Unattended Child Policy

In an effort to provide a Library environment that allows all patrons to utilize Library materials and information sources in a safe, relaxed manner, the Library Board of Trustees has adopted a policy statement concerning unattended or disruptive children.

Library staff members have many duties and cannot supervise children nor act as a substitute for daycare.
A responsible adult or caregiver should accompany children under the age of 9 while they are using the library. The person in charge of the child must stay with the child, unless s/he is participating in a Library sponsored program. During Library sponsored programs, the adult or responsible individual must remain in the building if the child is 2 years of age through kindergarten and must return to the program area by the end of the event.
While in the library, parents and caregivers are responsible for monitoring and regulating the behavior of their children. The Library requires that caregivers of children under the age of 6 stay within the line of sight of the children.
When using Internet computers, parents or caregivers with children will be required to use one of six workstations in the main part of the Library and to supervise their children during this time.
School-age children who depend on adults for transportation home must be picked up before the Library closes. Adults responsible for unattended school-age children using the Library should be aware of the Library's hours and special holiday schedules and make arrangements to meet children on time.
Parents, even in their absence, are legally responsible for their child's behavior.
Parents are reminded that they are responsible for supervising their children's access to Library materials. While staff members are always available to lead young people to interesting materials selected with children's interests and needs in mind, it will be assumed that children who visit the Library unattended are authorized to use the full range of materials available to our patrons.

If a child is found without a parent or caregiver, the staff will:

Attempt to comfort the child, if necessary.
Locate the parent or caregiver in the Library and explain the Unattended Child policy.
Make every effort to contact the parent or caregiver who is not in the Library to come and pick up the child.
Call the Perry Police to pick up the child, if the parent or caregiver cannot be located within 30 minutes. Staff will notify the Director that the police have been called.
Encourage an unattended child to contact parent or guardian if it is 15 minutes to closing time. If parent or caregiver cannot be reached or does not arrive within 5 minutes after closing, Library staff will call the Perry Police.
Not transport any child from the Library to another location.

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Last updated April 17, 2007