More than ever, libraries need resources for free, including copyrighted images and other online content. In this webinar, we will be exploring resources to help you find information on copyright issues involving remote learning and other services, as well as online repositories of content you can use with patrons and students.

We will also be taking a deep dive into Creative Commons, which allows content creators to create licenses to share their creations with the world while holding on to their copyright. They also provide searching tools for students, teachers and the public to find content to use for free.

In this session, Kyla Hunt, [former] Youth Services Consultant with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, and Liz Philippi, TSLAC’s School Program Coordinator, will explore ways to locate Creative Commons licensed materials and to promote their use in your library. Please note that the presenters are not lawyers and cannot provide legal advice.

Original air date: September 22, 2020
Last reviewed: September 2, 2022

1 CE hour (CPE eligible for Texas educators)

Public librarians are often a trusted source of information on subjects that have a huge impact on patrons’ lives. This can include aspects of everyday life that intersect with the law, like landlord disputes, child custody issues, gun ownership, end-of-life planning, and more. If you are a public librarian with little experience researching what the law says, you may feel nervous about how to answer patrons’ questions about the law without veering into legal advice. This presentation from the State Law Library about the many free resources they offer will help build your confidence in providing legal information to patrons and help you know when to refer them to another entity that can provide the help they need.

Presented by Texas State Law Library Assistant Director Amy Small and Web Content and Reference Librarian Laura Gienger 


Original air date: January 13, 2022

1 CE hour



Learn about one of Texas Legal Services Center’s newest legal aid programs. The Virtual Self-Help Center (VSHC) has two primary goals: (1) to empower and assist low-income, self-represented clients in family law cases and (2) to expand legal aid to more effectively reach rural communities. Most physical legal aid offices are located in urban areas, leaving a gap in service coverage. VSHC partners with community hosts in rural counties to set up “virtual” legal clinics that allow clients to video chat with attorneys. The majority of VSHC’s partners are libraries. This presentation will cover the need for legal aid across the state, the basic set up of a virtual clinic, and examples of what kind of help VSHC provides.

Original air date: March 12, 2020
Last reviewed: September 2, 2022

1 CE hour

In this presentation, learn more about TexasLawHelp.org and what tools it offers to low-income Texans who need legal information and assistance. From free information and forms to a LiveChat service where eligible visitors can get free legal advice from attorneys, TexasLawHelp may be a helpful resource for your patrons and you.

Original air date: March 06, 2020
Last reviewed: September 2, 2022

1 CE hour

In this presentation, Texas State Library and Archives Commission General Counsel Sarah Swanson will discuss the most common legal issues Texas public libraries face today, point you to useful resources, and offer tips for recognizing legal issues and knowing when to seek legal advice.


Original air date: October 26, 2021
Last reviewed: September 2, 2022

1.5 CE hours