, as a culture these days, choose to receive information. They can be viewed from anywhere Internet access is available. They often combine auditory, visual, and textual information so they appeal to a variety of learning styles. They can be easily reviewed as often as the viewer wants. Wait, you may say — isn’t KCLL only adding to the already dizzying array of information options discussed above? The answer, on the surface at least, is yes. Mea culpa. But with 40 plus recording sessions under our collective belts, we can confidently say our videos have also made it easier for people to then use our more complex materials and work more successfully with our courts.
What’s Special About
KCLL Videos?
The aim and structure of our videos has evolved a bit since the first few we did just after the COVID shutdown started. Today, the ultimate goal is to make a video that is informal, friendly, short timewise, and focused on a small and clearly defined set of instructions or practical tips. This helps our viewers because watching one isn’t a big time-commitment and the amount of information they need to take in isn’t overwhelming. It also exposes them to court vocabulary and processes in a gentler way. On the reverse side, this structure helps the volunteers who participate in our recordings — we call them our Guest Experts — because preparing for a recording session isn’t a big time-commitment for them either and the informal, friendly format is more approachable as a participant. Last but certainly not least, our Guest Experts also report that the whole process is a lot of fun, too.
How Can You Join the Fun?
You can reach out to us if you want to share your knowledge of a particular practice area or court process. You can also reach out to us if you would like to participate in a video but want us to provide you with a topic. In either case, here’s what will happen. First, we’ll meet with you virtually or via email to go over the talking points you want to discuss. If need be, we’ll help you narrow the information down so it will fit within the usual time frame. Some topics may need to be spread across more than one video. Next, we’ll bring you into a Zoom session to practice and, if need be, further refine the talking points. Finally, we’ll bring you into a second Zoom session to do the final recording. We’ll also ask you to suggest links for appropriate related website content that will accompany the video. All planning, practice and final recording sessions are scheduled around your schedule. Want to participate but not comfortable in front of a camera? We can use just your voice instead as a voice-over Guest Expert on top of video content we’ll create. Want to rope a colleague into helping you out? We can also set up the video as a chat or dialogue session between you and a partner. Once the “video wizard” on our staff has worked his magic, we’ll share the finished product with you for your final approval and then release it on our website.
To watch one or more the videos we’ve already created, visit our website at www.kcll.org/videos. To volunteer to record a video with us or ask more questions about our video series, email us at services@kcll.org. Here’s hoping you’ll join us for a fun lights, camera, action session!
