Hello! Do you have library law related questions like: " As part of a Halloween program, a library staff member dressed in an inflated "Bluey" costume to hand out candy. While distributing candy the staff member tripped and fell over a young patron. A portion of the inflated costume ended up on top of that young patron. No one was hurt, but a local news crew were covering the event and the image of a child seeming crushed by Bluey went viral on social media. Can the owners of Bluey sue for "reputational damage?"" Or "A library's Halloween celebrations typically include an encouragement (but not requirement) for staff members to wear costumes during work hours on the day of the annual Halloween program. A staff member creates an impressive "Elphaba" costume modeled after the Broadway play "Wicked." On the day of the celebration the staff member arrives in the remarkably realistic costume complete with head-to-toe green make-up. While the staff member was working at the information desk, a patron approaches and asks the staff member to remove the costume because it was offensive to the patron, who is a practicing Wiccan. The patron is referred to the library director who conveys the library's regret at the patron's offense and agrees to ask the staff member to remove the costume after the Halloween program. As the program is ending, the patron approaches the staff member, steals the handmade witch's hat from the staff member's head, crushes it, yelling "Hater!" On their way out of the library, still carrying the demolished hat, the patron vows a religious discrimination lawsuit. The staff member , taken by surprise, steps back, into another participant, whose full bottle of water is upended onto the staff member and the expensive silk and chiffon costume. Afterwards the staff member requests that the library reimburse her for the cost of the costume- including labor. Is the library responsible for the damage to the costume? Could the library be liable for religious discrimination?" Come join us for questions like these and more at the Library Law Office Hours THURSDAY OCTOBER 16, @ 3:00pm. Pre registration is required: Register in advance for this meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqdO6uqD8pEt31yRiFFRZkHDc96mWbdid... After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 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/>.
