Hello Melissa, I encountered a similar complaint a couple years ago - plus I am allergic to peanuts and many other foods and live with this on a daily basis. I looked into library policies on it quite a bit and settled on no policy or signage. My feedback to the patron was: 1) Schools are able to be nut-free bc they are a controlled environment. They control who comes in and what is eaten. 2) A public library is not a controlled environment. 3) We could put up signs and set a policy, but people will ignore them. Ex. Someone may sneak into a corner to eat a PB&J sandwich. Or may eat it before coming in and then touch the doorknob with the peanut butter oils. 4) The presence of signage and a policy may give people living with nut allergies a false sense of safety in the library. 5) As a person who lives with food allergies I have to be hypervigilant in all environments for my own safety and it is best if families remain hypervigilant too. I expressed great concern for the grandmother and her granddaughter and stated that I live with it too, so I empathize with the fear and concern for her child. Alas, we cannot guarantee a safe environment even with signage or policy. Sincerely, Nyama Nyama Y. Reed Library Director N.Reed@WFBLibrary.org 414-755-6551 (direct line) Whitefish Bay Public Library 5420 North Marlborough Drive Whitefish Bay, WI 53217 414-964-4380 (main line) Our Mission The Whitefish Bay Public Library, as a cornerstone of the community, is dedicated to connecting people of all ages, inspiring a love of learning and providing easy access to ideas, information and resources. *Please be advised electronic mail becomes a "public record" as allowed under public record laws when sent or received as part of normal business processes. Today's Topics: 1. nut-free libraries (Melissa Malcolm) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2019 09:46:27 -0500 From: Melissa Malcolm <melissa@lib.lapeer.org> To: Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> Subject: [Michlib-l] nut-free libraries Message-ID: <CAChhsn6LLO983ZqCwZnzzaCUaX=naUfFs9Hdjyz8NJUyLZm9Tw@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Hi all-- Happy snowy Monday! The library had a complaint on Saturday about our not being peanut-free. I know that schools have those policies but had not heard of libraries having them. I did find a couple of public libraries outside of Michigan with a notice that the library is nut-free, and one with a policy. Is there a Michigan library with a policy, and what do the procedures look like for enforcing it? Do staff members need to make sure that their lunches and snacks do not contain peanuts, almonds, etc? Thanks for any advice! melissa -- Melissa A. Malcolm Library Director Lapeer District Library 201 Village West Dr S Lapeer, MI 48446 melissa@lib.lapeer.org www.library.lapeer.org 810.664.9521 <callto:810.664.9521> ext. 3113 "If liberty and justice mean anything, then access means everything." -- Charles Ogletree
Thank you, Nyama. I was following this thread with interest and these are great points that I wouldn't have considered. *Cynthia Stanczak* Library Director Albion District Library 501 S. Superior St. Albion, MI 49224 (517) 629-3993 Albion District Library: Transforming Minds, Changing Lives. Proudly serving our community since 1919. Online at www.albionlibrary.org, or find us on Facebook! On Wed, Nov 13, 2019 at 3:50 PM Reed, Nyama via Michlib-l < michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
Hello Melissa,
I encountered a similar complaint a couple years ago - plus I am allergic to peanuts and many other foods and live with this on a daily basis. I looked into library policies on it quite a bit and settled on no policy or signage.
My feedback to the patron was: 1) Schools are able to be nut-free bc they are a controlled environment. They control who comes in and what is eaten. 2) A public library is not a controlled environment. 3) We could put up signs and set a policy, but people will ignore them. Ex. Someone may sneak into a corner to eat a PB&J sandwich. Or may eat it before coming in and then touch the doorknob with the peanut butter oils. 4) The presence of signage and a policy may give people living with nut allergies a false sense of safety in the library. 5) As a person who lives with food allergies I have to be hypervigilant in all environments for my own safety and it is best if families remain hypervigilant too.
I expressed great concern for the grandmother and her granddaughter and stated that I live with it too, so I empathize with the fear and concern for her child. Alas, we cannot guarantee a safe environment even with signage or policy.
Sincerely, Nyama
Nyama Y. Reed Library Director N.Reed@WFBLibrary.org 414-755-6551 (direct line)
Whitefish Bay Public Library 5420 North Marlborough Drive Whitefish Bay, WI 53217 414-964-4380 (main line)
Our Mission The Whitefish Bay Public Library, as a cornerstone of the community, is dedicated to connecting people of all ages, inspiring a love of learning and providing easy access to ideas, information and resources.
*Please be advised electronic mail becomes a "public record" as allowed under public record laws when sent or received as part of normal business processes.
Today's Topics:
1. nut-free libraries (Melissa Malcolm)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1 Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2019 09:46:27 -0500 From: Melissa Malcolm <melissa@lib.lapeer.org> To: Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> Subject: [Michlib-l] nut-free libraries Message-ID: <CAChhsn6LLO983ZqCwZnzzaCUaX= naUfFs9Hdjyz8NJUyLZm9Tw@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Hi all--
Happy snowy Monday!
The library had a complaint on Saturday about our not being peanut-free. I know that schools have those policies but had not heard of libraries having them. I did find a couple of public libraries outside of Michigan with a notice that the library is nut-free, and one with a policy.
Is there a Michigan library with a policy, and what do the procedures look like for enforcing it? Do staff members need to make sure that their lunches and snacks do not contain peanuts, almonds, etc?
Thanks for any advice!
melissa
-- Melissa A. Malcolm Library Director Lapeer District Library 201 Village West Dr S Lapeer, MI 48446 melissa@lib.lapeer.org www.library.lapeer.org 810.664.9521 <callto:810.664.9521> ext. 3113 "If liberty and justice mean anything, then access means everything." -- Charles Ogletree
_______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org http://mail2.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l
I concur, excellent points! Joel Joel Laessig, Director Wakefield Public Library 401 Hancock Street Wakefield, MI 49968 906-229-5236 jlaessig@uproc.lib.mi.us RIDES ZV-340 From: michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org] On Behalf Of Stanczak, Cindy via Michlib-l Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2019 3:34 PM To: Reed, Nyama <N.Reed@wfblibrary.org> Cc: michlib-l@lists.mcls.org <michlib-l@mail2.mcls.org> Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] nut-free libraries Thank you, Nyama. I was following this thread with interest and these are great points that I wouldn't have considered. Cynthia Stanczak Library Director Albion District Library 501 S. Superior St. Albion, MI 49224 (517) 629-3993 Albion District Library: Transforming Minds, Changing Lives. Proudly serving our community since 1919. Online at <http://www.albionlibrary.org/> www.albionlibrary.org, or find us on Facebook! On Wed, Nov 13, 2019 at 3:50 PM Reed, Nyama via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org <mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org> > wrote: Hello Melissa, I encountered a similar complaint a couple years ago - plus I am allergic to peanuts and many other foods and live with this on a daily basis. I looked into library policies on it quite a bit and settled on no policy or signage. My feedback to the patron was: 1) Schools are able to be nut-free bc they are a controlled environment. They control who comes in and what is eaten. 2) A public library is not a controlled environment. 3) We could put up signs and set a policy, but people will ignore them. Ex. Someone may sneak into a corner to eat a PB&J sandwich. Or may eat it before coming in and then touch the doorknob with the peanut butter oils. 4) The presence of signage and a policy may give people living with nut allergies a false sense of safety in the library. 5) As a person who lives with food allergies I have to be hypervigilant in all environments for my own safety and it is best if families remain hypervigilant too. I expressed great concern for the grandmother and her granddaughter and stated that I live with it too, so I empathize with the fear and concern for her child. Alas, we cannot guarantee a safe environment even with signage or policy. Sincerely, Nyama Nyama Y. Reed Library Director N.Reed@WFBLibrary.org <mailto:N.Reed@WFBLibrary.org> 414-755-6551 (direct line) Whitefish Bay Public Library 5420 North Marlborough Drive Whitefish Bay, WI 53217 414-964-4380 (main line) Our Mission The Whitefish Bay Public Library, as a cornerstone of the community, is dedicated to connecting people of all ages, inspiring a love of learning and providing easy access to ideas, information and resources. *Please be advised electronic mail becomes a "public record" as allowed under public record laws when sent or received as part of normal business processes. Today's Topics: 1. nut-free libraries (Melissa Malcolm) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2019 09:46:27 -0500 From: Melissa Malcolm <melissa@lib.lapeer.org <mailto:melissa@lib.lapeer.org> > To: Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org <mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org> > Subject: [Michlib-l] nut-free libraries Message-ID: <CAChhsn6LLO983ZqCwZnzzaCUaX=naUfFs9Hdjyz8NJUyLZm9Tw@mail.gmail.com <mailto:naUfFs9Hdjyz8NJUyLZm9Tw@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Hi all-- Happy snowy Monday! The library had a complaint on Saturday about our not being peanut-free. I know that schools have those policies but had not heard of libraries having them. I did find a couple of public libraries outside of Michigan with a notice that the library is nut-free, and one with a policy. Is there a Michigan library with a policy, and what do the procedures look like for enforcing it? Do staff members need to make sure that their lunches and snacks do not contain peanuts, almonds, etc? Thanks for any advice! melissa -- Melissa A. Malcolm Library Director Lapeer District Library 201 Village West Dr S Lapeer, MI 48446 melissa@lib.lapeer.org <mailto:melissa@lib.lapeer.org> www.library.lapeer.org <http://www.library.lapeer.org> 810.664.9521 <callto:810.664.9521> ext. 3113 "If liberty and justice mean anything, then access means everything." -- Charles Ogletree _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org <mailto:Michlib-l@mcls.org> http://mail2.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l
