The document discusses the types of requests received from the public regarding government information and services. It acknowledges that while the public may perceive government as disorganized, most information is available through the appropriate agencies and databases if one knows where to look. It emphasizes the importance of providing legal information rather than advice and of taking time to research questions thoroughly and connect requestors to the right resources.

1. E - Government
(jurisdiction issues and legal
advice)

2. What the requests usually look like
when they cross my desk
• “Gosh, I hope you can help me, my email
inquiry has been forwarded to fifteen
individuals and I have been trying for two
weeks to learn . . .”
or
• “*#@!%%$!!$, Government is garbage,
none of @#$!##$%$ people know how to
do your job . . .”

3. Public perception
• “We don’t care, we don’t
have to . . . we’re the phone
company.”

4. Reality
• Most, if not all, if not all of the information sought
is available . . . but, you have to look in the right
place.
• Government publications experts on staff, no
longer the norm. Where can you turn?
– General information questions: (602) 926-3870
E-mail: research@lib.az.us
– Law related questions: (602) 926-3948
E-mail: sll@lib.az.us

5. Reality
(http://www.lib.az.us/is/state/index.aspx#find)
• Databases - Selected Arizona State Agency:
• Arizona Biographical Index
This database is a work in progress and contains over 100,000 entries for people mentioned in the collection of books, newspaper articles, periodicals,
obituaries and vertical files in the History and Archives Division (State Archives) of Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records.
• Arizona Memory Project
Cultural institutions from around Arizona are joining in this effort to provide online access to government documents, photographs, maps, and objects
that chronicle Arizona's past and present.
• Charitable Organizations System
Charitable Organizations doing business in Arizona are required to file with the Arizona Secretary of State. This database may be used to search for a
charity by name. Please note: the Secretary of State does not determine whether any charity is "legitimate" or not but is only attempting to provide
public access to public records.
• Contractors - License Check
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors regulates building contractors. This database can be used to check the status of a license of a contractor or
company doing business in Arizona.
• Corporations - Arizona
The Arizona Corporation Commission's State of Arizona Public Access System has information about corporations and limited liability companies with a
business presence in Arizona, and their statutory agents, officers, and directors.
• Doctor Search - Arizona (select the link from the navigation bar at the left)
The Arizona Medical Board provides a database of licensed Physicians and Physician Assistants which can be searched by name or specialty.
• Inmate Search - Arizona
The Arizona Dept. of Corrections' inmate database includes information on over 112,000 inmates who were in the custody of the Department in 1985
and inmates who arrived since then. See also: Historical Prison Register, a listing of inmates received during the 100 years prior to 1972
• Lobbyist Search
Designated lobbyists file reports with the Arizona Secretary of State and this database may be used to search for the names and expenditures of
lobbyists as well as the principals and public bodies employing the lobbyists.
• Real Estate Licensees
The Arizona Dept. of Real Estate regulates 4,600 real estate firms and has information about more than 41,000 individual licensees which can be
accessed through this database.
• School Report Cards
The Arizona Dept. of Education has compiled information about public and charter schools in Arizona which can be searched by school name, school
district or by ZIP Code.
• Technical Professions - License Check
The Board of Technical Registration regulates architects, assayers, engineers, geologists, home inspectors, landscape architects, surveyors and
remediation specialists. This database can be used to check the status of a license of one of these professionals doing business in Arizona.
• Trade Names/Service Marks - Arizona
The Name index contains all partnerships, trade names and trademarks on file with the Arizona Secretary of State, as well as corporations and limited
liability companies on file with the Corporations Division of the Corporation Commission.

6. There is no substitute . . .
• For actual time spent looking for answers.
SURF!

7. Looking in the right place
• Government is not always intuitive.
– If you need a copy of the Arizona Landlord
Tenant Act, where would you go?
– Department of Housing?
– Real Estate Department?
– State Legislature?
Answer: The Secretary of State’s Office

8. Looking in the right place
• See a bug in a restaurant? Who do you
call?
• Department of Health Services? Statewide agency
charged with public health . . . right?
– Answer: Public health, as it relates to dining
establishment cleanliness is under the jurisdiction of
county health departments.

9. Looking in the right place
• “Well, in Maine, you folks handle all of the
vehicle registrations!”
• State to State comparisons are not always
valid.

10. Answering the unanswerable
(difference between legal advice and legal information)
• Can my landlord throw me out if I’ve only missed
one month’s rent?
• If my neighbors leave their kids home all day
unsupervised, is that child endangerment?
• What is the best way for me to file this . . .
should I give my campaign a loan or an outright
contribution?
• “Hello, I need your help, I am the Queen of
Ireland, but I have been dethroned and exiled
because of some papers in Donald Trump’s
briefcase . . .”

11. Difference between “legal advice”
and “legal information”
• Wonderful publications published for court personnel:
Guide to Court Customer Assistance: Legal Advice –
Legal Information Guidelines for Arizona Court
Personnel
http://supreme.state.az.us/courtserv/Legal_A-I/ManualGloss.p
; 69 pages
• Question and Response Handbook
http://supreme.state.az.us/courtserv/Legal_A-I/QRHandbook.p
(available in English and Spanish); 30 pages
• Signage describing level of service available:
http://www.azcourts.gov/Portals/27/Legal/Signage.pdf (in
English);
http://www.azcourts.gov/Portals/27/Legal/Signage_Spani
sh.pdf (in Spanish)

12. Difference between “legal advice”
and “legal information”
• Responsibility to simply present objective
facts as opposed to giving advice.
• Don’ts
– counsel
– interpret based on the person’s facts
– recommend a course of action
• Do’s
– Identify available procedural options
– Remain neutral and impartial

13. Solutions
E-mail the state library with your question.
• General information questions: (602) 926-3870
E-mail: research@lib.az.us
• Law related questions: (602) 926-3948
E-mail: sll@lib.az.us
Listen/Read carefully the inquiry and narrow the scope if
necessary.
Refrain from giving legal advice, but give legal information.
Allow sufficient time to respond.

14. Solutions
• “Phone a friend” or “The Rolodex solution”
– cultivate a friend at the state, county and
municipal level. Preferably, someone who
is a little long in the tooth with regard to
years of service!

15. Reward
The “thank you” note!