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Board discusses community-service waiver for volunteers; no vote taken
Summary
Board members discussed a draft community-service liability waiver for volunteers (including court-ordered minors) and directed staff to gather more information and present a softer alternative at the next meeting; no formal action was taken.
The board discussed whether to require a liability waiver for people performing community service at the library, including minors fulfilling court-ordered service and volunteers from groups such as National Honor Society, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Library staff presented a draft waiver and said it would need a parent or guardian’s signature for minors. “In short, it’s if they get hurt in some way, they’re waiving their right to sue for damages,” the Library Director said. The director also said the city attorney reviewed the draft and “said, you know, see what your board thinks.”
Board members raised logistical concerns about requiring parents to sign for groups of volunteers, the possibility of discouraging volunteers (including the Friends of the Library), and whether waivers are enforceable in court. One member noted similar waivers are common at other organizations; another said requiring waivers for volunteers but not patrons might create awkward distinctions.
The director said she would consult other libraries and nonprofits about their practices, prepare a softer, shorter waiver option, and return the topic for further discussion at the April meeting. The board agreed to postpone any formal vote and to revisit the issue with additional information and a pared-down waiver draft.
Ending: Staff will survey other libraries/nonprofits about waiver practices and present the draft and a softer alternative at the April meeting for continued discussion.
