`Hello! Are you a Michigan library director, board member, or friends group member? Have you ever faced questions involving the law and how it relates to Michigan libraries? Questions like: Heavy rains have caused the library’s roof to leak causing a slow but steady drip..drip… right in the center of the library main reading room adjacent to the service desk. As a temporary measure, a bucket was placed to catch the water while an urgent call was made to the facilities manager, and plans were made to address the problem. In addition to the bucket, the library placed a plastic “Wet Floor” sign on the floor to one side of the bucket and an in-house created printed sign stating “watch your step” on the other side, so that patrons on multiple sides of the bucket could see at least one sign. In between assisting patrons and other duties, the library staff at the service alerted patrons who were venturing too close to the filling bucket. Other staff would periodically empty the water from the bucket. A patron approached the desk with a question and to check out some materials, bringing her toddler son with her. The boy was fascinated with the drip and the bucket and had to be repeatedly reminded by library staff to stay away. The mother took the boy’s hand and led him back to the desk as she finished her business. An issue occurred with the transaction and during an intense conversation with the attending library staff member, the mom dropped the boy’s hand. Suddenly there was a cry followed by a shouted “What the Hell!?” The boy had knocked over the bucket of water while attempting to get into the bucket. The bucket toppled with the boy, spilling a small amount of rusty water onto the carpet and the pants of another patron passing by. The boy was unhurt, but wet and crying from surprise and fear of the other patron’s yelled comment. The mom complained about the bucket as an “attractive nuisance” and a public safety hazard and submitted a complaint to the library board asking for reimbursement of the boy’s clothing and shoes. The other affected patron wanted reimbursement for the cost of cleaning his pants, with the option of replacement cost if the stains did not come out. The mom has threatened a call to the municipal code office and a lawyer. How should the library reply? For information on these and other questions, please join us for The April Library Law Office Hours THIS WEEK, Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 3:00 pm Registration is required. To register, please click this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqdO6uqD8pEt31yRiFFRZkHDc96mWbdid... I hope to see you there! 😊 Clare D. Membiela, MLS, J.D. Library Law Consultant Library of Michigan MembielaC@michigan.gov<mailto: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). [Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan] <https://www.michigan.gov/mde/resources/michigans-top-10-strategic-education-plan> [Michigan.gov/Vote logo Description automatically generated]<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/> Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics at Michigan.gov/Vote<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/>.
