The OSBA held an Access to Justice Summit in April 2015 to discuss 4 major topics:
- Access to Justice with or without a Lawyer
- Innovations in Pro Bono Legal Services
- The Crisis in Legal Aid Funding
- Effective Tools for Assisting Pro Se Parties: Forms and Beyond
The Final Report has been issued, and it contains many recommendations for reform. In particular, several comments describe the role which law libraries can play:
"Participants also raised that law libraries and public libraries could also play a significant role in providing access to legal services. Libraries could hold “legal hours” where legal aid/pro bono attorneys are available to assist with filling out forms or even just talking through problems so people know that the legal system might have help for them.,,,Open up law libraries for public access on specific days and times during the week....Self-help centers are good and SHOULD utilize LAW LIBRARIES...Law libraries are a great resource and the Ohio Association of Law Libraries is an eager and willing partner • They can expand their functions to help provide information; access; and support...Better information at law libraries."