Library Grounds and non-library programs
Hello Lovely Library People! I am experiencing a new phenomenon for us this summer. Outside organizations have approached the library (or just shown up) to provide or promote some kind of service to the public and want to set up in the library parking lot. They are not businesses but rather things like the local mobile health clinic or council on aging. I can recognize that these are positive acts that we want to encourage but I don't have any kind of policy that addresses this beyond "Random people can't set up tables on library grounds" etc. When it was just one organization, I got wind of it in time to run it past my library board. But now we're up to four organizations, all of whom have asked at the last minute without giving me time to approach my board. I think I need a policy. Do you have something that addresses this, you would be willing to share? I don't even know what to call it. Parking Lot Policy? Thanks! -- Tracy Logan Library Director Cadillac Wexford Public Library 411 S. Lake Street Cadillac, MI 49601 231-775-6541 logant@cadillaclibrary.org
Hi Tracy, I would call it a No Solicitation policy. You don’t necessarily need to make a whole new policy for it, you could just include it as a line in your Patron Code of Conduct. You are exactly right if you let one do it, you need to let them all. The way they could go about this so that you could offer as an alternative, is through library programming channels. Like if the library is having a program to have the council on aging at the library, then fine to have them come to the property during the program. You could refer them to whoever manages programming to consider whether it fits within the scope of what the library wants to offer as a program. Here is what we have in the Otsego District Library Patron Code of Conduct includes to address this: Solicitation and collecting signatures is prohibited on the library property. No patron may set up a table, stand, or sign on the library property. This rule does not apply to library-sponsored events or room rentals or signs for non-profits on the community board. Andrea Estelle, MLIS Brighten the Corner Where You Are! Library Director · Otsego District Public Library INNOVATE · INTERACT · INSPIRE 401 Dix Street, Otsego MI 49078 (269) 694-9690 https://otsegolibrary.org/ From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org> On Behalf Of Tracy Logan via Michlib-l Sent: Friday, August 22, 2025 10:14 AM To: michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> Subject: [Michlib-l] Library Grounds and non-library programs Hello Lovely Library People! I am experiencing a new phenomenon for us this summer. Outside organizations have approached the library (or just shown up) to provide or promote some kind of service to the public and want to set up in the library parking lot. They are not businesses but rather things like the local mobile health clinic or council on aging. I can recognize that these are positive acts that we want to encourage but I don't have any kind of policy that addresses this beyond "Random people can't set up tables on library grounds" etc. When it was just one organization, I got wind of it in time to run it past my library board. But now we're up to four organizations, all of whom have asked at the last minute without giving me time to approach my board. I think I need a policy. Do you have something that addresses this, you would be willing to share? I don't even know what to call it. Parking Lot Policy? Thanks! -- Tracy Logan Library Director Cadillac Wexford Public Library 411 S. Lake Street Cadillac, MI 49601 231-775-6541 logant@cadillaclibrary.org<mailto:logant@cadillaclibrary.org>
Hi Tracy! We would require them to "book" the parking lot the same way local non-profit organizations are allowed to reserve our meeting room space. Same policies as we have for using the meeting room I would think. ~Jocelyn Jocelyn Levin, MLIS Youth Services Librarian jlevin@ltpl.org **Please note new email address** *My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See **www.mypronouns.org* <http://www.mypronouns.org/>* to learn more.* Lyon Township Public Library 27005 S. Milford Rd, South Lyon, MI 48178 248.437.8800 www.LTPL.org On Fri, Aug 22, 2025 at 10:14 AM Tracy Logan via Michlib-l < michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
Hello Lovely Library People!
I am experiencing a new phenomenon for us this summer. Outside organizations have approached the library (or just shown up) to provide or promote some kind of service to the public and want to set up in the library parking lot. They are not businesses but rather things like the local mobile health clinic or council on aging. I can recognize that these are positive acts that we want to encourage but I don't have any kind of policy that addresses this beyond "Random people can't set up tables on library grounds" etc. When it was just one organization, I got wind of it in time to run it past my library board. But now we're up to four organizations, all of whom have asked at the last minute without giving me time to approach my board. I think I need a policy. Do you have something that addresses this, you would be willing to share? I don't even know what to call it. Parking Lot Policy?
