Nevada Supreme Court Law Library Awarded Several Grants
Carson City, NV (February 26, 2024) - Since January 2022, the Nevada Supreme Court Law Library has been awarded three grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), administered by the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records (NSLAPR). Awarded grants include:
- · A $20,000 2021 American Rescue Plan (ARP)/LSTA Grant
- · A $75,000 2022 LSTA Last Chance Grant
- · A $66,636 2023 LSTA Competitive Grant
The Nevada Supreme Court Law Library uses 100% of grant funds to translate standardized divorce, custody, family law, name change, and guardianship self-help legal forms to ensure self-represented litigants of limited English proficiency (LEP) in Nevada have equal access to court services. In Nevada, there are over 314,000 LEP individuals, and more than 259,000 who solely speak Spanish, Mandarin, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. This includes any person with limited English proficiency who utilizes Nevada court services.
As the COVID-19 pandemic spread through Nevada, access to court services and legal resources became increasingly virtual and the language barrier that LEP populations struggle with has become more apparent. Consequently, the Nevada Supreme Court Law Library recognized the need for translation of standardized Self-Help forms for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Nevada residents to have access to standardized legal forms in their native language.
In partnership with the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada and Twin Translations (a Las Vegas-based company) 71 standardized self-help forms were translated into the four predominant non-English languages spoken in Nevada including Spanish, Mandarin, Tagalog, and Vietnamese (282 forms total). The 40 divorce, custody, and family law, 18 guardianship, and 11 name change forms are available on the State of Nevada Self Help Center website, accessible through the Nevada Supreme Court Law Library’s website and offered through the Nevada Legal Kiosk program, which is installed at 22 Nevada public libraries.
For a full list of translated self-help forms, please visit https://nvcourts.gov/lawlibrary or contact the Law Library at (775) 684-1640, reference@nvcourts.nv.gov.
About the Nevada Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Nevada is the highest court of the Judicial branch. There are seven Justices on the court who are elected to six-year terms, with one Justice serving as Chief Justice. The court conducts regular sessions in Carson City and Las Vegas. To learn more about Nevada’s judicial branch, visit https://nvcourts.gov/supreme/.
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records
The Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records (NSLAPR) is the institutional memory of the State of Nevada. They provide governments, agencies, businesses, libraries and individuals with a full range of information services. Their mission is to foster and further the establishment and proper maintenance of superior libraries and literacy programs. To promote the acquisition of resources, facilities, professional staffs, and auxiliary personnel fully to support library and literacy services.
Nevada Supreme Court Media Contact: