Unsupervised Children Policy

Effective Date: 08/04
Reviewed and Revised Date: 04/21

Policy

Library policies and services are designed to provide a safe and welcoming environment for patrons of all ages. Parents and caregivers should use the same caution with their children at the library as they would in any public setting. While at the library, parents and caregivers are directly responsible for the conduct, safety, and supervision of their children.

Procedures

Children ten years of age and under must be directly supervised at all times by a parent or responsible caregiver (high school age and older).

If a child 10 years of age or under is unattended, staff members will search the library to find the parent or caregiver and ask them to supervise and stay with the child. 

If it is determined that a child is in the library without a responsible parent or caregiver, a staff member will call the parents and request that they pick up the child.  If parents cannot be contacted or do not come to pick up the child, the police will be called to assume responsibility.   

When a child age ten or under is attending a library program, a parent or caregiver must remain in the library building and return to meet their child by the end of the program.” During programs, the parent or caregiver of a child must remain in the library and return meet their child by the end of the program. For some programs, parents/caregivers are required to attend with their children. 

If a child who is not yet high school age is left at the library at closing, staff members will ask the patron to call and make sure that a ride is coming. At least two staff members will stay for 15 minutes with the child. After 15 minutes, the police may be called to come and wait with the child. High school age patrons may be left alone except in times of severe weather or other seemingly unsafe conditions.