Trustees table decision on volunteer liability waiver, ask city attorney for guidance

The City of Muskegon Library Board on Wednesday voted to table action on a proposed volunteer/community-service waiver while it seeks written guidance from the city attorney on liability limits, insurance coverage and background-check practice.

Board members discussed a draft waiver and reported limited peer responses from other libraries; one trustee said only three or four of 24 libraries replied saying they use waivers. Trustees said the city attorney advised using the waiver in full form rather than a shortened version because removing clauses could weaken its legal effect.

Members raised specific concerns about volunteers under court-ordered community service, juvenile volunteers, whether parents must sign waivers for minors, and whether background checks should also cover volunteers who will work around vulnerable populations such as children or older adults. The board asked the city attorney for a memo addressing: whether Wisconsin Statute 893.8 (as referenced in the discussion) limits volunteer claims or damages; what the city’s volunteer/insurance coverage typically includes (speakers noted medical coverage figures were discussed informally); whether event sponsorship (for example, Friends-run activities held off-site) shifts liability to the Friends group rather than the city; and what Parks & Recreation and other city departments do for background-screening practice.

Trustees also discussed operational impacts, including how staff would track signed waivers, how to handle guardian signatures for minors, and whether libraries should adopt a check-in system such as Raptor for visitor/volunteer screening. After discussion a trustee moved and the board voted to table the waiver until the next meeting while staff obtains written legal guidance and more details on background-check costs and procedures.