Nicely Stated Nyama! 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. [cid:image001.jpg@01D59BA1.E21E8AB0] Family Matters is an outreach effort to equip families of children with disabilities by offering free information and resources. Visit Family Matters<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.michigan.gov%2Fmde%2F0%2C4615%2C7-140-6598_88187_81739---%2C00.html&data=02%7C01%7CMembielaC%40michigan.gov%7C6b2f721525734743bc6608d748155e89%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637057128957252684&sdata=CfbGmpHjM%2BYipHBj37MRXs3Z%2B5AkjkbhNJCA5enJgwE%3D&reserved=0>, call OSE Information Line at 888-320-8384 or Email: mde-ose@michigan.gov<mailto:mde-ose@michigan.gov>. From: michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org> On Behalf Of Stanczak, Cindy via Michlib-l Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2019 4:34 PM To: Reed, Nyama <N.Reed@wfblibrary.org> Cc: michlib-l@lists.mcls.org <michlib-l@mail2.mcls.org> Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] nut-free libraries Thank you, Nyama. I was following this thread with interest and these are great points that I wouldn't have considered. Cynthia Stanczak Library Director Albion District Library 501 S. Superior St. Albion, MI 49224 (517) 629-3993 Albion District Library: Transforming Minds, Changing Lives. Proudly serving our community since 1919. Online at www.albionlibrary.org<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.albionlibrary.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7CMembielaC%40michigan.gov%7C175ecb8cf9b343d7fcf508d7688179b6%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637092777611529540&sdata=oxO5CFU%2BESaI5wCfy6VHywYawhLCG5RgCjgxkxGUeTs%3D&reserved=0>, or find us on Facebook! On Wed, Nov 13, 2019 at 3:50 PM Reed, Nyama via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org>> wrote: Hello Melissa, I encountered a similar complaint a couple years ago - plus I am allergic to peanuts and many other foods and live with this on a daily basis. I looked into library policies on it quite a bit and settled on no policy or signage. My feedback to the patron was: 1) Schools are able to be nut-free bc they are a controlled environment. They control who comes in and what is eaten. 2) A public library is not a controlled environment. 3) We could put up signs and set a policy, but people will ignore them. Ex. Someone may sneak into a corner to eat a PB&J sandwich. Or may eat it before coming in and then touch the doorknob with the peanut butter oils. 4) The presence of signage and a policy may give people living with nut allergies a false sense of safety in the library. 5) As a person who lives with food allergies I have to be hypervigilant in all environments for my own safety and it is best if families remain hypervigilant too. I expressed great concern for the grandmother and her granddaughter and stated that I live with it too, so I empathize with the fear and concern for her child. Alas, we cannot guarantee a safe environment even with signage or policy. Sincerely, Nyama Nyama Y. Reed Library Director N.Reed@WFBLibrary.org<mailto:N.Reed@WFBLibrary.org> 414-755-6551 (direct line) Whitefish Bay Public Library 5420 North Marlborough Drive Whitefish Bay, WI 53217 414-964-4380 (main line) Our Mission The Whitefish Bay Public Library, as a cornerstone of the community, is dedicated to connecting people of all ages, inspiring a love of learning and providing easy access to ideas, information and resources. *Please be advised electronic mail becomes a "public record" as allowed under public record laws when sent or received as part of normal business processes. Today's Topics: 1. nut-free libraries (Melissa Malcolm) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2019 09:46:27 -0500 From: Melissa Malcolm <melissa@lib.lapeer.org<mailto:melissa@lib.lapeer.org>> To: Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org>> Subject: [Michlib-l] nut-free libraries Message-ID: <CAChhsn6LLO983ZqCwZnzzaCUaX=naUfFs9Hdjyz8NJUyLZm9Tw@mail.gmail.com<mailto:naUfFs9Hdjyz8NJUyLZm9Tw@mail.gmail.com>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Hi all-- Happy snowy Monday! The library had a complaint on Saturday about our not being peanut-free. I know that schools have those policies but had not heard of libraries having them. I did find a couple of public libraries outside of Michigan with a notice that the library is nut-free, and one with a policy. Is there a Michigan library with a policy, and what do the procedures look like for enforcing it? Do staff members need to make sure that their lunches and snacks do not contain peanuts, almonds, etc? Thanks for any advice! melissa -- Melissa A. Malcolm Library Director Lapeer District Library 201 Village West Dr S Lapeer, MI 48446 melissa@lib.lapeer.org<mailto:melissa@lib.lapeer.org> www.library.lapeer.org<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.library.lapeer.org&data=02%7C01%7CMembielaC%40michigan.gov%7C175ecb8cf9b343d7fcf508d7688179b6%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637092777611539534&sdata=VyfRNV5bQMlyXacAkMSLKHdAkds3HQuzVcOXLXljQ9o%3D&reserved=0> 810.664.9521 <callto:810.664.9521> ext. 3113 "If liberty and justice mean anything, then access means everything." -- Charles Ogletree _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:Michlib-l@mcls.org> http://mail2.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmail2.mcls.org%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Fmichlib-l&data=02%7C01%7CMembielaC%40michigan.gov%7C175ecb8cf9b343d7fcf508d7688179b6%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637092777611539534&sdata=FOuBgvHsU8n0TR2SuyhdIonsLWuKJd0OMinRF1dYIKQ%3D&reserved=0>
participants (4)
-
Joel Laessig -
Membiela, Clare (MDE) -
Reed, Nyama -
Stanczak, Cindy