The People’s Law Library of Maryland (PLL) has served as a vital bridge between complex legal systems and the public for nearly three decades. What began in 1996 as a focused project on family law has evolved into a comprehensive, award-winning resource that serves over 2.1 million pageviews annually to users across Maryland, the United States, and the world.
This is the story of how a local initiative grew into an integral piece of Maryland’s system for delivering legal information to low- and moderate-income residents.
Origins: The Early Years (1996–1998)
Launched in 1996, the People’s Law Library initially focused on family law. By April 1997, it quickly expanded to cover consumer law and landlord/tenant issues, recognizing early on that self-represented litigants needed help across various civil matters.
Innovative for its time, the site introduced online legal forms with detailed instructions almost immediately. For these first few years, the project found an ideal home within the Maryland State Law Library (MSLL). As a court-related agency of the Maryland judiciary, the MSLL provided a historically stable environment for gathering, synthesizing, and providing legal information, making it a perfect incubator for the library’s growth. During this period, the library also benefited from a law clinic environment that harnessed the energy and expertise of student volunteers.
Creating a Network: The MLAN Era (1998–1999)
A major turning point arrived in 1998 when the Maryland Legal Services Corporation (MLSC) received a grant from the Open Society Institute (OSI). This funding was used to create the Maryland Legal Assistance Network (MLAN), an entity designed to further develop the People’s Law Library among other goals.
Robert Rhudy, then the Executive Director of MLSC, hired Ayn Crawley to manage MLAN. Crawley subsequently became the leader of the People’s Law Library, steering its strategic direction.
To prepare for a major expansion, the site went offline from February 1999 to June 1999. During this hiatus, the team undertook significant technology updates. They also hired Civil Justice, a Baltimore-based legal nonprofit, to produce much of the new content, laying the groundwork for a more robust digital presence.
The Relaunch: March 2, 1999
The library officially relaunched on March 2, 1999, reimagined as a free, plain-language website dedicated to public legal information and referrals.
A pivotal figure in this transformation was Michael Craven, the site’s first long-term web content coordinator. Trained as both a lawyer and a librarian, Craven brought a unique skill set to the role:
- He solidified the technology infrastructure.
- He removed duplicative content and consolidated data from two servers into a single repository.
- Working with a Content Advisory Committee, he refocused the effort on the civil cases most frequently involving self-represented parties.
Craven led the site until 2013, ensuring its stability and relevance during its formative decade.
Securing an Institutional Home (2007)
While the library had been maintained by the MSLL for nearly ten years, its future institutional status was formalized in November 2007. An agreement was signed by Wilhelm Joseph, Executive Director of the Legal Aid Bureau, and Chief Judge Robert Bell of the Maryland Court of Appeals (presently known as the Supreme Court of Maryland).
The document explicitly stated that the People’s Law Library “is an integral piece of Maryland’s system for delivery of legal information and services to the State’s low- and moderate-income residents.” It further affirmed that the library’s goals were best achieved in an environment focused on knowledge management to maximize its value to residents. This agreement secured the library’s placement within a framework dedicated to serving those most in need of legal support.
Recognition and Awards
As the site matured, its impact gained national and local recognition:
- July 2011: The American Association of Law Libraries awarded the PLL its Innovation in Technology award.
- December 2011: The Maryland Legal Services Corporation presented the Herbert S. Garten Public Citizen award to the organization.
These accolades validated the library’s success in integrating technology with legal information, proving that digital tools could effectively democratize access to justice.
Continued Growth and Modernization (2013–Present)
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From Family Law to Access to Justice: The History of the People’s Law Library of Maryland
