I agree with Kate- Libraries should not only have well written policies approved by their boards and reviewed by their attorneys, but if you have a policy – always follow it and enforce it consistently and neutrally to every patron. Enforcing or following policies subjectively will open the library up to claims of discrimination and violations of equal protection.  If a library selectively enforces policies, it can also send a message to patrons that THEY can selectively follow library policy.

 

As always, libraries are strongly encouraged to consult their library’s attorney  on drafting or creating policies.

 

Thanks!

Clare

 

 

Clare D. Membiela, MLS, J.D.

Library Law Consultant

Library of Michigan

MembielaC@michigan.gov

517-335-8132

 

The research and resources above are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem.

 

“the State may not, consistently with the spirit of the First Amendment, contract the spectrum of available knowledge.” Griswold v. Connecticut, 381 U.S. 479, 482 (1965).



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From: Kate Pohjola Andrade via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org>
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2026 12:15 PM
To: Michlib <michlib-l@liblists.org>
Subject: [Michlib-l] Re: Pet Policies

 

CAUTION: This is an External email. Please report suspicious emails via the "Report to Abuse" button in Outlook

 

Just wait until that one patron rolls in with what you think is a regular baby stroller carrying a small child. It's all zipped up, so there's no second look - child is asleep behind mosquito netting, right? 

Then you smell it. And you WILL smell it, because of course you will. And that's not a stinky diaper. 

The bottom of the "stroller" contains a litter pan, and inside is a cat, or multiple cats. Or, in one instance, sleeping ferrets. Yes, really.  

 

Have your policy handy. Everyone will want to be "the" exception and you must apply the policy equally. If staff will encounter these situations when the director or manager is not present, they need to be comfortable saying applying policy to patrons. 

 

On Fri, Jul 31, 2026 at 11:59 AM Deb Hemmye via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org> wrote:

Very cool!  (No pun intended.  Well, maybe a little ;)

 

Deb Hemmye
Library Director
Huntington Woods Public Library
26415 Scotia Road
Huntington Woods, MI 48070
248-543-9720, ext. 686

Currently listening to Less, by Andrew Sean Greer. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From: "Abby Bond" <bonda@libcoop.net>
To: "Deb Hemmye" <dhemmye@hwoodslib.org>
Cc: "Michlib" <michlib-l@liblists.org>
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2026 11:37:00 AM
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Re: Pet Policies

 

This is probably cost prohibitive, but Ferndale had air conditioned dog houses at a few restaurants.

 

 

On Fri, Jul 31, 2026 at 11:13 AM Deb Hemmye <dhemmye@hwoodslib.org> wrote:

I agree with both of the responses so far.  This is surely a legal liability, however we are a very small, very walkable community so we, too, have patrons coming in with their dogs.  We don't have a pet policy and we discourage dogs in the library, however, our checkout desk/holds are about five steps inside the library so people do dash in, get their holds, and move on.   usually very small dogs, many that are held in their arms.  However, we have had others who want to browse the library and I've asked them to take their dog outside.  Likewise, we also one time had a woman who only in our entryway area - presumably to get a hold - but her dog was barking and growling at everyone who walked within five feet of her so I asked her to remove her dog and we would bring her hold out to her. 

 

Besides the issue of biting, there are dog allergies, fear of dogs, and just the irritating sound of a dog barking or two dogs growling at each other.  None of that is appropriate in a library.  

 

That said, as a dog owner and dog lover, I have tried to think of a way to allow people to feel comfortable leaving their dog outside for the brief time it takes to come in and grab a hold.  A post outdoors you can easily attach a dog's leash to?  A small gated area?  Curb-side/sidewalk-side service for holds only?  We haven't implemented any of these - partially because of lack of outdoor space, but if anyone has come up with a good option for leaving a dog outside the library, please share!

 

Deb Hemmye
Library Director
Huntington Woods Public Library
26415 Scotia Road
Huntington Woods, MI 48070
248-543-9720, ext. 686

Currently listening to Less, by Andrew Sean Greer. 

 

 





 

From: "Michlib" <michlib-l@liblists.org>
To: "Abby Ollila" <aollila@stignacelibrary.org>
Cc: "Michlib" <michlib-l@liblists.org>
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2026 10:27:34 AM
Subject: [Michlib-l] Re: Pet Policies

 

Hi,

I'm sure this is a Clare issue, but I would think allowing any animal into the library besides service animals could put you at legal risk. If a "well-behaved" dog bites someone, who is responsible?

 

 

On Fri, Jul 31, 2026 at 10:14 AM Abby Ollila via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org> wrote:

Hello, library world!

 

I was wondering if anyone is willing to share how their library handles pets / any pet policies you have.

 

The topic was recently raised by a patron, and before I bring it to my board, I'd love to hear how other libraries approach it. If you have a written policy or any insight into what has worked (or not worked) for your library, I'd really appreciate it.

 

I'm also curious whether anyone had an attorney review or help draft their policy, or if you developed it internally.

 

Thank you!

 

Abby Ollila

Director 

St. Ignace Public Library

110 West Spruce Street

St. Ignace, MI 49781

(906) 643-8318

 

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--

Abby Bond

Director

Eastpointe Memorial Library

586-445-5096


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--

Abby Bond

Director

Eastpointe Memorial Library

586-445-5096

 

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