Thanks!
-- Tracy Logan Library Director Cadillac Wexford Public Library 411 S. Lake Street Cadillac, MI 49601 231-775-6541 logant@cadillaclibrary.org _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org https://mail3.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l
Hello Jocelyn: I hope you are well! For your question: You absolutely want a policy! You also want to consider: * If you own the parking lot, check with your insurance company and evaluate your risk if someone gets hurt, etc. Depending on your policy the coverage may be different for the parking lot than the building. * Public entities must be way of “endorsing” specific groups- especially if the library is rejecting some groups and allowing others. The library CAN have criteria but it is important – like the meeting room, to have objective criteria/rules that are enforced equitably. The library as a government public entity also cannot use library funds or assets for the benefit of other entities, so be wary of how you are “promoting.” * Work with law enforcement of another local government agency to ensure that appropriate barriers and traffic direction signage is placed if the parking lot will be blocked off. * Consider issues such as restroom usage for people taking advantage of the services in the parking lot. Will this be a problem? * Unless the event is considered a library program, the library should carefully consider the use of library staff for these events – library staff can’t work for non-library entities (a little help is ok – but a staff member should not be allotted to work a significant amount of time with the event, or perform duties that are hazardous or require special training– if there are any problems, there could be workers comp and other issues.) I strongly encourage you to consult your attorney before implementing this. I hope that is helpful! Sincerely, Clare 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/michigan-top-10-strategic-education-plan> provides focused direction to drive educational achievement in support of all learners. [cid:image001.png@01DC1366.06206310] Nourishing Michigan’s Future during the summer! Find a Summer Food Service Program site nearest you and encourage Michigan’s children to Meet Up and Eat Up! Michigan.gov/MeetUpEatUp<http://www.michigan.gov/meetupeatup>. [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/>. From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org> On Behalf Of Jocelyn Levin via Michlib-l Sent: Friday, August 22, 2025 12:29 PM To: Tracy Logan <logant@cadillaclibrary.org> Cc: michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Library Grounds and non-library programs CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov<mailto:abuse@michigan.gov> Hi Tracy! We would require them to "book" the parking lot the same way local non-profit organizations are allowed to reserve our meeting room space. Same policies as we have for using the meeting room I would think. ~Jocelyn Jocelyn Levin, MLIS Youth Services Librarian jlevin@ltpl.org<mailto:jlevin@ltpl.org> *Please note new email address* My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org<http://www.mypronouns.org/> to learn more. Lyon Township Public Library 27005 S. Milford Rd, South Lyon, MI 48178 248.437.8800 www.LTPL.org<http://www.ltpl.org/> On Fri, Aug 22, 2025 at 10:14 AM Tracy Logan via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org>> wrote: Hello Lovely Library People! I am experiencing a new phenomenon for us this summer. Outside organizations have approached the library (or just shown up) to provide or promote some kind of service to the public and want to set up in the library parking lot. They are not businesses but rather things like the local mobile health clinic or council on aging. I can recognize that these are positive acts that we want to encourage but I don't have any kind of policy that addresses this beyond "Random people can't set up tables on library grounds" etc. When it was just one organization, I got wind of it in time to run it past my library board. But now we're up to four organizations, all of whom have asked at the last minute without giving me time to approach my board. I think I need a policy. Do you have something that addresses this, you would be willing to share? I don't even know what to call it. Parking Lot Policy? Thanks! -- Tracy Logan Library Director Cadillac Wexford Public Library 411 S. Lake Street Cadillac, MI 49601 231-775-6541 logant@cadillaclibrary.org<mailto:logant@cadillaclibrary.org> _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:Michlib-l@mcls.org> https://mail3.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l
participants (4)
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aestelle otsegolibrary.org -
Jocelyn Levin -
Membiela, Clare (MDE) -
Tracy Logan