When patrons ask you for a resource to help them resolve a legal problem, the Clicklaw website might be one of the first places you suggest they explore for help. After all, it contains resources for the most common legal issues people face all in one spot, written in plain language. We admit, however, that the site’s interface has become outdated and clumsy after 15 years as BC’s online public legal education and information library.
Which is why Courthouse Libraries BC is excited to announce that it is launching a new Clicklaw website on June 19, 2024!
Clicklaw will not only look different, but visitors will experience improved access to the resources they need. Some of the changes include:
- An improved search experience that guides users to selected resources and provides step-by-step overviews of the legal issues.
- Fewer legal topics and sub-topics than the current site, which should mean less digging for what people need.
- Content that is curated and structured by CLBC librarians to ensure the most credible and relevant materials are available to help people on their legal journey.
- A new design and fresh look and feel that aligns with the trusted CLBC brand.
- More guidance on the website, making it easier for the public to navigate.
Our renewed focus on helping people to resolve their legal matters meant that we had to make some hard decisions to streamline the content:
- The sections Learn & Teach and Reform & Research will no longer be available, nor will the links to translated materials. Much of this content is still available to the public on other websites.
- The HelpMap of legal services will be replaced by a list of available services to contact, sorted by topic/service type. Things like addresses and hours change frequently and we concluded service providers are the best source of that information.
We want to support public library workers to use the new, more modern Clicklaw with library visitors. LawMatters will be providing Clicklaw training in the fall, so keep an eye on this blog to save the date! In the meantime, you can find an updated, printable introduction to the new Clicklaw website with our Reference Tools so that you can continue to help the public find the right resources.
As always, if you have any questions please feel free to get in touch at lawmatters@courthouselibrary.ca. For in the moment reference support, you can contact our reference librarians at librarian@courthouselibrary.ca or 1-800-665-2570.
To provide feedback on the new Clicklaw after June 19, please email editor@clicklaw.bc.ca.