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Library board debates liability waiver for community service volunteers
Summary
Trustees discussed whether to require a liability waiver for volunteers completing community service at the library, especially court-ordered minors. No vote was taken; the director will gather examples and return with a revised, softer draft alongside the original.
The City of Muskegon Library Board discussed a proposed community service liability waiver for volunteers who perform tasks at the library, including court-ordered minors who complete municipal community service hours.
Michelle, the library director, introduced the item as a discussion. “This is just a discussion. Something for you to think about. I feel kind of 50 50 about it,” she said, explaining the waiver would require a parent signature for minors and would ask volunteers to waive the right to sue for certain injuries.
Trustees described trade-offs. Supporters said liability waivers are standard practice for organizations that assign tasks to volunteers and could reduce legal exposure. “It’s pretty standard,” one trustee said, noting health-care and other agencies often require waivers or background checks. Opponents argued that adding a signed waiver could create a logistical burden, discourage volunteers and be awkward for groups like scouts, National Honor Society students, or the Friends of the Library.
Board members expressed particular concern about applying the waiver to long-standing volunteers and community groups. Several trustees said they would not be comfortable asking the Friends of the Library to sign such a document. The director noted that the city attorney reviewed the template but was not directive; the attorney advised the board to decide what it preferred.
Trustees raised related operational questions: whether adults or non-minors performing community service should face background checks, how the policy would apply to performance groups or program participants, and whether a shortened, less legalistic “soft” waiver would meet the library’s needs without alienating volunteers.
The board asked the director to research practices at other libraries and nonprofits, prepare a shorter, friendlier waiver draft in addition to the full legal template, and return the item for further discussion in April. If the board desires a final policy it could be scheduled for a vote at a later meeting.
No formal action or vote was taken on the waiver at this meeting.
