DECEMBER’S LIBRARY LAW OFFICE HOUR WILL MOVE TO 11:00 am
EST on THURSDAY DECEMBER 18, 2025
THE MEETING LINK REMIANS THE SAME!
Please join me and other library colleagues as we discuss the legal implications and possible options for questions like:
A patron reserves a library computer for purposes of holiday shopping- specifically the attempt to snag a highly desired collectible from his child’s favorite card game company. The merchandise drop is slated for 12:00 Noon, EST (9:00am
PST). The patron logs on at 11:30am and is 5th in line in an online queue , and at 12:00pm is permitted entry into the vendor’s online store to claim the desired merch- but just as the patron gets to their shopping cart to pay, the library’s fire
alarm rings as a result of the unfortunate miscalculation of the baking time for a tray of cookies that are part of a holiday baking demonstration program in the library’s event room. As a result of the ensuing fire evacuation, the patron is forced to abandon
the computer. When they can return 20 minutes later, the much sought after item is sold out. The patron is so frustrated and upset that they have heart palpitations while complaining to library staff and must be taken from the library in an ambulance. The
patron subsequently bills the library for the cost of the ambulance ride, AND the difference between the retail price of the desired item and the “secondary market” price they paid on EBay because they were unable to complete their purchase on the computer.
What, if any is the library’s liability here?
To attend Library Law Office Hours, participants must REGISTER. Once registered, a link will be e-mailed to you.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Sincerely,
Clare
Clare D. Membiela, MLS, J.D.
Library Law Consultant
Library of Michigan
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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