You can now attend court virtually at the Guelph Public Library

The Guelph Public Library is offering a new service for people needing to access the legal system during the pandemic: they can now attend a virtual court session from the library.

The library has partneredwithLegal Aid Ontarioand theJohn Howard Society of Waterloo-Wellington to offercourt tablets for people whodon't otherwise have access to a computer, phone or the internet.

"This is an example of how the library supports those in the community with little or no access to technology and the internet," saidSteven Kraft, CEO of the Guelph Public Library, in a media release.

The courts havetransitioned a number ofproceedings to virtual formats after closures began in March. In Ontario,video-conferencing feeds are now being used to conduct non-jury trials,some bail applications and to set dates fortrials. The Supreme Court of Canadahas made similar changes.

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Those using the service don't need to have a library card, but will be askedto provide some form of collateral, like an ID card, to borrow the court tablet.

People can borrow acourt tabletat the library's main branch at 100 Norfolk St.